In comments distributed by the team, Bears coach Lovie Smith said after the 32-17 loss to the Raiders that LB Brian Urlacher’s calf injury was a “strain,” and that it “shouldn’t be anything major.”
On the performance of LT Chris Williams, who was beaten like a rented drum (or something like that), coach Lovie Smith was blunt: “Not good enough,” Smith said in comments distributed by the team. “It’s as simple as that. Whenever you give up a couple of sacks as an offensive lineman, that is not good. Chris is a better player than that.”
Bears QB Jay Cutler was more general in his assessment of the offensive line, sounding a lot like another quarterback who played college football in Tennessee: “We had a few protection issues.”
Cutler is gushing about offensive coordinator Mike Martz: “You can see that Mike’s system works. It is very evident to everyone on the field. Offensively, if we do what we are supposed to do, the ball will be moved down the field very efficiently. That’s always a positive.”
An injury to LS Patrick Mannelly forced TE Desmond Clark to take over the duties, resulting in some bad snaps and a Garo Yepremian imitation from K Robbie Gould.
Raiders QB Jason Campbell is gaining confidence; "[T]his game I was a lot more comfortable,” he said. “Last game I had some jitters before the game, given it was the first time with a new team. This game, I was just out there playing football.”
Raiders CB Nnamdi Asomugha missed Saturday’s game due to illness; “A couple of guys that I thought would play, like Nnamdi, came down with an upset stomach last night and still wasn’t feeling well this morning so I kept him out,” coach Tom Cable said.
Cable gushed about newcomer Kamerion Wimbley, who notched four sacks, primarily at the expense of Bears LT Chris Williams; “Exceptional night really,” Cable said in comments distributed after the game. “It started right from the get-go, and up until he came out I think he was a factor on third down. Shoot, I think on every series.”
“I got one early and I was energized,” Wimbley said of his performance. “I was able to use some successful moves one-on-one and I came free. I have never had four sacks in a half before.”
Steve Corkran of the Oakland Tribune says that Raiders LT Mario Henderson and LG Robert Gallery “acquitted themselves well” against Bears DE Julius Peppers and DT Tommie Harris. (It’s always nice to see the word “acquitted” used in reference to NFL players. And rare.)