Oct. 29--Jeremiah Ratliff's abrupt and unusual departure from the Bears last week left players in the locker room to process the episode with mixed emotions. Ratliff was cut Thursday, a day after the Bears say he arrived at Halas Hall in no condition to work and then had multiple explosive exchanges with team officials, including coach John Fox and general manager Ryan Pace.
With Ratliff gone, the Bears lost a talented force on the defensive line and a veteran teammates respected for his football intelligence. And teammates feel that void.
"That's like my older brother," outside linebacker Willie Young said. "I learned so much from him. The mindset that he brings to the game, the energy and the enthusiasm that he plays with, you can't replace that. Obviously, he will be missed."
Tight end Martellus Bennett, one of Ratliff's closest friends on the team, said he has talked to Ratliff since last week's incident but preferred to keep those conversations private. Bennett expressed his concern for Ratliff but also acknowledged the message sent from the front office last week.
"You just hope the best for him," Bennett said. "But it's a business. They could cut me tomorrow if they wanted to. ... For me, it was just a revelation of what this business is. And you have to handle your business the right way with what's going on around here and make sure you're on top of your (stuff)."
'A man among children': As he prepares for Sunday's game at Soldier Field, Vikings running back Adrian Peterson still is progressing in his film study of the Bears. But Peterson made it clear Wednesday outside linebacker Pernell McPhee has his respect.
"When he's playing football, he is not playing around," Peterson said. "That's one thing I do know: avoid him. And when I run into him, I need to make sure I bring everything I have."
Peterson said McPhee is playing like "a man among children" with his speed, strength and relentlessness.
"He has a nose for the ball, and he's trying to make you feel him on each and every play," Peterson said. "I love a guy who competes like that."
Correction needed: With the Mets sweeping the Cubs in the National League Championship Series, Vic Fangio's early October prediction that the Cubs would win the World Series was rendered hollow. So much for the defensive coordinator's self-promoted reputation as a baseball good luck charm/clairvoyant.
"I wasn't counting on termites getting into their bat racks," Fangio quipped Wednesday. "The bats just disappeared."
Injury update: Center Hroniss Grasu tweaked his neck in practice Wednesday and was limited. Also limited for the Bears were Antrel Rolle (ankle), Matt Slauson (shoulder/knee), Jermon Bushrod (shoulder) and Patrick Omameh (ankle). Inside linebacker Shea McClellin missed practice with a knee issue.
