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ESPN Chicago bears Season preview

dabears54 — Fri, 03 Sep 2010 09:57:55 GMT

Expert Picks (Consensus: 3rd)

The Bears finished third in the NFC North last season with a 7-9 record. For more Bears coverage, visit: Kevin Seifert's NFC North blog ... on Twitter | Clubhouse
ANALYSTPREDICTIONKevin
Seifert
ESPN.com
DIVISION FINISH: 3 The Bears have some interesting pieces, from quarterback Jay Cutler to defensive end Julius Peppers to the running back tandem of Matt Forte and Chester Taylor. But can they put it all together quickly enough to challenge for supremacy in this division? John
Clayton
ESPN.com
DIVISION FINISH: 3 As long as Mike Martz can cut down on Jay Cutler's interceptions and Mike Tice can build a protection scheme for his quarterback, the Bears can present an exciting offense. They'll need more offense because the Bears are no longer built to win on defense. Adam
Schefter
ESPN
DIVISION FINISH: 4 It's not the Jay Cutler-Mike Martz relationship that fans should wonder about. Fans should wonder about who is going to give Cutler the time he needs to run Martz's offense. Matt
Williamson
Scouts Inc.
DIVISION FINISH: 3 A potential surprise team, the Bears will play better than their record shows in the end. I believe in this passing game, and if Tommie Harris and Julius Peppers play up to their immense abilities, Chicago will be fine on defense. Seth
Wickersham
ESPN The Magazine
DIVISION FINISH: 3 Last year's risky investment, Jay Cutler, won't excel in Mike Martz's anticipation-based, empty-formation offense. Not sure the $118 million the Bears spent on free agents this year (Julius Peppers, Chester Taylor) was wise either.

Intelligence Report

Five things you need to know about the Bears:
1. The weak link of this team is the offensive line: This group struggled last year but is still returning four of five starters to a new scheme that doesn't provide them with much help. New coordinator Mike Martz wants his tight ends and running backs in pass patterns, not helping with blitz pickup. That makes the job especially tough for new line coach Mike Tice, whose early answer has been to retrofit existing personnel. Roberto Garza moved from right guard to left guard, and Frank Omiyale has shifted from left guard to right tackle. But early preseason returns were not encouraging, especially from a pass protection standpoint.

2. Quarterback Jay Cutler has a tough task ahead of him: After throwing an NFL-high 26 interceptions last season, Cutler finds himself in a new offensive system that historically produced higher-than-average interception rates. In short, Martz's system is more of the high-risk, high-reward variety. Even Cutler admitted, "I'm going to throw some [interceptions] this year. I'm not going to lie about that." Kurt Warner once threw 40 interceptions over a 27-game stretch in this scheme.

3. Chris Harris needs to play strong safety: The Bears made safety one of their top offseason priorities, re-acquiring Harris from Carolina and using their top draft position on safety Major Wright. Harris has played both strong and free safety, but at this point in his career, he's best served near the line of scrimmage rather than playing center field. Harris would be a notable upgrade as a strong safety, but for that to happen, the Bears need Wright or another candidate to win the free safety job so Harris can remain at strong.

4. Receiver Johnny Knox is a natural in this offense: Speed is a virtue in any offense, but it's near-mandatory in the Martz scheme. Not only is Knox the Bears' fastest receiver, but he's also an underrated route runner who knows when to slow down and how to break. Early in training camp, he was far ahead of the equally explosive Devin Hester and Cutler was clearly favoring him in drills. That trend continued early in the preseason. Hester has since made some progress, and Devin Aromashodu has established himself as someone who deserves playing time as well. But if the Bears are going to have a No. 1 receiver this season, it will be Knox.

5. The jury is out on middle linebacker Brian Urlacher: A calf injury sidelined the former Defensive Player of the Year in the second preseason game, a relatively minor injury that nevertheless cost Urlacher some valuable playing time after missing 15 games last season. The question is not whether the injury will hamper him this season. It's whether Urlacher, at 32, will ever be an upper-echelon player again or if he is destined to finish out his career as an average player. Other than another injury, we really got no indication one way or the other from training camp and the preseason.
-- Kevin Seifert, ESPN.com

Scouts Inc.'s Fabulous Five

Scouts Inc. has evaluated and graded more than 2,500 NFL players heading into the season, giving Insiders a leg up on the competition with exclusive grades and scouting reports.

