Preseason 1: Bears at Chargers Quick Recap

Looks like he’s gonna be a monster at FS. Hopefully his finger is alright.

I mean, the Lions were 4-0 in the preseason before going 0-16 in the regular season in ‘08. But the offensive line was really bad, and the defensive playcalling wasn’t exactly filling me with confidence.

But, the line does need some time to gel, and hopefully Marinelli is calling signals off in order to reveal little about the regular season game plan (I can hope, can’t I?) thus surprising the league with his masterful game-planning and playcalling.

So I, for one, will not be climbing onto the ledge anytime soon. But the game definitely gave us some things to be concerned about.

One note. While the running game looked horrid, the RBs did not. I though they looked decent to good, but had a lot to overcome with the line’s play )or lack thereof).

Last year, we added Cutler, and thus our starting QB had to learn a new offense. We didn’t really extend the first team offense in the pre-season, and they were not ready for the opener vs GB.

This year, Cutler and the entire offense is learning a new system… with a whole new coaching staff, and we gave Cutler one friggin series?

Way to prepare your team Lovie.

Hanie had an 82.5 QB rating.

I thought the biggest brigt spot last night was the offensive gameplan. There were guys open all over the field last night which is the opposite of Ron Turner. I thought looked good in his limited time and his best play was his third and long run for a couple of yards when he ate the ball instead of trying to throw it into coverage. 3 points is better then no points. Offensive line was awful especially Frank the gate and Louis was not too good. Kreutz missed a block as well. I take part of it with a grain of salt becuase Rivera was blitzing alot last not, I think the corners had 2 sacks pretty unusual for the preseason but it looked like a little sour grapes out of Rivera.. First string defens?? No pressure at all by the Dline, was Peppers playing?? did not look like it. Bowman torched and Harris looked a little slow out there. No need to panic but there is work to be done..

Many of those old problems were back last night. For the most part, i thought the defense played smart without a pass push. The offense however, was sickening to watch. That line looks just as bad as it was last year. Coaches need to start thinking of putting shaffer in just because of experience. Forte does not look quicker. The special teams looked short bus special, but it might not be a concern. Something tells me Hester is not healthy at all.

After watching the o-line last night, it kinda makes me wonder why we did nothing to upgrade the positions. The o-line was our achilles heel last year, and even though it was the first pre-season game, i didn’t see anything that would give me any confidence they can turn it around with the players they have one the line right now. Something has to be done.

Good things.

1. Major Wright looks like he belongs……7 tackles, if he wasn’t tackling he was around the ball…..

2.Knox and DA, they are no fluke……….Knox with his double move on man to man was just scary…..DA looked like a man among boys….

3.Joshua Moore….That’s right I said it.From what Iv seen, he was thrown at 3 times. Allowed 1 catch and the other 2 catches he almost/shouldof picked off……The 8 yard curl was in his hands……

4.It was just nice seeing Urlacher on the field…..

5.Dan Lefevour……It seemed like every good pass was dropped……….He needs to work on strength but great accuracy…..

the OMG things……

1.The O-line..Although in fairness it was the first preseason game…3 ppl at different positions…It will take time to jell…

2.We have to mix the defensive play calling.At least expand your play book from 1 play to 5…..I know that he doesn’t want to show the other team are plays, but it was just sad……

3.Bad D-line play…….

4.Injuries……I have never seen 3 white guys get injured in 1 football game……..

5.The touchdown we allowed……….It looked like last season all over again………

First pre-season game or not, Lovie better get our boys winning otherwise his ass is on the way out the door!!! Tired of seeing the same old problems!! Alls we want is a playoff team w the hopes to go to the big dance, Lovie and company can’t even evaluate talent for cryin out.

1. The D and O lines are awful and need a ton of work!

2. Lance Louis is out of position at G, he’s a RT and he will play the Frankie O role this season; Beekman was absolutely manhandled at the C position even against 2nd and 3rd string DTs/LBs.

3. Tommie Harris is done!

4. Peppers talent will be wasted because opposing offenses will simply run away from him and quick pass to negate his speed.

5. Major Wright was a good pick-up at safety; he’s the real deal.

6. Other then the line, the offense played well and seemed remarkably organized for implementing a new and complex system.

7. Hester runs much better routes, but he still does not get separation and is way too easily redirected.

8. DA and Knox should be the #1/#2 combo at WR; Hester is still not refined enough to be more than a #3 slot WR.

9. DJ Moore, Corey Graham, Josh Moore, Q Scott and Tim Jennings played well in the d-backfield; Bowman and C Harris looked disturbingly slow and out of position.

10. Pisa, if he remains healthy, will start at SLB. Shaw has speed and raw energy, he could be another Hilly with some development.

11. Adams, Melton and Izzy were the only positives on the d-line (Peppers excluded); Williams and Kreutz were the only positives on the o-line (thumbs sideways to Graza for playing out of position at LG).

Martz is the only coach who has his players ready and willing to play. Tice, Marinelli, and Lovie have a lot to answer for and a ton of work left to do in a shortening amount of time. It is the first pre-season game, but the main concerns going into this season do not appear to have been addressed. I’m not impressed so far, except for the offense. Get it together Lovie or just get out!

Our recievers looked awesome.
Considering we don’t have a “legit number 1”
BULLSHIT

Knox was tearing them up

It benefits him a whole lot cause you’re going against the #3 CB in a spot on the field that mismatches created can spell doom for the defensive team. They line up and if the defense is not right it can be hester hester on one side against the nickel or LB and Olsen on the other side him being a mismatch for LB’s and knox and DA outside. Hester in a Welker-like role with his speed, explosion and run after catch ability is a ticking bomb on every series. I like the advantages we could have if the coaches place the pieces accordingly to the system so they can max it out. anyway I wouldn’t mind it cause we have good, quick receivers 1-4 and if Iglesias gets into the mix it’s even better!

It benefits him a whole lot cause you’re going against the #3 CB in a spot on the field that mismatches created can spell doom for the defensive team. They line up and if the defense is not right it can be hester hester on one side against the nickel or LB and Olsen on the other side him being a mismatch for LB’s and knox and DA outside. Hester in a Welker-like role with his speed, explosion and run after catch ability is a ticking bomb on every series. I like the advantages we could have if the coaches place the pieces accordingly to the system so they can max it out. anyway I wouldn’t mind it cause we have good, quick receivers 1-4 and if Iglesias gets into the mix it’s even better!