Bears Blitz

Published by Mike Chiari on August 25, 2011
Article Source: Bleacher Report - Chicago Bears

Where: LP Field in Nashville, Tennessee

When: Saturday, 8 p.m. EST

Watch: WFLD 31 Chicago, WKRN 2 Tennessee; online at NFL.com (must pay $19.99 for league-wide package), live look-ins on NFL Network; game replay at 1:00 p.m. on Sunday, NFL Network

Listen: WBBM (780 AM) Chicago, WGFX (104.5 FM) Tennessee; Sirius Radio: XM Internet 864 Chicago, XM 233 Tennessee

As the NFL preseason’s all-important Week 3 gets underway, the Chicago Bears get set to travel to Nashville in order to do battle with the Tennessee Titans. Both teams enter the game at 1-1 on the preseason and will look to see some progress as the starting offenses and defenses figure to play at least the first half.

The Bears are coming off a surprising 11-5 2010 campaign in which they won the NFC North Division and received a first-round bye in the playoffs. Chicago defeated the Seattle Seahawks to advance to the NFC Championship Game, where it was dispatched by the rival Green Bay Packers.

Despite a few personnel changes, hopes are not quite as high for the Bears this season. The defending Super Bowl-champion Packers figure to have a stronger regular season in 2011 and the Detroit Lions seem to be quickly improving as well. The Minnesota Vikings should also remain fairly stiff competition.

Quarterback Jay Cutler will surely be under the microscope this season, as he was mercilessly bashed by the media for being unable to finish the NFC Championship Game due to injury. Teammates have vouched for Cutler’s toughness since that time, but he will certainly have much to prove.

The Titans weren’t quite so successful last season. They went just 6-10 and finished tied for last in the AFC South. Big changes have been made in Tennessee, however, with an obvious eye toward the future. Vince Young is the quarterback no more; the Titans drafted Jake Locker with the eighth-overall pick in April’s draft.

Gone is head coach Jeff Fisher, who was Tennessee’s head man for a remarkable 16 years. He will be replaced by Mike Munchak as the Titans search for a new identity.

Tennessee is expected to lean heavily on the running game this season, but franchise running back Chris Johnson continues to hold out in hopes of a more lucrative contract. Nothing seems imminent between the two sides, and it will surely continue to be a huge storyline until its resolution.

While the Bears are hopeful for another postseason run in 2011 and the Titans are more than likely building for the future, both teams will look to use Saturday’s game as a means for getting ready for the regular season. With no shortage of positional battles on either side, it should be an entertaining matchup.

Bears’ Key Addition: WR Roy Williams

The Bears weren’t shy about signing the former Dallas Cowboys this offseason, and wide receiver Roy Williams figures to have the most impact of the bunch. Although his skills seem to be declining, Williams’ skills as a possession receiver should mesh well with speed merchants like Johnny Knox and Devin Hester.

Titans’ Key Addition: QB Matt Hasselbeck

While Jake Locker may be the Titans’ quarterback of the future, Matt Hasselbeck is undoubtedly Tennessee’s signal caller of the present. The veteran comes over from Seattle and will keep the seat warm until Locker is ready to take over late in the season or in 2012.

Bears’ Key Loss: C Olin Kreutz

Having anchored the Bears’ offensive line for 13 seasons, it came as a bit of a shock when center Olin Kreutz turned down a one-year offer from the Bears this offseason and signed with the New Orleans Saints instead.

The Bears brought in Chris Spencer to replace him, but a Bears offensive line that is terrible in pass protection may be even worse in 2011.

Titans’ Key Loss: ILB Stephen Tulloch

It seemed quite clear entering the offseason that inside linebacker Stephen Tulloch would not re-sign with the Titans, and that was the case; he chose the Detroit Lions instead. Tulloch was a machine for Tennessee last season as he racked up 160 tackles. His departure will surely weaken the Titan defense in 2011.

Bears Player to Watch: OT J’Marcus Webb

Despite struggling at right tackle last season, Webb has been given the unenviable task of protecting Jay Cutler’s blindside this season. The drafting of tackle Gabe Carimi shifted former left tackle Chris Williams inside to guard and forced Webb to move from the right side.

The line was a wreck in terms of pass protection last season, giving up nine sacks to the lowly Buffalo Bills in Chicago’s first preseason game. Webb’s development will be a huge factor in whether Chicago’s line makes a marked improvement this season.

Titans Player to Watch: QB Jake Locker

Although Matt Hasselbeck figures to get most of the snaps at quarterback Saturday, Locker, the eighth-overall pick, will have a chance to prove himself in the second half. It doesn’t seem likely that Locker could inject himself into the starting conversation with a great game, but it is certainly possible.

In all likelihood, Locker will get an opportunity to start at some point this season. He needs to show the Titans coaching staff that he can be trusted. He’ll have a great chance to do just that against Chicago’s second-team defense.

Bears’ Position Battle: Marion Barber vs. Chester Taylor for short yardage RB

While Matt Forte looks to have the makings of an every-down back, head coach Lovie Smith liked substituting Chester Taylor for Forte in short-yardage situations last season. While Taylor was decent in that role, former Cowboy Marion Barber was brought in this offseason.

Barber isn’t the back he once was, but he could be effective as a goal line runner. Barber seems to be the back of choice as Taylor hasn’t received much work in the preseason thus far, but Taylor will have a chance to make his presence known Saturday.

Titans’ Position Battle: Craig Stevens vs. Jared Cook for starting TE

There would seem to be no question that Jared Cook is ready to take over the role of primary pass-catching tight end for the Titans with the departure of Bo Scaife during the offseason. Despite that, the big-bodied Craig Stevens is listed as Tennessee’s starting tight end at the moment.

Stevens is particularly adept at blocking and could keep Cook off the field because of that. The Titans will surely find a way to utilize both players, but if Cook can improve his blocking and show it off on Saturday, he might be capable of being an every-down tight end.

Matchup to Watch: Bears DE Julius Peppers vs. Titans OT Michael Roos

This battle will feature two of the best players at their respective positions in the entire NFL. Both Bears defensive end Julius Peppers and Titans offensive tackle Michael Roos are former Pro Bowlers, ensuring that they should engage in a very interesting battle on Saturday.

If the Titans hope to stand a chance in the AFC South this season, the offensive line must keep Matt Hasselbeck upright. Roos will have a good test, as Peppers is perhaps the most explosive and diverse defensive end in the game.

Key Storyline

All eyes are likely to be on Bears quarterback Jay Cutler in this particular matchup. Cutler is much maligned and is looking to prove that he isn’t the fragile player he was made out to be following the NFC Championship game last season.

Cutler was much better in terms of ball security last season, but as is always the case, it will be a point of focus for him again in 2011. The Titans defense suffered a lot of big losses this offseason, meaning that Cutler should look to be in midseason form against them.

If he is, the Bears certainly have reason for optimism; if not, it could be a long season in Chicago.

Prediction: Bears 17 – Titans 10

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