Preseason Game #2

[madlithuanian]

Agreed...

 

I got almost everything I hoped for out of this game...

 

rookies starting in the O Line - CHECK! The rooks played well together. Long is a ferkin' stud. Anyone who doubted this pick should slap yourself in the face RIGHT NOW. There was a running play to the left where I saw him crush his man, head out into the secondary and nail another guy. Of course the left side of the line didn't get the job done but Long was attacking even when the play wasn't on his side. I really like this kid.

 

This offense needs to look professional tonight. - CHECK! Although Cutler zoned in on Marshall it was his first game on the field with Jay this preseason and I'm pretty sure Jay wanted to see that they still have chemistry in the new system. Besides, he just plain feels more comfortable with BM on the field. Unlike many of you, I don't find this to be a problem. Next week is the "dress rehearsal" and with a little game planning, scripting of plays, etc we should see the offense open up a bit.

 

We'll get a good idea of who the coaches are likely to cut at various positions. - Not sure about cuts but we certainly found a few guys who are a lot more likely to MAKE the team now. Ford looked good.

 

Is Peppers playing? NOPE. We got some pressure though. And SMC played like he knew what he was doing. Bostic's hit was special. Tackling was, for the most part, OK by the starters.

 

Starters will play a quarter or so if history is any indication. Has Nerdman said otherwise? - Frankly after seeing this team show a little more polish last night, I might start calling him by his real name. After that first series I was getting pissed! The team, for preseason, have been pretty disciplined too. Few penalties. It's a veteran group of guys but I'm still impressed with not seeing 15 false starts a game.

 

Would it be so bad to see Forte hit an actual hole the line opened for him? - CHECK! A big check at that. Nice blocking, Forte kept his feet and almost took it to the house.

 

And, of course, let's stay healthy! - Third string QB didn't make it through the game. That's not good for the 4th preseason game. We'll need someone to kill most of that game time. Is Jeff George available?

 

[balta1701-A]

I'm not basing my judgement regarding cutler on these 2 preseason games. He's been here for a little while and I see a guy who has all the tools to be elite but he makes to many stupid mistakes for me to put him with the other elite guys. Granted an oline that's at least decent will help but personally I don't see an elite qb. I see a good qb that will make amazing plays 1 series and then follow it up and make us scream at him. I see a guy that will is capable of winning us games by himself and he will also loss us games by himself. Just my opinion of course

This is his chance to not be that guy. I'll even give him a few games of the season to get there. If Brett Favre can find a way to fit into that Vikings System in his late 30's, Jay Cutler can find a way to make fewer stupid throws.

[Bears4Ever_34]

My patience with McClellin is wearing thin. After another lack luster performance last night, I'm beginning to think he might need to be moved from defensive end. He has been getting manhandled against the run since day 1, which is exactly what everybody said the day he was drafted, and it hasn't gotten any better. I've been watching him closely all of pre-season. The guy is sticking to lineman like glue at the point of attack. Unless he's running by someone, he's probably not getting to the quarterback because he can't shed a block. I'd like to see my 19th overall pick be able to stay on the field for all 3 downs, but unfortunately it doesn't appear like he will be able to do that. His best shot may still be at LB'er.

[CrackerDog]

This is his chance to not be that guy. I'll even give him a few games of the season to get there. If Brett Favre can find a way to fit into that Vikings System in his late 30's, Jay Cutler can find a way to make fewer stupid throws.

 

Cutler is in the mold of Favre, you're absolutely right. But even Brett had the playoff brain-fart that ended the Vikings season one game early. He had an amazing year but he was still a gunslinger. I'm not sure he'll be right for our system. Ever. But I think most would say Brett was elite when he was at the top of his game.

 

My point about Cutler is exactly what you say above, this is really his first chance with the Bears to be elite. For lots of reasons already pointed out, he's had to deal with issues outside his control and they've provided him with excuses. I'm not saying all of those are resolved but the very focus of this team when Lovie was fired was to take the team from a dominant D focus to an offensive focus. That shift means, to me, we can't look at the years Cutler's had as a Bear and say with any certainty that he can't be elite here. Further, he was approaching elite status before he got here! So... I'm not throwing the dirt on his grave yet. He's got this season to prove he's worthy of another contract. That's his motivation even if that jerky guy shows up in press conferences. I know he's got the physical tools and we'll find out if he's got the heart very soon.

[scs787]

Games notes from PFF....

 

Chicago — Three Performances of Note

 

Kyle Long Dominates

 

The other player that the TV broadcast was clearly just waiting to run a segment on was Kyle Long, and he justified it and then some, a rarity for those pre-planned player review times. Long dominated from start to finish, earning a +5.7 grade for the game on just 33 snaps, a ludicrously good performance from a guard. He was quick, mobile, strong at the point of attack, playing with good leverage and when he combined with fellow rookie RT Jordan Mills, formed a double team the Chargers’ defensive line couldn’t deal with. It’s only preseason, so I don’t want to get carried away, but he reminded me a lot of Evan Mathis in this game, the player we think has been the best guard in football for a couple of seasons now.

 

Bostic’s Night was More Than a Highlight Hit

 

I’m sure most of you have seen the big hit that Jon Bostic laid on a Chargers receiver to knock the ball loose, and impressive as that was, sadly it wasn’t a fair reflection of his night overall. He graded negatively (-2.3) against the run, routinely failing to shed blocks that came his way at the second level and struggling badly to disengage when larger offensive linemen got hold of him. The Bears want to see their linebackers play with the kind of aggression he showed with that big hit against everybody, not just players that he outweighs.

 

Signs of Life from McClellin

 

Last season Shea McClellin only played 368 snaps and didn’t grade well (-2.9), failing to show much in terms of pass rush as a rookie. This game we saw him flash a lot more, getting a sack and two hurries from his 10 snaps rushing the passer. He looked far more quick and dangerous as a rush threat than he ever did as a rookie, and also demonstrated more than one move, a vital arrow to have in his quiver at this level. The Bears didn’t get much from their top pick last year, but they’ll consider it a welcome addition if they see the player they thought they had drafted come through this year.

 

- The best hustle play you’ll see all week came on Matt Forte’s 58-yard run. Wide receiver Devin Aromashadu sprinted all the way to the end zone, walling off the corner from that side of the field and preventing him from ever getting close to the play.

 

PFF Game Ball

 

This one had written itself after a few minutes, but Kyle Long put together a pretty flawless performance to walk away with the game ball.