Jan. 02--Lying on his back and staring up at the Ford Field roof, Harold Jones-Quartey exhaled and violently unhooked his chin strap.
The Bears rookie safety had just been added to the long list of defenders over whom Lions all-world receiver Calvin Johnson has caught a jump ball. When Megatron came down with it at the Bears' 6-yard line in overtime on Oct. 18, the game was all but lost.
"I was disappointed I let my teammates down," Jones-Quartey recalled.
Fast forward 11 weeks, though, and he's ready for another chance against the Lions. It has been a trying stretch -- demoted after that Week 6 game and consigned to special teams duty -- but it could have a happy ending.
After earning another starting opportunity Sunday against the Buccaneers and grabbing an interception, Jones-Quartey is trying to maintain positive momentum in the season finale and maybe gain a measure of redemption against the Lions.
If he plays well, it would add to what the Bears have come to like about the undrafted player out of Division II Findlay. His youth and football character are among the reasons the Bears believe they can mold him.
"He has good speed," coach John Fox said. "He enjoys contact. He plays the game, I call it, with your hair on fire. He plays it hard and crisp. And now it's just a matter of learning the game a little bit better."
After the Bears' final full practice of the season Friday, there were no burn marks on Jones-Quartey's head. Only fire in his eyes.
"I just love the game," he said. "I want to beat the guy there before he gets there so I can make a play and help the team win. That's just how I know how to play."
rcampbell@tribpub.com
