Bears notes: O-line performs well amidst shakeup

December 2, 2012, 6:31 pm

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The Bears’ offensive line went through a few changes this week thanks to injuries. And for the most part, the line had a solid outing.

Jay Cutler was sacked just once – and that was when he fumbled – and the Bears rushed for 132 yards in their 23-17 overtime loss to the Seattle Seahawks. The Bears had to make some switches on the offensive line, including moving Gabe Carimi to right guard. And all things considered, the offensive line was fine.

“We didn’t give up a lot of sacks and things like that,” coach Lovie Smith said. “We did what we needed to do to stay in the game. We just needed to get some help in other places.”

Cutler said the line was “OK. They could still anchor a little better. But they are giving me time.”

While the Bears’ running game got off to a slow start, it ended up producing. Matt Forte and Michael Bush combined for 105 yards, an average of 3.8 yards per carry.

“They played well, given the switch around, and Gabe playing guard and Ed (Williams) having to be in there,” Forte said. “They played very well.”

But for Roberto Garza, the offensive line’s adjustments were of little consolation.

“At the end of the day, you want to win the football game,” he said. “That’s all that matters. We didn’t do enough.”

SO CLOSE, YET…

Major Wright hoped he had caused a turnover in overtime, hoped that he had jarred the ball loose from Seattle receiver Sidney Rice’s hands before Rice got into the end zone. But it wasn’t to be, as officials ruled Rice and the ball broke the plane before Wright knocked the ball loose – and knocked out Rice for a moment.

“I thought we had a chance,” Wright said. “But at the end of the day, the refs made a call. They came out and made a call.”

Rice said he and quarterback Russell Wilson had practiced the route all week – and he knew he scored.

“I definitely knew I was in. They just made me stay down because I got a little dinged up,” Rice said. “I had a couple concussions before. They just wanted to make sure I was all right.”

QUICK HITS

-- Safety Chris Conte left the game early due to the flu, and was replaced by Craig Steltz. Safety Major Wright said Conte said he wasn’t feeling well early.

“It was probably the second series. He said he felt dizzy, light headed, was throwing up. I thought, ‘Wow, I didn’t know.’”

-- Entering Sunday, Jay Cutler was 25-0 when he had a 100-plus passer rating. Cutler had a 119.6 passer rating in Sunday’s loss to Seattle.

-- The Bears recorded their 300th takeaway since 2004 when Brian Urlacher stripped Seattle running back Marshawn Lynch in the first quarter on Sunday. Cornerback Kelvin Hayden recovered the fumble.

Tags: Jay Cutler, Seattle Seahawks, Matt Forte, Chicago Bears, Lovie Smith, Earl Bennett, Major Wright, Gabe Carimi, Chris Conte