TOP FIVE PLAYERSANALYSIS1. Julius Peppers
Defensive end
6-7 | 283 (Grade: 90) He is explosive off the ball and can use his long arms to control and shed blockers quickly. 2. Lance Briggs
Linebacker
6-1 | 242 (85) His great quickness, speed and agility make him an outstanding coverage defender. He has a good feel for route progressions and anticipates break points well to jump passes effectively. 3. Brian Urlacher
Linebacker
6-4 | 258 (82) Urlacher is still a physical and emotional leader of the Bears' defense when healthy. He is an explosive run stopper and an effective pass defender when not playing with nagging injuries.
4. Jay Cutler
Quarterback
6-3 | 233 (79) He has the physical talent to be one of the best quarterbacks in the league. When he's focused, Cutler can be dominant with his arm strength and ability to throw through small windows.
5. Tommie Harris
Defensive tackle
6-3 | 295 (78)Harris has above-average size with excellent athletic ability and deceptive strength, but he had the least productive year of his career in 2009.
Grading scale: Elite (90-100), outstanding (80-89), solid starter (75-79), good starter (70-74)

Bear vs brown photos

dabears54 — Fri, 03 Sep 2010 09:37:10 GMT

WOODNY!

Wolfe likely done in Chicago

dabears54 — Fri, 03 Sep 2010 09:32:12 GMT

Wolfe likely done in Chicago

CLEVELAND -- Because only three running backs are expected to make the Bears final-53 man roster, Garrett Wolfe's tenure in Chicago may be over.

It's something I totally can't control," Wolfe said after the preseason finale. "Ever since I've been here, I've worked hard and tried to make the most of every single opportunity. I'll go in with no regrets and know I did everything within reason that I could possibly do every time I got an opportunity. I felt like over my time here, I've done everything possible to show them what type of player I am. If it works out, I'd love to be here, if not, it's out of my control."

Wolfe only carried the ball three times for zero yards against the Browns, while catching two of the three passes sent his way. His competition, Khalil Bell, received substantially more work, finishing the game with a team-high 12 rushing attempts.

If Wolfe is cut, it would mark the end of his ties to the Chicago market, which began in high school at Holy Cross, then continued at Northern Illinois before the Bears selected the speedster in the third round of the 2007 NFL draft.

"Being a Chicago kid and coming home, a lot is expected of you," Wolfe said. "Everybody wants and needs something, but this is an opportunity that I've enjoyed. It's something I wouldn't want to happen any other way."

BEARS VS BROWNS - Reviews and grades...

dabears54 — Fri, 03 Sep 2010 09:25:02 GMT

Well last night mostly a snoozer, with 3rd and 4th string scrubs in there. The Bears starting "D" played literally one play- a forced fumble and that was it.The Good news for bears was Todd Collins looked like the Capable vet he is, and ran the "O" very effeciently in the first 1/2- and provides relief, that I hope we never need in 2010( unless its to give him time ina big bears blowout in the 4th..lol)

GOOD:

Todd Collins- going 10-15 got 139 yards and 1 TD, showed he can run the "O" and if needed be called upon, a good signing

R. Davis- While not a Fan of davis, he again was the best WR out there, catching 3 balls for 65 yards, and solidifying his Spot on team

B Iwuh- really impressed for the 2nd week, gets his nose in there and hits hard , been a real nice pick up

K Malast- The LB choice is going to be real hard, malast once again when given the chance showed he can play.. between him and shaw going to be real tough

J Gilbert- 2nd straight game with a Sack- Showed a burst we had been waiting for

BAD:

Afalava- what a fall from grace, missed at least 2 tackles and out of position on another 2.. not sure what has happened to him

Beekman- a bad Snap and being pushed back in short yardage never good

UGLY:

Special teams- Where have you gone Mr Toub?, 3rd stright week with a blocked Kick, this one leads to the winning FG.. in excusible..

