The Bears Offense had a solid opening possession and Cutler looked solid. The receivers didn’t offer much help once the drive stalled and there still seems to be some communication/read issues between Cutler and Hester. Nice to see Forte on the field but the run blocking still looks pretty poor.
The defense stopped the Giants but didn’t look particularly solid in doing so. Jacobs pushed around the LBs and our tackling was poor, as of right now it looks like more of the same from last season. So far the secondary hasn’t been challenged too much as the Giants kept to the ground mostly. Will be important to see how the first half plays out.
The Bears second offensive possession was flat out dominant. They destroyed the Giants defense and Forte looked like a Pro Bowler. Cutler was very efficient and made strong throws inside and outside the pocket. He’s definitely gotten past the force-it-to-Hester mode he displayed in week one, I think my diagnosis last week was accurate. They also unveiled a no-huddle offense which I LOVE. Let’s hope this is sustainable.
Buccaneers beat the Jags in the least entertaining game in memory. The (1st-string) receiving corps, secondary and backfield are so banged-up that our starters were mostly scrubs.
Luke McCown played quite well… threw two pretty touchdown passes and got his name back in the Week 1 starting conversation.
The Second Preseason Bears Game is wrapping up and things are looking pretty positive. Lovie is going to have a challenge on his hands deciding what to do about the offensive roster come Sept 1st. Lots of players are stepping up when they get called upon. We’ll probably only be keeping 2 QBs on the roster and 3 RBs, meaning Basanez and Adrian Peterson will be looking for work or on the practice squad. I’m pretty pleased with the options at QB but I’m not loving Garrett Wolfe as the 3rd RB.
The WR/TEs are making things tricky. No-names like Aromashodu and Kellen Davis are looking like they deserve roster spots and the rookies Iglesias, Kinder and Knox have been making some excellent plays on special teams and in the late minutes of the game. Right now I’m betting “veterans” Rideau and Rasheid Davis will be looking for work after cuts. The biggest question might be if the Bears can keep 4 TEs or not, Davis is earning a spot but they might be wanting for a pure blocking TE if they have to dump Gaines.
I suppose this is a good thing, last year we were wondering who to keep because it seemed no one stepped up. This year is the opposite so far. I hope the rookies Knox and Iglesias get some snaps with Cutler under center in game 3 to see if they can be productive in the offense.
The defense put up good numbers but there are still a ton of doubts. The Giants didn’t offer much of a test, their offense was pretty inept and they simply didn’t test the secondary very much. The D-line’s pressure was improved and that certainly contributed to the Giants issues but I’m not sure we learned who will be starting in the secondary come week 1. As noted, the tackling generally sucked. The speed and swarming made up for it, which is a Bears trademark, but we let a bunch of runs fall forward for 2 and 3 extra yards that should have been stuffed in the hole. Another defensive rookie stepped up though, Henry Melton was all over the field pressuring the QB in the second half.
I’ll have to rewatch the game this week and pick apart the defense a bit more.
Cribbs made 2 return TDs - one was called back for an illegal block, but it’s good to see him up to his old ways. Last year he had a nagging high ankle sprain all season and it hurt him, hopefully he’s completely over it.
I’m worried about the new wedge rules though - it makes me think that in general kick returners are going to have less success and be less important.
I can’t get too excited over beating the Lions in a preseason game (although they do have a good preseason record for some reason) but we absolutely dismantled them. It was s 27-10 game that felt like it could’ve been a 37-3 game - lots of almost successful picks and stuff that saved them from a complete blowout.
One thing that was refreshing was that last week, when we were getting our asses kicked, Mangini looked pissed. Romeo would always have this “eh, what are you going to do?” look, but Mangini doesn’t seem content to accept failure.
I doubt we’re going anywhere this year, but with an easier schedule and going under the radar again, and (probably) massively improved coaching it’s a possibility we might surprise. Doubt it though.
