Chicago's favorite Bears found themselves on the losing end of their first preseason game of the season. The unfortunate anecdote is that similar scores could be seen in their following three games to end the "glorified practices". Nobody likes making infamous history, but the Bears did just that yesterday, finishing the 2010 preseason without a win for the first time since 1998. You can say 0-4 all you want, but come September 12th the National Football League will let Chicago start fresh again at a clean 0-0 record when 'Da Bears' take the field against Detroit to begin a grueling campaign that is the 2010 Bears schedule.
If you care to look at history, consider that the 1985 Monsters of the Midway were 0-3 in the preseason before salvaging a win. Or maybe that just two years ago, before the Lions made history by being the first NFL team without a win in a 16 game season, they dominated preseason play with a 4-0 record. And if you enjoy the present even more, how about the fact that Indy just finished going 0-4 as well to begin this year? But whether I see four wins or four losses, I don't get caught up in preseasonal record. If you believe that wins and losses are the important thing, then you might as well go to Bears training camp in Bourbonnais and try to keep score between Jay Cutler and Julius Peppers.
My number one concern with preseason football is injuries; as long as every player in a blue and orange jersey jogs off the field after every series without grimacing, the other meaningless details are just dandy with me. Well, I wish it was that simple. But while trying to keep everyone healthy, it is still important to see improvements and make corrections.
In watching all four games, though, I saw an 0-4 record and multiple injuries, some pertaining to starters and some benchwarmers. But this doesn't make the preseason a disaster. In fact, I wouldn't even say this preseason was a failure.
The media has blown these losses into such a big deal that it looks as though some of those writers expect the armageddon as soon as Jay Cutler throws his first pass against the Detroit defense. Although none of the four games were particularly impressive performances, there are nevertheless positive things to take away from them.
In paying attention to individual performances, I saw multiple players that showed impressive skill and development--most notably those that make up the receiving core.
Devin Aromashodu proved to be worthy of playing time late last year in being a great third man off the bench. He looks to continue from right where he ended, as he's caught 7 passes for 104 yards and a touchdown in this year's preseason. He hasn't had many opportunities, but when he does he seems to always take full advantage. Although it doesn't help that new offensive coordinator Mike Martz has implemented a very complicated offensive system, it'll provide this very young core new opportunities that may spark success; if the Bears can concoct some imagination when given the football, that could lead to these speedy receivers making big plays for Cutler and the offense.
Johnny Knox, Devin Hester, Rashied Davis, and Juaquin Iglesius also look good. Knox leads Bears receivers with 7 catches for 135 yards and a touchdown. Davis had an standout fourth game in Cleveland, and Iglesius has shown sparks of development that he might be able to turn into a consistent helping hand off the bench. Hester brings previously unseen speed and good hands to a young core in which he finds himself one of the most experienced.
And it is important to mention the solid effort by second string quarterback Todd Collins on Saturday. In getting the start in lou of Cutler's day off, Collins went 10 for 15 with 139 yards and a TD in two quarters of play. He looked poised and controlled, and what we saw from Collins was particularly impressive considering how recently he signed with the team. But hey, I guess that's what 16 years in the league can do for you.
But no matter how many shining stars I saw, I can't deny that this team has its fair share of problems.
My most notable concern is the play of the offensive line. To begin the preseason in San Diego, Cutler had to be removed early due to the coaching staff's fear of him leaving the stadium crippled from a meaningless game. This concern goes especially to left tackle Chris Williams, who just looks completely beatable no matter which lineman lines up opposite him. Perhaps he's struggling at this position because of how much time he saw at right tackle last year, but I don't think that the transitioning process should be impeding his progress to a point of a standstill, which is close to what we're seeing.
Another concern is the recent roster cuts of saftey Al Afalava and special teams master Tim Shaw. Afalava was the fourth stringer behind Chris Harris, Josh Bullocks, and Major Wright at the free safety position. But Harris hasn't played with Chicago for years, so why do the Bears feel guaranteed results out of him? And Wright is new to the NFL, so there's no guarantee he'll produce either. And as for Shaw, he led Chicago in special teams tackles last season, and he's got an eye for getting to the ball like he carries a radar on the field. Nick Roach and Pisa Tinoisamoa do produce better results at the linebacker postition, but who will make all of those special teams tackles that he won't be making now? I understand the Bears must cut their roster from 75 to their final 53 man squad by September 4th but I feel cuts may have been better suited at other positions with more skill and depth.
So it wasn't the greatest preseason we could've asked for. But games are not won and lost in the preseason and futures are not sealed in September. They may have left Cleveland 0-4, but they will be 0-0 when they debut in Soldier Field against Detroit.
No comments:
Post a Comment