[CBFF] ESPN Insider - Bears : Chargers Preview

[Steve Behrens]

Ok, some issues I have with the ESPN preview below:




>    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.
>


Ok, I must have missed the news flash that Olsen was not going to play this
game?  Game time decision was the only thing I've seen, and I'm about 80%
sure that he'll be playing.



   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*.
>


Says who?  These guys call themselves scouts?

   Defensive tackle Tommie
Harris<http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/players/profile?statsId=6773>is
returning from a serious hamstring injury,
>


And just because he was held out for most of the preseason games means
squat.  So were a ton of guys in the league, including LT who didn't play a
down.  He looked pretty darn good the few snaps he got against the browns
and he's practices all preseason.  I thinks he's good to go at 100%



   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.
>


These guys fail to mention that Scott and Johnson's replacements are better.
They fail to mention that Dusty must be preforming extremely well to keep
his job with Walker pushing him, and that the D-line rotation is
exceptional.

In fact, they don't mention depth at all, which the Bears have in Spades.





>
> 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.
>

Plenty of time to throw?  Again, no mention of our 3 excellent DE's that
will be bringing the heat every down.  How could they ignore those guys?
Harris bringing it, throw in some safety and other assorted blitzes.... me
thinks Rivers have far less time than these alleged scouts think he'll have.

And I really want to see them go over the middle 'early and often' to Gates
with Brown and Archulletta roaming back there now....  Gates will be
counting birdies on the sidelines eventually.



      *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>.
>
>


Hester should have a good day.....



   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.
>


Another slight, this time to Maynard.  Don't know much about Scifres, but I
doubt he has a solid edge over Brad.  Brad was pretty damned good last
season.

Can't wait for this game. Bears have nothing to lose, really.  All the
pressure will be on the home team, 6 point favorites, with (so the media
says) the best personnel in the entire league, who everyone is expecting to
run roughshod over our Bears.  I'll bet you won't find more than 1% of the
experts picking for us, if that.  The Bears will be loose, ready, and toting
a few chips on their shoulders....

BRING IT ON, BABY... BRING IT ON!!!!

-Behr