Roy Williams hopes that Bears want him back
By Sean Jensen sjensen@suntimes.com December 26, 2011 8:40PM
Veteran wide receiver Roy Williams, who had six catches for 81 yards in Sunday’s loss, said that he “most definitely” desires to return to the Bears next season. | David Banks~Getty Images
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Updated: January 28, 2012 8:12AM
He hasn’t scored a touchdown since October, but Bears receiver Roy Williams had his most productive day of the season in Green Bay Sunday with six catches for 81 yards, both team highs.
With one game remaining, after he signed a one-year contract, Williams was asked if he wants to return to the Bears next season.
“Most definitely,” he said. “I’m just trying to make plays. It’s a great group of guys, a great group of receivers. I think we all complement each other.
“But I don’t run this team. I do what they tell me to do. If they tell me to go home, I go home. If they tell me to sign this piece of paper, I’ll sign it.”
It’s hardly been a smooth season for Williams. But he’s been durable, he’s third on the team in catches (33) and receiving yards (447).
After Sunday’s loss, Williams was grappling with the end of the Bears’ season.
“I mean, it just goes to show you that this is the NFL,” he said. “Every year you see it, teams that start out 6-2, and then finish up 7-9 or 6-10. It happens every year.
“You just learn from it and be ready to go next year.”
Mind-set for finale
Whether the Bears win or lose, coach Lovie Smith always shifts his focus to the next game and the hope that his team can reach the postseason and make a Super Bowl run.
But Smith can’t talk about the playoffs after the Bears were eliminated with the loss on Sunday.
“I’ve had a lot of these press conferences this year. Each week it was about the next week and the opportunity to get in the playoffs and make a run at the world championship,” Smith said. “That’s not going to happen this year but we still want to finish up strong.”
Smith said he’ll closely monitor how his players respond to the game.
“We just want to play, ideally, our best ball this last game and have that lasting impression on our football season,” he said.
Peterson on IR
The Minnesota Vikings placed running back Adrian Peterson on the injured reserve list Monday, after he suffered a torn MCL and ACL on Saturday in a victory over the Washington Redskins.
The four-time Pro Bowl running back finished with 970 rushing yards, averaging 4.7 yards per run. The Vikings promoted rookie running back Caleb King from the practice squad.
Wright defended
Asked if safety Major Wright took a step back, Smith said, “If you say Major, you could say all of us. All of our defense took a step back.”
Wright, who missed two starts, had a rough game, giving up a 55-yard touchdown to Packers receiver Jordy Nelson.
