Shepkowski: Good, Bad and Ugly from Bears-Bills
By Nick Shepkowski-
(CBS) It's one preseason game, which means everyone with any care for the Bears is over thinking everything they saw Saturday night at Soldier Field in the Bears' 10-3 win over the woeful Buffalo Bills. I figured I might as well add to this trend, so here you go.
The Good
Defensive Tackles - I was most impressed with the play of the defensive line last night, specificially the defensive tackles. I really liked what I saw from Henry Melton early on, highlighted by his tackle for loss on Bills running back C.J. Spiller while Matt Toeaina had a couple of plays where he was able to disrupt happenings in Buffalo's backfield as well. These two were getting a consistent push for the short amount of time they were in last night, which can only be seen as a positive.
Running Back Depth - As expected, Matt Forte hardly saw the field, touching the ball just once on a reception for no yardage. It was nice to see Marion Barber run the ball consistently and hard as he managed 45 yards on seven carries. His legs might not be quite what they once were but it's seemingly a no-brainer after watching last night that he'll officially move ahead of Chester Taylor on the depth chart. Before I over-love Barber too much however, it should be noted that the majority of his yards came when the Bears first string offensive line was matched up against mostly second teamers for Buffalo. Kahlil Bell also had a solid game out of the backfield with 119 total yards of offense (73 rushing, 46 receiving) which came as a nice surprise. He won't see many reps come the regular season (barring injuries) but he stepped up when given an opportunity last night and his ability to contribute on special teams will make him that much more difficult to keep off the final roster.
Mike Martz's End Around Call - It was nice to see Martz get the ball to the fastest guy on the field in Devin Hester on the end around, not the slowest receiver like he did in the now infamous "Earl Bennett Play" in last year's NFC title game.
The Playing Surface - For being a hot topic in the papers and on talk radio all week it seemed that the field held up nicely Saturday night despite heavy rains in during the afternoon. Rare props for that problem being temporarily fixed.
The Bad
Charles Tillman - I'm well aware that he's going to be a starter barring injury and what he's done in the past but before you berate me, check out the tape and take a look at the rough night he had on Saturday. Stevie Johnson beat Peanut badly on two slants early on and he had a very badly missed tackle on a Fred Jackson run. It's the exception to the norm for No. 33, but it was a bad night regardless for him.
Vernon Gholston - It seemed like a lot of people left impressed by Vernon Gholston because he was able to force Buffalo's left tackle into Ryan Fitzpatrick on one play. Sure, that play was nice and a solid pass rush, but for the most part Gholston wasn't generating pressure while also being unable to help slow down Buffalo's running game when they ran at his side of the line. After seeing what I saw from the Ohio State bust, Bears fans can only hope Corey Wootton's injury isn't too serious.
The Ugly
Pass Protection - Four of the nine sacks allowed by the Bears came via the first team offensive line last night in only one half of play. J'Marcus Webb and Lance Louis looked the most over-matched of the bunch while Roberto Garza didn't exactly do anything in pass protection that made me think he's the answer to replace Olin Kreutz at center. Shawne Merriman looked like the beast he was four years ago, not the guy who has recorded just four sacks in his last 18 regular season games. I'd be surpirised if free agent signee Chris Spencer doesn't see more work with the first team at center and if Garza doesn't get more reps at guard in the coming days of practice.
Red Zone Offense - It doesn't fall on the starters and doesn't reflect what you should expect to see come the regular season but anytime you walk away with just seven points in three red zones trips, should be seen as a disappointment, regardless of it being a preseason game. A Nathan Enderle interception and a Robbie Gould missed field goal won't be sitting well with the coaching staff today.
Television Coverage - Is it okay to want the preseason to be over for no reason other than not having to listen to Sam Rosen, Erik Kramer and Lou Canellis? I can only take so many misidentifications of players and formations. Rosen seems to be approaching Dick Stockton territory too quickly and the next game on the Bears Television Network (Preseason Week 3 at Tennessee) will be muted by me as I'll be listening to WBBM's coverage.
