You never know about depth until it is tested.
In three weeks, the Bears have benefited from outstanding depth at linebacker. Nick Roach is likely their third starter in the middle in four games, and Jamar Williams expects to be the third starter at strong side linebacker in four games.
“Going into the season we talked about our three backup linebackers being able to start and play good football,” said Lovie Smith. “It’s kind of next guy up at every position and they’ve done a great job.
Brian Urlacher(dislocated wrist) is out for the season. Hunter Hillenmeyer(rib) expects to be back sooner, rather than later. Pisa Tinoisamoa(sprained knee) is mending quickly.
Roach is a great story. A broken leg derailed his senior season at Northwestern. It likely knocked him out of the draft. He signed with San Diego in 2007, then was swiped off the Chargers practice squad in November of that season.
“I mean it’s been a long road,” Roach said. “Honestly, looking back it’s kind of all…I guess…a little surreal, you know a little bit of a blur. But you know I think that everything that’s happened to this point I’m just really thankful for that I have good teammate and good coaches to bring me along to this point.”
Roach made two huge plays Sunday in Seattle.
He pressured Seneca Wallace into an interception by Lance Briggs that set upa Robbie Gould field goal. Roach shadowed Seahawks running back Julius Jones on the final play of the game. The 4th and two pass was wide of Jones, but a shove from Roach trailing the play made sure Jones did not catch the throw.
“It’s kind of like watching a big screen TV,” Roach said. “You know you kind of get to see all the action and be around it.”
Lovie Smith did not rule out the possibility of bringing in another linebacker to replenish the depth chart. Tim Shaw was signed after Urlachers’ injury and is primarily a special teams player.
Every time there is an apparent need for a linebacker, Derrick Brooks’ name will be the first to surface.
This and That
- Jay Cutler completed all ten of his passes on the three Bears touchdown drives in Seattle…all three ending in Cutler touchdown passes.
- Ron Turner’s play calling produced near perfect balance. He called 26 runs and 29 Jay Cutler passes. In the first two games, the pass-run ratio percentage was 60-40. In 2008, it was 56-44.
- In Cutler’s last 10-quarters, he’s completed 72% of his passes for 633 yards with six touchdowns, and two interceptions.
Week 4: The Big Job
Detroit’s Calvin Johnson is a weapon. He has 13 catches for 190 yards and one touchdown. Routinely double-teamed in his first three seasons, the Lions have been looking for another receiver to relieve the pressure on Johnson.
Against the Redskins, they received good production out of veteran Bryant Johnson in their win over the Redskins. Johnson caught four passes for 73 yards including a 21-yard touchdown. Charles Tillman will likely draw Calvin Johnson most of the game, and it will be a battle.
A third quarter shoulder injury knocked talented Lions running back Kevin Smith=2 0out the game. He ran for 101 yards on 16 carries, averaging 6.3 yards/carry.
The Lions won their first game in 21 months knocking off the Washington Redskins 19-14. It ended the 2nd longest losing streak in NFL history.
Leave a Reply
