His star linebacker has an arthritic back. His featured running back is frustrated and demanding more touches. His veteran quarterback is making rookie-like mistakes.
Yet Lovie Smith refused to cite those problems, or any other isolated issues, as reasons for his team’s miserable 3-5 start. As he fielded questions a day after his team’s lackluster 16-7 loss to the Lions, the Bears coach pointed the finger at one individual: himself.
“I’m definitely not proud of the job I’ve done getting our football team ready,” Smith said. “The plan wasn’t to be 3-5 at this stage of our season. … We have time to get it right.”
The Bears have less than two weeks to heal and dissect how to correct an utter mess before playing again Nov. 11 at Oakland. Smith danced around the issue of personnel changes by saying those are possible each week, but a shake-up might be necessary.
The offense took a huge step back Sunday against the Lions, with Brian Griese throwing four interceptions — one more than Rex Grossman threw in the game that led to his benching.
The defense has lost its edge with Brian Urlacher and Tommie Harris not at full strength and Nathan Vasher still out. In fact, Harris, who guaranteed the Bears would make the playoffs, said Sunday that injuries are the only reason the defense has struggled.
Smith disagreed. “First off, we don’t play players that are injured,” Smith said. “Do players play with pain? Yes. Weekly, daily, players play with pain.”
It’s doubtful a healthy Urlacher would have changed the team’s misfortunes from the first half of the season. Losing to Detroit on the road was bad enough, but dropping three of four home games was downright embarrassing.
Smith said the team goals from the start of the season — beating Green Bay, winning the NFC North and making it to the Super Bowl — still are intact. It would take a nearly flawless final eight games to reach those standards.
“We need to have improved play in all areas,” Smith said.
Getting the running game going would be a good start, since Smith doesn’t plan to change his run-first philosophy. Cedric Benson has 466 total rushing yards and averages 3.1 yards per carry. Despite his low numbers, Benson lashed out at his critics after Sunday’s game and essentially demanded an increased role.
“It’s good that Cedric wants more carries,” Smith said. “I would just like for all our players to have that type of approach, saying that, ‘I can do more. I want to do more.’ “
Just as Smith had no problems with Benson’s rant, he doesn’t believe dissension lingers within the team.
“Strong leadership in our locker room,” he said. “There’s disappointment right now, which there should be. But we get a chance to take a break, get refreshed and ready to go. And we know what’s at stake now.
“We really can’t look behind because we don’t like what we see behind. But I like what the future can bring for us, starting with Oakland.”
