Watch CBS News

Gabriel: Bears's Loss Brought Far More Negatives Than Positives

By Greg Gabriel--

(CBS) In each of the Bears' first two preseason games, there were plenty of positives to talk about. In Saturday night's loss to the Cincinnati Bengals, it was the opposite, with many concerns and just a few bright spots.

Going into the opening preseason game, Bears coach John Fox told his players he wasn't going to decide who made the team; they would be the ones who made that determination with the way they played. With the two big cut-downs coming up within the next six days, I look back at that statement and feel truer words couldn't have been spoken.

Let's assess the play of Chicago in a 21-10 loss to Cincinnati.

Right tackle

Looking at the offense, my biggest concern is right tackle. In the preseason opener against Miami, holdover starter Jordan Mills struggled. He was replaced by second-year man Charles Leno in the last two games against Indianapolis and Cincinnati and, to put it mildly, he struggled also.

Leno has played and practiced on both the right and left sides but seems to struggle more when he's on the right side. On Saturday, he was beat by a counter move to the inside, got easily bull rushed and was called for holding during the first half of action. The right tackle is supposed to be the power tackle, and Leno seems to lack power.

When Mills entered the game in the second half, he too struggled with penalties and by getting beat in pass protection. The Bears just can't afford to go into the opener against the Packers with that kind of play at the right tackle position. As I have been saying for two weeks, it is my feeling that Michael Ola may be the best person for that job. If not Ola, then Kyle Long needs to be moved to right tackle and then have Ola or Vladimir Ducasse take over at right guard.

A third option would be to trade for a right tackle sometime this week.

Cornerback

I haven't been as concerned with the play at cornerback so far this season, but with injuries starting to pile up, there's a concern as to who will be the four or five corners to make the final 53-man roster.

Going into training camp, it looked as if veteran Tim Jennings was a lock to make the squad. After three preseason games, I'm not so certain. On Saturday, Kyle Fuller and Alan Ball got the starts, and their play was adequate. That group was replaced by Terrance Mitchell and Tracy Porter, who injured a hamstring while trying to cover a deep ball. He was replaced by Jennings.

In the new Bears' defensive scheme, coordinator Vic Fangio is asking the Bears corners to play a lot of man coverage. Jennings struggled Saturday when playing man. He plays too loose in coverage and gave up some uncontested catches, one for a touchdown. He lacks the long speed and length to play press-man with efficiency.

His days as a Bear may be numbered.

Inside linebacker

In the first two games, both Shea McClellin and Christian Jones played solid, consistent football. I didn't think that was the case Saturday. McClellin had trouble in coverage, giving a number of plays inside. He also had trouble meeting blocks and filling holes in run defense. Jones was caught out of position on some plays.

Once the regular season begins in two weeks, these players can't afford these mistakes.

Receiver

With the top three wide receivers out with injuries, the Bears played with a young and inexperienced group. None of the younger receivers jumped up to say, "I belong here."

Rashad Lawrence, who has flashed during the preseason, dropped an easy crossing route on a third-down play. It was a play that would have gotten big yardage had he held on.

No Bears receiver caught more than two passes, and the yardage was minimal. It wouldn't shock me to see the Bears bring in a veteran this week.

Defensive line

Going into the game, I was wondering who would back up Eddie Goldman at the nose tackle position with Jeremiah Ratliff being suspended the first three games of the regular season. That player turned out to be Will Sutton, who moved inside from his defensive end spot. Sutton plays strong, inspired football while at the nose position and was one of the bright spots of the game.

With Sutton moved inside, Cornelius Washington got more playing time at defensive end. Washington's play Saturday may have earned him a spot on the roster, at least until Ratliff returns.

Lamarr Houston and Willie Young

Both Houston and Young, who are coming off serious injuries from last year, got their most extensive amount of playing time Saturday, and both played well.

Houston had two tackles and two sacks, while Young got consistent pressure coming off the edge. Young seems to have regained the explosive initial quickness we saw so often last year. It will be interesting to see what plans Fox and Fangio have for Young this season.

Greg Gabriel is a former NFL talent evaluator who is an on-air contributor for 670 The Score. Follow him on Twitter @greggabe.

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.