Wondering about a player, a past game or another issue involving the Bears? Senior writer Larry Mayer answers a variety of email questions from fans on ChicagoBears.com.
It was troubling to see the Bears commit so many penalties in Sunday's loss to the Cardinals. How many of those flags were on the defense?
Steve R.
Lowell, Indiana
The defense committed "only" five of the Bears' 14 penalties Sunday against the Cardinals, but those flags accounted for 105 of the team's 170 penalty yards, which tied a 71-year-old franchise record. The most costly penalties were pass interference calls against starting cornerbacks Kyle Fuller for 42 yards and Alan Ball for 38 yards on back-to-back possessions in the first half. The two flags resulted in Arizona first downs at the Chicago 11 and 16 and led to touchdowns. The Bears offense committed seven penalties, with left tackle Jermon Bushrod being flagged three times—twice for false starts and once for holding—and right guard Vladimir Ducasse drawing two flags for holding and a false start. Asked Monday what accounted for all the penalties, coach John Fox blamed technique, focus and execution.
I loved seeing Joshua Bellamy score a touchdown Sunday and was wondering who the last Bears player was who got in the end zone on his first career reception?
John T.
Edison Park (in Chicago)
This is actually a pretty good trivia question (feel free to use it). Joshua Bellamy became the first Bears player to score a touchdown on his first NFL reception Sunday against the Cardinals since Brian Urlacher on Dec. 23, 2001. Urlacher caught a 27-yard TD pass from Brad Maynard on a fake field goal to lift the Bears to a 20-15 win over the Redskins. It was the only reception of Urlacher's illustrious 13-year career in Chicago.
When was the last time the Bears failed to record a sack in back-to-back games?
Pete W.
Roselle, Illinois
It's been a while. The Bears have failed to generate a sack in back-to-back games this year for the first time since Week 2 and 3 in 2010. The difference is that the Bears won both of those games, 27-20 over the Cowboys in Dallas and 20-17 over the Packers in Chicago.
