LAKE FOREST, Ill. -- Sure, the defense isn't dominating the way Pro Bowl linebacker Lance Briggs and the rest of the Chicago Bears anticipated.
Then, he added: "We're not the '07 Bears."
That's good news for these Bears. So is this: Nathan Vasher and Charles Tillman practiced Thursday without limitations, meaning Chicago might have both its starting cornerbacks when Detroit visits on Sunday.
That would help a defense that has struggled against the pass. More pressure and better play from the linebackers wouldn't hurt, either.
The Bears expected a defense gutted by injuries last season to return to its dominant form, but instead, they can thank the offense for a 4-3 record and a share of the NFC North lead with Green Bay.
"It's great to be not viewed as a weak link," receiver Rashied Davis said.
It's unfamiliar territory for the offense. And the defense.
"We're lucky to have the offense we do," Briggs said.
That's a statement that's rarely been made around Halas Hall over the years.
"Our offense will take the ball from the 5-yard line and drive all the way across the field," he said. "As a defensive player, you love to see stuff like that. They're working hard."
He doesn't love what he's seeing from the defense.
The line has struggled, and so have the linebackers. While Briggs has played at a Pro Bowl level, Brian Urlacher hasn't been his old dominant self after being bothered by an arthritic back last season and then having minor neck surgery. Hunter Hillenmeyer has been ineffective, and he had surgery on his right thumb last week, making his status for Sunday a question.
On the line, Pro Bowl defensive tackle Tommie Harris has struggled while the pass rush has been nonexistent at times.
It all explains why Chicago's defense ranks 18th overall and 29th against the pass. The fact that teams have basically abandoned the run in favor of short throws helps explain the low ranking, along with injuries and poor execution.
A healthy Vasher and Tillman would help the secondary.
Vasher has not played since Sept. 28 because of a right wrist injury that required pins to be surgically inserted, and the secondary continued to get hit hard by injuries. Tillman injured his left shoulder against Atlanta on Oct. 12, nickel back Danieal Manning pulled a hamstring and both sat out Chicago's 48-41 victory over Minnesota two weeks ago.
Cornerback Corey Graham got knocked woozy in that game and rookie Zackary Bowman suffered a season-ending biceps injury, spoiling an impressive debut in which he recovered a muffed punt for a touchdown and sealed the win with an interception.
Now, Hillenmeyer might be out.
If Hillenmeyer can't play, Nick Roach would likely start. Another possibility would be Jamar Williams.
A second-year pro out of Northwestern, Roach has appeared in just five games this season but has impressed the Bears with his speed and intelligence.
"Nick Roach has always been a very athletic football player," defensive coordinator Bob Babich said. "It's taken some time to get all the little things down, and he's done a great job of working at it."
Briggs is impressed.
"He moves well, he's really fast," he said. "He's a guy who you could put out against most guys in the league and he'd be able to cover them. He picks everything up pretty fast. If he makes a mistake, he'll tell the coach what the mistake is before the coach can get it out of his mouth."
Told about Briggs' praise, Roach grinned and said, "Whatever he said."
Briggs, Brian Urlacher and Hillenmeyer have had a long run together, starting most games over the past five seasons.
"This is football," Briggs said. "You plug in the guys who can play and that's just the way it goes."
Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press
