Wondering about a player, a past game or another issue involving the Bears? Senior writer Larry Mayer answers a variety of questions from fans on ChicagoBears.com.
Do you think Adam Shaheen will begin to get more playing time?
Dennis P.
Rochester, Minnesota
Listening to offensive coordinator Dowell Loggains speak this week, it sounds like tight end Adam Shaheen's role will continue to grow. The rookie second-round draft pick caught a two-yard touchdown pass from Mike Glennon against the Steelers, but Shaheen also did a good job blocking in the game. Here's what Loggains had to say about the Ashland University product: "He's getting better every week. In the run game he's got some edginess to him. Each week his role is growing and growing and we hope to continue that." Loggains acknowledged that Shaheen is still adjusting from Division II to the NFL but sees his technique improving. "Fundamentally he's getting better coming from a small school," Loggains said. "He's not used to seeing the Pittsburgh Steelers, the Atlanta Falcons, the Tampa Bay Bucs, I mean a lot of good defenses we faced right off the bat."
Did the Bears consider releasing Marcus Cooper Sr. after his gaffe against the Steelers? His mistake could have cost them a win.
Brad F.
Bloomingdale, Illinois
No, Marcus Cooper's job was not in jeopardy. When asked about the cornerback Tuesday, coach John Fox said: "We're not firing him. He's too much of a part of our team." While slowing down short of the end and getting the ball stripped could have cost the Bears the game as you mentioned, the Bears will turn the page and hope that Cooper learned from his mistake. I'm sure they also hope he plays as well as he did on defense against the Steelers; he had a couple of nice pass breakups in key situations.
I know the number of sacks a player records aren't always an indication of how well he's playing, but I'm a little concerned that Leonard Floyd has failed to get to the quarterback in the first three games of the season. How do you think he's playing?
Dave C.
Indiana
I'll defer to Vic Fangio. When asked this week whether Leonard Floyd's lack of stats so far this season are misleading, the Bears defensive coordinator said: "To a degree." "Said Fangio: "In the first game, we dropped him a lot. They were throwing the ball very quick, so we wanted him in coverage. That happened some, a fair amount, this past week [against the Steelers] also. So I do think it's more a product of the games we've played so far. I do think he can rush better with his opportunities that he has had, but I don't see it as an epidemic yet."