'Comfortable' Collins steps right into backup role

dabears54 — Fri, 03 Sep 2010 09:10:48 GMT

'Comfortable' Collins steps right into backup role

CLEVELAND -- If nothing else, Todd Collins gave the Bears peace of mind Thursday night.
With Jay Cutler watching from the sideline, Collins started and looked like the solid backup the Bears expected him to be when he was signed Aug. 23. He completed 10 of 15 passes for 139 yards and threw a 15-yard touchdown pass to Greg Olsen against the Cleveland Browns in the team's final preseason scrimmage.

It was the kind of performance general manager Jerry Angelo expected from the 16-year veteran, who was brought in when Caleb Hanie suffered a shoulder injury.
''It was pretty comfortable on most things,'' Collins said. ''The formations and play-calling, some of them I wasn't as sharp as I needed to be, but overall I thought it was a pretty decent effort other than the mishap we had on the shotgun snap.''
The snap from Josh Beekman bounced off Collins' facemask when he tried to call timeout in the first quarter. Collins blamed himself.

The desire to get Collins extended playing time in his only preseason appearance was a factor in Cutler not playing. Angelo said the decision was difficult because of the offense's struggles, especially in last week's loss to the Cardinals.
''You could look at it from a couple perspectives,'' Angelo said. ''Obviously, with the performance we had last week, it makes sense [to say], 'Why not end on a feel-good in the preseason when you have the chance?' On the other side of it, we got Todd late in the process, and he still needs playing time. Injuries happen. You want to get him up to speed as well. You could go either way with it.''

The Bears carried two quarterbacks last year, but Angelo said he will keep three this season, which means rookie Dan LeFevour will land on the practice squad if he's not claimed by another team.

'Great time' for Olsen
Olsen had only three catches for 26 yards and did not have a catch in two of the first three preseason games before his touchdown grab. It was his only catch of the night.
''I think I am,'' Olsen said when asked if he was going to have fun in an offense that hasn't traditionally relied on tight ends as pass catchers. ''I've had a great time this offseason with the different things that we've implemented, the things that we've played in and during practice moving around and such.''

'O' a cause for optimism

dabears54 — Fri, 03 Sep 2010 09:04:43 GMT

'O' a cause for optimism

Minus Cutler, Forte, starters depart with lead BY SEAN JENSEN

CLEVELAND -- The Bears' offense -- overwhelmed by a complex system and rattled by a shaky preseason -- desperately needed some momentum heading into the Sept. 12 opener against the Detroit Lions.

A Fortune 500 company might roll out the red carpet for Dr. Phil or Anthony Robbins.

The Bears' offense got the NFL equivalent: the Cleveland Browns' defense.

With the exception of quarterback Jay Cutler, running back Matt Forte and center Olin Kreutz, the Bears' first string played three series Thursday, scoring a touchdown, avoiding a three-and-out and generally keeping Todd Collins clean.
Many of the starters left the game with a 7-0 lead, just what the preseason doctor ordered.

''It's nice to end the preseason on that note,'' tight enreg Olsen said, even though the Bears lost 13-10 on a 36-yard field goal by Phil Dawson as time expired.

The Bears finished the preseason winless for the first time since 1998, when they went 4-12 in the regular season.
''We would like to have won a few games -- 0-4 in the preseason, that doesn't look good -- but there's a bigger picture,'' Olsen said. ''The bigger picture is, we've had a good offseason, we've gotten a lot of work done.''
But how much can be read into the performance?

Bears general manager Jerry Angelo said before training camp that the offensive line was the biggest question mark. About five weeks later, after shuffling the deck (moving Roberto Garza to left guard, Frank Omiyale to right tackle and inserting Lance Louis into the starting lineup), the line remains the team's biggest question mark.

That they succeeded in Cleveland might be misleading. The Browns had the league's second-worst defense in 2009. Subtract the team's most productive pass rusher, Kamerion Wimbley -- who, as an Oakland Raider, shredded the Bears for four sacks in the second preseason game -- and the Browns' pass rush has the bite of a grandfather with dentures.
Also subtract three-time Pro Bowl defensive lineman Shaun Rogers, who didn't dress for the game.

The Browns' starting front seven for the game combined for a whopping nine sacks last season, with Matt Roth leading the way with four. Overall, the Bears provided Collins a solid pocket and paved the way for Chester Taylor to gain 23 yards on only four carries.

But some things have to be taken with a grain of salt.

