Rookie wide receiver Johnny Knox left the Browns in the dust as the Bears rolled to a 26-23 victory

The Bears finished up the preseason with a 3-1 record after edging the Cleveland Browns 26-23.  Check out NFL.com’s highlight package here.  In typical fourth preseason game fashion, the starters broke more of a sweat during warmups than they did in the game.  Many of the regulars played one series, which consisted of one snap for the defense after Zack Bowman’s interception on the first play from scrimmage.  Jay Cutler played a series, but that included handing the ball to Kevin Jones, who left the game in the second series with an ankle injury.  It will be interesting to see the extent of the injury and how that might impact the final 53-man roster. (more…)

There is some question about who was at fault in Jay Cutler's INT intended for Devin Hester.

The Bears lost their 2009 preseason opener to the Buffalo Bills 27-20.  Jay Cutler’s debut was probably not what anyone outside of Denver had been hoping for.  It’s not nearly as bad as the 3 INT night that Kyle Orton threw in his Broncos debut, but it leaves plenty of room for improvement.  Cutler went 5/10 for 64 yards and an ill-advised, off-the-back-foot Grossman-esque INT on an attempt to Devin Hester.  There’s some debate about how that play ended up, according to ESPN Chicago’s Jeff Dickerson but I’ll chalk it up to a learning experience for a QB anxious to make a big play.  (more…)

Brandon Rideau.  Devin Aromashodu (pronounced uh-ROME-uh-shuh-do).   If these names don’t sound familiar yet, they soon will.  Both returning wide receivers have been turning heads at Bears training camp, most notably the head of quarterback Jay Cutler.  His opinion, probably more than that of offensive coordinator Ron Turner, will probably have more to do with who stays and who goes.  What makes these two stand out?  Let’s look at the wide receivers on the Bears roster:  (more…)

Thanks to the Balduf family Noah(8) , Brett, Ethan(5) and Jackie for their great coverage of Family Day at Soldier Field

The Chicago Bears held their annual Family Day at Soldier Field on Saturday.  I thought, how better to cover this than to get a family actually attending Family Day to offer their perspective.  Enter the Balduf Family from suburban Harwood Heights.  I asked long time friend and family man Brett Balduf to provide a report of the action from the shores of Lake Michigan.  He filed this report:

I went and saw the Bears practice at Family Day at Soldier Field.  I must admit that I was nervous upon first entering Soldier Field due to some confusion of workers.   I was lucky enough to get tickets from a friend who has season tickets in the 200 Club Level.  When asking a worker where I had to go, he didn’t know.   When I went to another section by the United Club and asked a worker there, he wasn’t sure either. My concern increased when no one knew where I could find condiments for my free hot dog.  I thought, I hope the Bears know their roles and plays more than the Soldier Field workers know the stadium.   I went up and ordered a cheeseburger and the worker told me that they weren’t serving everything on the menu.  I understood and walked over to the next booth.  I asked, “Are you serving everything on the menu?”  The manager said yes.  I asked for a sausage pizza to which I was told, “Oh, sorry, we are only serving cheese.”  Fine, I thought, then said, “I’ll have a Chicken Ceasar Wrap.”  I was then apologized to again, they weren’t serving that.   So much for serving everything on the menu.

But the most important thing was the BEARS.  They did introductions through the Bearhead.   Of course, the loudest ovation was for the star of Camp Cutler.  It was nice to see a real QB come into Soldier Field that didn’t have a Green helmet.  Stretches, agility and specialized drills.  Special teams, 7 on 7, full team scrimmage, and two-minute drill.  There were some interesting things that stuck out to me. I may have been able to document more specifically if I didn’t have my 8 and 5 year old with me (and looking for Mustard), but here are some general observations and commentary:

• It’s amazing how forceful the Defensive Lineman slap, swim, and swat moves are
• Devin Hester has some pretty good hands
• Brandon Rideau lined up as the 3rd Wide Receiver with the starting offense – I have a feeling will see him there during the year
• I think people are underestimating the Bears receiving corps this year because they don’t have a big name.
• The Bears kick-off return team was in an interesting 4-2-1-2-1-1 formation…and it looked pretty damn good.
• I wish the Bears could play 7 on 7 all the time.
• The Bears offense is going to look a lot different this year.  Jay Cutler spreads the ball around and throws to routes we are not accustomed to seeing.  He does check down to short routes and running backs, but isn’t afraid to throw the 15 and out, seam, post, fly – and do it with accuracy.
• We are going to appreciate having Forte, Jones, and Wolfe running the ball this year.  I predict they will all have their moment to shine.
• I wish they tackled in practice, but understand why they don’t.
• I don’t think I saw Robbie Gould miss once in the practice or warm-ups.

As your more than average casual fan, I enjoyed the practice and look forward to the Season.

Sounds to me like aside from some early condiment confusion, a good time was had by all.  Hey Brett – it’s preseaon for the Soldier Field staff too.  Cut ‘em some slack!

I hope to open up to some more fan posts like this throughout the season, so if you have an idea for a post or attend a game or team function and would like to submit a story, please e-mail me at beargoggles.boomer@gmail.com and I’ll see if we can squeeze it in to our wall-to-wall Bears coverage.  Thanks again to Brett and the Balduf family for letting us see this event through their eyes.

BEAR DOWN!!!

