[CBFF] Huddle Up: Bears defense might want to face banged up Kevin Smith rather than healthy Maurice Morris

[Tom Shannon]

Bears defense might want to face banged up Kevin Smith rather than
healthy Maurice Morris
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By Vaughn McClure

Maybe facing Kevin Smith wouldn't be such a bad thing for the Bears defense.

Smith, the Lions top running back, injured his shoulder in Detroit's
19-14 over the Washington Redskins last Sunday. Smith also had a
banged up knee.

Smith's backup in Maurice Morris, a player the Bears are familiar with
from the past. Back in the 2007, when the Bears went out to Seattle
and loss an important 30-23 decision to the Seahawks, Morris rushed
for 87 yards on 18 carries. His 19-yard touchdown run gave the
Seahawks their first lead. A healthy Morris might pose more problems
than a banged up Smith.

As for Smith's status for Sunday, Lions coach Jim Schwartz somewhat
addressed the issue via conference call Wednesday.

``We will just see how that plays out this week and see what we can
get out of him and make a game-time decision on whether he can go or
not,'' Schwartz said. ``But Kevin is really important. We have a
dynamic playmaker in Calvin Johnson who can get open downfield, but
that is largely dependant on how we run the football and Kevin is a
big part of that.''

Smith leads the Lions in rushing with 204 yards on 55 carries with a
touchdown. Morris has just 25 yards on 10 carries with a touchdown.
http://blogs.chicagosports.chicagotribune.com/huddleup/2009/09/bears-defense-might-want-to-face-banged-up-kevin-smith-rather-than-healthy-maurice-morris.html