Aug 15, 2013; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Bears defensive end Corey Wootton (98) sacks San Diego Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers (17) during the first quarter at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Dennis Wierzbicki-USA TODAY Sports
At least this is the preseason! That was not pretty by any stretch of the imagination.
The defense started out the game nice and sacked Jay Cutler a couple of times on the first drive. Corey Liuget did have to leave the game with a shoulder injury though and did not return. Donald Butle had an interception on a drive also, but there was too much ugly and too many reminders of the last couple of seasons in this game.
The offensive line looked overmatched. Max Starks basically lost his chances as the starting left tackle job on one play. He was beaten bad by Shea McClellin (I think) and gave up a sack fumble on the play. He barely touched the defensive end and have Philip Rivers no time to throw the ball.
D.J. Fluker was beat for a sack. He did look good in the run game though. Jeromey Clary reminded us he was Jeromey Clary.
Philip didn’t look comfortable in the pocket. He threw an interception on a play where the referees were staring off in space and missed a pass interference call on Keenan Allen. It was ridiculous. Philip didn’t complete one pass to any d his receivers. You think he misses Malcom Floyd and Danario Alexander?
The special teams was ridiculously bad. I miss Rich Bisaccia. As much as I try to like Richard Goodman, he keeps failing and failing in this competition for a job. I would keep Mike Willie over him in a heartbeat. His roster spot needs to go to somebody else. The coverage on special teams was terrible. We gave up too many long returns and we were close to giving up a touchdown in the return game… twice. We even have up a blocked punt!
The backup quarterbacks did look goo. Brad Sorensen continued to impress and Charlie Whitehurst made plays.
Mike Willie stepped up and had a nice game, even though he took a big time hit. He had a pair of touchdowns and could be moving up the depth chart and can take a roster spot.
Ryan Mathews has been quietly productive this preseason. No injuries and no turnovers. That is a nice look.
Michael Hill really needs to work on catching the football. He dropped a couple of passes.
Edwin Baker and Fozzy Whittaker are battling for roster spots and both guys played well.
The turnovers and the lack of protection up front were killer though. Can’t play like that in the regular season. Like I said earlier, lucky this is still a preseason game. There is still a lot of work to do.