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• I know that this is a Bears site, but I couldn’t resist this one.  In an effort to spray to all fields, I pulled this excerpt from Todd Dewey’s article in the Las Vegas Review-Journal on the recent retirement of Greg Maddux, who apparently was a notorious prankster:

Maddux, known to belch or pass gas during locker-room interviews, also was “a master of strategically timed nose picking and sidling up to an unsuspecting rookie in the shower and urinating on the kid’s leg,” it was reported last year in an article on ESPN.com.

I wonder if Mad Dog and Moises Alou ever crossed streams for the 2004 Cubs???

• The Bears placed Dusty Dvorocek on IR today and signed WR Devin Aromashodu.  What, did Earl Bennett, Brandon Rideau and Brandon Lloyd need a fourth for Euchre in the Bears’ wide receiver doghouse?  Could any of these guys do any worse than what we’ve seen out of Rashied Davis lately? 
• A quick peek around the Power Rankings has the Bears at #19 on ESPN, #16 on CBS Sportsline and #17 on Fox Sports. 
• The line on the Bears-Saints game has the Bears favored by 3, with an over/under between 44 and 46, depending on the site you check.

Of course my excitement is curbed by reality of this being an exhibition game.  We’ll like only see a quarter or half tops of good football and then the remainder of the game will feature the players fighting for a roster spot.  The third and fourth string players certainly play with plenty of heart but they run around the field with a wild disregard that makes you wonder if they really know what play was just called in the huddle. 

For the Chicago Bears, the preseason holds an important test for several positions on the field.  A season cannot be made or lost in a single preseason game, but tomorrow night’s contest certainly holds the futures and opinions of my players in the balance.  Without further delay, here are my players to watch tomorrow night.

First Round Bench Warmers

The Bears and Chiefs have a lot invested in the success of their first round picks, all of whom will not be dressing tomorrow.  Bears first round pick, and hopeful for left tackle of the future, Chris Williams will not be playing due to a lingering back injury.  He has missed significant practice time and is now reaching the point where coaches should be concerned if he will be ready for the actual season.  Without Williams playing left tackle the Bears will be starting the season with a weak offensive line.  The Chiefs will also be playing without their first rounders, Glenn Dorsey and Branden Albert.  Both players need to get healthy and contribute to help the Chiefs rebuilding process begin.

Matt Forte Show

The Bears signed free agent running back Kevin Jones to help in the backfield but Jones is still coming back from his injury.  He is almost ready to put on pads and get his first taste of game action but for tomorrow, it will be the Matt Forte show.  There is no understatement in saying all eyes will be on his every move and touch of the ball.  He should get about ten touches before being pulled for Adrian Peterson, but he needs to show some of the flashes coaches have been telling us about.  Fans may extend a learning curve to the rookie, but I think everyone will feel better on Friday if Forte can show he can run the ball in the NFL.

Wide Receiver Madness

The Bears have a LOT of receivers to choose from and players need to stand out or find themselves at the bottom of a deep depth chart.  Bears quarterbacks can throw to Marty Booker, Devin Hester, Brandon Lloyd, Rashied Davis, Mike Hass, Marcus Monk, Earl Bennett, Brandon Rideau, and Ryan Grice-Mullen.  Every day I read articles from reporters at training camp and every day they seem to have a new favorite at the receiver position.  The Bears appear committed to Booker, Hester, Lloyd and Davis as their starting four for the upcoming season.  The remaining players will have to come up with big plays to earn a place among the top.  Fan favorite Mike Hass is known for making spectacular catches but coaches are afraid he’s too slow to put him on the field.  Little has been said about rookie draft picks Bennett and Monk so any contribution will help get their names in the running.

O-Line Disaster

I’ve been talking all summer until blue in the face about the importance of the Bears to solidify the offensive line.  First round pick and left tackle Chris Williams is out indefinately with back pain and Olin Kreutz missed practice time with injuries early in camp.  More recently there have been troubles with the guard position and the Bears may be forced to start Josh Beekman.  No one really knows if Beekman is good or bad because coaches have never opted to use him.  Even last season when the offensive line was terrible, Beekman dressed but was never put into a game.  That’s not a good sign for things to come.  I for one will be watching Beekman to see if he can step up with this opportunity.

QB Coin Flip

Coach Lovie Smith didn’t rely on a coin flip to make his decision this time, but he did continue to flip.  Kyle Orton will be the starter of tomorrow’s game and Rex Grossman will the starter for next week’s game.  Grossman and Orton have been very close throughout training camp and game situations could prove to be the final test.  Grossman has always given the Bears the better chance to win, but his failure to maintain his composure and mechanics have proven disasterous.  If Orton shows he can stand in the pocket he may move ahead in the competition.

Injury Bug

Defensive tackle Dusty Dvoracek is considered a possible key player for the defense at tackle but can’t seem to stay healthy.  For the third year in a row he has been injured and will force the Bears to find a new tackle to play alongside Tommie Harris.  Rookie Marcus Harrison was ranked by many teams as a possible first round pick but passed on him because of character issues.  Reports indicate he has been a model citizen in training camp and he may get a lot of activity tomorrow night.  At the present moment he appears to be the best candidate for surprise draft pick if he can deliver.

Roach Factor

Nick Roach is a second year linebacker with the team that is getting a lot of attention.  He recently moved up the depth chart ahead of Rod Wilson as backup middle linebacker to Brian Urlacher.  I thougth highly enough of Wilson that I suggested last season the Bears should let Lance Briggs go and start him this season.  If Roach is even better he may prove to be valuable addition to the defense.  If he can make a big play Roach may see more significant playing time.