Joe's 2011 Preseason Gameday Preview: Bears at Titans

In their third preseason game, which the media long ago dubbed the “dress rehearsal” for every team, the Chicago Bears have to show fans a small glimpse of the team that made it to the NFC title game last year. Wait, no it shouldn’t. That team wasn’t actually that great. What the Bears NEED to do tonight in Tennessee is show how far they’ve come with the new pieces they have in place and what this season could potentially resemble. Here’s what I’ll be looking for from tonight’s match-up with the Tennessee Titans.

No seriously. Will he? I need to see the Bears’ newest receiver make an impact and form some sort of rapport with Jay Cutler or else the rumors of his quick demotion in favor of Johnny Knox are sure to come true in a hurry. Word from camp is that he’s been less than impressive and is slow to catch on in an offense that is very similar to what he excelled in during his Detroit days. Step up Roy.

Two preseason games in, there’s only one thing I can say for certain about second year safety Major Wright: he will make an impact. But whether it's because of a head-knocking hit or being out of position in run defense, who knows. Without more OTA’s, film sessions and coaching in the offseason, the Bears need to get Wright up to speed in a hurry. It’s clear he has some talent, but so did Danieal Manning. Chicago’s defense cannot afford for Wright to be a liability in an already questionable secondary.

We all know Julius Peppers is going to be a beast. We can even assume Israel Idonije is going to have another solid year opposite Peppers. What we have no idea on is how the newly minted rotation-ites at defensive tackle will fare this year. Anthony Adams is a decent every-other-down tackle, sure. But Henry Melton, Stephen Paea, and Amobi Okoye have to make an impact on the inside if they want to see a true starter emerge. The job’s there if someone wants to stake their claim on it.

Former 2007 6^th overall pick Vernon Gholston may not even make this team. He’s done that little to impress the coaches. D-tackle Marcus Harrison may get the boot this year as well. Also, Chester Taylor may not say he’s concerned, but it’s becoming a very real possibility that he gets released before the preseason is over. Not that the Bears couldn’t take four running backs, I just don’t think they will. It’s either Taylor of Kahlil Bell that goes.

Normally I’d be live-tweeting the game tonight, but a friend had to go and have a birthday again. (Seriously. She did this last year too. WTF birthdays? Don’t you know I have a preseason game to watch?) But check back sometime tomorrow for my recap of the game. Bear down y’all!