Bears vs Packers Talking Smack with Lombardi Ave

Nov 17, 2013; Chicago, IL, USA; Baltimore Ravens running back Ray Rice (27) is defended by Chicago Bears defensive end Julius Peppers (90) during the first half at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Rob Grabowski-USA TODAY Sports

Well, if last year is any indication of how Peppers will do in Soldier Field, you might as well have him hold a clip board on the sideline. The only game he played like himself was against Baltimore and that was when it looked like Soldier Field was going to be transported to OZ. The Bears will be more concerned about Clay Matthews than Julius Peppers.

Sep 22, 2014; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; Chicago Bears guard Kyle Long (75) reacts before the game against the New York Jet at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Robert Deutsch-USA TODAY Sports

The Jets have one of the best, if not the best front 7 in the NFL. They are always in the face of quarterbacks. That being said, I think that the Bears offensive line did a great job at minimizing how much they got to Cutler. Injuries to Center Roberto Garza and Guard Matt Slauson were devastating the first week of the season. Garza has not been missed in my opinion at Center, but the run game has missed Matt Slauson big time. Brian de la Puente has filled in at center with only one or two hiccups so far on exchanges. I don’t see him being pushed around as much as Garza usually is, so I think he is doing a remarkable job. Ola has been filling in for Slauson, but he doesn’t have the nastiness that Slauson has. Slauson is a great and creating holes for Matt Forte and Ola so far is okay for a fill in. As for Garza and Slauson, I don’t think they will be back in the lineup for this Sunday but the offensive line is not a weakness for the Bears anymore even with the injuries. They just can’t afford any more or they will be in big trouble. What is your opinion of Peppers so far this season? I didn’t see much out of him when I watched the Packers lose to the Seahawks.

"I see Peppers improving each week. With each game you see him becoming more comfortable in his new role. He lines up everywhere and gives the Packers a dimension they haven’t had in the past – with Clay Matthews on the other side, they have flashed some really good things in the early going. That said, if I were a Bears fan, I wouldn’t be so worried about either Clay Matthews or Julius Peppers as single players, but I would be really concerned about the combination of these two players. The sack, strip and fumble recovery Peppers pulled against Matthew Stafford was an athletic play that only someone like he can accomplish. I look forward to seeing more of him … actually we hope Jay Cutler sees a lot of Peppers on Sunday."