I didn’t know a preseason game could be that deflating. But the Bears managed to put their fans in a dark hole of exhibition fear Friday night, losing in all phases to the national champion Seahawks. Let’s get to the game and then run through Sunday’s aftermath.
(2-1) Seattle Seahawks 34
(2-1) Chicago Bears 6
-Man, did the Bears dodge a bullet when Percy Harvin was traded out of the division. I mean, the dude’s injured half the time, but when he’s healthy (like he was Friday night), the dude can BALL. He had a huge return on the opening kickoff and then a catch on the opening drive, setting up a Marshawn Lynch touchdown that looked all too easy. The Seahawks opened the can of whoopass and never set it back on the table.
-Offensively, Chicago had plenty of issues. Alshon Jeffery had a huge drop on what would have been a surefire touchdown. Jay Cutler threw a costly interception near the end of the first half, after a penalty (one of many for the Bears on the night) wiped out a called touchdown. Marc Trestman’s offense looked out of sorts and unprepared for the level of play Seattle was bringing.
-Aside from a decent showing from Willie Young as Jared Allen sat on the sideline, the defense was a mess. They couldn’t get off the field, let Russell Wilson run whenever he wanted, and let too many open receivers run through the middle of their coverage. When it got to 21-0, the faceplant was in full effect. Poor safety play and bad tackling angles were the biggest culprits on the night. Chicago eventually snagged an interception… in the fourth quarter off… Terrelle Pryor.
Yikes.
-Special teams were none too special either. In addition to the previously mentioned Harvin kick return, Joe DiCamillis’ unit gave up another big play on a 59-yard punt return from safety Earl Thomas. That set up the Seahawks’ fourth straight touchdown drive. So yeah. It was 31-0 at the end of the first half, which was essentially starters-on-starters action. It was F-U-G-L-Y. Robbie Gould missed a field goal in the third quarter, lumping that miscue on top of the steaming pile of Bear shit.
-Almost as ugly was the injury report. Fullback Tony Fiametta left the game with a hamstring injury, which isn’t great because he’s the only fullback on the roster. Safety Chris Conte, back for his first game of the preseason, left the game with a concussion. Fellow safety Ryan Mundy exited the field because of a head laceration. I’ll take the hamstring injury, in case anyone was wondering. All that other stuff sounds awful.
-Santonio Holmes made a catch! He’ll probably make the team, Everyone move on now.
Chicago’s first cuts came over the weekend this week as teams need to trim down to 75 players before Tuesday’s 3PM deadline. The Bears got started early and announced a few notable releases on Sunday: QB Jordan Palmer, RB Michael Ford, S Adrian Wilson, and DT Nate Collins. Palmer’s release is obviously interesting because it means Jimmy Clausen is now the back-up quarterback to Jay Cutler. The coaches didn’t need to see anything else. Ford has always been a decent training camp back, but he’s been unable to stick on Chicago’s 53-man roster. Wilson was brought in to be the veteran safety of the group, but the talent’s just not there anymore. And Nate Collins couldn’t break into a deep defensive line rotation with Chicago’s new rookies on the scene. The real drastic cuts will be coming before the 30th, when teams need to slim their rosters to 53. It’s coming.
It’s okay Anne, they had their chance.
There’s only one more preseason game left to go! Which means there is a slew of NFL-previews coming your way in the next two weeks. Gird your loins for football.
Bear Down and Happy Jay Cutler Day!