The game appeared to start so well. The offensive line didn't give up a sack on the first series. No Brown was even close. But there was just one pass, and it was a screen that everyone in Cleveland Browns Stadium expected because it was third-and-forever.

And on such a play, the line is supposed to let defensive linemen penetrate into the backfield.

On the next series, the Bears provided Collins enough time to find Olsen wide open in the middle of the end zone from 15 yards out, but the drive covered only 19 yards because the defense recovered a botched snap.

The final drive ended with a fumbled snap on third-and-17 that the Browns recovered.

Before the game, Angelo admitted that the Bears have concerns but added that they're trying to ''figure out who we are.''
How much help do Chris Williams -- who has had a rough preseason at left tackle -- and Omiyale need? What can the team's young receivers handle? And how reliable are the running backs as pass protectors?

''These are dress rehearsals, and you're going to look good at some things and not good at other things,'' Angelo said. ''The bottom line is, when this is all over with, we have to find out who we are, accept who we are, figure out the things we need to be, even though we might have wanted to be something else.''

Angelo insisted they need to answer some of the questions now, as opposed to when the games start to count.
''We'll just have to see,'' he said. ''We're having growing pains. That comes with change. We need to figure out who we are, and then adjust accordingly, and I have a lot of confidence in our coaches that they are going to do that.''

And for all the revisionists who wonder why the Bears didn't do more to address the offensive line (like trade for a proven veteran such as Logan Mankins), Angelo noted that the unit's the ''toughest'' to field given the hefty raises for players at every position. Besides, the Bears spent all their money on defensive end Julius Peppers.

''In the old days, when you had free agency, they would only pay the tackle,'' Angelo said. ''They're all making big money on the offensive line now.

''There's a reason. It's a supply-and-demand business. Offensive linemen are a premium, but it's not like you have to have five all-stars at the position. You've got to get five guys who are good enough to play well together.''
And the answer to that question will become clearer in the weeks ahead, when the games start to count and the opponents aren't the Browns.

Injury problems at safety will have undue effect on roster

dabears54 — Fri, 03 Sep 2010 09:00:37 GMT

Injury problems at safety will have undue effect on roster

Bears may have to keep some players over better ones because of position

The Bears woes at safety lately have been well-documented, so it's no surprise they might consider more players here than initially expected.

General manager Jerry Angelo made that clear when he addressed the media Thursday night before the 13-10 exhibition loss to the Browns. Injuries at the position have made it hard for the Bears to get a true evaluation.

Rookie Major Wright had surgery on his left index finger while Craig Steltz has been sidelined with an ankle injury. Starters Chris Harris and Danieal Manning have both endured minor injuries during the preseason. Wright is to have the pin removed from his finger next week.

It's probably going to affect what we're going to do in fixing our 53 roster,'' Angelo said. "We need to know for sure before we make cuts (Saturday). So, maybe we're going to have to go a little heavy at a position not because of any other reason.

"You may see a good player let go, better than a player we're keeping for no other reason than it's the value of the position. Some positions we feel like we can find on the street or create someone on the roster, practice roster to graduate to the varsity in case of an injury. Some positions, if you don't have them on the 53, he's not out there. So those things are going to weigh heavily as we build this roster.''

This could help a player such as Josh Bullocks or even Al Afalava, although Afalava didn't help his cause Thursday

FRI BEAR NEWS- Olsen, url,tillman,collins,wolfe,iggy

dabears54 — Fri, 03 Sep 2010 08:57:57 GMT

Quotes: Urlacher, Collins, Olsen, Tillman, Lovie

September 2, 2010 8:54 PM | 1 Comment

Brian Urlacher, LB

On if he'll play in the season opener

"I'm going to play against the Lions. September 12th."

On what he believes the first-team defense will be like during the season

"I think we're going to be good. Once we're all together and healthy during the September 12th game (versus Detroit) we're going to be good. I think we're going to get a lot of pressure on the quarterback and hopefully a lot of takeaways."

On what he looks to learn from a fourth preseason game

"I just want our guys to stay healthy, No. 1. You see a lot of the backups that we'll have during the season playing tonight and you just want them to stay healthy and tomorrow we'll see who is on the team."

