Top 5 Concerns Following the Chicago Bears Week 1 Loss
Aug 8, 2014; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Bears wide receiver Alshon Jeffery (L) and wide receiver Brandon Marshall (R) talk prior to a preseason game against the Philadelphia Eagles at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Dennis Wierzbicki-USA TODAY Sports
3. Alshon Jeffery and Brandon Marshall’s injuries
There was a stretch in Sunday’s loss when the Bears were lining up Michael Spurlock, Santonio Holmes and Josh Morgan. It made you miss Devin Hester, Earl Bennett and Devin Aromashodu, didn’t it? (Speaking of Hester, he had 5 catches for 99 yards for the Falcons in their upset win over the Saints. I guess they found a way to use him.)
Morgan is just a guy, Spurlock can’t catch worth a damn and Holmes just needs to learn the playbook. Brandon Marshall gutted his way through a sprained ankle while Alshon Jeffery couldn’t get back on the field with a hamstring injury despite being listed as “probable” to return. If the Bears are without either of these two for any period of time, the offense looks a lot different.
2. Run Defense
Sep 7, 2014; Chicago, IL, USA; Buffalo Bills quarterback EJ Manuel (3) reacts after scoring a touchdown against the Chicago Bears during the first quarter at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Mike DiNovo-USA TODAY Sports
The Bears gave up 193 rushing yards to the Bills, so they appear to be in midseason form. The problem is you were hoping the additions of Lamarr Houston, Jared Allen, Willie Young, Will Sutton, Ego Ferguson and Jeremiah Ratliff would fix that. The belief was that a healthy and in shape Lance Briggs’ return and the move of Shea McClellin to linebacker would help.
The Bears added new coaches Paul Pasqualoni and Reggie Herring to help coach these guys up. Mel Tucker was given the freedom to move away from Lovie’s scheme and put his own in place. They were supposed to simplify the reads and fix up the run fits to solve these problems. Yet there you were watching EJ Manuel stroll into the end zone untouched. There was Fred Jackson ripping off a 38-yard run in overtime to help seal the victory for the Bills. Does this get any better? The 49ers and Jets have to be licking their chops.
1. Meet the New Jay Cutler, Same as the Old
A tiger can’t change its stripes. Same goes for Jay Cutler. Rumors of his new sense of maturity and leadership have been greatly exaggerated. It was bad enough to throw the inexcusable interception to 303 pound Kyle Williams with the Bears closing in on a go-ahead field goal attempt. His attitude in the post-game presser just made it worse and reminiscent of Jay circa 2009.
Cutler has been touted as an MVP candidate. He’s got a long way to go after a rough start out of the gates. The Bears will go as far as Jay Cutler’s arm will take them. At this rate, you can book your January vacation plans.
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