Chicago Bears: What We've Learned Through Week 2 of Preseason
After breaking training camp over the weekend, the Chicago Bears headed back to Lake Forest, Illinois, before they traveled to Indiana to conduct two practices with the Indianapolis Colts on August 19 and 20.
Head coach John Fox thought the joint practices with the Colts were a good opportunity for his team to compete against other talented NFL players.
"I just think it's important to see other people, the styles of play," said Fox, per the Chicago Tribune's Rich Campbell. "They're a playoff team from a year ago and I know their staff pretty well; they're good guys and [we] look forward to it being competitive and yet civil."
Chicago opened up the preseason with a 27-10 victory over the Miami Dolphins last Thursday, and the Bears will try to keep that momentum going when they take on the Colts this Saturday night.
What have we learned about the Bears through the first two weeks of the preseason?
Adrian Amos Is Now Listed as a Starter on Defense
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After a poor showing from second-year safety Brock Vereen in Chicago's preseason opener, rookie fifth-round pick Adrian Amos was listed as a starter at safety when the team released its latest unofficial depth chart, according to WGN Radio's Adam Hoge.
Vereen struggled in pass coverage against Miami and was beaten for a touchdown early in the first quarter. Amos spent time with both the second- and third-team defense, and according to Pro Football Focus, he played 27 snaps against the Dolphins.
He finished the night with just two tackles, but he looked comfortable in his first NFL snaps.
Amos played both cornerback and safety at Penn State, but he struggled at times with his tackling. The Bears selected him in the fifth round this past May, and general manager Ryan Pace liked the young defensive back's versatility.
“A versatile player," Pace said after the draft, per CBSChicago.com. "He’s played corner, he’s played nickel, he’s played safety, so we like the coverage versatility that he brings. Just a high-character guy who’s extremely intelligent. Three-year starter and I like the versatility that he’s played multiple positions.”
He flashed at times at Olivet Nazarene University during training camp, and Fox said Amos deserves the opportunity to play with the first-team defense.
“He's earned where he is,” Fox said, according to BearReport.com's Jeremy Stoltz. “He's earned that and we'll go from there.”
Amos is not guaranteed to be a starter once the regular season begins next month, but a strong showing against Indianapolis on Saturday night, followed by a strong performance against the Cincinnati Bengals in the third preseason game, could help him earn the starting job.
Vereen, as well as veteran Ryan Mundy, could both push for more playing time if they play well against the Colts, but it looks like the starting free safety job is Amos' to lose.
Chicago's Outside Linebackers Are Learning from Each Other
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Jared Allen, Lamarr Houston, Willie Young and David Bass are all converting to outside linebacker from defensive end this offseason, and they are leaning on each other for help during their transition.
Even though all four are fighting for a starting spot, Houston said they are always discussing strategy and how to get better, according to Campbell:
"It's understanding someone else's perspective and seeing where they're trying to understand the game more. It's a new position for everybody. It's a different style of rushing. It's a different style of run blocking. So understanding where somebody else needs help, where a problem area is, where you need help, you're just communicating and trying to let each other know which is the best technique.
It has helped us open up to each other a lot about different pass rushes and different techniques and just trying to understand the game more.
"
Houston and Young did not dress for Chicago's preseason opener because they are coming off season-ending injuries, but both Allen and Bass got an opportunity to play outside linebacker for the first time in an actual game.
According to Pro Football Focus, Allen played 17 snaps, while Bass played a team-high 54 snaps on defense. Allen finished the game with one tackle, and Bass registered one quarterback hit.
The Bears have not announced whether Houston will play Saturday night, but he says he will do whatever Fox wants him to do, per ChicagoFootball.com's Kevin Fishbain:
"I’m pretty sure they’ve seen everything they want to see. I’m out practicing every day, I’m in full-go. This is Coach Fox’s plan. Whatever he has planned for me, I’m gonna do. He’s dealt with players in this situation before, so he’s obviously has a sense of the timing and things and how he wants to do and how it should be handled. So whatever he suggests I’ll listen to him.
"
Young has not commented about his progress this offseason, but he did see an increase in reps in practice this week, according to Adam Jahns of the Chicago Sun-Times.
The transition from defensive end to outside linebacker has not been an easy one for Allen, Houston, Young and Bass, but if they continue to lean on each other for support in the coming weeks, the outside linebacker group could end up being one of the team's strongest on defense.
There Are Still Concerns at Right Tackle
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Despite rumors of Pro Bowl guard Kyle Long moving to the outside this offseason, third-year man Jordan Mills is currently listed as the team's starter at right tackle on its unofficial depth chart.
When the Bears took the field against the Dolphins last week, Long remained at the right guard spot and Mills got the start at right tackle. According to Pro Football Focus, Mills played 19 snaps in the preseason opener. Mills showed flashes in the running game, but he struggled in pass protection in his limited snaps.
Mills started all 16 games at right tackle in 2013 and 13 games last season, but according to Pro Football Focus, he gave up nine sacks, 19 quarterback hits and 93 quarterback hurries during that time.
The young lineman has been a decent run-blocker in his career, but he has been overmatched at times in pass protection. He struggles when he is not given any help on the outside, and he could possibly lose the starting right tackle position in the preseason if he continues to struggle.
