Week One NFL Preseason Preview: Denver Broncos at Chicago Bears
Published by Jake Perper on August 9, 2012
Article Source: Bleacher Report - Chicago Bears
The Chicago Bears host the new look Denver Broncos in their first preseason game number tonight at Soldier Field.
QB Peyton Manning is under center for the Broncos, while it remains to be seen if the newest dad in town Jay Cutler will be in uniform tonight.
Either way this game won’t be about those players. It will be about getting back to the basics and showcasing what these two teams have.
Rookies will get plenty of playing time in this one. Don’t expect the starters for either team to play past the first quarter.
With LB Brian Urlacher out (knee), Nick Roach will man the middle, while veteran Geno Hayes will take over at the strongside position.
Here are five players you should watch in this one.
DE Shea McClellin, WR Dane Sanzenbacher, RB Kahlil Bell, CB Greg McCoy and LB Nick Roach.
The first game doesn’t show fans and analysts much, but it gets everyone excited for the NFL season to begin.
Positions to pay attention to tonight for the Bears.
Julius Peppers and Henry Melton are the most dominant defensive linemen on the Bears’ current roster. Israel Idonije, Shea McClellin and Matt Toeaina should see the field plenty tonight. Players like Corey Wootton, Stephen Paea, Brian Price, Chauncey Davis and Thaddeus Gibson will get to showcase what they have.
Major Wright and Chris Conte need to prove their durability throughout the preseason. Rookies Brandon Hardin and Trevor Coston will get on the field plenty tonight, while strong safety Craig Steltz will get an opportunity as well. Cornerbacks Kelvin Hayden, Jonathan Wilhite, Isiah Frey and Greg McCoy are all battling for a roster spot. Look for one of them to try to make a push for a roster spot tonight.
J’Marcus Webb will get the start at left tackle, while Chris Williams will likely come in for Gabe Carimi early on the right side. Undrafted free agent James Brown will get a look at left tackle. He has potential just needs to prove he isn’t too raw. Offensive tackle will be a position to look at all through the preseason.
Matt Forte is under contract and ready to go. Michael Bush is ready to take on whatever role the Bears are asking him to do. Kahlil Bell and Armando Allen are battling for a roster spot. They have to prove their worth on offense as well as special teams. Veteran Lorenzo Booker and former supplemental draft pick Harvey Unga will also get looks in this one.
This should be a fun one to watch. The first game isn’t the most exciting, but the rookies get to showcase their skills and fans take notice.
The NFL season is about a month away ladies and gentlemen and tonight is just the beginning of all the hard work that goes into the regular season.
Weather.com weather forecast:
Expect a few showers with overcast throughout the night at the lakefront. 15-25 mph winds with a 60% chance of rain.
Jake Perperis the owner and head writer for Bearsbacker.com. Follow him on Twitter, @Bearsbacker and on Facebook for up to the minute news about the Bears.
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