Bears running back Thomas Jones just missed posting his first 100-yard game of the season Sunday night with 98 yards on 24 carries, a 4.1-yard average, and his first two touchdowns of the season.
Cedric Benson contributed 37 yards on 11 carries. Did Benson’s yards prove that the Bears have two good running backs?
“One good one and one great one,” Benson corrected with a nod toward Jones a locker away.
“And don’t forget about A.P. [Adrian Peterson]. We’ve got some good backs on this team.”
Overcoming
Cornerback Ricky Manning Jr. went through a difficult week with his no-contest plea to felony assault and the ensuing glare of attention that followed.
The NFL is expected to issue a suspension at some point, but grabbing two interceptions Sunday was a good way to forget some of the week’s stress.
“I think that helps him,” said defensive coordinator Ron Rivera. “Hopefully [it] will be resolved very, very quickly.”
New NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell, who was on hand for Sunday night’s game, wouldn’t discuss Manning’s case specifically but addressed in general terms his expectation that NFL players set good examples off the field.
“It’s up to them to responsibly behave,” Goodell said during an interview on the team’s flagship station, WBBM-AM 780. “It’s up to them to be positive role models in the community, and I think for the most part, most of our players do.
“[But] obviously, when you have 2,000 young men you’re going to have some people who are going to get themselves on the wrong side of the law, and we’re going to deal with them harshly. We have programs and policies, and we’ll continue to enforce those very aggressively.”
Bringin’ the noise
Seattle may be renowned for coffee and loud fans, but the Bears will take Chicago, thank you very much.
The noise generated by the Soldier Field crowd was so loud that the Bears’ defensive players couldn’t hear linebacker Brian Urlacher calling out instructions at times.
“It was unbelievable,” said defensive end Adewale Ogunleye.
“But that was great. Because we know that if we’re having trouble hearing, it’s going to affect the [opposing] offense even more.”
Eyes on the prize
Defensive tackle Tommie Harris, who had two sacks Sunday night, repeatedly stressed that nothing mattered except “Miami,” referring to the site of this season’s Super Bowl. At one point Harris declared that the answer to every question was “Miami.”
“We moved a step closer tonight to . . . ,” Harris said, then cocked his head and waited for the media, which gave him his required chorus of “Miami.” Harris then nodded with approval.
