Chicago Bears: Second Preseason Game Proves Important

Today's preseason game between the Chicago Bears and New York Giants proves important in all phases.

Last week, when the Bears played the Bills, it didn't exactly go as planned. Although, from what I hear, there really was no plan. They are playing basic formations and running plays just to get a feel for things. I understand that it was the first game and not everything is going to be spot on. There definitely is room for improvement, which we hope to see today.

There are several key phases of this team that need to come together today. Time is running out, so things need to be corrected.

Offensive Line

Last week, the offensive line looked OK. They gave Cutler some time, but there could be more.

It all starts with protection. So it is vital this unit gels as soon as possible. The throws that Cutler is capable of making require just a little bit more time. Jay Cutler does have great pocket awareness, but he needs to be more aware of his WRs and where they are at all times. If this can be had, our passing game will look a lot better.

As for the running game, well, we're the Chicago Bears—we come off the bus running.

In order for the passing game to be successful, we need to gain yards on the ground consistently. Matt Forte is a great running back. He can find the holes when they aren't immediately apparent. But the main concern is, as good as he is, he was only able to achieve a sub-par 3.9 yards per carry.

The entire offensive unit will be that much better, if our running game can become even more effective, which I believe it can. Especially with the 1-2 punch we provide this year.

Jay Cutler and His WRs

The timing between the QB and WRs last week seemed to be a cause for concern.

There seemed to be many miscommunications between Cutler and his WRs. Once again, I understand it was the first preseason game and things like this are going to happen, but the entire passing game revolves around timing and communication.

Devin Hester and the rest of the world are now aware that he is not a jump-up and get it kind of guy. He is a blazer that needs to be able to run underneath the ball, and go and get it. This is something that Cutler and Hester need to get down in order for this phase to be successful.

Other WRs that need to emerge are Devin Aromashodu, Brandon Rideau, Earl Bennett, and Juaquin Iglesias. At this point in time, it doesn't exactly feel like we have a solid No.2.

In my opinion, we don't even have a solid No. 1. But that's not even debatable right now because we have no other option. But all training camp we're hearing good things about the WRs mentioned above. However, we haven't exactly seen anything in a game type situation.

Remembering that the season isn't exactly that far away, it's is extremely important to separate the keepers from the sleepers.

Earl Bennett has been titled the No.2 wide receiver. This is another one of those Chicago Bears' situations: you get promotions without producing. It is necessary to identify our reliable targets.

Matt Forte

Matt Forte was the gem of the draft for the Bears in 2008. He stepped in and produced immediately.

This offseason he was hampered by a hamstring injury. It was nothing serious, but it was enough to drop his reps dramatically. I'm sure he's still better than he was in the final game of 2008, but we need to get him back into the motions again. He is going to need time to gel with Jay Cutler. He also is going to need time to gel with the offensive line. We need to get him where he needs to be come Week One of the regular season. He is our only sure bet at this point.

Greg Olsen

Greg Olsen has been announced as the starting TE. He has also been announced as Jay Cutlers's favorite target.

The whole point of preseason is to get a feel for everything. These two need to get a feel for each other. It is extremely possible that Olsen leads the team in receptions this season. His speed, size, and catching ability make him our biggest receiving threat at this point. So this may be the most important offensive phase.

Tommie Harris

Tommie Harris was reportedly healthy at the start of the offseason and OTAs. After time in the OTAs and Training Camp, this proved to be untrue, yet again.

Tommie Harris is the key to the defensive line success. We need our pro bowl caliber DT in there. He disrupts many things, which allows this defense to do what it does best—create turnovers. Without him, we seem to lack a burst.

Defensive presence all derives from the pass rush. We still don't have a solid nose tackle. We have depth, but no one can seem to separate themselves. This needs to be determined as soon as possible.

Our defensive ends are ready to make some hits, as they should be. We need that outside pressure to free up space inside.

Bottom line, generate pressure on opposing quarterbacks so we do not give up 29 completions out of 34 attempts.

Safety Cushion

If any defensive phase falters it will have an effect on the secondary unit.

The secondary unit gives up way too many plays when the pressure is not enforced. We create so many one-yard runs, two-yard runs, and three-yard passes. When it comes down to the 3rd-and-5s and 3rd-and-7s, we need to make sure we contain them; we cannot allow them to pick up that first down. Does it involve playing tighter, blitzing, or simply applying pressure? It seems one of these scenarios would work better.

What seemed to be a major downfall all of last season was that our defense was on the field way too long. This was mainly due to giving up the third down plays. Something needs to change, I know the line needs to penetrate the backfield, but the secondary needs to be in better position to make a play on the ball.

Tonight's game against the Giants will be a good test for all the phases mentioned.

Go Bears!!!