The Bears do not have a lot of proven depth behind Mills, but second-year players Michael Ola and Charles Leno could push for the starting position.
Ola made 12 starts last season, including three at right tackle. Like Mills, Ola is better in the running game compared to the passing game, but he allowed just three sacks, five quarterback hits and 21 quarterback hurries in 844 snaps last season, per Pro Football Focus. Against the Dolphins, he played 59 of the team's 84 snaps at right tackle and finished with a plus-0.9 overall grade.
The Bears drafted Leno in the seventh round of the 2014 draft, and the former Boise State product appeared in five games last season—all at right tackle. This offseason, he has been working at left tackle, but he is versatile enough to play on the right side of the offensive line.
“I’d say left tackle I’m more comfortable with,” Leno said, per ChicagoFootball.com's Nate Atkins. “The left tackle, he’s probably going to get the best athlete on the field over him. The right tackle, that’s probably the second- or third-best athlete. … It’s not really a big difference. It’s like riding a bike once you switch over.”
When the Bears practiced on Thursday afternoon, Leno lined up with the first-team offense at right tackle.
"Shake-up on O-line today as Charles Leno saw time with starters at [right tackle]," tweeted Hoge. "Mills was with [the second team] before leaving with a calf injury."
The Bears have not made it official, but there is a chance Leno could start at right tackle on Saturday against Indianapolis if Mills' calf injury keeps him from playing. Leno is an athletic tackle who moves well in space, but he will have to prove he can be powerful at the point of attack in the running game.
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Marquess Wilson Has a Chance to Solidify a Role on Offense in White's Absence
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This past weekend, the Bears announced that 2015 first-round pick Kevin White will miss at least the first six games of the year due to a shin injury, according to Chicago's official Twitter account.
In White's absence, third-year man Marquess Wilson has an opportunity to solidify a role on offense. Wilson was expected to be Chicago's No. 3 wide receiver in 2014 behind starters Alshon Jeffery and Brandon Marshall, but a clavicle injury forced him to miss the first nine games of the year.
In 17 career games, Wilson has hauled in 19 passes for 153 yards with one touchdown.
With White out of the lineup for the foreseeable future, the former Washington State standout has a chance to earn significant playing time in offensive coordinator Adam Gase's scheme.
Quarterback Jay Cutler is happy with the progress Wilson has made this offseason, but he is ready to see him step up in White's absence.
"He's a mature 22-year-old," Cutler said, per the Daily Herald's Bob LeGere. "We just need him to take that next step and get some confidence. Getting hurt last year set him back a little bit. Once he gets out there, catches some balls and gets going some, he's going to be a threat."
Wilson has a long stride and does a nice job of creating separation between himself and the defender. In his limited snaps last season, he showed a willingness to work across the middle of the field and the ability to work his way back to the football.
"He can do anything," Cutler said, per LeGere. "You can put him inside, you can put him outside, he can break in, he can break out. Man-to-man he's good off the press. He's got a huge array of routes that he can do."
The biggest thing Wilson will have to prove is that he can be consistent on each and every snap. Wilson's versatility makes him a threat to emerge this season under Gase, but if he struggles with consistency early in the season, Cutler will likely lean on receivers he trusts like Jeffery and veteran Eddie Royal.
CB Sherrick McManis Is Earning More Playing Time
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When the Bears played Miami last week, veteran cornerback Sherrick McManis lined up at nickelback with the first-team defense. Used primarily on special teams during his first five years in the league, McManis has a chance to earn significant playing time in 2015.
According to Pro Football Focus, the former Northwestern Wildcat played 27 snaps against the Dolphins and finished the game with a plus-1.5 overall grade. He also finished the game with four tackles, one pass deflection and a forced fumble.
"I'm very determined," McManis said after the game, per ChicagoBears.com's Larry Mayer. "I'm determined like this every year, honestly, just to be out there trying to compete, do my special teams thing, and also show them that I can play corner or that I can play nickelback, just to help the team in any way that I can."
Even though McManis has only been a special teams contributor in his career, Bleacher Report's Dan Pompei believes the veteran cornerback can be more than just that.
"Sherrick McManis has been typecast as [a special teams] player only, but he has really played well at [cornerback], and this team needs someone to step up there," Pompei tweeted.
McManis is a bit bigger (6'1", 193 lbs) than most nickelbacks, but defensive coordinator Vic Fangio likes cornerbacks who have size. Veterans Tim Jennings and Alan Ball have not stood out this offseason, and that could open the door for McManis to earn some playing time on the outside.
With second-year man Kyle Fuller appearing to be the only lock at cornerback, McManis will have an opportunity to earn significant playing time if he continues to impress in the preseason.
"It's about getting opportunities and capitalizing on those opportunities," McManis said, per Mayer. "Making plays. Just competing. Just trying to get better."
He will likely continue to get reps on the inside at nickelback, but if Jennings and Ball struggle in the three remaining preseason games, McManis could find himself in the starting lineup come Week 1.
Statistical information courtesy of NFL.com unless otherwise noted. Measurables courtesy of ChicagoBears.com.
Matt Eurich is a Chicago Bears featured columnist for Bleacher Report and a member of the Pro Football Writers of America.
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