[CBFF] ESPN Insider - Bears : Chargers Preview

[Steve Behrens]

 Both defenses will be tough to penetrate

By Scouts, Inc
 [image: Insider]

Wednesday, September 5, 2007

  *Why To Watch
*This game features two of the top defenses in the league and is a potential
Super Bowl preview. After an inconsistent preseason, Chicago quarterback Rex
Grossman <http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/players/profile?statsId=6358> will
look to prove he has matured. The Bears also have some concerns at defensive
tackle, which could be an issue against an excellent San Diego offensive
line and the best running back in the NFL, LaDainian
Tomlinson<http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/players/profile?statsId=5452>.
Chargers QB Philip
Rivers<http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/players/profile?statsId=6763>must
continue to elevate his game this season and will get a chance to take
the first step against Chicago's tough pass defense. After going 14-2 last
season, San Diego head coach Marty Schottenheimer was fired. Can Norv Turner
fill his shoes?


*When the Bears have the ball
Rushing: *The scheme will be the same, but the Bears' running game will have
a different look this season with former first-round pick Cedric
Benson<http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/players/profile?statsId=7180>taking
over for the departed Thomas
Jones <http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/players/profile?statsId=5036>. Jones'
absence creates a bit of a leadership void on offense and it will be up to
Benson to earn the respect of his teammates.

Benson should give the Bears a little more explosiveness, but he will need
to learn to protect the football and be more consistent in his effort. The
offensive line is underrated. The unit excels at coming off the ball quickly
and can maul the opposition. However, it does not have great mobility so
look for the aggressive San Diego front seven to do some slanting and
stunting upfront.

One of the best matchups in this game will be Chicago center Olin
Kreutz<http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/players/profile?statsId=4474>versus
San Diego nose tackle Jamal
Williams <http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/players/profile?statsId=4497>.
Kreutz must be able to control the 6-foot-3, 348-pound Williams as the Bears
would like to run the ball between the tackles to test San Diego's interior
run defense. The Chargers feature two new starting inside linebackers
in Stephen
Cooper <http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/players/profile?statsId=6662> and Matt
Wilhelm <http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/players/profile?statsId=6448> and the
Bears will need to get guards Ruben
Brown<http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/players/profile?statsId=3161>and
Roberto
Garza <http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/players/profile?statsId=5547> to the
second level to test the Chargers' new ILBs.

*Passing: *One of the big questions for Chicago fans is how will Grossman
perform this season, and facing this defense in Week 1 will be a great test
for him. Even though teams did not consistently throw the ball on the
Chargers last season, the secondary is clearly the weak link of their
defense. The No.1 priority for the Bears will be pass protection.

Chicago left tackle John
Tait<http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/players/profile?statsId=4662>and
right tackle Fred
Miller <http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/players/profile?statsId=3660> need to
be solid on the edges to protect against outstanding outside linebackers Shawne
Merriman <http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/players/profile?statsId=7188> and Shaun
Phillips <http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/players/profile?statsId=6857>, who
combined for nearly 30 sacks last season. The loss of rookie TE Greg
Olsen<http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/players/profile?statsId=8285>(MCL)
will hurt the offense in this game.

The Bears were hoping to employ more two-TE sets with Olsen and Desmond
Clark <http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/players/profile?statsId=4829>, using
Olsen in the passing game and Clark to help in pass protection. Clark will
now have to be used in the passing game to help attack the middle of the San
Diego defense down the seam, where it is most vulnerable. The Bears will
also look to get dynamic return specialist Devin
Hester<http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/players/profile?statsId=7806>more
involved offensively this season and he should see about 20-25 plays
on
offense in this game.

Look for the coaches to use Hester on quick-hitting routes early to get the
ball in his hands. Doing that early will also negate the San Diego pass rush
and make the defense play more on its heels. The Bears have a chance to make
plays down the field in this game with Hester and Bernard
Berrian<http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/players/profile?statsId=6837>,
but they must be able to protect the quarterback.

*When the Chargers have the ball
Rushing: *San Diego has the best run offense in the NFL, led by the best
player in the NFL in Tomlinson. The Chargers have one of the top-three
offensive lines in the NFL and return all five starters from last season,
while the Bears are a little weaker up the middle this season.

Defensive tackle Tommie
Harris<http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/players/profile?statsId=6773>is
returning from a serious hamstring injury, the team opted not to
re-sign Ian
Scott <http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/players/profile?statsId=6452> and Tank
Johnson <http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/players/profile?statsId=6806> was
cut. This will put a great deal of pressure on Harris and new starter Dusty
Dvoracek <http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/players/profile?statsId=7822>. The
two must be stout upfront to protect MLB Brian
Urlacher<http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/players/profile?statsId=5038>and
WLB Lance
Briggs <http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/players/profile?statsId=6404>, who are
the heart and soul of this defense.

And though he is in his first season as San Diego's head coach, Turner
designed this offense when he was a coordinator earlier in his career.
Nothing will change in the running game, so expect a ton of power running
early from the Chargers. Turner will pull the guard up into the hole and
also bring FB Lorenzo
Neal<http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/players/profile?statsId=2570>to
test the interior of this Chicago defense. If Chicago can't stop the
run
early, it will have to commit safety Adam
Archuleta<http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/players/profile?statsId=5467>to
the box, allowing the Chargers to open up the passing game. If the
Bears
can't stop the run early it will be a very long day for their defense.

*Passing: *The Chargers will always be able to run, but the passing game
will be the key to how far they go this season. The Bears do an excellent
job with their Cover 2 defense but will continue to mix in more man coverage
because they have three very good corners in Nathan
Vasher<http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/players/profile?statsId=6869>,
Charles Tillman<http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/players/profile?playerId=4493>and
Ricky
Manning Jr. <http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/players/profile?playerId=4540>

Offensively, San Diego has been searching for a wide receiver on the outside
who can take pressure off TE Antonio
Gates<http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/players/profile?statsId=6663>and
might have found that player in Vincent
Jackson <http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/players/profile?statsId=7237>.
Jackson is a big receiver with speed who has also developed as a
route-runner.

Gates will draw a very good matchup this week against Urlacher, who will
flank him down the middle of the field when the Bears are in Cover 2. For
that reason, look for San Diego to move Gates around even more this week in
an attempt to get the Bears' defense to adjust and move before the snap.

Rivers did not play well late last season so it is important for him to get
off to a good start in 2007. He should have plenty of time to throw, so the
key for him will be showing patience and not forcing the ball. The weak spot
of the Cover 2 defense is the middle of the field, so look for the Chargers
to try to establish Gates early and often in an attempt to eventually open
up the outside of the field.

  *Special Teams* **
The Bears have the best return game in the NFL and one of the most explosive
players in the league at any position in Hester. As the 2006 season
progressed teams tried to kick away from Hester, but don't look for San
Diego to do that. The Chargers take great pride in their special teams units
and have one of the best coverage players in the NFL, Kassim
Osgood<http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/players/profile?statsId=6664>.


In fact, both teams have excellent coverage units. Both teams also feature
solid kickers with Chicago's Robbie
Gould<http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/players/profile?statsId=7520>and
San Diego's Nate
Kaeding <http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/players/profile?statsId=6824>. The
Chargers have a solid edge in the punting department with Mike
Scifres<http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/players/profile?statsId=6485>.
Both teams are excellent in almost every phase, so field position will be
key in this game.