The Chicago Bears’ offensive line is focused on what it says is the toughest test of the year tonight: Keeping Lions defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh off Jay Cutler.
“First of all, he cannot get to the quarterback — plain and simple,” Bears center Roberto Garza said. “It’s up to us to make sure that doesn’t happen. If he’s close to the quarterback, one of us got beat, and we can’t let that be an issue.”
Bears offensive line coach Mike Tice says that the key to the Bears stopping Suh isn’t double-teaming him. It’s winning one-on-one matchups.
“If you double him on every play, then I don’t have enough guys,” Tice said. “We’re going to try to give guys help, but we also have to give help on [Kyle Vanden Bosch]. [We have to give] help on [Cliff] Avril. There’s only so many guys we can help at the same time. At some point, guys have to earn their checks.”
So far this season the Bears’ offensive linemen haven’t done a very good job of earning their checks, and Cutler has been sacked 15 times. Tice says his players need to get a lot better, in a hurry.
“Every one of my guys has a challenge this week,” Tice said. “This is the best front we’ve played this year.”