Preseason Game 2: Bears vs. Giants

by Dane Noble on Aug 21, 2009 1:49 PM CDT Comment 36 comments

Tomorrow is the home-opener for the Chicago Bears, providing most fans the opportunity to see QB Jay Cutler and company live for the first time. Any of you going?

Traveling to Soldier Field will be Eli Manning and the New York Giants.

The Giants finished 12-4 last season, losing to the Eagles in the divisional round of the playoffs. Of course, the Giants biggest offseason "move" was getting rid of Plaxico Burress, but they have a couple of exciting young WRs from April's draft to keep an eye on: Hakeem Nicks and Ramses Barden.

The Giants finished 2008 ranked #7 in total offense (helped largely by their NFL leading rushing offense) and 5th in total defense. For each of their personnel losses from last season, the Giants seem to have covered their bases well enough to have success again in 2009. And certainly one of the biggest factors will be the return of DE Osi Uminyiora.

I remember reading a while back something about the Giants for the 2009 season, which essentially said that their defense is young and stacked, and their offense hinges on the play of the WRs. Basically, if the WRs can be productive, the Giants will look like they did 18 months ago. If they don't step up, they'll look like they did 6 months ago.

For the game at Soldier Field, here are a few things to look for:

- A ton of rookie WRs looking to step up and make plays. The Bears need productive WR play as much as the Giants do, so it will be interesting to see which group of youngsters steps it up.

- Progress: Jay Cutler has almost two full quarters of football under his belt as a Chicago Bear, so look for him to be a bit more effective in tomorrow's game. The pass rush and secondary of the Giants will be relentless, but Cutler has had a solid week to improve his game.

- Even the Giants back-ups are strong, so I am looking forward to a game-long challenge for our offensive line. As we know, the Bears OL has a lot of new folks, so this will provide a great opportunity to see how everything is coming together.

- Caleb Hanie/ Brett Basanez will be under the spotlight, with the emphasis on Basanez. He may very well be fighting for a roster spot.

- And one thing that I am personally curious about: The fans. Soldier Field is undoubtedly going to be rocking harder than the Rolling Stones did in Super Bowl XL in 2006, so it will be interesting to hear about the atmosphere there. Whoever is going to be there, make sure you keep in touch.

What all are you interested in seeing (or hearing about) tomorrow?

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Comments

Looking for the Cutler to Olsen chemistry

Hopefully all those late nights studying the playbook on Rush Street will pay off

by Duck99 on Aug 21, 2009 2:01 PM CDT via mobile reply actions 0 recs

hopefully

I really want them to be a tandem, it will really help the team.

Carlos Guillen, the Latino Nick Punto - BouJouma
Please takeyour latte circle jerk to another thread. -WU
babies are young and under team control for at least 12 years -Billyok
i heard kenny williams' mother bought a lottery ticket and lost so kenny williams traded his mother - Billyok

by The_Fan on Aug 21, 2009 8:15 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

they frequent hub 51

not really Rush Street, I wish they came to Rush street, but they probably do not go out there because there are too many promiscuous women and they’d get swamped + olsen’s wife wouldn’t like it

If you want to crown em...

by JohnnyTruant on Aug 22, 2009 10:34 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Looking for how Matt Forte performs...

The Giants D-line is one of the best in the business, and it isn’t uncommon to find a sophomore surge in star running backs (Adrian L. Peterson, Eric Dickerson, Earl Campbell, Edgerrin James, LaDainian Tomlinson, Emmitt Smith, Walton Payton etc. etc.)

by V. Money on Aug 21, 2009 2:06 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Does anyone know

that you can’t comment on the 8/21 Bears Den?

If you can't laugh at yourself you must not be very funny.

by Just Dave on Aug 21, 2009 2:25 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

i've noticed that too

i think WCG deserves a big

this is what it’s like trying to post a comment on today’s Bears Den

by genetic on Aug 21, 2009 3:19 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

damn, my bad

sorry, WCG. that’s for ChiFan13. i guess this is for me…

by genetic on Aug 21, 2009 3:32 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Thought you were referring to the blog as apposed to the blogger

"We're here! We're queer! We don't want anymore bears!" by Manimal on Aug 20, 2009 12:05 PM EDT @ Daily Norseman after acquiring a geriatric QB

by icarr0331 on Aug 21, 2009 3:33 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

yeah

What’s with all the Jay Cutler hate? Are yall already off the band wagon?

by Ryan21 on Aug 21, 2009 4:14 PM CDT via mobile up reply actions 0 recs

What hate?

Jerry’s been so distant lately and Lovie barely calls.- Just Dave

by Allie on Aug 21, 2009 4:37 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

16hrs later.......

I have no idea what you’re talking about.

"We're here! We're queer! We don't want anymore bears!" by Manimal on Aug 20, 2009 12:05 PM EDT @ Daily Norseman after acquiring a geriatric QB

by icarr0331 on Aug 21, 2009 4:21 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

That aside.

My biggest question is will we make Eli Manning look more like Payton Manning at QB or Ricky Manning at a late night Denny’s?

If you can't laugh at yourself you must not be very funny.

by Just Dave on Aug 21, 2009 2:29 PM CDT reply actions 3 recs

hah!

