 | |||
| E-Rod protects Cutler vs. the Colts. Photos courtesy of chicago.cbslocal.com |
Although the Chicago Bears are coming off a loss, there are no plans to change the starting offensive line for Sunday’s game at Minnesota.
Veteran guard Chris Spencer returned to practice Wednesday on a limited basis after being held out last week with a knee injury. But he’s not likely to crack the lineup as offensive coordinator Mike Tice indicated Gabe Carimi is likely to remain at right guard for a second start with Edwin Williams, who struggled against the Seahawks, sticking at left guard.
“Right now, we don’t anticipate any changes up front,” Tice said after practice Wednesday. “We felt like the line played solid football, not necessarily great football but solid football. Anytime with the line you want to have the same guys in there, so there’s no sense at this point of the week making any drastic changes and just trying to keep building on some of the things we’ve done the last two weeks.”
The Bears don’t have anything drastic they could consider but Spencer, who has made three starts this season, is an option.
The Bears picked up 132 yards rushing against the Seahawks with Matt Forte and Michael Bush combining for 105.
“It was the first game I felt good about the pulling stuff,” Tice said. “We got some pulling going. As we know, getting the pulling stuff going against 3-4 schemes is tough. I told the offense this is the first time in a long time I could remember this late in the season that the run game, each run seems like it is one block. This guy got his block. This is great, but this guy ... so in the second half we had less of that. We had more guys on their blocks and Matt was able to use his speed and hit some seams and we were pulling guys and the fullback (Evan Rodriguez) is blocking well too.”
Quarterback Jay Cutler has been sacked only twice in the last two games and it’s been the result of him tripping on linemen’s feet and losing the ball for a fumble. So, linemen have not been responsible. That’s another reason to keep the group together as is.
“They’re playing better,” Cutler said. “I don’t know if it’s because I am yelling at them more or what’s happening. Guys are playing well. We’re getting rid of the ball quickly. I think we have good game plans going into it. I think Mike is doing a great job of mixing it up and spinning the play calling and keeping teams off balance.”
