Chicago Bears Preseason Overview
It’s only been 3 preseason games, but the last preseason game is usually garbage so I think its safe to say that we have seen about all we will see from our Bears starters this preseason. Here is a position-by-position look at what we have seen so far.
Offensive Line: On some plays Orlando Pace looks like 100 years old, a staggering giant unable to keep up with outside pass-rushers. On the other hand, some plays he gobbles up defensive linemen and gets a good push on run plays. We’ll see what happens with him. Chris Williams has looked better and better each game; changing positions may have been just what the doctor ordered for him. Overall it looks solid and Cutler’s ability to scramble will buy him some time as well when the line leaks a bit.
Wide Receivers/Tight Ends/Running Backs: Forte, Olsen and Clark look great on the inside and on screens. Cutler seems to love using them too, and he spreads the ball well. Hester and Bennett are obviously not elite receivers, but so far they have been adequate and that’s all they need to be. Some of these other young guys like Iglesias and Arimodoshysoieshu look decent too, but probably won’t be big playmakers this season. In terms of the running game, Forte is gold. They should consider, however, playing some more of Kevin Jones this year to keep Forte fresh. Jones is a solid #2 option.
Quarterback: I love Jay Cutler. That two-minute drill at the end of the first half made me smile so hard my face hurt.
Defensive Line: Whatever Rod Marinelli did, its working. The entire defensive line ahs looked young and quick for a lot of this preseason. Even though losing Dvoracek hurts, it wasn’t unexpected, and the whole line looks younger and has more energy than they have since 2006.
Linebackers: Nothing terrible, nothing spectacular. Urlacher is not the top middle linebacker in the league anymore, but he is still top 5 or so and Briggs is a monster on the outside. Pisa didn’t look too bad either.
Secondary: Kevin Payne is a great run-stopping safety but he is extremely shaky in coverage (which, if you remember, is very important in a Cover 2). Danieal Manning is okay but the rest of the bunch is bad. And don’t even get me started on the cornerbacks. McBride and Vasher are just not very good. We will see if any of the young guys they drafted have an impact this season. I like this Afalava kid, he seems to have the tools, but he might be a year or two away from having any real impact at safety.
Special Teams: Great. Hester looks to be rounding back into form (which means stupid fumbles and bad judgments with the occasional 80-yard return peppered in). The kick coverage team looks really good and so does Maynard’s boot. Dave Toub has done a spectacular job with special teams over the last 6 years and there are no signs that this year will be any different.
Overall I still believe this team can be a 10-12 win team, if the defensive line can cover up for the weaknesses in the secondary. The schedule is nothing to laugh at either, even though we play Detroit twice we also play all 4 teams that competed in the conference championships last season. Whatever happens it will be an exciting season with Cutler at the helm of the offense. Go Bears!
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Comment from Ethan
Time August 31, 2009 at 10:49 am
honestly, i cannot say that i agree urlacher is still a top 5 MLB. he definitely has lost a step and cannot make the catch-up tackles that he used to be able to make. i’m a little worried, but I definitely think briggs is one of the best LBs in the NFL so we’re good. GO BEARS!!!!