What I learned from the Bears' preseason win over the Bills

The Chicago Bears finally saw game action for the first time since the NFC Championship. In Saturday night’s preseason opener against the Buffalo Bills, you would have missed each team’s key starters if you happened to blink. However, fans did get a solid look at the starting five offensive linemen as well as some key back-up battles. Here’s what I learned from Saturday night’s 10-3 win over Buffalo.

Only on the receiving end of three hand-offs on Saturday, it’s clear what the Bear coaching staff thinks of Taylor. You saw Forte start the game, Marion Barber finish out the first half and then Kahlil Bell and Harvey Unga get the action in the second half. If Chicago keeps only three running backs on the roster (last year they kept 4), Taylor seems the odd man out.

AP Photo

Not really a stretch of a statement, seeing as how the Bears gave up NINE sacks in this preseason game, including two to Shawne Merriman. The former San Diego stand-out, Merriman notched his two sacks on consecutive plays in the first quarter on back-up QB Caleb Hanie’s first series. Even Jay was sacked on his only series of the game. It was that effing bad. With less time to gel in camp, Mike Tice played his starting five offensive linemen for entire first half, a desperately needed tactic. If they’re going to get better, they have to play better together. It won’t come in practice.

After being release by Dallas earlier in free agency, Marion Barber has arrived in Chicago with a renewed intensity. After struggling at the goal line last year, the Bears look to be markedly improved thanks to the acquisitions of Carimi at right tackle and Matt Spaeth at tight end. Barber is the last piece of the puzzle, a down-hill basher who gives as good as he takes. While he has significantly more wear and tear than other running backs of his age (28), he certainly has a few good years left.  With 7 carries for 45 yards on Saturday, Barber is declaring he’s ready for the season to begin. I don’t think I need to see a ton of Barber in the preseason though. His running style is too dangerous to be used in meaningless preseason action.

I said it. Anything that lights a fire under the ass of someone who hasn’t reached their potential is a good move in my book. Bringing in Roy Williams and deeming him the opening day starter definitely upset and angered Knox. Despite the talk of a trade demand, Knox will be with this team for the entire year. He’ll be used on punt and kick returns this season with the departure of Danieal Manning, so he’s going to get a chance to put his entire skill set to use. As he showed with a 70-yard return on Saturday night, Knox can be just as explosive in that role. In Martz’s offense, he can be useful out of the slot, so he’ll always manage to find himself on the field. This isn’t as much of a downgrade as some would have you believe. Knox could come through with a monster season if he fixes some of his route-running mistakes from last season.

Check back soon for my preview of the Bears’ next preseason game as well as season previews for all 32 NFL squads!