@BrewMastrJoe
As we enter into this second week of preseason football, and with all the national hype about "Johnny Football", I am here to ask one question.
What are we to expect of the Chicago Bears tonight?
What and Who are we looking at?
The emergence of the Bears high scoring offense last year was soured by one of the historically worst defensive teams ever to be fielded by the Chicago Bears.
Thanks to Phil Emery. This all feels like years ago.
So, what are we looking at tonight? Here's a few things I plan on keeping my eye on.
Jared Allen
I'm sure this one is one everyone's list. How is Allen going to look tonight? It's his first preseason game so the expectations cannot be to high, but the eye test will be all I need. In a game that has no bearing on the season, as long as Allen looks like he's in shape, isn't getting blown off the line of scrimmage, and suffers no injuries, I wouldn't be too worried about his future.
Offensive Line
Jordan Mills will be sitting out his second game in a row tonight giving Ola and company a chance at few extra reps. The run game didn't look that sharp last week, but that is expected in the beginning of the preseason as RB's and Offensive Lineman take more time to get in sync. The Bears are taking a very cautious approach to Mills after his surgery last January, so even without him in the starting lineup tonight, I'm looking for the Bears to show some flashes of a solid running game. Even if it's the pass that helps set up the run.
3rd WR Option
Who will emerge in the wake of Marquis Wilson's clavicle injury? Can Michael Spurlock's skill set help the Bears this year? Can Josh Morgan going across the middle or throwing a block or two be enough to get him on the team? Or maybe Eric Weems steps up this week and shows he can be more than just a special team contributor. Judging on how Weems dropped that easy ball thrown to him last week, I'd say he's the long shot out of the three.
Shea McClellin and Jon Bostic
These two looked atrocious last week. Shea was getting blocked, he was out of position on numerous plays, and really didn't seem to do anything productive, beyond standing in his spots. Shea has an uphill battle ahead of him playing in a defense that really doesn't fit his skill set. Jon Bostic is a beast. His explosiveness and hard hitting is essential in this Bears defense, but he didn't look to well either. It's week 2 and by now, all those preseason sophomore jitters should be out of their system. Let's hope those two can turn it around and make some plays tonight.
Number 2 QB position
Jordan Palmer might have played his way out of the #2 QB spot, but who really thought he was going to keep it. I know this sounds pessimistic, but Clausen is a Trestman guy, and they go back a few years ago to when Clausen was working out for the 2010 draft. In all fairness to everyone in this situation, Clausen did prove he deserves this chance. He looked poised and sharp last week throwing 2 TD's unlike Palmer who hasn't been playing as well as Clausen.
