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@ edwardnoweddie: Tight end seems [ like] a real position of strength for the Bears. Any reason why it has not been used more often in the first [ three] games?

A: Good observation. The Bears touted their tight ends as their strongest position during camp. The team kept four of them — Zach Miller, Dion Sims, Adam Shaheen and Daniel Brown — on the active roster to keep it that way. Ben Braunecker was resigned to the practice squad after being one of the final cuts. Miller has produced over the first three weeks, but there hasn’t been much from Sims ( two catches, 31 yards) or Shaheen ( one catch, two- yard touchdown). It’s still early, though. The offense is run- first with Mike Glennon at quarterback. Sims is a strong blocker, and Shaheen has gradually improved in that area, which showed up against the Steelers. But their pass- catching production will increase with better quarterback play. As a group, the tight ends certainly can do more. The talent is there. Shaheen’s touchdown catch off play- action is just the start. Expect to see him lined up wide in the red zone at some point this season.

@ Sweeney16: How did Kyle Long grade out on tape vs. Steelers? Week to week, Bucs to [ Steelers was] night and day. How much [ was] attributable to his presence?

A: Long was good, but so was the entire offensive line. Left tackle Charles Leno Jr. and left guard- turned- center Cody Whitehair deserve special mention. With Long, his intangibles can matter as much as his strong play on the field. His fire and passion certainly resonate with his teammates, and it’s apparent they were happy to have him back. One early play stands out against the Steelers, too. Jordan Howard was tackled for a loss, and linebacker Vince Williams loomed over him. Long shoved him immediately. That resolve matters in the locker room. Everyone sees that on film.

— Adam L. Jahns