Weekly Waddle: Nice to see accountability 
By TOM WADDLE Shaw Suburban Media

Funny things are happening at Halas Hall these days.

No, Im not talking about the unexpected 3-0 start. Even the most optimistic of us Bears fans couldnt have predicted wins over the Cowboys AND Packers.

Accountability is the new buzzword at Bears headquarters, and forgive me for being mildly surprised. This is a team that has historically played favorites based on draft status. How else can you explain the presence of Mark Anderson on the roster and Alex Brown in a Saints uniform. Money? Theres no salary cap this year.

Im not nave. As a former undrafted free agent, I know draft picks usually get preferential treatment. Not so much anymore.

These days, if you arent delivering, youre sitting. Ask cornerback Zack Bowman. He wasnt at his best early Monday night and Lovie quickly yanked him in favor of Tim Jennings, who made the most of his opportunity and played a fantastic game.

When offensive tackle Kevin Shaffer struggled early, rookie JaMarcus Webb got a quick look. Wide receiver Devin Aromoshadu still is paying the price for playing poorly in the opener.

I applaud the change in philosophy. After all, the best players should play, shouldnt they?

Then theres the curious case of defensive tackle Tommie Harris. He was dressed in civvies and standing next to Aromoshadu on Monday. I immediately suspected an injury, or maybe he broke a team rule and was being disciplined. Both were rational conclusions considering Harris history.

It was more than a little surprising when Smith said that he dressed the best 45 players against the Packers. Harris a healthy scratch? How can a $10-million-a-year, former Pro Bowler not be one of your top 45 guys?

With all due respect, youre telling me Marcus Harrison and Matt Toeaina give you the best chance to win? Thats exactly what Lovie was telling all of us. This wasnt a message sent, as weve been down that road with Harris before.

Finally, the Bears coaches had enough of Tommie freelancing and not producing. And again, I applaud the move. If hes not getting the job done, bring me someone else, regardless of where that guy was drafted and how much hes making.

Ill take it a step further: If Smith and defensive coordinator Rod Marinelli have concluded that Harris isnt one of their top four defensive tackles, theres no reason to keep him around. I dont consider Harris a malcontent, but I also dont believe he will sit quietly. Any distraction is a bad one, especially when you have the makings of a special season.

While Im on my soapbox and waxing philosophical, let me also suggest the Bears think long and hard about what to do with offensive tackle Chris Williams when hes healthy.

Hypothetically, lets say Frank Omiyale handles the left tackle spot nicely. Lets say the film shows hes more than holding his own and actually is better on the left than Williams.

Lets also assume that Williams, as many Ive talked to have suggested, is best suited to play right tackle. Again, this is hypothetical, but if it turns out to be true, why not keep Omiyale on the left and send Williams back to the right side?

I understand he was a top 15 pick and was supposed to be the left tackle of the future, but if he isnt the best guy for the job, shouldnt he face the same fate that Aromoshadu and Bowman faced?

As for Sunday night, remember last week, when I told you that the Bears were catching the Packers at the right time? Coming off a big win over the Cowboys, at home, on Monday night?

Well, Im going with the same logic this week, only its working against our guys.

Theyre coming off two huge, emotional wins. Theyre working on a short week and theyre on the road. The Giants are coming off back-to-back disasters. At 1-2, they are in desperate need of a win. They have a ton of talent on both sides of the ball, but consistently have found ways to foul things up.

This game could be the key to the Giants season. The Bears are due for a bit of a let down. Im not diving off the bandwagon, just stopping for refueling.

Pick: Giants 23, Bears 20.

Tom Waddle writes a weekly column on the Bears for the Daily Chronicle. He appears from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Mondays through Fridays on the Waddle and Silvy Show on WMVP AM-1000