backrow
09-08-2005, 08:55 AM
Courtesy of SkinsFanJon, over on HailRedSkins.com. Too long for one message:
After 6 long months of hibernation, the NFL is officially back. This week our beloved Redskins will be welcoming long time conference rival Chicago to a sold out, fan crazed, Fed Ex field. Across the nations capital, many fans feel this game is only a tune up, a mere speed bump before the real season opener, a Monday night showdown with arch-rival Dallas in week two. With a resurgence along the offensive line, the return of a dominant defense, and a star running back to pin a city’s hopes to, the Bears are going overlooked among the fans. I can assure you, however, the Bears have the full attention of Joe Gibbs, Gregg Williams, and the rest of the coaching staff. Not to mention, the Bears also have the full attention of this faithful Redskin fan, as I will explain why this game is not as open and shut as it may seem.
First of all, this Bears team felt the sting of several key injuries a year ago, which certainly did not help their 5-11 campaign. Mike Brown, the unquestioned emotional leader of the defense, was lost to an achilles injury in week 2, landing him on the injured reserve and costing him the rest of the season. Brian Urlacher had a nagging hamstring injury the majority of the year, and he missed a total of seven games throughout the season, while being less than 100% in many more. Also missing significant time due to injury were Rex Grossman, Charles Tillman, Adeyele Ogunleye, Jerry Azumah, and Rueben Brown. Add in the revolving door at quarterback and a less than adequate receiving corp and you have a team that struggled to put points on the board the entire season. So, what’s different you ask?
Once again, Rex Grossman has been sidelined with an injury that will cost him most of the season. We all know about the injury, and that his replacement is to be Kyle Orton, a rookie quarterback starting his first game in the NFL against Gregg Williams’ myriad of defensive schemes. While this will certainly be a major issue in the Bears ability to move the ball, they are much improved from the team that Washington beat in week 6 last year, 13-10. For starters, the Bears revamped their offensive line. Fred Miller, who holds a streak of 102 consecutive starts, and owns a Super Bowl ring for his efforts with the St. Louis Rams, will be the new starting right tackle. He was cut loose by Tennessee in a salary cap purge. This addition will allow John Tait, who had started 61 consecutive games himself until an injury late last season, to move to his more natural left tackle spot. Rueben Brown, an eight time Pro Bowl guard with Buffalo, is back from a neck injury that cost him half of last season. Though 33 years old, he still has a couple good years left out of a sterling career, and his presence will certainly be welcomed at left guard. Olin Kruetz, a four time Pro Bowler and the Bears model of consistency, is back for another go round at the still young age of 28. The only unproven player in the group is Terrence Metcalf, who started the final five games last season for the Bears and earned himself a starting spot this season. He is in his fourth year and has potential, so he will be no easy assignment, though the right guard is clearly the weakest link in this line. This is a very large, veteran, highly skilled offensive line, and will be a stern test for the Redskins defensive front early in the season.
In addition to the improvements along the front, the Bears also made a big splash in free agency, signing a top wide out in the form of Mushin Muhammed. Muhammed had a career season a year ago, leading NFL receivers with 16 TD’s, and he has given the Redskins trouble in the past while playing with the Carolina Panthers. His leadership at the wide receiver position will certainly help to improve the overall production of the group. Along with Muhammed, the Bears drafted Mark Bradley out of Oklahoma, and the rookie has played well so far, leading all NFL receivers in yardage during the preseason. Though it is unclear how much action he will see during the first few weeks of the season, he adds play making ability as the third or fourth receiver in this game. The unspectacular combination of Justin Gage, Bobby Wade, and Bernard Berrian return from last years group.
Though first round draft choice Cedric Benson will likely not see action in Week 1 due to his lengthy holdout, the Bears are not left empty handed at the position. In fact, Thomas Jones is coming off his best season as a professional, and Adrian Peterson has emerged as a legitimate dual threat. Peterson finished third in rushing in the preseason and Jones eighth, which is probably more of a testament to the offensive line as much as it is their running abilities. Leading the way for them will be Marc Edwards, who has been a bit of a journeymen as a fullback and is a bit of a drop off in talent from last years starter, Bryan Johnson. At Tight End, Desmond Clark has shown in the past he is capable of making some big plays and must be paid attention to, and John Gilmore provides a presence in run blocking.
Defensively, this group could be last years Washington Redskins. The Bears have demonstrated a hard nose, play making defense in the past, and it should only improve this year with the return of key players. Nine of the eleven starters are draft choices of Chicago, homegrown and molded into the type of players to fit head coach Lovie Smith’s style of play. This group will be counted on to be the strength of the team and to keep games close, as the offense gels with all its new components. If they can stay healthy, it should be one of the better defenses in the NFC, and will surely decide how far the Bears are able to go this season.
