"The Detroit Lions' quarterback woes this season can be traced back to the end of the first half in the season opener at Soldier Field when Julius Peppers drove Matthew Stafford into the turf, right shoulder first.

The carousel turns again for the Lions this week as Drew Stanton, a second-round draft pick in 2007 when Rod Marinelli was the head coach and Mike Martz offensive coordinator, takes over for Shaun Hill, who is out with a fractured right index finger.

Stafford is doing light throwing this week as he returns from his second injury to the shoulder this season. So the question for Peppers was does the defense want to be known as one that will knock out opposing passers?

"We have a reputation of running to the football, hustling and hitting hard, making good tackles," Peppers said. "That's the reputation we want. Not a reputation for injuring anyone."

Maybe it's not what Buddy Ryan would have wanted to hear 25 years ago, but the Bears defense is preparing for Sunday's NFC North rematch at Ford Field with a lot of confidence. Peppers was named the NFC defensive player of the month for November. His stats were not overwhelming — he had four sacks, a forced fumble and two tackles for loss — but he was the driving force behind the team's rapidly improving unit that led the Bears to four consecutive wins.

"My name is on it but it's a team award," Peppers said. "It's good recognition to show how hard and how well we have been playing as a unit."

Peppers wasn't the only one honored. Jay Cutler was named the NFC offensive player of the week four his four-touchdown effort against Philadelphia."