We have been waiting too long time for this day. The Bears will take on the Lions at Soldier Field in about two hours.
The Bears have made a couple of moves in their lineup already. Israel Idonije is now the starter at defensive end opposite Julius Peppers. Mark Anderson was the starter the first two games of preseason, but Idonije played that much better.
Anderson will still see time in the rotation, but he won’t be very excited to be put on the bench more than the field. Look for Anderson to be playing hard out there because he obviously wants more playing time.
The Bears decided to keep four tight ends and they put veteran TE Desmond Clark at the H-back position on the depth chart, but Brandon Manumaleuna has passed him on the depth chart. That means Clark will be used as probably the third tight end.
Both are very good blockers, but Manumaleuna is known as the best blocking tight end and the Bears didn’t give him good money to not be on the field.
Injury Report:
The Bears are lucky to have not been hit by the injury bug this preseason. Three players are slightly banged up and two are going to play for sure, but one reserve will be a game-time decision.
LB, Lance Briggs- He is probable with an ankle injury.
TE, Desmond Clark- He is probable with an ankle injury.
S, Craig Steltz- He is questionable with an ankle injury.
Final Thoughts:
The Bears need to start fast today, if they can’t they might be in real trouble. This Lions team is much improved from last year, but there still the worst team in the NFC North. Hopefully the Bears can play the playoff competitor they are. Analysts might think there a below average team, but when the Bears fly under the radar they usually play better. We can only hope that’s the case for the 2010 season.
Bear Down!