Todd Collins, QB

On his first game with the Bears

"It was pretty comfortable on most things. The formations and play-calling, some of them I wasn't as sharp as I needed to be, but overall I thought it was a pretty decent effort other than the mishap we had on the shotgun snap."

On what happened on that snap

"I wasn't sure about the formation, there was some confusion, so with one second left I tried to call a timeout, but I was mid-cadence so the center [Josh Beekman] you can't fault him. It was just an unfortunate incident."

On his comfort level running this offense

"Philosophically, I'm very comfortable running it. I just need to sharpen up on some things: the blitz reads, and the formations, getting the plays out quicker and things like that."

Greg Olsen, TE

On it feeling good scoring a touchdown

"It's nice to end the preseason on that note. You go out there and get a few plays and get a little workout in. The preseason is now wrapped up and we're getting ready for Detroit now."

On the play of QB Todd Collins

"I think he did a good job. It was tough - he didn't get many practice reps other than this week. He was kind of a late addition to this team - obviously - but he's a veteran and he has been in there before. I think he did a really good job."

On if he is going to have fun in this offense

"I think I am. I've had a great time this offseason with the different things that we've implemented, the things that we've played in and during practice moving around and such. I've had a great time learning the offense and I think everyone else has too."

Charles Tillman, CB

On the play of the first-team defense tonight

"We just wanted to come out and start fast and getting a turnover on the first play is the best way to start fast. I'm pretty happy about our performance."

On if Kevin Malast should get the game ball for helping the first-team defense off the field in one play

"Yes, I recommend him getting the game ball if we win this game. I thought it was a great job on his part, being tuned in and that was a key first play. It was a great move on his part. He did a nice job filling in for Brian Urlacher."

Lovie Smith, Bears coach

On the first-half playoff the offense

"We did a few good things. Some of the mistakes, losing the clock a few times that hurt us a little bit. We moved the ball, but we're just kind of killing ourselves late."

On the first-team defense getting a takeaway on the first play of the fourth preseason game two years in-a-row

"We want to see that next week. That's what we're preaching. We've got to take the ball away. They did a great job tonight."

On the overall performance of the first-half

"Right now we're playing decent ball. We're playing good ball on the defense side of the football. We'll get a chance to evaluate some of the players. The second half is big for a couple of guys."

On the importance of this game for some of the players on the bubble

"Our back end guys are getting a lot of reps tonight showing what they can do. Hopefully they can make a couple of plays and make us put them on the roster."

Latinas...

BlackDiamond — Fri, 03 Sep 2010 03:48:22 GMT

Asian chicks aren't the only ones that are hot... I'll start with a favorite of mine

Roselyn Sanchez

I don't want any spam!

thedude33 — Fri, 03 Sep 2010 03:08:14 GMT

Or do I? Titties!

What will be the Bears record in the regular season?

The Benjamin — Fri, 03 Sep 2010 03:02:01 GMT

With all the preseason games having been played, predict how many wins the Bears will have

Bears are 0-4 in the preseason

The Benjamin — Fri, 03 Sep 2010 02:45:29 GMT

I know it doesn't matter matter, but 0-4 still looks bad!

Hillenmeyer out for Bears' preseason finale

dabears54 — Thu, 02 Sep 2010 22:12:43 GMT

Hillenmeyer out for Bears' preseason finale

September 2, 2010 3:15 PM | 1 Comment

By Vaughn McClure

CLEVELAND -- Bears linebacker Hunter Hillenmeyer did not make the trip for Thursday's final exhibition with the Browns.

Hillenmeyer missed Tuesday's practice with an undisclosed illness. He started last Saturday's game against the Cardinals with Brian Urlacher sidelined by a calf injury.

With Hillenmeyer at home and Urlacher being held out of Thursday's game, Kevin Malast will start at middle linebacker for the Bears.

Starting weak-side linebacker Lance Briggs is also out with an ankle injury. Brian Iwuh is expected to start in his place.

Article: Testing

DaBearski — Thu, 02 Sep 2010 20:50:30 GMT

You can view the page at http://www.dabears.com/content.php?2-Testing

Testing

DaBearski — Thu, 02 Sep 2010 20:50:27 GMT

You can view the page at http://www.dabears.com/content.php?2-Testing