"Because Jay Cutler is being protected from blame in Chicago better than he is from pass rushers, we apparently need to consider other culprits for the Bears' lousy 4-5 start. So let's start with Gaines Adams.

Adams has two assists and a batted pass in limited action since the Bears traded a second-round draft pick to the Bucs for him Oct. 17. But the defensive end's poor production isn't the point. There's no doubt the deal for the fourth overall pick of the 2007 NFL draft will help the Bears in the future.

Just as certain, the trade hurt their present.

It wasn't Adams' fault, but adding him to the mix was like pouring a 6-foot-5, 258-pound cup of vinegar into a giant box of baking soda. Whether defensive players admit it publicly, negative feelings bubbled over within some veterans. Privately, questions swirled.

Whose snaps would Adams take? Why did a defensive line performing at a high level need a boost? This is the reward we get for playing hard?

The vibe of a season -- an intangible that matters on a 53-man football team perhaps more than any other sport -- had changed.

The defense was finding its identity, even after losing leader Brian Urlacher in the opener against the Packers. The Bears were 3-1, giving up an average of 19 points, and had 14 sacks in four games. Since then they are 1-4, giving up an average of 25 points, and have four sacks in five games.

Coincidence?"