Emma: Bears Show Progress In Loss To Patriots
By Chris Emma--
(CBS) Consider marked progress a victory within defeat. That's what the Chicago Bears took away from their week in New England.
A week after a preseason-opening debacle, the Bears were better in a 23-22 loss to the Patriots in New England on Thursday night.
"As a group, we're steadily progressing in the right way," Bears quarterback Jay Cutler told reporters after the game.
On Wednesday, Bears rookie cornerback Deiondre' Hall tweeted with excitement about Tom Brady saying "hey" to him during practice. While he's an excitable rookie, it was also a representation of where the Bears and Patriots stand as organizations. Brady is a future Hall of Fame quarterback on a championship team, and the Bears had just one Pro Bowl player last season.
Practicing with the Patriots can help bring out the best of the Bears. It certainly brings confidence to a young team searching for an identity. Then came the game on Thursday, which revealed better from the Bears.
Out of the gates, the Bears' offensive line was creating holes for Jeremy Langford and providing pocket time for Cutler. That was the biggest improvement, allowing competence for the rest of the unit.
Langford took the first play from scrimmage five yards, pushing for more after initial contact. Cutler hit receiver Alshon Jeffery 29 yards downfield, outstretched over two defenders. He connected with Jeffery on the next play for 12 yards and another first down.
Looking to move the sticks on third-and-4, Cutler found Kevin White on a quick strike for the first down. The drive would stall due to penalties, forcing a Robbie Gould field goal.
Then came the Bears' defense, forcing a three-and-out on the Patriots' first drive. The week before, Demaryius Thomas broke away from Bryce Callahan and torched Chicago for a touchdown.
Back came the Bears the following possession, with Cutler working well with Tony Moeaki, Marc Mariani and Deonte Thompson, a reminder that he can dictate a game even without Jeffery and White.
Langford finished the 11-play drive with a 34-yard dash up the sideline, then a five-yard scamper up the middle and over the goal line. Finally -- touchdown, Bears.
After such a poor showing against the Broncos, the bar was set low for the Bears. All that could have been desired was some sort of better performance.
It was clear that the Bears had cleaned up many of their mistakes on offense, namely up front. Blocking was much better after a miserable opener for all three groupings of the offensive line. Most notably, center Ted Larsen appeared more comfortable working next to guards Cody Whitehair and Kyle Long.
The second preseason game was much more controlled and game-planned for thanks to three days of working with the Patriots. Chicago was ready for Bill Belichick's watered-down looks.
Defensively, the Bears showed recognition of their responsibilities. They were technically sound, an important step from the week before.
Two exhibitions in, the Bears are mostly healthy. Cornerback Kyle Fuller's recovery from a knee scope is set to be the most important storyline as Week 1 looms, but it appears he could still return in time to play against the Texans on Sept. 11.
What the Bears needed was a good drive on offense and a three-and-out on defense. That set the tone for a more rounded effort.
Quarterback Connor Shaw -- interestingly not third-year player David Fales -- capped the game with a long touchdown pass to former South Florida quarterback B.J. Daniels, then struck for a two-point conversion, bringing the score closer as time had expired. It was a positive to cap an encouraging night in New England.
This time, there were victories within the defeat.
Chris Emma covers the Bears, Chicago's sports scene and more for CBSChicago.com. Follow him on Twitter @CEmma670 and like his Facebook page.