After last week’s impressive performance, the Chicago Bears are looking to improve on the little things and settle some key position battles. This week, they visit the mile-high city for one of the most hotly anticipated preseason match-ups in recent memory. As much as Jay Cutler and Josh McDaniels say this game doesn’t matter, you know they’re itching to embarrass the other guy just a little bit. I personally can’t wait to see our defense pick off Kyle Orton, but that’s just me.
Here are a few things to keep your eye on during Sunday night’s mega-hyped contest:
Wide Receiver:
So I guess Devin Hester is our number one receiver by default. The real question is: who is number two? For that matter, who are three and four? Earl Bennett has shown glimpses, but he hasn’t locked in that spot as far as I’m concerned. Rashied Davis is the only receiver besides Hester to have caught a regular season pass, but he’s buried on the depth chart. Rookies Juaquin Iglesias and Johnny Knox have barely seen action with the first team, so how high can our expectations be? Devin Aromashodu made a great catch last week, but doesn’t have the complete body of work. Brandon Rideau has the size, but hasn’t produced. Look for someone to step and cement their status on the starting squad.
Defensive Tackle:
So Dusty Dvoracek is done for the season again with the second torn ACL of his career. What a surprise. This is the fourth straight year he’s been unable to finish a regular season. His tenure on the Bears is over. Sunday’s game should see plenty of rotation at his nose tackle position, with Rod Marinelli trying to select a starter to go alongside Tommie Harris.
Cornerback:
Nathan Vasher may not make it to the regular season. He’s struggling to hold onto his starting corner spot opposite Charles Tillman, who hopefully will be back for the season opener. Vasher signed an extension after the Super Bowl run of ’07, but has failed to live up to its value. He’s certainly on the hot seat with promising corners like Zack Bowman, Trumaine McBride and Corey Graham sitting behind him.
Safety:
Obviously Chicago’s biggest defense weakness the past few years, each safety position is being hotly contested. Kevin Payne, Al Afalava, Corey Graham, Danieal Manning, Craig Steltz and Josh Bullocks are all in the mix for those two spots, so keep a close eye on their performances against the Broncos. Whoever can make the most plays during the game will most likely start the regular season.
Running Back:
This is going to be an important back-up slot for the Bears this season, as Matt Forte needs to see a drop in carries from last year’s campaign. Kevin Jones and Garrett Wolfe are supposedly in the mix for the back-up role, but we haven’t seen Ron Turner try to establish the run this preseason. He needs a plan for these two that works, because I don’t need to see Wolfe’s small frame run up the middle again.
Alright, now you’re ready to watch a preseason game! I‘ll be back with a recap of Sunday night’s action!
