Chicago Bears Preseason: Cardinals Intercept Cutler's Path to Victory
Two ill-timed, perhaps ill-advised throws by Jay Cutler defined the Bears offense in the first half of their third preseason game Saturday night against the Cardinals.
Meanwhile, we saw Mike Martz roll out some of the more aggressive play calling that we'll likely see much more of during the regular season. This was, after all, the game in which teams often use as a dress rehearsal for the regular season.
Despite the inconsistencies on offense, there were some positives, and the defense generally played well, although the touchdown drive seemed entirely too easy. They stopped the run but could not stop the Cards on third down.
Lance Briggs Added to Mounting Injury List
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Lance Briggs injured his ankle and left the game in the first half and did not return. Although he did walk off the field under his own power, any setback to Briggs has to be a huge concern, as he has been the rock of this otherwise shaky defense the last couple years.
With Brian Urlacher nursing a sore calf and three safeties down, injuries have piled up for this team.
The good thing is that none of the injuries appear to threaten players ability to play in the opener, and, in fact, Urlacher said that he could have played if he had to, although he will also be held out of Thursday's preseason finale.
Rookie Major Wright flashed some very strong ability before he broke his finger. The Bears hope he will be ready to play when the season starts. A healthy Wright, though only a third round pick, looks to be an eventual starter on this defense before too long.
Red Zone Troubles Continue To Haunt the Offense
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In the first half, Jay Cutler and the receivers (should that be the name of a rock band?) did not seem to be in sync at times. Cutler threw two interceptions and fueled the boo birds that perched atop the Soldier Field stands last season when Cutler threw 27 picks.
The first drive of the second half, particularly offensive line breakdowns during the drive, made Bears fans wonder just what the Bears and Mike Martz did during the halftime break.
Thrid Down Conversions Continue Vs. Defense
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In the first half alone, the Cardinals, who are thought to be a pretty bad offensive team with no set QB, converted on three 'third & eight" attempts. One occurred on a dump off that should have been stopped and one occurred as the result of a nice play by Derek Anderson, who stood in and got hit as he let the pass go.
The Cards picked on Charles Tillman so he will need to step it up.
But the safeties are hurting and despite increased pressure on the QB, their replacements need to perform, along with the CBs in a defense that continues to give up plays on third down.
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Johnny Knox and Chester Taylor Look Good
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Chester Taylor is a versatile back who should combine with a rejuvenated Matt Forte to provide some solid options out of the backfield for Cutler and Martz.
Taylor had two runs of 30+ yards in the first half and looks to be a great addition to the offense.
Johnny Knox, meanwhile, made a couple of outstanding catches in the first half. The kid is showing that last season was no fluke.
Offensive Line Still Causes Concern
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The offensive line played well at times. In the first half, they generally protected Cutler well, and at least one of the sacks came as a result of tight coverage by the Cardinals secondary.
But Chris Williams, though not nearly as porous as last week, continues to look shaky protecting Cutler's blind side.
And Frank Omiyale was terrible as he was most of last season.
Cutler is durable, but he needs to get rid of the ball quicker at times or he will get killed.
This team will not be good if the line doesn't play well, especially in a Martz offense that features a lot of five-step drops.
Jay Cutler Should Have Played More
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OK, this was not a repeat of the first week, when Cutler basically made a cameo appearance and left in fear for his life from Ron Rivera's blitzing Chargers.
Still, to play just one series more than a half of play is simply not long enough to get this offense in sync. They need game time together in a Martz offense that requires crisp route running from the wideouts.
Cutler did not look good and, even when not under pressure, did not do anything that would have made Lovie Smith or Martz say, "Let's call it a night, we accomplished what we wanted to."
Look, starters usually do not play much in the final preseason game, especially with such a short week coming up for the Bears who play Thursday night. So,one would have hoped that the offensive line, receivers and Cutler would have had more time to work together in game situations so that they can get familiar with one another.
Cutler himself said after the game that the offense took a step back and did more bad than good in the game. Though candidly refreshing, it screams for more play time for the offense.
Dan LeFevour Makes a Strong Impression
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Dan LeFevour is a guy who comes in as a late round draft pick despite an impressive college resume. Yet the competition and the perception that LeFevour's arm strength isn't good enough for the NFL made many scouts pass on the Central Michigan star.
Well, that may be true, but on Saturday night at least, the kid looked good.
LeFevour completed 10 of 12 passes for 129 yards and a TD in relief of Jay Cutler, who looked shaky at best.
Now, no one is saying that the kid is going to be a starter, but he went a long way toward making the team. His making the roster is not a certainty because the Bears signed Todd Collins, while Caleb Haney is due to return for the season opener.
But after this showing, if the Bears place LeFevour on the practice squad as expected, he may be picked up by another team, so if I was Jerry Angelo, I would go with three QBs on the roster and LeFevour would be one of them.
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