The Panthers only had a few bright spots in the loss to the Dolphins last night. D. Williams looks like he’s ready to pick up where he left off. Dan Connor and James Anderson look like very capable backup linebackers/special teams guys. However, there are glaring holes on this team. They have not found a replacement for Kemeateau on the DL and he was their best run stopper. Brown and R. Williams took advantage of that last night. Because of Peppers’ off-season contract crap the Panthers let their long snapper go for cap reasons and the guy they have in there now is shaky. They have a lot of (hopefully) minor injuries to key guys (S. Smith, J. Stewart, T. Davis) so we haven’t seen their best team, but they have a brutal schedule this year and I’d be surprised if they do better than 9-7. I’d also be surprised if that’s good enough for the play-offs this season.
What’s his role as a wide receiver? I saw he had two catches in week one and one this week, all with the starting offense (I think). And a couple of non traditional runs. Is there a chance he’ll be the number 2 WR? Or is it just preseason practice stuff and he’ll just be an afterthought come regular season.
Not that I’m looking for deep sleepers at WR or anything…
It’s possible he could be the #2 WR. He played QB in college and he’s a project at receiver - his receiver skillset was pretty unpolished through his first few years in the league. He seems to be really working on it and he has improved substantially.
It’s hard to say at this point. We drafted 2 receivers in the 2nd round (Robiskie and Massaquio) and Robiskie is supposed to be polished and ready to start out the gate. We have no clear #2 receiver. Mike Furrey has looked very good so far, but he’s more of a slot guy. The #2 receiver position is completely up in the air.
Run Offense
Yeah, it was against the Raiders, but the holes were made and hit by the backs.
Offensive Line
Not only was the run blocking superb, they provided good time during pass protection.
Nate Davis
He saw his first extensive action and didn’t look lost. He made some pretty throws, including a TD, and was able to avoid disaster on a mixed-up run play where he collided with the fullback.
Looking Not So Good:
Starting QBs
Both looked better than their stat lines on paper. Like anyone playing the Raiders, there’s very little reason to not run every down. Smith had two catchable throws blown by receivers, one resulting in an interception. Hill made a beautiful looking deep pass that was just out of reach and a little too close to the sideline.
Offensive play calling
There were a few instances that runs should have been called. I think there was a decision to call passes to get tape on the QBs when it wouldn’t happen in a regular season game. Still, I thought some things here were questionable.
Pass rush
It looked a little better this week, but still has too improve if we want to go anywhere.
As an aside, I think Detroit letting Furrey walk was a mistake. Not a huge “let’s watch the Cowboys explode” mistake, but just one of those dozens of small mistakes that define bad teams like the Lions.
Giants O just sucked, and I agree that the Bears had little to do with it. It’s a shame, too, because I would have liked to see a good contest. The Bears brought quality play to the field on both sides of the ball.
I figured they had two different broadcast teams, but then I was thinking that would be a logistical nightmare when it came to replays.
Sam Rosen is a local Chicago guy? I think of him as local NY because he calls the Rangers games. I laughed when he came back from break during a Giants broadcast and welcomed everyone back to the NHL, er, I mean NFL action. heh.
Agreed, though I love Carl Banks doing games on the radio with Bob Papa and during his Monday segments on WFAN.
Yeah, he’s a NYC guy but for some reason he was brought in to be the play-by-play guy for the Bears preseason games. I suppose it’s a all-hands on deck thing when they are trying to get all these preseason games called without the national regular season guys.
I want to revise this. After rewatching, it could’ve been an even worse drumming than 37-3. Holy crap they looked bad.
I’m not trying to read too much into it, but I remember last year there was some discussion in the last few weeks that if the Browns played the 0-14/0-15 Lions would they even win? And I couldn’t even honestly say they probably would. So it’s good to see them dismantle a team of scrubs. At least they’re doing what they should… this week.
What’s the deal with Furrey anyway? He had a big season 2 years ago (IIRC) and then nothing, and then he was cut. Word out of camp is that he catches anything you throw at him, seems to have decent enough quickness to be a good slot WR, and looks solid.
Furrey’s big season came in the Martz offense. He’s perfect for that kind of offense, too. I like Furrey. I’m not sure if age has caught up, but he’s got to be considered for the Wes Welker award for the unappreciated white receiver in the league.
