Mike Ditka, if anybody, knows that nice guys finish last. He wants to see a little more fire in his players.
”I think we`ve been too nice lately,” Ditka said. ”We need to play meaner, with a chip on our shoulder. We`re missing that cockiness, what Lemuel Stinson gave us when he was playing.”
Stinson, the starting cornerback out for the season after knee surgery, used to predict interceptions and guarantee victories.
More Top Picks Best Balance Pads For Stability Training
Have the Bears mellowed in recent weeks?
”No, I really don`t see that,” middle linebacker Mike Singletary said.
”Definitely, there are some things that need to be tuned up. But once we get guys healthy, and I mean, not 100 percent, but healthy-once we get the guys back, we`ll be all right.”
The Bears haven`t exactly terrorized anyone in losing three of their last four. However, the 10-9 loss to Washington was more representative of their style of play. That may have been the Bears` most physical performance of the year.
”I`m not going to say they don`t have it in them,” Stinson said. ”I probably was a little more outspoken than what`s going on now, but these guys can do the job. I was out there doing whatever I could to help the team. Now, somebody else has to step up.”
Injury report: After missing practice Wednesday with an illness, defensive tackle Steve McMichael was back to work on Thursday. Tight end Cap Boso had the cast removed from his ankle, but didn`t practice.
The magnetic resonance imaging tests on linebacker Ron Cox`s knee showed no ligament damage but possible cartilage damage. The Bears are hoping Cox will be able to postpone any surgery until after the season.
Kicker Kevin Butler worked out, but is keeping his right arm in a sling to immobilize his separated shoulder. Linebackers Ron Rivera (knee) and John Roper (hamstring) sat out practice as did running back Neal Anderson (ribs)
and defensive end Tim Ryan (leg). Wide receiver Dennis Gentry worked out despite a minor toe injury.
Tickets available: The Bears reported there are 300 tickets remaining for Sunday`s game against Tampa Bay at Soldier Field. The club is shooting for its 59th consecutive sellout.
Road warriors: The Bears closed out their regular season road show by helping the Lions draw a crowd of 67,759 into the Silverdome. In eight away games, the Bears helped attract an average of 66,805 while selling out six games. They were the season`s top draw at Los Angeles (Raiders), Green Bay, Phoenix, Tampa Bay and Minnesota.