Five Bears to watch in first preseason game vs. Dolphins

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1. ILB Shea McClellin

The 2012 first-round pick is in the middle of his first solid training camp. At ?Mike? linebacker, McClellin is making the calls for the starters and coming through with big plays, whether it?s breaking up passes to tight ends or backs or knocking over guards (just ask Kyle Long).



The Bears need to see it carry over against a live opponent.

?He?s going in the right direction,? linebackers coach Glenn Pires said, ?but I?m really anxious to see these preseason games.?

2. QB Jay Cutler

Cutler?s playing time will be limited, but he?ll have his first game-plan (albeit a restricted one) from offensive coordinator Adam Gase to run.


Cutler?s interception-free camp has been noteworthy, but he?s still made his share of errant throws.

Some of Cutler?s best completions have come when the Bears? defense has allowed him throw and stopped from finishing ?sacks.?

Now, an opposing defense can actually hit him.

3. RB Ka?Deem Carey

The battle to back up Matt Forte is getting away from Carey, a 2014 draft pick. Jacquizz Rodgers and Jeremy Langford appear well ahead of him. Daniel Thomas also has stood out more than Carey in camp.

Carey needs to the make most of every carry he gets in the preseason to make the Bears.

4. DT Eddie Goldman

The massive rookie has spent plenty of time with the Bears? starters, and he could have a big workload if veteran Jeremiah Ratliff gets the night off. Goldman?s strength has been impressive.

?He has it physically,? defensive line coach Jay Rodgers said. ?Now can you put the mental part of it together to get the physical to match up and make plays??

5. KR/WR Marc Mariani

The Bears went through returner after returner last year in their attempts to make up for Devin Hester?s departure. Mariani turned out to be the best and he didn?t arrive until Week 12.

Mariani is the No. 1 returner, but he?s also made a number of spectacular catches throughout camp, playing with the first and second offenses.

 

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Five things to watch when the Dolphins play the Bears




The Dolphins will play without starting left tackle Branden Albert for most, if not all of the exhibition season. And the team is auditioning six linemen ? Dallas Thomas, Billy Turner, Jamil Douglas, Jeff Linkenbach, Sam Brenner and Jacques McClendon ? for the two vacant guard spots.


The Dolphins are searching for a boundary cornerback to line up on the other side of Brent Grimes, the team?s Pro Bowler. And Miami needs to find a nickel cornerback. Brice McCain will earn one of those two jobs because of his experience and leadership. Jamar Taylor and rookie Bobby McCain appear to be competing for the other, but Will Davis, Zack Bowman and Tony Lippett could take the lead with a strong performance.


Will Kelvin Sheppard play well enough to earn the starting inside linebacker job?

Sheppard, a four-year veteran who has started 32 NFL games, will serve as the first-team inside linebacker while Koa Misi?s calf injury heals. If Sheppard plays well against the run and the pass, defensive coordinator Kevin Coyle might leave him in the starting role and move Misi to the strong-side spot, which is where Misi played his first four seasons.



Which kicker wants to be employed by the Dolphins come September?

Veteran kicker Caleb Sturgis is being pushed by rookie Andrew Franks, and their performance on kickoffs, extra points and field goals will determine who survives the final cut. Each kickers performance will be tracked for all four games and special teams coach Darren Rizzi will pick the kicker with the most reliable leg. However, Sturgis and Franks are also competing against other soon to be unemployed kickers trying to make an NFL roster.



Receiver Rishard Matthews, tailback LaMichael James, defensive end Terrence Fede and linebacker Chris McCain have been the most impactful Dolphins players during practice, but will their playmaking translate to Thursday night?s game? Matthews needs a strong showing with Ryan Tannehill to push his way up the depth chart. James must prove he can pass block to take the third-down back role from Damien Williams. And Fede and McCain need to be disruptive defenders when their opportunities come.