Chicago Bears: Preseason Week 3 Preview
By David Mamola
The Chicago Bears take on the Kansas City Chiefs this weekend in Week 3 of the preseason. Here are some things to keep your eye on.
The third preseason game is always the most important. Teams install basic game plans, watch film, and play the starters into the second half.
In their third preseason game, the Chicago Bears take on the Kansas City Chiefs this Saturday in an afternoon tilt at Soldier Field. Even though the Bears are banged up, they are still being expected to show some improvements from Week 2, and perhaps, finally get into the win column.
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While there is a lot to watch for in the game, here are a few things that should garner a bit more of your attention:
The Offensive Line
This has been a topic heavily discussed in recent weeks, but it once again is in the spotlight this week. With Pro Bowl guard Kyle Long hampered with a shoulder injury, Ted Larsen, who was playing center only a week ago, has shifted to guard, and Cornelius Edison has moved into the starting center position.
Rookie Cody Whitehair is still a work in progress, and the O-Line is still looking for some competent depth. Keep an eye, however, on tackle Mike Adams, as he showed well last week and could be the swing tackle that the Bears have been searching for.
Wait, Who’s Cornelius Edison?
Edison probably isn’t a household name yet, but if Long’s injury is more severe than the coaching staff is letting on, there’s a chance that Edison could be the Bears’ starting center Week 1 against the Houston Texans.
Edison was signed to the practice squad last November, and the undrafted free agent has never taken a professional snap in the NFL. He did win the Rimington Award in 2014 as the top center in the FCS and made 35 starts for Portland State in four years, but his lack of NFL experience is alarming. He figures to start on Saturday if Long cannot go, so we should all learn a little more about him soon.
Who’s Playing Corner?
Veteran Tracy Porter is entrenched as one starter, but with Kyle Fuller out with a knee injury, the other starting spot is up for grabs.
Rookie Deiondre’ Hall made a name for himself in Week 1, but his play last week was unspectacular. Bryce Callahan, who missed last week with a concussion, had a miserable preseason opener and has shown nothing in practice to suggest he could be a serviceable starter. For a matter of fact, his grip on the nickel spot is slowly loosening as well, and he’s going to need a really strong performance this weekend to get back on the coaches’ good side.
Kansas City doesn’t throw the ball too much, but nevertheless, every cornerback on the roster has a terrific opportunity to stand out and separate themselves from the rest of the pack. There are jobs to be had, but the only question is, who wants them? We’ll just have to wait until Saturday to find out.
Quick Hits:
- Where’s Daniel Braverman? He was a star in training camp, but has made little noise thus far in the preseason.
- Keith Browner is facing an uphill climb to make the roster, but he just keeps making plays. He’s ineligible for the practice squad, so Browner is probably auditioning for the 31 other teams in the league.
- Brian Hoyer has been miserable in the preseason. If Hoyer struggles again, Connor Shaw could start getting some second-team reps.
- The battle for the last couple of wide receiver spots is heating up. Braverman, Josh Bellamy, Cameron Meredith, and even Eddie Royal are all on the bubble.
- Tony Moeaki had a nice game last week (4 receptions for 28 yards), but can he do it again this week? It would be nice to see starter Zach Miller actually play in a game.
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- The pass rush has been good overall, but the starters haven’t made a ton of noise yet. With extended playing time this week, it wouldn’t be surprising to see the unit have a break-out performance.
- An afternoon preseason game at Soldier Field? This is going to feel a little weird!