Bears play the Broncos

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It?s finally here ? the moment of truth.

Yeah, right.

The anticipation that fuels the excitement of the Bears? preseason opener is based mostly in curiosity and the fact that after two weeks of monotonous practices, it?s real football.

More than likely, this will not be much of a ?preview.? In 2012, when John Fox brought the Broncos to Soldier Field for the preseason opener, Peyton Manning was picked off by Major Wright and had a 36.3 passer rating. He ended up throwing for 4,659 yards, 37 touchdowns and had a 105.8 passer rating in the regular season.


Bears rookie quarterback Mitch Trubisky will make his NFL preseason debut against the Broncos on Thursday night at Soldier Field. But he'll likely play in the second half, with and against third- and fourth-team players.

Mike Glennon is not Peyton Manning. We don?t even know if he?s the Mike Glennon the Bears paid for. But it?s almost needless to say ? though not totally needless or I wouldn?t be saying it ? that this game will not be a referendum on Glennon, who will make his first start as the Bears? quarterback-of-the-now Thursday night against the Broncos at Soldier Field.

In Jay Cutler?s Bears debut in 2009 against the Bills, he was 5-of-10 for 64 yards and an interception for a 30.8 passer rating ? his regular-season rating was more than double that (76.8). The pick came on a pass to Devin Hester that sparked an over-reaction to Cutler?s very sensible and accurate explanation (?Devin is more of a go-get-it guy. He?s not really a back-shoulder, go-up-and-get-it [guy]. You learn from it.?) that forced Cutler to clear the air. Four weeks later, Brian Urlacher was lost for the season and the Cutler era was off to a roaring start. So if Mike Glennon can just avoid a firestorm, he?s ahead of the game.

Here?s the standard Glennon and the first-team offense is up against: In seven preseason openers with Cutler at quarterback (he did not play vs. Manning and the Broncos in 2012), the first-team offense produced one touchdown, three field goals, 16 points, 17 first downs and averaged 4.1 yards per play in 16 drives.

So with that in mind, here are three things to watch tonight when the Bears play the Broncos in their preseason opener:

The starting offensive line. Guard Kyle Long has been easing his way back into the lineup while recovering from a severely broken ankle and doesn?t figure to play. With back-up guard/center Eric Kush out for the season with a torn hamstring, the Bears experimented with center Cody Whitehair at guard and Hroniss Grasu at center ? a nod to the possibility that Long might not be ready.

2. Mitch Trubisky. The second overall pick in the draft figures to play in the third quarter ? usually a tough situation to draw conclusions from because he?s playing with third-team players (an excuse if he?s bad) and against third-team players (an excuse if he?s good). It?s a tough spot for a springboard ? Dak Prescott parlayed first-team reps in his preseason opener (Tony Romo was rested, back-up Kellen Moore was injured) into the starting job with the Cowboys last season; Russell Wilson was the No. 2 quarterback for the Seahawks when he leap-frogged Matt Flynn in 2012.

Trubisky has impressive skills but doesn?t look ready to compete for the starting job ? not even against Glennon. But if he has the ?it? factor the Bears think he does, he might respond positively when the lights are on. For what it?s worth, Trubisky was an immediate hit as a first-time starter at North Carolina last season ? throwing 13 touchdowns and no interceptions in his first five games.

Trubisky is not in the running to start this season. But if he?s good, he?ll likely earn better reps to wrest the No. 2 job from Mark Sanchez.

3. The rookies. Even with Trubisky cemented as a back-up, the Bears? draft class has been impressive in training camp ? particularly tight end Adam Shaheen (second round), running back Tarik Cohen (fourth round) and safety Eddie Jackson (fifth round). Wide receiver Tanner Gentry has been the most impressive of the rookie free agents. Jackson is currently listed as a fourth-team safety, but he figures to get a good shot here. In fact, they all should. The Bears surely want to know exactly what they?ve got. They?re not alone.

 

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Broncos


Although it is just preseason, there are numerous implications-and more importantly, starting jobs-on the line.


o really see what kind of squad will be out on the field come September 11, we need to dive in to the positions that are the most intriguing by far. Not only will the Denver Broncos enter the season with a new head coach in Vance Joseph, the return of a familiar face in offensive coordinator Mike McCoy and most importantly, they brought back their biggest front office piece with the signing of John Elway to a five-year deal.

That fresh outlook will hopefully bring wins to the Mile High City. The front office now has big decisions to make leading up to their showdown against the Chargers. Mainly, they will need to determine who makes the roster foremost, and who gets the start.

