Chicago Bears
The Chicago Bears’ defense has looked pretty fierce in the last two preseason games. They have out muscled their opponents’ offensive line and either hassled or sacked opposing quarterbacks. Offensively the Bears have looked sharp. Running back Shaun Draughn has been a very huge addition within the offense. Draughn has shown that he is willing to put the work and time and has put a lot of pressure rookie Ka’Deem Carey on becoming the backup that this team needs. He is mainly a downhill runner, but he could bounce it to the outside if he really wants to. He is very methodical when it comes to seeing the space that his offensive line his given him.
On Monday the team added return specialist Darius Reynaud and cornerback Peyton Thompson for one year. In 2012, Reynaud led the NFL with 1,650 combined kick return yards and tied for the league lead with three kick return touchdowns. Thompson was an undrafted free agent in 2012 and has bounced from different teams trying to get a spot on the rooster.
The Bears liked what they saw in Thompson and looked forward with working on him. He is in great condition and knows his spots and spacing on the field, but what he lacks is the height. Thompson is listed at 5-10 and might need help over the top if he was guarding a taller defender.
Detroit Lions
In training camp defensive coordinator Teryl Austin has said that he wanted his linebackers to blitz more. In the two preseason games that the Lions have had the opponents’ quarterbacks were blitz a lot.
“As the SAM we’re on the line more and we’re doing a lot more blitzing,” veteran Ashlee Palmer said. “I love it. It’s giving us a chance to get after the quarterback more, instead of sitting back and letting the quarterback dictate what we do. “We’re actually getting after the quarterback and putting an extra blitzer with our front.”
For many years the Lions have let their defensive line try to put more pressure on the QB’s and it hasn’t really worked well. Last season they only had 33 sacks which was fewest in the league. This season is different, the defensive coordinator have more blitz schemes in his design and it has worked well in the preseason. “Guys are playing a lot more loose and comfortable. We don’t have to do as much upfront,” Austin said. “Anything to get us in that one on one situation, we’re all for it.”
Green Bay Packers
The Packers are off to a great preseason start on both sides of the ball. In the win against the Saint Louis Rams Packers’ QB Aaron Rodgers looked like the MVP he once was a couple years ago. He was very poised in the pocket and threw darts that hit the receiver’s hands square on their number. He had finished the game 11-13 for 128 yards and a touchdown.
Scott Tolzien, who is the Packers’ back-up had a heck of a game as well. He was 10-15 for 107 and almost had a touchdown to add to his resume, but it was called back because of a penalty. The Packers’ offensive line was very sharp. Not too many players on the opposing side worried any of the Packers’ QB’s. If the line could hold up like they are doing in preseason, the “Cheese heads” might be very dangerous this season.
Minnesota Vikings
The Vikings’ QB competition is still going. Both Teddy Bridgewater and Matt Cassel have shown that they will keep battling for the number one starting job. Bridgewater has shown that he can be very poised with the game on the line. Bridgewater is very accurate with throwing the ball on the run, while Matt Cassel is more of a pocket passer. This QB battle has been very tough to call because both QB’s have been playing pretty well in preseason snaps. Their hasn’t been a decision made yet on who will start this weekend.
The Vikings may have some concerns with Vikings’ kicker Blair Walsh. He has missed three kicks that could have open up the game a bit.” While the misses are not acceptable, I feel we must leave room for error early in the preseason given that Walsh is kicking in a new environment, and we must also leave room for error because it’s the preseason and Walsh or other members of the field goal team may be experimenting with technique, and with experimentation of technique can come miscues. Walsh’s record with the Vikings through two seasons is just too good for me to let three misses in the first two games of this year’s preseason cause any worry about the upcoming regular season says a close source to the Vikings’ organization.”
