Bears focussing on turnovers, running game

Wednesday Practice Report: Seahawks Week
It is only week three of the season and the Seattle Seahawks are having serious injury issues.   They suffered the same scenario last season.

Ten Seahawks are on the injury report including three players already ruled out for Sunday’s game against the Bears: LB LeRoy Hill(groin), T Sean Locklear(ankle), and CB Josh Wilson(ankle).

Seattle also did not practice QB Matt Hasselbeck(rib), WR TJ Houshmanzadeh(back), DT Brandon Mebane(calf), and20MLB Lofa Tatupu(hamstring).

Cornerback Ken Lucas was limited with a groin injury.

It appears the Seahawks will have veteran Pro Bowl left tackle Walter Jones(knee) available Sunday. Jones missed the first two games, as did WR Deion Branch(hamstring), and C Chris Spencer(quad).  Cornerback Travis Fisher(hamstring) also practiced for the Seahawks.

Defensive end Alex Brown(ankle) did not practice for the Bears, but he is expected to be well enough to play by Sunday.

TE Desmond Clark (rib) and LB Pisa Tinoisamoa(knee) also did not participate.  DT Tommie Harris(knee), DL Israel Idonije(knee), and LG Frank Omiyale(ankle) were limited.

Run production slowed
After collecting only 129 yards on 49 carries in the first two games, the Bears running game has yet to get going.

“We need to,” said head coach Lovie Smtih. “As much as anything, we have to keep the carries coming. The amount of carries sometimes will do what you want to get done with the running game as long as the passing game is productive. We’re still a running football team. Some games, though, we may have to lean on the pass a little bit more like we did this past week. But we want to get the running game going each week.”

With three new starters on the offensive line, the absence of Desmond Clark at tight end, and young receivers, there is a feeling out process going on for the entire unit.

More takeaways wanted
Lovie Smith continues to harp on the need to get more turnovers.

“We feel OK about where we are. We’re a 1-1 team right now. There are some things we have to correct still, but I like some of the things we’re doing. Not pleased with the takeaways, there’s no way around that. We have to take the ball away more, but I like the way the guys have played. The energy of just toughening up when we have to, not giving up any fourth quarter points, only giving up 14 points to the Steelers was big. But third downs weren’t exactly where we wanted them to be and a couple other things. We let them break a couple of long runs. We have a high standard. Guys realize that. But we’re making progress.”

The Bears are minus-two in turnover ratio after two games.