Sign stealing isn't against any NFL rules. However, on Sunday night the Chicago Bears defense was still licking its wounds after getting gashed for 139 yards by Reggie Bush in his first game back since suffering a knee injury in Week 2. They weren't ready to beat the Lions, but they were vigilant with the excuses for the Lions offensive explosion during their 40-24 victory.
According to ESPN.com's Chicago Bears beat reporter Michael C. Wright, the Bears players were concerned with how easily the Lions were able to burn them when they executed power stunts on the defensive end.
A few Chi players think former DL Izzy Idonije tipped off Lions to their stunts. Said Bush burned them every time they did "power" stunt.
— Michael C. Wright (@mikecwright) September 29, 2013
Apparently, the Bears believe that former Bears lineman Israel Idonije, now with the Lions, played an integral part in their run blocking by feeding the line calls defensive line coach Mike Phair still uses to his teammates in the offensive trenches. In a world of football espionage where some coaches have had team trainers hide wheir faces with towels from lip readers, I'm not sure why the Bears are surprised. Most NFL teams change their entire language every season to prevent former players from busting up their plays with insider knowledge. The Bears should know better.
