NFL Preseason 2010: What To Make of the Chicago Bears
Published by Hunter Prichard on August 29, 2010
Article Source: Bleacher Report - Chicago Bears
What should we make of the Chicago Bears’ pre-season so far?
And by the “Chicago Bears” I’m really focusing on Jay Cutler, because this ship will rise and fall according to his play. And if he starts the season in any way like the way he has played in the pre-season, it will be a bumpy road for the next three months.
Let’s just talk about last night. Cutler, and most of his offense, played for a good chunk of the game against the Arizona Cardinals (a team having loads of trouble of their own). I don’t mean to underrate and under-appreciate the Cardinal defense because they do have some good players (Adrian Wilson, Rodgers-Cromartie…) but they aren’t exactly the caliber of some of the top D’s that Chi will be playing this year. Minnesota and Green Bay will both have good/great units, plus games with Dallas, Philadelphia, NYG, and (gulp) the Jets.
Now, I know it’s just the pre-season, but we’re two weeks away from the season, and I would feel a lot more comfortable if Cutler and his receivers were on the same page instead of clashing together like a bunch of headless birds. Although Mart’s new system is hard to pick up, if this team can’t figure it out at the end of August, what makes anyone think that they will figure it out in September or October.
Cutler, often careless with the ball, did make some good plays. Johnny Knox had some great catches (he looks like a viable, potential No. 1 threat) and the other receivers didn’t look bad, but slightly underwhelming. Not that I should be surprised, because this is the Bears we’re talking about, but it’s a little depressing to see a talented QB like Cutler throwing to a bunch of no-names, while nearly ever other team (despite a few: Seattle, Cleveland, St. Louis, Buffalo) has a clear-cut No. 1 wide-out.
Cutler’s worst interception was the second one was a terrible reminder of most of last-season. It was an under-thrown ball that made it way too easy to intercept. All in all, Cutler looks slightly lost in the pocket. I think he’s unsure of himself, especially with an offensive line that looks shaky at best.
The couple silver linings from the pre-season are that A) the running game looks much more improved, and B) our defensive unit is missing starters which should explain some of the lapses.
I am delighted and giddy with the early success of Chester Taylor and Matt Forte. Forte looks healthy and vibrant and he looked like he dedicated this off-season to getting back on track. Whatever his role is inside the Martz system, he should do very well. Chester Taylor is one of the most talented second fiddle guys in the league. It’s good to watch how good your starting RB is, and then look and see his backup is nearly to that level.
In terms of the defense, I’m not too worried as of yet. Keep Urlacher and Briggs out until the season opener, and I think they’ll be fine and ready to go. Julius Peppers provides such a boost that it isn’t even funny. If he gets pressure to the quarterbacks (and the NFL North is a QB division so that’s very important) then it will change games. And Urlacher and Briggs are smart and motivated enough to feed off of his play.
Although the pre-season has been disappointing, my opinion of the 2010 Chicago Bears hasn’t changed too much. I didn’t have much confidence in the offense clicking so easily (the early reports made it seem like it was going to be like the ’99 Rams) so that isn’t too surprising. I’m hoping that Cutler stays upright for the year and that he takes better care of the ball. I can live with an interception in which the signals are crossed between WR and QB, but to see more under-thrown balls go right into the DB’s hands is something that makes me squirm.
However, the Chicago defense will be much more improved, and I can still see Chi “getting by” on that until the offense starts to click (if it ever does this season).
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