| The Bears' defense is now up to 14 sacks in the first three games. Yes, the Monsters of the Midway are back, as Rams QB Sam Bradshaw can attest, being sacked six times Sunday. (AP Images) |
You know the Bears defense is getting serious about sacks when even a linebacker gets a sack.
Nick Roach had the first regular-season sack by any Bears linebacker since the 2010 finale in Sunday's 23-6 win over the St. Louis Rams, but it was hardly noticed with the way the defensive linemen got after St. Louis QB Sam Bradford. With six sacks, they raised their season total to 14. Five came from defensive linemen, including 2 1/2 by DE Israel Idonije.
When Idonije and DT Stephen Paea produced sacks, it meant every single starting defensive lineman had broken through in the sacks column after only three games.
“I mean, I think we’re still doing the same things, but just all these years together, everything’s just kind of really gelling, everything’s really coming together, just attention to detail and just a year further along," Idonije said.
The Bears don't do much blitzing or stunting on the line, but they've been sliding defensive linemen all season to different spots and causing confusion as well as giving rush men rest.
"Coach (coordinator Rod) Marinelli does a great job of putting together a plan to have mismatches against our opposition," Idonije said. "These first few weeks it's really worked out well. Kudos to him. He lives to be that kind of mastermind to put together that kind of plan for the guys up front and the defense."
Part of that scheme Sunday included moving rookie DE Shea McClellin to standup linebacker, like he played at Boise State. Afterward, he laughed when it was suggested he was back in a familiar situation standing up.
"It was just one play," he said.
DE Julius Peppers, who had a half-sack, was more impressed by the 160 net yards allowed than the six total sacks.
"We pretty much knew from the beginning of the game we could get pressure on him," Peppers said. "It was just a matter of going out and executing the rush plan."
Dog whistle: Peppers got a roughing penalty for throwing down Rams RB Daryl Richardson on a third-and-23, 4-yard run. It didn't look like a wise play at the time, but Peppers said he wasn't trying to play dirty. Perhaps the replacement refs had something to do with it.
"He got back up and tried to run," Peppers said. "I didn't hear the whistle. I wasn't sure if he was down. He still tried to get up and run, so I finished the play."
Peppers said he was surprised by the call at the time, but it didn't affect the outcome much. Plays like that were expected because St. Louis had a reputation for dirty play after Washington's Robert Griffin III called them out on it the previous game.
"It got a little chippy," Peppers said. "This team plays hard and we do, too. That was the thing this week, to step up and meet the challenge. We are pleased with how we played."
Streaking: Robbie Gould's 54-yard first-quarter field goal marked his ninth straight from 50 yards and beyond.
Punching bags: It was the third straight game the Rams failed to score an offensive TD against the Bears defense.
Follow Bears reporter Gene Chamberlain on Twitter @CBSBears.