Peterson moving on up, but Bears still like Jones
November 25, 2008
BY BRAD BIGGS bbiggs@suntimes.com
Try as they might, the Bears just can't seem to get away from Adrian Peterson being their No. 2 running back.
It's not as if that is a bad thing. Peterson looked to be the odd man out in the backfield during the Thomas Jones-Cedric Benson pairing, then again this summer after the team acquired veteran Kevin Jones to pair with rookie Matt Forte.
But after biding his time, Peterson was back as the backup with Jones inactive for the last two games as the Bears devote as much help as possible to a special-teams unit that has been thinned out by injuries.
Peterson, who entered Sunday's game with one carry on the season, got five for 35 yards in the 27-3 victory at St. Louis and was happy to spell Forte for a drive in the second quarter.
''It's always good to get some carries,'' said Peterson, who had a career-high 151 last season. ''I've had to be patient. Everybody wants more. Nobody can stay in four quarters every game throughout the course of an entire season.''
Offensive coordinator Ron Turner was quick to point out the work for Peterson should not reflect negatively on Jones, who is second on the team with 34 carries -- 191 behind Forte.
''Every game we go into it saying we want to spell Matt a little bit, give him a break,'' Turner said. ''It's been Kevin. And now it's Adrian. That's not a knock on Kevin at all. It's more of numbers that we can dress on special teams. We all love A.P. We all believe Kevin Jones can play, too. We have to go with who's up.''
If you think the Bears are planning to reduce Forte's workload, think again. He leads the league with 270 offensive touches, and the love for Peterson doesn't extend to the point that Forte will be minimized.
''I don't pay attention to any stat, to be honest with you,'' Turner said. ''I did not know that. I know he's a good player, so we're going to get the ball in his hands as much as we can over the next five weeks.''
Health beat
Coach Lovie Smith said cornerback Nathan Vasher's right wrist will be evaluated further after he either reinjured the area that required surgery to insert a pin last month or suffered a similar injury. Vasher was upbeat about X-rays taken in St. Louis after the game.
Smith described tight end Desmond Clark's right knee sprain as ''minor,'' and he wasn't in a brace, as he was after injuring the same knee in the preseason at Seattle. Clark was back at practice two weeks after that injury.
Smith also said strong safety Mike Brown should be ''all right'' after leaving his second game in the last four at halftime.
Rush hour
Coming off a season-high five sacks against the Rams, the Bears' defense hopes to build momentum heading to Minnesota. Vikings quarterback Gus Frerotte has been sacked 26 times, once every 10.2 pass attempts.
''It's different,'' end Alex Brown said. ''St. Louis throws the ball a little more. They don't have [Vikings star] Adrian Peterson. When you've got Adrian Peterson in the backfield, you're going to run the ball. When you have an offensive line like they have, as big as they are, they're going to run the ball.
''We've got to stop the run first and foremost, and when they do throw it, we've got to put pressure on him, we've got to sack him. Those are the things we've got to do to have a chance to win. It doesn't necessarily guarantee we are going to win. It just gives us a chance.''
Extra points
• • Linebacker Darrell McClover was placed on injured reserve with a pulled hamstring to make room for guard Terrence Metcalf, who had a one-week roster exemption.
• • Fullback Jason Davis was re-signed to the practice squad. The Oakland Raiders plucked him away last month and released him last week. Fullback Jed Collins was released to make room.
• • Defensive end Mark Anderson turned in perhaps his best game of the season with five tackles and two quarterback hits at St. Louis. Free safety Kevin Payne led the team with seven tackles. The Bears made 14 stops behind the line: nine tackles for loss and five sacks. Corey Graham made four special-teams tackles, and Craig Steltz added three.