Along the defensive front, the Bears boast plenty of talent. At Left Defensive End, Adeywele Ogunleye returns after a injury plagued season a year ago. Though he started twelve games, he was bothered by various ailments throughout the season. Over the last three seasons, Ogunleye has contributed 29.5 sacks, which places him in the top ten in the NFL in that category. Only 5.5 came last season, but that total is sure to increase this season. The inside of the line is anchored by two emerging young stars, Tommie Harris and Ian Scott. Both were rookies a year ago, Harris a first round draft choice and Scott a fourth. Together, they combined for 29 games started, 135 tackles, 5.5 sacks and 2 fumble recoveries. Both were very active against Washington a year ago, though the Redskins appear to have greatly improved the interior of their offensive line. They might find the going more difficult this year. Rounding out the line is right end Alex Brown, who has started 32 consecutive games. Last season he tied for the team lead with 6 sacks, and added 73 tackles, eleven tackles for loss, two forced fumbles and 1 fumble recovery. Though not in the upper echelon of defensive end’s just yet, he is someone who must be accounted for.
The strength of the Bears this year should be their linebacking corp, which is quickly developing into one of the best with the emergence of two little known stars. Lance Briggs had a monster season a year ago, totaling 168 tackles, ten tackles for loss, and adding a half a sack. He was named a second alternate for the Pro Bowl, and became the leader of the defense in the absence of Urlacher and Brown. Hunter Hillenmeyer is easily the most unlikely starter of the group, as he will become the strong side linebacker in this 4-3 defense. After being elevated from the practice squad to the active roster, Hillenmeyer made the most of his opportunity and earned his spot, filling in very well for Urlacher. He registered 90 tackles and 2.5 sacks, and more is expected from him this season. If these two young linebackers continue their progress, Brian Urlacher will not be the only Bears linebacker going to the Pro Bowl.
With the return of Mike Brown and Charles Tillman to a secondary that was ravaged by injury last year, this group will be exponentially better. Brown is a playmaker, with five career touchdowns to his credit. Urlacher may be the heart of the defense, but Brown is the soul. The battle of Patrick Ramsey, who has a long history of telegraphing his passes, and Brown should be an subplot throughout the day, and very well could determine the outcome of this game. Add in veterans Mike Green and Jerry Azumah to the mix and this is a secondary that combines speed, play making, and aggression.
After 6 long months of hibernation, the NFL is officially back. This week our beloved Redskins will be welcoming long time conference rival Chicago to a sold out, fan crazed, Fed Ex field. Across the nations capital, many fans feel this game is only a tune up, a mere speed bump before the real season opener, a Monday night showdown with arch-rival Dallas in week two. With a resurgence along the offensive line, the return of a dominant defense, and a star running back to pin a city’s hopes to, the Bears are going overlooked among the fans. I can assure you, however, the Bears have the full attention of Joe Gibbs, Gregg Williams, and the rest of the coaching staff. Not to mention, the Bears also have the full attention of this faithful Redskin fan, as I will explain why this game is not as open and shut as it may seem.
First of all, this Bears team felt the sting of several key injuries a year ago, which certainly did not help their 5-11 campaign. Mike Brown, the unquestioned emotional leader of the defense, was lost to an achilles injury in week 2, landing him on the injured reserve and costing him the rest of the season. Brian Urlacher had a nagging hamstring injury the majority of the year, and he missed a total of seven games throughout the season, while being less than 100% in many more. Also missing significant time due to injury were Rex Grossman, Charles Tillman, Adeyele Ogunleye, Jerry Azumah, and Rueben Brown. Add in the revolving door at quarterback and a less than adequate receiving corp and you have a team that struggled to put points on the board the entire season. So, what’s different you ask?
Once again, Rex Grossman has been sidelined with an injury that will cost him most of the season. We all know about the injury, and that his replacement is to be Kyle Orton, a rookie quarterback starting his first game in the NFL against Gregg Williams’ myriad of defensive schemes. While this will certainly be a major issue in the Bears ability to move the ball, they are much improved from the team that Washington beat in week 6 last year, 13-10. For starters, the Bears revamped their offensive line. Fred Miller, who holds a streak of 102 consecutive starts, and owns a Super Bowl ring for his efforts with the St. Louis Rams, will be the new starting right tackle. He was cut loose by Tennessee in a salary cap purge. This addition will allow John Tait, who had started 61 consecutive games himself until an injury late last season, to move to his more natural left tackle spot. Rueben Brown, an eight time Pro Bowl guard with Buffalo, is back from a neck injury that cost him half of last season. Though 33 years old, he still has a couple good years left out of a sterling career, and his presence will certainly be welcomed at left guard. Olin Kruetz, a four time Pro Bowler and the Bears model of consistency, is back for another go round at the still young age of 28. The only unproven player in the group is Terrence Metcalf, who started the final five games last season for the Bears and earned himself a starting spot this season. He is in his fourth year and has potential, so he will be no easy assignment, though the right guard is clearly the weakest link in this line. This is a very large, veteran, highly skilled offensive line, and will be a stern test for the Redskins defensive front early in the season.
