FYI.....but Lovie's lied before
_____________________________
http://www.chicagotribune.com/sport...rs-starters-chicago--20100813,0,7591504.story
Bears starters to get long look in exhibition opener
Smith says some will play as much as a half vs. Chargers
Jay Cutler and offensive coordinator Mike Martz. (Phil Velasquez, Chicago Tribune / July 30, 2010)
5:55 p.m. CDT, August 13, 2010
E-mail Print Share Text Size ct-spt-0814-bears-starters-chicago--20100813
Many visitors come to San Diego looking for sunshine, koala bears and a good fish taco.
But the Bears will be looking for other things when they visit the Chargers at 8 p.m. Saturday at Qualcomm Stadium in their exhibition opener.
Coach Lovie Smith has said at least some starters might play as much as an entire half. That's an indication he wants to get a good look at some of the position competitions. It's also an indication he feels the need to have his projected starters work together and get in the flow of the offensive and defensive schemes.
Here's what Smith will be watching most closely.
? The progress of Jay Cutler and the passing game.
This is the first real gauge of how far along the passing offense is in Mike Martz's first year. It's one thing to zip the ball around in practice when no one is getting hit; it's another to do it when the lights go on and the intensity is ramped up.
Martz and Cutler need to be in sync, as do Cutler and his receivers.
In the exhibition opener last year, Cutler and his receivers were out of sync. And now the Bears are playing in an offense that will challenge the individuals much more in terms of assignments and precision.
Everyone involved in the passing game could use a boost of confidence. Because even though everyone has talked a good game, no one can be completely sure of how this is going to work until the players go out and execute.
? How the newly configured offensive line performs.
Compared with how the Bears lined up for most of 2009, they basically have four starters in new roles: Chris Williams at left tackle, Roberto Garza at left guard, Lance Louis at right guard and Frank Omiyale at right tackle.
Not only do these players have to prove they are the best for their positions, but they also have to prove they can work together efficiently.
If the Bears can't protect Cutler and run block better than they did a year ago, all bets are off for this team.
? The performances of Nick Roach and Pisa Tinoisamoa at strong-side linebacker.
The Bears have yet to settle on a starter. Roach has received first crack, but there is a feeling around camp that Tinoisamoa might distinguish himself in exhibitions.
? The safeties.
The only given appears to be that Chris Harris will start, either at free safety or strong safety. The coaches will be looking for Danieal Manning, Craig Steltz or Major Wright to step up and prove he belongs in the starting lineup.
There is nothing Smith wants more from his safeties than takeaways. That could give Wright the edge.
? The nickel cornerbacks.
The Bears have yet to settle on the first-stringer. Will it be Corey Graham, the favorite? D.J. Moore, who appears to have taken a step up since last year? Tim Jennings, who was signed in the offseason for the job? Will Manning get the job if he's not playing strong safety?
All of these questions and more should be answered beginning Saturday.
_____________________________
http://www.chicagotribune.com/sport...rs-starters-chicago--20100813,0,7591504.story
Bears starters to get long look in exhibition opener
Smith says some will play as much as a half vs. Chargers
Jay Cutler and offensive coordinator Mike Martz. (Phil Velasquez, Chicago Tribune / July 30, 2010)
5:55 p.m. CDT, August 13, 2010
E-mail Print Share Text Size ct-spt-0814-bears-starters-chicago--20100813
Many visitors come to San Diego looking for sunshine, koala bears and a good fish taco.
But the Bears will be looking for other things when they visit the Chargers at 8 p.m. Saturday at Qualcomm Stadium in their exhibition opener.
Coach Lovie Smith has said at least some starters might play as much as an entire half. That's an indication he wants to get a good look at some of the position competitions. It's also an indication he feels the need to have his projected starters work together and get in the flow of the offensive and defensive schemes.
Here's what Smith will be watching most closely.
? The progress of Jay Cutler and the passing game.
This is the first real gauge of how far along the passing offense is in Mike Martz's first year. It's one thing to zip the ball around in practice when no one is getting hit; it's another to do it when the lights go on and the intensity is ramped up.
Martz and Cutler need to be in sync, as do Cutler and his receivers.
In the exhibition opener last year, Cutler and his receivers were out of sync. And now the Bears are playing in an offense that will challenge the individuals much more in terms of assignments and precision.
Everyone involved in the passing game could use a boost of confidence. Because even though everyone has talked a good game, no one can be completely sure of how this is going to work until the players go out and execute.
? How the newly configured offensive line performs.
Compared with how the Bears lined up for most of 2009, they basically have four starters in new roles: Chris Williams at left tackle, Roberto Garza at left guard, Lance Louis at right guard and Frank Omiyale at right tackle.
Not only do these players have to prove they are the best for their positions, but they also have to prove they can work together efficiently.
If the Bears can't protect Cutler and run block better than they did a year ago, all bets are off for this team.
? The performances of Nick Roach and Pisa Tinoisamoa at strong-side linebacker.
The Bears have yet to settle on a starter. Roach has received first crack, but there is a feeling around camp that Tinoisamoa might distinguish himself in exhibitions.
? The safeties.
The only given appears to be that Chris Harris will start, either at free safety or strong safety. The coaches will be looking for Danieal Manning, Craig Steltz or Major Wright to step up and prove he belongs in the starting lineup.
There is nothing Smith wants more from his safeties than takeaways. That could give Wright the edge.
? The nickel cornerbacks.
The Bears have yet to settle on the first-stringer. Will it be Corey Graham, the favorite? D.J. Moore, who appears to have taken a step up since last year? Tim Jennings, who was signed in the offseason for the job? Will Manning get the job if he's not playing strong safety?
All of these questions and more should be answered beginning Saturday.
