Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
LOSERS
Mandatory Credit: Dennis Wierzbicki-USA TODAY Sports
Jordan Palmer
Palmer went in as the #2 QB, but I’d be shocked if he kept that job. He struggled at times and just didn’t have “it.”
Special Teams
It was a brutal night for special teams. Robbie Gould had a field goal blocked, the Bears gave up a kickoff return with less than 2 minutes left in the first half after they’d just tied up the game, had a mostly down punting night, muffed a punt and had an illegal touching penalty that negated one of their few good punts of the night.
Joe Long
Joe had himself two holding penalties and gave up a sack. That kind of night gets you a one-way ticket out of town.
Brian de la Puente
You hate to see injuries in the preseason so when de la Puente, who was brought in as an insurance policy for interior offensive line depth, got rolled up you had to cringe. For a position group that is dealing with a bunch of injuries to the front line guys, this injury could be costly.
Mandatory Credit: David Banks-USA TODAY Sports
Shea McClellin
McClellin doesn’t get the benefit of the doubt, despite being his first season at linebacker. From my initial viewing, it looked like the same old Shea. He ran himself out of some plays, and let himself get easily blocked on others. The Eagles ran right at McClellin down near the goal line and Matthew Tucker had his way on an easy rushing touchdown.
While Zach Miller and Dante Rosario shined, Bennett sat out with a suspension. Bennett had best get his act together and kiss and make up with the coaches and get himself back on the practice field.
Local Fox TV Coverage
I don’t know how widespread the technical difficulties were, but when the picture is blurred for about half of the first quarter, it’s a major fail. This isn’t the first time there have been issues with Fox’s broadcast out of Soldier Field. Get your act together people! Totally unacceptable!
What do you think? Who were your winners and losers from the first preseason game? Who helped themselves the most? Who really hurt their chances to make the 53-man roster?