Not too many people would want to trade places with Vince Tobin this week. The Bears` defensive coordinator has to figure out some way to contain perhaps the most explosive offense in the league right now.
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”What they did, running and passing for 467 yards and 42 points against the league`s No. 1 defense in total yards and points allowed, that was an awesome display,” Tobin said of Washington`s 42-20 shellacking of Miami Sunday.
”Washington runs a lot of different plays using different personnel. They might come at you with three tight ends on one play and three wide receivers on the next, then a combination of both. We`ve got problems. We`ll try to take away what they do best.”
Tobin said one of the top priorities will be to slow down running back Earnest Byner, who rushed for 157 yards against the Dolphins.
Joint effort: Mike Ditka said he`ll split play-calling duties with offensive coordinator Greg Landry the rest of the season. During Sunday`s crucial game- tying drive, Ditka deferred to Landry. ”When you really have to throw the ball, he`s more at ease doing that than I am,” Ditka said.
Ditka admitted he calls more running plays and that Landry, an ex-quarterback, is more partial to the pass. Ditka wore a headset for the first time in years Sunday while communicating with receivers coach Vic Rapp in the press box. He said it gave him a better perspective on the game and enabled him to confirm some things he was trying to get accomplished. He said he stopped wearing them ”years ago because I`d get too distracted.”
For the defense: End Richard Dent graded out the highest after Sunday`s game, followed by tackle William Perry, safety Shaun Gayle and linebacker Ron Rivera. Dent had eight tackles, three passes defended and a sack. Perry, Gayle, Donnell Woolford and Mike Singletary each had seven tackles.
”William has been playing pretty good,” Tobin said of the Fridge, who has 15 tackles in the last two games.
Injury report: Defensive end Trace Armstrong had his left hand X-rayed Monday to see if it was broken. Linebacker Ron Cox said his headaches have dissipated after he suffered a form of whiplash in the Vikings game.