What were the main takeaways from the Bears second preseason game?
Hroniss Grasu struggles mightily.
Hroniss Grasu got extended action as the starting center on Saturday night. The results were not pretty. I watched the game film from every play he was in the game and he was simply manhandled by Cardinals DT Corey Peters. You may have seen #98 camping out in the backfield on several occasions. In the first quarter Grasu simply had no answer for Peters whether it was pass or run blocking. Then to add insult to injury on the screen plays the Bears ran Grasu was either too slow to get out in front of the running back or he gave some weak blocks on the linebackers. Sadly, this is the guy the coaches were raving about last year before going down with injury. You have to believe the Bears are praying that Guard Kyle Long is able to go for the preseason opener and that they will be able to put Cody Whitehair back into the center position.
Glennon’s Decision Making is Questionable at Best
Like it or not the Bears have a quarterback controversy. I personally am one of the fans who are hoping that Mike Glennon starts all or most of the season. I am just hoping that between the defense and the running game he will be able to get us some wins and then you never know what happens. After Saturday night, I am not too sure about that. Reviewing the game film shows us a mixed bag but surely an improvement over the first preseason game. On the interception he took the snap and stared down his receiver and simply paid for it. I swear every interception he throws makes me think of Cutler. There is one problem though that should make the Bears coaching staff worry. In the second quarter on his touchdown drive he almost threw another interception. On a roll out to his left while under pressure he launched a pass to TE Zach Miller and was almost picked off. The tape shows 4 defenders within 10 yards of Miller. It also shows on that same side 2 wide open wide receivers underneath both Cameron Meredith and Kevin White. White was visibly upset after the pass because he was in position for a first down. Its decisions like this that I think will ultimately get Glennon benched.
Next: Bears extend Charles Leno
Trubisky wasn’t lights out like he was in the first game but I really didn’t expect him to be either. Unfortunately for the Bears he won’t need to be before the calls for a QB change become extremely loud. As long as Glennon does not make us forget about Trubisky then the chorus will begin.