The Bears looked pretty good in general through most of the first quarter but it was as much because of the sluggishness with which the Colts hit the field as it was because of the Bears’ play. Once the Colts got into the game in the second quarter, the Bears looked more like the team we saw last week against the Dolphins (i.e. a step slow all over the field). Still they were competitive against one of the better teams in the league, albeit in a preseason game. Baby steps…
The competition at safety opposite Antrel Rolleremains an area of interest. The Bears started rookie Adrian Amos over Brock Vereen and he didn’t do anything that I saw to lose the job. Veteran Ryan Mundy was not in uniform, likely with a minor injury.
The competition at outside linebacker also remains up in the air. Jared Allen was the starter and didn’t do anything of note. Lamarr Houston made his first appearance of the preseason and appeared to be solid if not spectacular. Willie Young had a sack. Sam Acho continues to perform the best of the competitors, causing a fumble with a sack against backups. You have to wonder if he’s eventually going to get a shot as a starter.
Quarterback Jay Cutler was 8 of 9 for 69 yards and had a solid night but he probably should have been more accurate. The offensive communication problems with the receivers continues as tight end Dante Rosario failed to adjust his route to a blitz causing back up quarterback Jimmy Clausen to throw an interception.
Charles Leno started at right tackle over Jordan Mills and had an up and down night. He missed a couple blocks and had a holding penalty but was more than solid at other times. He’s notably light on his feet. He got a lot of help from the tight end on that side.
Bears special teams have been solid this preseason with both good kick returns and coverage. Marc Mariani looks particularly good.
The taunting call on Kyle Fuller after he got burned by T.Y. Hilton wasn’t a good look.
There were some bad missed tackles out there. The Bears will be working on that this week.
It was facinating to watch new Bears outside linebacker Pernell McPhee. He had a sack early and the right tackle got constant help with a tight end on that side to chip McPhee after that. Its been a while since the bears have had a player that required that kind of attention.
The offensive drive at the end of the first quarter was nice but the way it ended in the red zone with a sack and a penalty was all too reminiscent of last year.
Some nice running from Jeremy Langford in the second half. He runs with good vision. He was helped by some awful tackling by the Colts.
I don’t remember quarterback David Fales having such a big wind up. That release take about an hour to complete.