Chicago Bears Preseason Game #3: Stock Watch Offense
Andrew Weber-USA TODAY Sports
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OT Charles Leno Jr – I thought Leno showed some promise in his first start against the Colts despite a few bad plays, but Leno was awful on Saturday vs the Bengals. He was beat consistently in pass pro by whoever lined up across from him. He gave up a sack, a big hit on Cutler, was called for a holding penalty and was pushed back into the pocket on multiple plays. Leno was decent against the run, but his pass protection was unacceptable.
OT Jermon Bushrod – At least Leno has the excuse of being inexperienced, Bushrod has been a starting left tackle for six seasons but played like a rookie. Bushrod was beat multiple time in pass pro, allowed a sack, and was also hit with a holding and false-start penalties. The Bears were unable to get anything going in the passing game primarily because they had two turnstiles at tackle.
OT Jordan Mills – I thought Leno was the worst of the Bears offensive linemen Saturday, until Jordan Mills took the field. Somehow, Mills was even worse allowing a sack and multiple pressures. There was one play where Mills didn’t even get a hand on the DE as he flew past him and forced QB Jimmy Clausen to throw the ball away. Mills missed a key block on a stretch play that could have resulted in a decent gain had he gotten to his man. With Leno’s struggles, Mills had an opportunity to win back the right tackle job but instead played even worse with the lowest overall grade from Pro Football Focus (-2.5).
OT Michael Ola – It didn’t seem to matter who the Bears put in at tackle, no one could slow down the Bengals pass rush. Ola was just as bad on the left side as the starter Bushrod and was beat consistently in pass pro. He didn’t fare much better as a run blocker either. The Bears tackle situation is really ugly right now.
OG Connor Boffeli – For the second game in a row Boffeli was beat badly in pass pro. He have up two QB hurries that forced incompletions and looked over-matched out there. Boffeli showed skill as a run blocker, but his pass pro skills just aren’t NFL caliber right now.
WR Josh Bellamy – With no practice squad eligibility remaining, Bellamy needs to make the final-53 man roster to stay with the Bears. Saturday night was an opportunity for Bellamy to run with the first team and prove himself, but he had only 1 catch for 6 yards despite playing 32 snaps. Bellamy may still make the team by default with all the injuries at wide receiver, but at full strength I don’t think he’s shown enough.
TE Donte Rosario – The veteran had his 2nd poor game in a row. Rosario dropped a slant that would have been good for a 1st down and also had a false start on a 3rd and short. With plenty of competition for the TE2 job (Miller, Pascoe) Rosario can’t afford many more mistakes.
Next: Alshon Jeffrey Days Until the Bears Season Opener