Bears Blitz

Published by Tim Daniels on August 12, 2011
Article Source: Bleacher Report - Chicago Bears

Where: Soldier Field in Chicago, Illinois

When: Saturday, 8 p.m. EST

Watch: WKBW 7 Buffalo, WFLD 31 Chicago; online at NFL.com (must pay $19.99 for league-wide package), live look-ins on NFL Network; game replay: 7:00 p.m. Sunday, NFL Network.

Listen: WGRF (96.9 FM) Buffalo, WBBM (780 AM) Chicago

The Buffalo Bills travel to Chicago to take on the Bears as both teams get their 2011 preseasons underway. After a long lockout and the possibility of missing an entire season of football behind both teams, it is time to get back to work.

The Bills haven’t made the playoffs since 1999, when they lost the infamous “Music City Miracle” game to the Tennessee Titans. After more than a decade of mediocrity, the Bills will try to get things moving in the right direction again after finishing 4-12 last season.

Chan Gailey returns for his second season as head coach of the team and Ryan Fitzpatrick remains the starting quarterback after taking the job from Trent Edwards in 2010. Based on last season’s records, Buffalo will be facing the second-toughest schedule in the league.

After winning the NFC North last season, the Bears lost in the playoffs to the eventual Super Bowl champion Green Bay Packers. Jay Cutler will lead the offense into battle again this season after having his manhood questioned during the Bears playoff run.

The Bears regular season schedule gets off to a tough start with visits from the Atlanta Falcons and Green Bay Packers and a trip to New Orleans to face the Saints all within the first three weeks. These exhibition games are important for the Bears as they can’t afford to start slow.

Bills Key Addition

Marcell Dareus was selected with the third overall pick in the 2011 NFL draft as the Bills continue their transition to a 3-4 defense. Dareus will play defensive end and team up with Pro Bowl defensive tackle Kyle Williams on the line.

The Bills run defense has been atrocious for quite some time now and 2010 was no exception. Buffalo gave up 170 yards per game on the ground, which was 15 yards more than any other team. Dareus will be expected to wreak havoc in the backfield right away.

Bears Key Addition

Amobi Okoye joins the Bears from the Houston Texans. The defensive tackle had four semi-productive seasons in Houston and fits right into the Bears Cover 2 scheme. He will immediately join the starting lineup alongside Anthony Adams or Matt Toeaina.

Okoye was a first-round pick in 2007, but never lived up to the hype he had coming out of college. When a player is drafted with a high pick, he is expected to be a high-impact addition. Okoye was never more than a solid role player. A new home might allow him to live up to his potential.

Bills Biggest Loss

Paul Posluszny was a tackling machine when he could stay healthy, which became less and less frequent during his time in Buffalo. The Bills would have liked to bring him back to be the leader of their defense, but they couldn’t match the Jacksonville Jaguars $42 million offer.

Nick Barnett, who has battled his fair share of injuries over the past three seasons, was signed to fill the void. He doesn’t have the upside of Posluszny and at 30 years of age, the number of productive seasons he has left is limited.

Bears Biggest Loss

Olin Kreutz spent the first 13 seasons of his career as the anchor of the Bears offensive line, so it was a shock to everybody around the league when Chicago let him go following the lockout. Although you could argue safety Danieal Manning had a bigger on-field impact, Kreutz had a more broad influence.

His teammates were stunned after hearing the news of his release and went to social media outlets to express their displeasure. If the Bears get off the a slow start, which is possible with that tough schedule, that locker room might go crazy without Kreutz’s leadership.

What They’re Saying

Rodney McKissic of the Buffalo News reports that the Bills are exploring trade options concerning wide receiver Lee Evans. Evans had the worst season of his career in 2010, mostly due to the increased targets for Steve Johnson. The former first-round pick would only bring back a late-round pick via trade.

The Chicago Tribune’s Matt Bowen, who played in the NFL for Bills, has an interesting take about the Solider Field playing surface. Bowen believes the turf is negatively affecting the Bears chances, especially in the heart of winter.

What’s Worth Watching

Shawne Merriman said he feels like he did during his double-digit sack seasons with the San Diego Chargers. Fans have heard this from Merriman before, so until he proves it during game action, Bills fans shouldn’t get their hopes up.

Between C.J. Spiller, Roscoe Parrish and Brad Smith, the Bills have no shortage of playmakers on offense. It will be interesting to see how Buffalo utilizes all of them, especially considering the large amount of time Smith has spent playing quarterback in training camp.

Roy Williams was brought in to high praise by the Bears coaching staff, but it is unclear if he is capable of holding down a top receiver spot. He hasn’t caught more than 40 passes in a season since 2007 and he has clearly lost some of his athleticism.

Brian Urlacher posted a 100-tackle season for the eighth time in his career last season and continues to fight off blocks and Father Time equally as well. Eventually his production level is going to drop as all the hits take their toll, but Bears fans hope that drop doesn’t come in 2011.

Biggest Storyline

How will the Bears secondary perform?

Strong safety Major Wright had a minor impact during his rookie season and might not be ready to make the jump to full-time starter despite a strong showing in camp. Free safety Chris Harris has always excelled in run coverage, but can he continue to make progress in becoming a playmaker?

Cornerbacks Charles Tillman and Tim Jennings have both been attacked by opposing quarterbacks during their time in the NFL. Tillman allowed the eighth most yards among cornerbacks last season and Jennings has never proven to be anything more than an average cover corner.

Prediction: Bears, 24-17

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