Jerry’s been so distant lately and Lovie barely calls.- Just Dave

by Allie on Aug 21, 2009 3:49 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

That deserves a wreck.

I'm teaching fools some basic rules.- MR.T

by Ditkavsworld on Aug 21, 2009 4:53 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Engreened

Enjoy it.

by GallopingGhost on Aug 22, 2009 11:00 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Secondary Opportunity

We know that Tillman, Bowman, and Manning will most likely be starts Week 1, but none are playing this weekend. I want to see which DBs can step up and make plays. Show us some promise.

by brands735 on Aug 21, 2009 3:00 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

I hope to hear your game is injury-free.

When you go to somebody's house, you don't crap on their floor. Being a fan of one team does NOT give you license to be a dick to fans of another.

by Robert Rence on Aug 21, 2009 3:16 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

same goes for yours

Good luck tonight

"We're here! We're queer! We don't want anymore bears!" by Manimal on Aug 20, 2009 12:05 PM EDT @ Daily Norseman after acquiring a geriatric QB

by icarr0331 on Aug 21, 2009 3:27 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

to hell with that

i hope an earthquake hits lambeau. i’m sending my cat over. this is what i think of your floor, packer fan:

just kidding, but your signature makes it hard to resist being a dick.

by genetic on Aug 21, 2009 3:38 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Uhhh... Packer fan?

I’m a Vikes fan. You must not have seen me the first three dozen times I’ve posted over here for the past several months.

When you go to somebody's house, you don't crap on their floor. Being a fan of one team does NOT give you license to be a dick to fans of another.

by Robert Rence on Aug 21, 2009 3:44 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

not exactly batting 1.000 on this thread today is he?

This comes to mind

"We're here! We're queer! We don't want anymore bears!" by Manimal on Aug 20, 2009 12:05 PM EDT @ Daily Norseman after acquiring a geriatric QB

by icarr0331 on Aug 21, 2009 4:08 PM CDT up reply actions 3 recs

at least I got to keep the rec

"We're here! We're queer! We don't want anymore bears!" by Manimal on Aug 20, 2009 12:05 PM EDT @ Daily Norseman after acquiring a geriatric QB

by icarr0331 on Aug 21, 2009 5:09 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

whatever, same difference

i saw the yellow hat on your pic so i assumed pack. well i definitely don’t want to see favre get hurt then, we need him in there to give us some easy D TD’s.

by genetic on Aug 22, 2009 7:33 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Lemme blow up the pic for you:

It’s Zygi Wilf, owner of the Vikings, photoshopped to look like Wario.

When you go to somebody's house, you don't crap on their floor. Being a fan of one team does NOT give you license to be a dick to fans of another.

Corollary: When people are visiting your house and behaving themselves, them being a fan of a different team is NOT a reason for you to piss in their beer.

by Robert Rence on Aug 22, 2009 11:41 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

he looks like jack nicholson

by genetic on Aug 25, 2009 9:53 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I am really getting pumped for this preseason game...

the NY D-line are monsters though. It should be a good test for the bear.

Rick Morrissey = Dbag

by SoulEater7 on Aug 21, 2009 4:16 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

What have we gotten ourselves into?

All early indicators point to Cutler being the p_ _ _ y Urlacher said he is.

by Big Ike on Aug 21, 2009 4:48 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Just a great statement

thanks for stopping by.

Can you take your rain cloud with you when you leave?

I'm teaching fools some basic rules.- MR.T

by Ditkavsworld on Aug 21, 2009 4:55 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I'm not sayin'...

Im just sayin’

by Big Ike on Aug 21, 2009 5:19 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I honestly don't know why

I’m even acknowledging this post, but so glad you can evaluate a QB on a limited number of series without his two best weapons.

When he gets some wins for us, please post again

by BigAppleBearsFan on Aug 21, 2009 5:19 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

true that

i think we can all agree hes an improvment over anyhthing we have recently seen, and thats an understatement

They are who we thought they were

by Hester18 on Aug 21, 2009 5:47 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Run defense

Very interested to see how our first team front seven handles the running game of the Giants. One of the bigger, badder rushing attacks in the NFL and I am curious how/if we’ll attack and maim, or if we’ll just try to hold our ground and try not to get anyone hurt in a meaningless game.

Should be a physical game. Just want to make it through 60 minutes with everyone’s limbs intact. Big picture this game don’t mean $h*t. Giants had a short week so I doubt their game plan is going to be any different than it was Monday Night.

Also, I think there is the potential for some points to be scored in this one. O/U is 34.5 and it’s actually dropped, meaning that the money has been pulling down with the ‘under’. But the Bears have scored/given up a ton of points over the last couple years in preseason because of our super-soft Cover-2. (Obviously we save all of our wrinkles for the regular season so our base ‘D’ is pretty soft, especially with the backups in.) So if the ‘obvious’ happens and Cutler has a bounce back game to show the home fans what he’s all about, and given the fact that our D likes to give up preseason points, I wouldn’t be surprised if both teams hit 20 again. We’ll see.

by Doc's Sports Predictions Guy on Aug 21, 2009 5:55 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs