Steve McMichael`s two sacks Sunday against Pittsburgh gave him a team-leading 10, and coach Mike Ditka said the 35-year-old tackle ”has been our highest-rated defensive player the last two years. He was the highest rated in Sunday`s game by the coaches` statistics.”
Speculation has arisen that McMichael, whose contract expires, will be next year`s Jay Hilgenberg because of his age. But Ditka hopes the Bears can re-sign him. ”The Bears need people like Steve McMichael,” Ditka said.
No Will, no way: Don`t expect to see rookie Will Furrer playing quarterback this year despite the fact that the last two games have no playoff meaning.
”I`d like to look at Will,” Ditka said, ”but I don`t think this is the time. Jim Harbaugh did Sunday what quarterbacks are supposed to do. He made enough good plays and never made a bad play.”
On a role: Ditka apparently is weary of trying to fit square pegs into round holes. ”Maybe we`ve got to identify some of our people as role players,” he said. ”Maybe we have to say, `You be a rush man, period.` Or, `You be this.` Other teams take guys and say, `We`re not going to burden you with a lot of things. This is the thing you`re going to do.`
”If Alonzo Spellman`s best trait is rushing the passer, let him rush. Don`t make him be something he`s not. If Ron Cox`s best trait is rushing, we`re going to rush him, although he has to drop sometimes because he`s a linebacker.”
The big one: In an effort to get the Bears up for the Steelers, Ditka showed the team a reel of Mike Singletary highlights last Saturday night, but ”his greatest hit we didn`t have in there. It was against Denver, and they ran a trap with Sam Winder. Winder went one way, his helmet went one way and the ball went another way, and he left the game for good.”
Help wanted: Ditka faulted his wide receivers for not helping Harbaugh when the quarterback is forced out of the pocket. ”The receivers have an obligation to come back to the ball,” he said.