Customer Service Place an Ad Become a Carrier Contact Us About Us Mobile Edition E-Mail Updates Report Cancellation Submit Milestone
| Subscribe Now Customer Service Place an Ad Become a Carrier Contact Us About Us Mobile Edition E-Mail Updates Report Cancellation Submit Milestone
|
 |
 |
|
Weather  Calendar Obituaries Classifieds Jobs Autos Homes Rentals Coupons Ad Center Gift Finder |
Bloomington-Normal, Illinois
|
Home News Sports
Free Time Life Money Nation/World Opinion Blogs/Columns Archives Site Map |
| Sports ExtraSaturday, August 11, 2007 10:53 PM CDT |
 Comments (5) |  E-mail this page |  Print this page |  Enlarge type |  Reduce type |  Search archives |  RSS feeds |  Add to My Yahoo! |
Rex Grossman looks sharp in preseason opener
HOUSTON (MCT) -- It didn’t take long for Bob Babich to put his stamp on the Bears’ defense. When safeties Adam Archuleta and Mike Brown had consecutive third-down blitzes on Houston’s first two possessions Saturday night, there was a sense new defensive coordinator Babich was intent on displaying a more aggressive style. Besides, this was just a preseason game. Regardless, the Bears’ first-team defense played solid football in a 20-19 victory despite being without two of its stars. Defensive tackle Tommie Harris and linebacker Brian Urlacher watched as their teammates finally hit somebody other than thin air. Lineman Dusty Dvoracek set the tone on the first defensive play, wrapping up Ahman Green after a 1-yard gain. Dvoracek emphatically pumped his fist afterward, no doubt ecstatic after missing all of last season with an injury. There was enthusiasm, maybe because the Bears welcomed the return of vocal leader Brown back to the lineup following last season’s foot injury. Maybe it was because Lance Briggs had decided to let his actions on the field speak for him. Whatever the case, Saturday’s first half was a positive first step toward San Diego, save for a few kinks. Twice in the first half, the Texans started possessions inside the Bears’ 25-yard line. The first started at the 16, and the Bears held Houston to 14 yards on five plays and made it settle for a 20-yard Kris Brown field goal. The other started at the 24, and the Bears yielded no yards on four plays before Brown’s 42-yard field goal. In the first half, the Texans failed to convert any of their seven third-down plays. And they were 0-for-3 in the red zone. True, Houston is not a really good team, but new quarterback Matt Schaub is not too shabby, and Green had some good days against the Bears when he played for the Packers. The Bears’ regulars played as if they were facing a playoff team. Charles Tillman had a little pep in his step breaking up a pass following Brown’s blitz. Archuleta, the new guy, was strong in run support. Briggs was his usual all-over-the-field self. And Mark Anderson proved he could attack the running game from the weak side. There were some blown coverages, and the pass rush wasn’t a strong as it should be with a rotation of Anderson, Adewale Ogunleye and Alex Brown. The backups did rally from 19-7 down to win on Robbie Gould’s 48-yard field goal in the final minute. But the Bears still have three more exhibition games to fix things. Offense For starters: Rex Grossman was sharp in limited action, completing 8 of 10 passes for 50 yards with a passer rating of 87.5. He showed good movement and patience and only had one bad throw. Backup plan: Brian Griese threw a nice pass on his first series-one right into the hands of Houston defender Von Hutchins. But he rebounded with six-play, 70-yard drive ending with 2-yard touchdown toss off play action to fullback Obafemi Ayanbadejo. Surprise guys: Receiver Mark Bradley showed his practice efforts weren’t a mirage with two nice catches. ... Fontel Mines caught a touchdown pass from Kyle Orton at the beginning of the fourth quarter. Highlight reel: Griese’s 31-yard pass to Bradley to the deep left corner set up the touchdown toss to Ayanbadejo. Key play: Cedric Benson barreling over Texans safety Glenn Earl on a first-quarter run. Not only is Benson ready to take a hit, he’s poised to give one out, too. Defense For starters: Briggs didn’t show any rust despite missing off-season workouts in a contract dispute. Backup plan: Jamar Williams getting time as a starter with Urlacher out is a blessing. It means he should be ready in case anything unfortunate happens during the season. Surprise guys: End Israel Idonije recovered a fumble late in the third quarter and looked good on special teams coverage. ... Safety Brandon McGowan tipped a ball that was headed toward the end zone, and came up to make some nice stops against the run. Key play: Tillman knocking the ball out of the hands of Texans receiver Kevin Walter is the play the Bears expect from their big-money cornerback . Highlight reel: Give Tillman the nod for that play. (c) 2007, Chicago Tribune. Distributed by McClatchy-Tribune Information Services. E-mail this story | Print this story | Search archives | RSS Show comments |  Hide comments | Hide comments on all stories |
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||
 |
|
Top of Page | Home | News | Sports | Free Time | Life | Money | Nation/World | Opinion | Blogs/Columns | Archives | Site Map | RSS
Customer Service | 301 W. Washington St., PO Box 2907, Bloomington, IL 61701-2907 | Ph. 309-829-9000 | 800-747-7323
Copyright © 2009, Pantagraph Publishing Co. and Lee Enterprises. All rights reserved. | Terms of Use | Privacy Policy
|
Note: All views and opinions expressed in reader comments are solely those of the individual submitting the comment, and not those of the Pantagraph or its staff.
Joe wrote on Aug 13, 2007 6:38 AM:
Bob G of Chicago wrote on Aug 12, 2007 11:23 PM:
Right wrote on Aug 12, 2007 6:23 PM:
Orton needs a who wrote on Aug 12, 2007 10:58 AM:
Use Orton wrote on Aug 12, 2007 7:24 AM:
Please read the rules before posting comments.
You must be logged in to leave comments.
If you don't have a member ID, please register.