With that being said, we dive into the most important position battles and who to watch tonight when Denver takes the field, along with who many believe will win the job.


Quarterback

Players on roster: Trevor Siemian, Paxton Lynch, Chad Kelly, Kyle Sloter

Lets get the most obvious one out of the way.

It has been the talk of the town ever since training camp got underway. There have been solid days for both Siemian and Lynch. There have also been bad ones too.

Siemian may appear to have the slight advantage-slight being the keyword here- since he was the starter last season. While he did end the year with a respectable 8-6 record and 84.6 passer rating. But he still hasn?t shown that spark to lead the offense and fully pull away in the end. What will be important to look for is how he handles the different defensive schemes that Fox will employ.

On the other spectrum, Lynch was a first round choice out of Memphis last year. Many thought Paxton would take over the starting job at some point. He has the prototypical height and arm strength you want out of a franchise quarterback. However, has appeared rattled and unsure at times. If Lynch can keep calm and not rely on his legs but his arm, the confidence alone can shoot him to the number one spot on the depth chart.

Finally there?s the wildcard and Mr. Irrelevant Chad Kelly and then the local kid out of Northern Colorado Kyle Sloter. While Kelly is expected to enter the on the PUP list and possible IR due to surgery he had on his wrist this past summer, he still brings the intrigue to the position.

Sloter is more than likely headed for the practice squad and will learn as the season progresses. That doesn?t mean he won?t get a chance to show what he can do at some point during the preseason, but it would be impressive for the undrafted quarterback to make the starting roster.



The truth is that Siemian has the experience that Lynch doesn?t and he did lead Denver to a 4-0 record before injuring his shoulder that hindered him to continue his hot streak. Yet, as long as he can keep the offense in the game, the defense is still scary good that see them to at least a 10+ win club.


Running Back

Players on roster: CJ Anderson, Jamaal Charles, Davontae Booker, Stevan Ridley, De?Angelo Henderson

Let?s be honest, there?s no such thing as a crowded backfield. If anything it?s a good thing. There?s a better chance to see if the Denver Broncos can bring a three headed monster every Sunday. With the newly minted offensive line, it?ll be a good change of pace to have a consistent running attack with the chance to have a 1,000 yard runner.

The main battle will be between last years starter CJ Anderson and free agent pickup and veteran work horse Jamaal Charles. The two have been getting a majority of the discussion from day one. There?s a strong chance that the Broncos could have a solid one-two punch. Anderson will start. With both Charles and Booker out due to injuries, he has an early advantage against the rest of the pack.

Newcomers Ridley and Henderson, along with Denver Broncos veteran Juwan Thompson, will takeover for the rest of the game and there?s a good chance that one of the them will solidify the number three spot. The main focus is seeing how the o-line will open up any holes for the runners to make some noise.



Bit of a surprise, I know. But Charles said it himself, ?If I?m not going to be the man, why am I here??. Charles has always been know as a change of pace back that can handle 30 carries per game and if and when he can get back to form, then there?s no reason that he can?t win the starting job.

 

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Wide Receiver

Players on roster: Demaryius Thomas, Emmanuel Sanders, Carlos Henderson, Jordan Taylor, Isaiah McKenzie, Cody Latimer, Bennie Fowler, Marlon Brown

This one is a little more tough to determine, yet the best battle of them all. The number one and two spots are solid with Thomas and Sanders, both of whom are coming off respective 1,000 yard seasons.

Yet it?s after that that the lineup is a question mark. Many expected Latimer to be the slot receiver coming out of Indiana as Denver traded up to draft him. However, he hasn?t lived up to the level that many thought he could be at. Fowler has been often reliable but doesn?t necessarily wow. While Brown has impressed in camp, Henderson has started off sluggish and is still looking for that spark. Both are expected to see a lot of playing time in the next coming weeks. Joseph has named Isaiah McKenzie the starting punt returner. Taylor could be the odd man out and might see himself put back on the practice squad or just cut outright.

Ultimately, it may come down to Henderson and Brown as they continue to develop and try to separate from the rest of the group. Once the slot position is solidified, the four and fifth receivers will soon come into view. The question will be whether the Denver Broncos will keep all of the wide-outs.



Henderson will pull through and show off his speed and hands that caught Elway?s eye when he drafted him. In a position that needs all hands on deck, it?s more important that the offense gets a connection early. Also important is the security of knowing that they have a solid receiving core.

Henderson could be the solution to that problem.