Wondering about a player, a past game or another issue involving the Bears? Senior writer Larry Mayer answers a variety of questions from fans on ChicagoBears.com.
How have the Bears performed in the past against Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford?
Phil K.
Elmhurst, Illinois
The Bears are 6-8 all-time against Matthew Stafford, who has completed 62.7 percent of his passes in those games for 3,695 yards with 22 touchdowns, 17 interceptions and an 83.7 passer rating while being sacked 31 times. In my opinion, Stafford is one of the NFL's most underrated quarterbacks. He's got a very strong arm and can extend plays with his feet and he isn't throwing as many interceptions or taking as many sacks as he did earlier in his career. Here's what Bears defensive coordinator Vic Fangio had to say about Stafford this week: "He qualifies as one of the top quarterbacks in the league, and I say that because there's really no one way to play him. When you become a great quarterback, it's because there is no one way to play you. He's good against pressure. He's good against a three-man rush. He's good against different types of coverages. So you just have to mix it up with him. Obviously, a good pass rush always goes a long way in helping play against any quarterback. But you've got to be able to mix up what you're doing against him because he's good enough now. He has played in this offense now for a couple years. He has got a good grasp of it, so he's got a good feel of where to go, and he's got the arm talent and accuracy to go with it."
When inside linebacker Danny Trevathan is injured, who calls plays on defense?
Robert L.
Michigan
Christian Jones handled those responsibilities last Sunday against the Packers and defensive coordinator Vic Fangio said Thursday that there's "a good chance" the fourth-year pro will do so again Sunday versus the Lions. Teams can only put a communication device in one player's helmet on both sides of the ball and the Bears chose Jones on defense because he was going to be on the field more than fellow inside linebackers Nick Kwiatkoski and John Timu.
I was disappointed to see Kyle Fuller struggle against the Packers. Do you think that he'll continue to struggle or bounce back and play like he has been most of the season?
Chris T.
Elmwood Park, Illinois
Kyle Fuller has played well against both the pass and the run throughout most of the season; he just had a bad game against the Packers. I'm not worried that it will be the beginning of a downhill slide, however. I'm confident that Fuller will bounce back Sunday against the Lions. Cornerbacks have to have a short memory and I don't believe that Fuller's struggles versus Green Bay will carry over into future games.
