CBS Chicago writer Steve Silverman thinks the Bears defense will have success against the Cardinals offense. Why? Mostly because of Arizona’s offensive line, which has given up a league-worst 52 sacks this season.
“Left tackle Nate Potter (Boise State) has been overmatched at the spot,” Silverman wrote last week. “He does not have the athletic ability to make a good showing and he has also been out-muscled on a regular basis. Right tackle Bobby Massie has been sloppy and a half-step behind throughout the season. It’s not like the interior linemen are that much better. Left guard Daryn Colledge (Boise State) is the only acceptable blocker of the group. The former Packer is nasty and aggressive.”
Bleacherreport.com columnist Dan Hope agreed with that assessment: “With the exception of left guard Daryn Colledge, Arizona should be looking for new starters at four offensive line positions,” Hope wrote.
• Packers coach Mike McCarthy said Friday that Evan Dietrich-Smith (Idaho State) would “probably” start at center Sunday ahead of veteran Jeff Saturday, who has been limited with a neck/shoulder injury.
• Pro Bowl fan voting wrapped up last week, and 49ers guard Mike Iupati (Idaho) led his position with 177,817 votes. An interesting sidenote: Iupati leads San Francisco’s offensive players in penalties.
• Seattle safety Jeron Johnson (Boise State) will be a game-time decision because of a strained groin. He was held out of two practices late in the week, but coach Pete Carroll told reporters Johnson probably will play, even though he is listed as questionable.
• The Bucs aren’t going to the playoffs, but that doesn’t mean running back Doug Martin (Boise State) will be resting down the stretch. “One of the things we talked about when we arrived here was establishing a new culture. Although we’ve made strides, we’re not anywhere close to where we need to be. And I think Doug Martin is part of establishing that new culture,” coach Greg Schiano told the Tampa Bay Times. “I think it would be not a good time in our program’s development to say, ‘Hey, Doug, why don’t you go cool off here?’ I don’t think that’s where we are as a program.”
Compiled by Chris Langrill, The Idaho Statesman
