K.C. Johnson covers the Bears for the Chicago Tribune and answers e-mail questions each week at chicagosports.com. Here’s a few of his most recent answers, and log on to get the rest.
“Kyle Orton excelled when in the shotgun at Purdue. Why wouldn’t Ron Turner use it to get better results? Is it because of Olin Kruetz’s reluctance to use the shotgun?”
–Pete, Schererville, Ind.
Funny you should ask that. Because a reporter asked Lovie Smith that very question on Monday. Here’s his answer: “Olin can handle [the shotgun]. And we have a shotgun in. But as I said earlier, we’ve won seven straight games with this offense. It’s not like we’re going to change who we are. We like who we are.” And I like having Lovie Smith do my work for me.
“Am I the only one watching the Bears that thinks Kyle Orton stinks? I read the headline, “Orton grows into role as a winner” and I couldn’t believe it. It’s time to drop Orton and let Rex [Grossman] play, if he can.”
–Ed, Allentown, Penn.
I think you’ve got some company. That company just doesn’t exist in Bears management.
“Everyone says the toughest game left is against Pittsburgh. I think the toughest game is always the one that follows a huge win. What do you think is the toughest game remaining?”
–Steve Whalen, Austin, Texas
The NFC championship. The toughest game remaining for me will be the Jan. 1 game against Minnesota. Because that’s the game I thought my vacation would be starting after. And now we’ve got a playoff run, baby.
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kcjohnson@tribune.com
