2011 Preseason Recap: Bears 24, Browns 14

And that’s a wrap folks! In their fourth and final preseason outing, the Bears took care of the Cleveland Browns 24-14. Taking their last looks at their roster before trimming it down, the Bear coaching staff has their work cut out for them. Here are my thoughts from tonight’s (still meaningless) win.

Associated Press

-Showing off Chester Taylor were we? It looks like we were showcasing Taylor for an impending trade. He got to take more handoffs in tonight’s game than any game I’ve seen him in before. (Probably not true, but it felt like it.) I can’t believe we’re going to keep him on the roster, unless Kahlil Bell or Marion Barber’s injuries are more serious than initially reported. We’ll milk a 6^th round pick out of somebody.

- Tonight was the Dane Sanzenbacher show. He was on the field for all four quarters, and was targeted eight times, leading to four receptions. The coaching staff obviously wanted a long look at Dane before throwing him in against starting caliber-defenders. He made himself available and found the holes in Cleveland’s defense, but needs to develop better hands. Though that punt return at the end of the game (no matter the holding call) sorta made up for the muffed punt early.

- Caleb Hanie is definitively the back-up quarterback. I don’t care what flip-floppy tactic Martz/Smith tried earlier in camp. Nathan Enderle is NOT ready for primetime, despite his somewhat adept showings. Hanie isn’t as far along as I think he should be, but his pinpoint throw to Knox in the corner of the endzone proved his skill when he gets time to throw.

- Second year pro Nick Reed gets a spot on my roster. The Bears might be loaded on the defensive line, but players with a high motor like Reed are always necessary. He and fellow end Mario Addison played the entire game. Keeping him on the team at defensive end and letting him learn from Julius Peppers sounds like a solid enough plan. What say you Lovie?

- Actually examining a player on the other team for once, isn’t Seneca Wallace the absolute WORST? I mean, playing against scrubs you would have thought a team’s second-string QB could complete a freaking pass. He stares down his receiver too long and telegraphs his throws too often. Suckage.

Now it’s onto the regular season for Lovie Smith’s gang. Check back soon for an in-depth regular season preview!