Countdown to Kickoff… Tim Jennings Days Until Chicago Bears Season Opener

Nov 25, 2012; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Bears cornerback Tim Jennings (26) reacts to a defensive play during the second half against the Minnesota Vikings at Soldier Field. The Bears won 28-10. Mandatory Credit: Dennis Wierzbicki-USA TODAY Sports

We decided to do a countdown to the Chicago Bears season opener on September 8th versus the Cincinnati Bengals.  Thanks to one of our Twitter followers, we decided to combine the countdown with a roster preview of sorts.

We’re just Tim Jennings days until the season opener.  Or Matt Suhey days if you want to go old school.  Let’s start with Jennings.

Tim Jennings is locked down as the starting left cornerback, playing opposite Charles Tillman.   Jennings surprised the league last season while becoming the leader in interceptions with nine.  His emergence was a key to the Bears’ defense dominating as they did at the start of last season.

Jennings was an average cornerback with the Indianapolis Colts,  drafted in the second round of the 2006 draft out of Georgia.  He was on the Colts team that beat the Bears in Super Bowl XLI but when Tony Dungy left and they blew up their defense, Lovie Smith scooped him up as a perfect Cover-2  corner.

He was challenged by Lovie Smith to pick up his game after he dropped a ton of interception opportunities in 2011.  Jennings responded by spending the offseason parked in front of a JUGS machine catching balls.  It worked because he caught everything in sight in 2012 and blew away his career interception total.

In order for the Bears defense to keep up their high level of play, Jennings is going to have to prove he’s more than a one-hit wonder.  The Bears are stout at corner with their starters, but the depth is a little questionable.  If he reverts to his old ways, the Bears defense could have a tough time.

For your old-schoolers out there, we’re Matt Suhey days away from kickoff.  Suhey was the Bears fullback from 1980-1989.  He rushed for just under 3000 yards in his career with 25 touchdowns while leading the way for Walter Payton most of his career.

We’re 26 days away.  Are you ready???

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