LAKE FOREST – As a “gunner” on the Bears special teams units, most of Corey Graham’s favorite statistics never will appear in a box score.

As difficult as this might be, as politically incorrect as this might seem, as wild and crazy as this might sound, I’m here to defend Bears quarterback Jay Cutler. 

New Orleans Saints 9-0 (1)

Bears rushing offense vs. Eagles rushing defense

LAKE FOREST – Bears coach Lovie Smith defended the team’s approach toward the media Thursday after reportedly snubbing an interview request from NBC’s Bob Costas this week.

LAKE FOREST – The Bears caught a significant break Wednesday when they learned that Eagles running back Brian Westbrook officially was ruled out of Sunday’s game.

LAKE FOREST – Bears quarterback Jay Cutler never has slumped this badly before.

The Northwest Herald will quiz a Chicago athlete about the contents of his locker in an occasional series. After interviewing Bears defenders Anthony Adams and Zackary Bowman, we sought out a player on the Bears’ offense to see how he sizes up.

LAKE FOREST – It felt like déjà vu all over again Monday as the Bears returned to practice following another tough loss.

LAKE FOREST – Bears receiver Devin Aromashodu waited almost two years for this.

CHICAGO – A Bears-free Sunday should offer ample time for you to check an extra item or two off the to-do list.

SAN FRANCISCO – The Bears have shot themselves in the foot so many times this season that even a podiatrist might want to look away.

CHICAGO – A bad year for the Bears got worse.

Are we watching a quarterback with great potential be ruined by an inept system?

SAN FRANCISCO – Last season, Bears receiver Earl Bennett yearned to catch a pass.

SAN FRANCISCO – This was not a statistical category that Bears quarterback Jay Cutler hoped to lead.

First Quarter

SAN FRANCISCO – Bears quarterback Jay Cutler’s arms fell to his side and he walked slowly off of the field after his last-second, career-worst fifth interception Thursday night.

SAN FRANCISCO – Frank Gore ran for 104 yards and a touchdown, Jay Cutler threw a career-high five interceptions with his last coming in the end zone on the game's final play and the San Francisco 49ers snapped a four-game losing streak by beating the Bears, 10-6, on Thursday night.

1. Bears middle linebacker Hunter Hillenmeyer vs. 49ers tight end Vernon Davis: Hillenmeyer is the man in the middle, but the job of defending Davis will fall on the entire defense. Davis is tied for first in the NFL with seven touchdowns, and his 42 receptions lead the 49ers. The Bears secondary has enough concerns as it is.

Bears rushing offense vs. 49ers rushing defense

New Orleans Saints 8-0 (1)

It’s hard for me to believe, but I’ve been out of the NFL for almost 15 years. 

CHICAGO – The Bears will be playing for more than a winning record or a chance to creep back into the playoff picture when they visit the San Francisco 49ers today.

LAKE FOREST – Bears quarterback Jay Cutler was sacked four times against the Arizona Cardinals on Sunday, but he praised his offensive line Tuesday for its efforts to protect him.

The Northwest Herald will quiz a Chicago athlete about the contents of his locker in an occasional series. After starting the series with Anthony Adams, one of the messiest Bears, we sought out “Mr. Clean.”

LAKE FOREST – A rare dose of candor emerged Monday at the Bears’ practice facility after the team scrutinized its latest lopsided loss in a half-empty season.

LAKE FOREST – Bears defensive tackle Tommie Harris apologized to fans, teammates and children Monday after his sucker punch led to an ejection from Sunday’s game.

CHICAGO – Bears players were quick to defend Lovie Smith and his coaching staff Sunday after the team suffered its second lopsided loss in the past three weeks.

CHICAGO – Sucker punch, meet knockout blow.