Perceived insult was motivator for McPhee’s block
KANSAS CITY, Mo.— It was as if the Kansas City Chiefs had slapped outside linebacker Pernell McPhee in the face. Repeatedly.
‘‘ They had disrespected me three times in a row, running the counter at me, and they busted it three times,’’ McPhee said. ‘‘ I looked at my guys and said, ‘ That was onme. I’ve got to make a play.’
‘‘ The field- goal opportunity came, and I just made a play. I just beat the guy with a swim move and got my hands up.” And blocked Cairo Santos’ kick. Quarterback Jay Cutler led the Bears to their 18- 17 victory Sunday, but McPhee’s blocked field goal was a defining moment. Cutler couldn’t have been the savior without it.
‘‘ It’s huge,’’ defensive lineman Jeremiah Ratliff said. ‘‘ It’s points off the board. You saw the score.’’
McPhee’s quick swim move easily beat Chiefs tackle Donald Stephenson. Santos’ 27- yard attempt would have given the Chiefs a 20- 3 lead in the third quarter.
‘‘ That just shows the heart that we have on defense and the fight they have,’’ running back Matt Forte said. ‘‘ It would have been really easy for him to say, ‘ It’s fourth down. Kick the field goal.’ He could have taken the play off, but he didn’t.’’
McPhee’s sack of quarterback Alex Smith is another example.
‘‘ That’s what he does,’’ Ratliff said.
In Kansas City, it included compensating for runs by the Chiefs that he deemed insulting.
‘‘ That was the only thing on my mind,’’ McPhee said.
Losing a leader
Bears linebacker Shea McClellin hurt his left knee on the first play from scrimmage in the second half. He was carted to the locker room and did not return. McClellin left Arrowhead Stadium in a knee brace and was able to walk without assistance.
‘‘ I hope my boy Shea hurries up and gets healthy,’’ McPhee said. ‘‘ He is our general of the defense. He makes all the calls. He makes all the adjustments. I just hope he’s healthy.’’
LaRoy Reynolds, who was signed Sept. 29, replaced McClellin, while Christian Jones handled the defensive calls.
‘‘ It sucked, man,’’ Jones said. ‘‘ I hope he’s fine. He’s our general out there. . . . I had to step into a new role. I was a little nervous at first. I have to get to the point of spitting it out like Shea does.’’
But Jones performed well in the role, his teammates said.
‘‘ He did real good,’’ defensive end Jarvis Jenkins said. ‘‘ Even when Shea is in there, Christian is a really good communicator.’’
Injury notes
Defensive lineman Eddie Goldman returned after his right ankle was tweaked by a low block late in the second quarter. But the Bears still X- rayed it to be safe.
‘‘ They said it’s good; it should be fine,’’ Goldman said. ‘‘ Anytime you get injured, it’s scary. But I did feel fine.’’
Backup running back Jacquizz Rodgers injured his right elbow and did not return. His right arm was heavily wrapped and in a sling after the game.
Cornerback Terrance Mitchell suffered a hamstring
injury and also didn’t return.