"...where even Larry Mayer didn't try to sugarcoat last night's performance."
Without stars, Bears suffer lopsided loss - Larry Mayer: About the best thing you could say about Thursday night’s preseason-opening 31-3 loss to the Denver Broncos at Soldier Field was that the Bears left plenty of room for improvement.
Larry's Bears vs. Broncos blog - Larry Mayer: "The thing that I noticed most tonight was the lack of a pass rush. ... Peyton Manning had enough time to make a sandwich and call his brother Eli before completing a pass."
Peyton Manning intercepted to end lone drive - Peyton Manning's first appearance with the Broncos was brief and a bit uneven.
Follow WCG on Twitter; like us on Facebook. Brief. Uneven. Bears.
Broncos 31, Bears 3
[Video] Biggs and Mitchell on Bears' 31-3 exhibition loss - Offense never got going, but most of the 6 sacks were coverage sacks. Only had 8 first downs, to 25 for Denver. McClellin and Jeffrey showed flashes.
[Video] Kip Lewis, Moon Mullin break down Bears' loss - Not what Moon expected out of the backups, nor the starting OL. On the plus side, McClellin and Jeffrey showed flashes.
Call it a good night for Denver Broncos' Peyton Manning - On one play, Manning got about six seconds in the pocket as he surveyed the field, resulting in a first-down pass to Eric Decker on the left sideline. "He's like the fifth read on the play," Manning said. "That's not one usually you get back to. That's some good protection."
[Video] NFL Network Game Center: Denver Broncos at Chicago Bears - Highlights from NFL Network. Oh, that's what a pass pocket looks like?
Michael C. Wright: Q1: Broncos 3, Bears 0 - Peyton Manning played one series against the Bears.
Michael C. Wright: Q2: Broncos 10, Bears 0 - Caleb Hanie led the Broncos on a touchdown drive.
Michael C. Wright: Q3: Broncos 24, Bears 0 - The Broncos extended their lead with two touchdowns.
Michael C. Wright: Rapid Reaction: Broncos 31, Bears 3 - The Bears' offense struggled mightily in their preseason debut.
Biggs: 1st quarter observations - Brad Biggs: The Bears were without arguably the four most important players to the success of the team this season on Thursday night in the preseason opener.
Vaughn McClure: 3rd quarter observations - Jeffrey, McClellin, Price showed up to play.
NFCN Blog Preseason: Bears' 'B' team trounced - Reviewing Thursday's action at Soldier Field.
All eyes on OL in exhibition opener - Brad Biggs: J'Marcus Webb was called for a false-start penalty and the Broncos had three sacks in the first half.
Bears’ offense struggles in preseason loss to Broncos - Sean Jensen: Far more negatives than positives for the home team.
Exhibition opener gives fans little to enjoy - Dan Pompei: The Bears rest their biggest names. You also can understand why fans who paid a minimum of $76 per ticket felt like they were taken advantage of. Also, game notes.
Without Cutler, Forte, Peppers and Urlacher, Bears fall to Broncos - Moon Mullin's quarterly reports and postgame summary. I'd gone to bed by the time former Bear and wasted 5th-round pick Joshua Moore intercepted Matt Blanchard in Q4.
McClellin produces impact plays in loss - Bears first-round draft pick Shea McClellin made an impressive debut in Thursday night’s 31-3 preseason-opening loss to the Broncos at Soldier Field.
McClellin showcases potential vs. Broncos - Rookie Shea McClellin's performance was easily one of the bright spots for a Bears team that struggled in almost every aspect against the Broncos on Thursday.
McClellin sacks Hanie but struggles vs. run - The Broncos dominated the lifeless Bears 31-3, but Marinelli at least saw rookie defensive end Shea McClellin take some steps. Also, notes on other draftees.
Rookie Shea McClellin makes immediate impact in exhibition opener - McClellin, who entered the game at right defensive end, recorded the sack on just his third snap. Fans unfamiliar with the former Boise State star saw a player with a quick first step and a relentless motor.
Bears top rookies make early strong impression - Moon Mullin: The Bears got some good production out of their top three 2012 draft picks -- Shea McClellin, Alshon Jeffery and Brandon Hardin -- in the preseason opener on Thursday.
Bears light on stars in 31-3 loss to Denver Broncos in exhibition opener - Brad Biggs: The pressing questions have not changed. Urlacher's knee and the offensive line remain in focus.
Little to show for Bears' OL in extended test - Moon Mullin: Outside of center Roberto Garza, the Bears' projected starting OL played deep into Thursday's preseason opener and didn't inspire much confidence.
No sign of Brian Urlacher at exhibition opener - Vaughn McClure's game notes.
Stars Sit As Bears Get Crushed In Preseason Opener - As lightning and thunder took over the sky above a soggy Soldier Field Thursday night, the Bears opted to keep their stars off the field.
Bears-Broncos game notes - Matt Bowen's notes on Manning, McClellin and Jeffery.
Biggs: Don’t Rush To Judgment On Shea McClellin - Brad Biggs joined Mully & Hanley, warns that whatever McClellin does in first preseason game will be overblown. He was right...
Hoge’s Notebook: OL Struggles While Rookies Shine - Head coach Lovie Smith didn't bother to sugarcoat it: "We didn't play as well as a I thought we would tonight."
Five Things We Learned: Stay calm - Jeff Dickerson shares Five Things We Learned from the preseason opener.
Bears can finally be confident in backup QB - Melissa Isaacson: The words "Chicago Bears quarterback" and "depth" are not normally seen in the same sentence unless "lack of" is in there too.
Bears quotes: Campbell, Marshall and more - Lovie: "Set the bar is all we did in the first half. [I'm] not pleased in all three phases."
Non-game-related news and links
Cutler doesn't play in preseason opener - Jay Cutler's 2012 debut will have to wait until next Saturday after coach Lovie Smith opted not to play the starting QB in Thursday night's preseason opener.
Crump living out a 'dream' with Bears - UDFA and Chicago-native Terriun Crump will make his NFL debut with the Bears tonight in the place he's always dreamed of playing: Soldier Field.
Bell in battle for third running back job - Larry Mayer: Kahlil Bell is trying to hold off Armando Allen and perhaps Lorenzo Booker for what could be the final roster spot at RB.
[Audio] Thayer: 2012 Bears Could Be One Of The Best In Franchise History - Let's just say former Bears Super Bowl champion Tom Thayer has some strong opinions on this year's Bears team.
James Brown moved to LT - Tice: “Well, we moved him to the left side. He looked uncomfortable on the right. He’s played left his whole career." Then again, Tice hasn't been shy about moving people around to new positions...
NFL preseason: My advice for rookies - Matt Bowen: Five keys to making it though the first preseason game.
Bear Facts: LB Brian Urlacher - Tom Waddle: "At age 34, he still has the athletic ability to cover as much ground as any MLB in the game."
Bear Facts: QB Jay Cutler - Tom Waddle: "I expect Jay to have a Pro Bowl caliber season and establish himself as a top 10 QB in the league." Tom Waddle is always right.
[Video] Mully & Hanley: Should we worry about Urlacher's knee? - Not so optimistic on Bears' chances in playoffs, and that's before the Broncos game.
[Video] Pat Boyle Podcast - Chats to Lance Briggs, joins Tom Thayer to discuss Urlacher's absence and expectations for the season. Also talks to White Sox manager Robin Ventura, for those of you who like that sort of thing.
Soldier Field turf is slippery when wet but holds up in exhibition opener - Fred Mitchell finds a silver lining.
My favourite song by Tori Amos is an album track from her debut (solo) album <3