Johnny Bailey says he`s sorry and won`t let it happen again.
”I don`t know what happened last week,” said the rookie punt returner Wednesday. Bailey fumbled once and muffed two other chances Sunday against Detroit. ”I didn`t feel right about the game at all,” he said. ”I had a terrible game. I just don`t see how I made so many mistakes. I have to get a little more serious about my work.”
Coach Mike Ditka and special-teams coach Steve Kazor reprimanded Bailey but apparently will stick with him.
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”They got on me a little bit, which I understand,” Bailey said. ”But they told me I`m still going to be the punt returner, and that gives me momentum knowing the head coach and special-teams coach still have confidence in me.
”I definitely think I`m trying too hard. I`ve got to relax, hit the hole and try to pick up anything I see. I think I can break it if I just hit it.”
Ditka said he was considering backup running back Mark Green, cornerback Donnell Woolford and wide receiver Tom Waddle as replacements if Bailey continues having difficulties.
Injury report: X-rays were negative on Trace Armstrong`s left hand, which the defensive end feared was broken but was only sprained. Defensive tackle Steve McMichael sat out of practice Wednesday, suffering from stomach flu. Receiver Ron Morris missed practice with a bruised sternum.
Showdown: The Redskins have converted 45.8 percent of their third downs, third in the NFL behind Houston (53.4) and San Francisco (49.7). Meanwhile, the Bears have the league`s best third-down defense, allowing offenses to convert just 32.1 percent of the time.