Chicago Bears Preseason: What We've Learned From Game Two
The hardest part in writing this article is where to begin. It seems the Bears did some good but there were also many, many areas of improvement that are obvious.
The final score doesn't really matter; what does matter is how the first string offense and defense performed, how the players on the bubble responded and, of course, the health of the team.
Brian Urlacher went down again with a calf injury. Perhaps the team's best safety, Major Wright, is still on the sidelines and may or may not be ready for the opening bell. Other players being counted on to be a big part of the team this season played poorly, such as Chris Williams.
But, as previously mentioned, there were some positives to come out of this loss to the Oakland Raiders, such as the play of Matt Forte.
So let's take a look at the major points learned from this game as we get closer to game three, which is usually the best game of the preseason.
Here we go...
Chris Williams Can't Block Kamerion Wimbley
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In one half of play, Cutler was sacked five times.
Chris Williams, thus far, has not looked impressive despite the switch to his more natural side of the line. He gave up four sacks to Kamerion Wimbley. Meanwhile, Matt Forte is not a real good blocker, though he had that terrific run.
Though Brandon Manumaleuna is a strong blocking tight end, how will the Bears incorporate both he and Greg Olsen into a Mike Martz offense that usually does not value the TE position? Well, they may need to do just that.
Against the Raiders, the Bears pass blocking took a step backward from the San Diego game. With Dallas coming up, let's hope they have a better plan for DeMarcus Ware.
Brian Urlacher Hurts His Calf
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Can this guy remain healthy for a full season? How about one series? That is certainly debatable following last season's wrist surgery and now this injury to his calf, though it's not believed to be serious.
But this defense needs a healthy Urlacher, a healthy Tommie Harris and Major Wright to come back and save the safety position.
ESPN's Jeff Dickerson reports that Bears teammates are not concerned about Urlacher.
"I was relieved when I heard it wasn't serious," Bears linebacker Lance Briggs said on Monday.
But since he missed almost the entire game after missing an entire season, you'll have to forgive Bears fans if we feel like it's deja vu all over again.
They Really Miss Patrick Mannelly
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One positive a Bears fan could always count on, win or lose, was that the Bears special teams would usually play well. So far, in two preseason games, they have stunk.
They have allowed 227 kick return yards (11 kick returns for a 20.6 avg). And, they obviously miss long snapper Patrick Mannelly, as Dez Clark failed miserably in his attempt to fill in on snaps.
The veteran Mannelly is out with a neck stinger and his importance has never been more obvious than against the Raiders.
Clark cost the Bears on two separate occasions in the first half, once on a field goal, and once on a point-after-touchdown attempt.
While he was better in the second half, we can't get Mannelly back soon enough.
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Matt Forte Looks Much Better Than Last Year's Matt Forte
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Matt Forte seems to have found his rookie season's burst. Maybe it was his knee after all.
Forte ran for 109 yards on five carries against the Raiders, and it was the 89-yard touchdown that opened a lot of eyes, with his speed and cutting ability, something rarely seen last year.
Maybe it's the injury healing up or perhaps it's the competition with Chester Taylor; either way, it's a welcome sight for an offense that has trouble protecting Jay Cutler in the pass.
Greg Olsen Really Does Have a Role In The Mike Martz Offense
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It has long been said, even by the man himself, that a tight end must be able to block effectively to have a role in a Mike Martz offense. Well, perhaps he is softening his stance, or Lovie has gotten to him, because it does actually seem like Greg Olsen will be a key contributor on offense this season, despite his poor blocking.
But with the offensive line being so bad protecting the pass so far, they could really use Brandon Manumaleuna as an extra blocker. Yet one has to wonder if the Bears can afford to have two tight ends out there at the same time?
Olsen led the Bears in receptions last season with 60. But the Rams Ernie Conwell produced the most catches by a tight end in a Martz offense back in 2001 with only 38.
So perhaps it's unfair to call Olsen a TE in this offense; he may be lined up as a receiver. No matter what, if he stays healthy, expect Cutler to be going his way again a lot this season.
The Defense Needs To Improve On Third and Long
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In the two preseason games thus far, the Bears defense, including second and third stringers mind you, have produced three sacks, two QB hits, four fumbles (one recovered), two INTs, and 142 tackles (121 of them solo tackles).
But they have also allowed three rushing TDs, 393 passing yards (35/61 for 6.4 yards per completion), 233 rushing yards (71 carries for ~3.3 ypc), and have been poor on third down, especially third and long.
As bad as the Bears D was last season, ESPN's Michael C. Wright writes that they "held opponents to a 20.6 conversion percentage (18 of 87) in situations where they faced third-and-8 or longer." But on Saturday night, "the Raiders were 3-for-8 (37.5 percent) at keeping drives alive in those situations Saturday against the Bears starters."
The Bears starters allowed two conversions and as Wright points out, "both conversions led to points for the Raiders, who moved the chains on three of four first-quarter third downs."
Lovie Smith Is Not Concerned For His Job
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That smugness and air of confidence, and yes, almost defiance that is seen on the face of Lovie Smith could be attributed to reports that have surfaced this week stating that Bears President Ted Phillips has issued no such mandate on winning for Smith or Jerry Angelo to keep their jobs past this season.
While it had been widely assumed that both were out if the team failed to make the playoffs, apparently that isn't the case at all, much to the chagrin of the Lovie haters out there.
There is simply too much money owed to both mean for the Bears not to let them finish their contracts. The Bears are too cheap to pay around seven million dollars to say goodbye to these guys, not to mention the money they would have to pay for replacements.
Barring something disastrous, such as an 0-10 start or something, Lovie knows he will return to coach again next season.
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