The Washington Redskins and rookie quarterback Robert Griffin III come to Solider Field this Saturday to battle the Chicago Bears.
Mike Shanahan returns to his hometown where he’ll see three familiar faces opposing him for the first time since they worked together in Denver (06-08).
The starters should play for most of the first quarter for both teams. Nick Roach will get another start at middle linebacker with Brian Urlacher out (knee) and Geno Hayes will start at strongside linebacker.
This game should be a good time for the Bears coaches to see rookie DE Shea McClellin and third-year defensive end Corey Wootton matchup against rookie QB Robert Griffin III.
Don’t expect this game to be as big of a bore as the first preseason game against Denver mainly because all the stars will start in this one.
Here are five players you should watch in preseason game number two.
TE Kyle Adams, DE Israel Idonije, LG Chris Spencer, LT Chris Williams, LB Geno Hayes.
The fans should be packed in at Soldier Field on Saturday. Especially since this is the last time they’ll see its team until September 9 when the Bears host the Colts in regular season opener.
When they see its team the next time it should look pretty different. The Bears have to cut down to a 53-man roster by September 2.
Positions to pay attention to for the Bears in this one.
Kellen Davis has certainly been the biggest target in the redzone over the past couple of seasons in Chicago, but now he could be the second or third option in that area. Davis should get some open looks throughout the season due to the talent and size of the receiving core. Matt Spaeth has shown he is back to be the main blocking tight end, while Kyle Adams and Evan Rodriguez have the chance to add to the passing game. Adams has been impressive in practice as of late, while Rodriguez has been relatively quiet. This game should show us how much the Bears plan to use the tight end this season.
Left side of the offensive line:
Left tackle J’Marcus Webb and left guard Chris Spencer both struggled last week in the first preseason game. The left tackle competition is back on for the Bears as offensive coordinator Mike Tice plans to split first-team reps between J’Marcus Webb and Chris Williams. The offensive line knows it needs to improve and this test against the Redskins defensive ends Brian Orakpo and Ryan Kerrigan should be something to pay attention to. No other position will be watched with a closer eye heading into the season.
Lance Briggs, Nick Roach and Geno Hayes are your starters, while J.T. Thomas and Patrick Trahan will see some extensive time with the second-team. Nick Roach continues to take over for what the Bears are hoping to be the short-term at middle linebacker. Geno Hayes will get valuable time in this one, he is a crafty veteran who provides the Bears with a nice option off the bench. Second-year player J.T. Thomas looks to build off a solid first outing against Denver in preseason game one.
This is the area where most of the rookies will earn their stripes. Cornerbacks Isaiah Frey and Greg McCoy will see plenty of time on special teams. WR Rashied Davis, who was recently brought back will get his first crack at showing what he has left on special teams. It’s not a fun area to watch, but the Bears pride themselves on the success of the third team. Blocking well for returners Devin Hester, Eric Weems and Earl Bennett is crucial for the success of the team.
Final thoughts:
It will be nice to see stars Jay Cutler, Matt Forte and Julius Peppers back on the field. Those players should offer some excitement in this one, but since the Bears aren’t going to expose too much maybe I’m wrong.
Either way rookie QB Robert Griffin III should give the Bears plenty to work with.
Weather.com weather forecast:
Expect the weather to be in the lower 60′s with a 10% chance of rain for most of the night at the lakefront.
Jake Perper is the owner and head writer for Bearsbacker.com. Follow him on Twitter, @Bearsbacker and on Facebook for up to the minute news about the Bears.