In addition to the improvements along the front, the Bears also made a big splash in free agency, signing a top wide out in the form of Mushin Muhammed. Muhammed had a career season a year ago, leading NFL receivers with 16 TD’s, and he has given the Redskins trouble in the past while playing with the Carolina Panthers. His leadership at the wide receiver position will certainly help to improve the overall production of the group. Along with Muhammed, the Bears drafted Mark Bradley out of Oklahoma, and the rookie has played well so far, leading all NFL receivers in yardage during the preseason. Though it is unclear how much action he will see during the first few weeks of the season, he adds play making ability as the third or fourth receiver in this game. The unspectacular combination of Justin Gage, Bobby Wade, and Bernard Berrian return from last years group.
Though first round draft choice Cedric Benson will likely not see action in Week 1 due to his lengthy holdout, the Bears are not left empty handed at the position. In fact, Thomas Jones is coming off his best season as a professional, and Adrian Peterson has emerged as a legitimate dual threat. Peterson finished third in rushing in the preseason and Jones eighth, which is probably more of a testament to the offensive line as much as it is their running abilities. Leading the way for them will be Marc Edwards, who has been a bit of a journeymen as a fullback and is a bit of a drop off in talent from last years starter, Bryan Johnson. At Tight End, Desmond Clark has shown in the past he is capable of making some big plays and must be paid attention to, and John Gilmore provides a presence in run blocking.
Defensively, this group could be last years Washington Redskins. The Bears have demonstrated a hard nose, play making defense in the past, and it should only improve this year with the return of key players. Nine of the eleven starters are draft choices of Chicago, homegrown and molded into the type of players to fit head coach Lovie Smith’s style of play. This group will be counted on to be the strength of the team and to keep games close, as the offense gels with all its new components. If they can stay healthy, it should be one of the better defenses in the NFC, and will surely decide how far the Bears are able to go this season.
Along the defensive front, the Bears boast plenty of talent. At Left Defensive End, Adeywele Ogunleye returns after a injury plagued season a year ago. Though he started twelve games, he was bothered by various ailments throughout the season. Over the last three seasons, Ogunleye has contributed 29.5 sacks, which places him in the top ten in the NFL in that category. Only 5.5 came last season, but that total is sure to increase this season. The inside of the line is anchored by two emerging young stars, Tommie Harris and Ian Scott. Both were rookies a year ago, Harris a first round draft choice and Scott a fourth. Together, they combined for 29 games started, 135 tackles, 5.5 sacks and 2 fumble recoveries. Both were very active against Washington a year ago, though the Redskins appear to have greatly improved the interior of their offensive line. They might find the going more difficult this year. Rounding out the line is right end Alex Brown, who has started 32 consecutive games. Last season he tied for the team lead with 6 sacks, and added 73 tackles, eleven tackles for loss, two forced fumbles and 1 fumble recovery. Though not in the upper echelon of defensive end’s just yet, he is someone who must be accounted for.
The strength of the Bears this year should be their linebacking corp, which is quickly developing into one of the best with the emergence of two little known stars. Lance Briggs had a monster season a year ago, totaling 168 tackles, ten tackles for loss, and adding a half a sack. He was named a second alternate for the Pro Bowl, and became the leader of the defense in the absence of Urlacher and Brown. Hunter Hillenmeyer is easily the most unlikely starter of the group, as he will become the strong side linebacker in this 4-3 defense. After being elevated from the practice squad to the active roster, Hillenmeyer made the most of his opportunity and earned his spot, filling in very well for Urlacher. He registered 90 tackles and 2.5 sacks, and more is expected from him this season. If these two young linebackers continue their progress, Brian Urlacher will not be the only Bears linebacker going to the Pro Bowl.
With the return of Mike Brown and Charles Tillman to a secondary that was ravaged by injury last year, this group will be exponentially better. Brown is a playmaker, with five career touchdowns to his credit. Urlacher may be the heart of the defense, but Brown is the soul. The battle of Patrick Ramsey, who has a long history of telegraphing his passes, and Brown should be an subplot throughout the day, and very well could determine the outcome of this game. Add in veterans Mike Green and Jerry Azumah to the mix and this is a secondary that combines speed, play making, and aggression.