Chicago Bears only one good preseason effort in a 33-31 win over Washington to wipe out concerns over the preseason-opening 31-3 loss at Denver and cause visions of grandeur at Halas Hall.
Brandon Marshall said. "We’re definitely going to respect teams, but we’ve got to call it what it is: When you have four, five, six guys making plays, it’s scary.”
It's still preseason and the main focus of all teams is completing the roster rather than scaring future opponents. The second preseason game, at least, showed several Bears who hadn't done much recently were actually viable.
Rookie TE Evan Rodriguez and G Chilo Rachal stood out, in particular, while reserve players in the secondary took big steps back.
Each week during preseason, RapidReports will take a position-by-position look at the players we think are likely to make the final cut to 53 on Sept. 2 and those who we think may soon be seeking alternative employment.
Lorenzo Booker.
Jay Cutler, Jason Campbell, Josh McCown. Out: Matt Blanchard. Analysis: Matt Blanchard showed he could be practice squad material last week, although it still seems more likely they would use one of the backup QBs for that duty. Blanchard authored a two-minute drill to Robbie Gould's 57-yard game-winning field goal despite Washington providing real pass rush heat with an assortment of blitzes.
Matt Forte, Michael Bush, Kahlil Bell, Lorenzo Booker. Out: Harvey Unga, Armando Allen. Analysis: The coaches knew Booker could play special teams, and he proved it with a 105-yard kick return TD. Meanwhile, Allen has been targeted three times in the passing game -- his supposed forte -- and he has one catch for no yards. Bell did not excel in the passing game, either, with some missed blitz pickups and a dropped pass. The battle continues for that last running back spot into Week 3.
Tyler Clutts. Analysis: Nothing on the field has occurred to make the job security of FB Tyler Clutts seem any greater. The emphasis on tight ends and using one in the backfield (Kyle Adams) instead of a fullback is getting every chance to succeed. An injury to TE Matt Spaeth doesn't appear to be serious enough to affect his availability for the opener, so Clutts still seems the odd man out.
Kellen Davis, Kyle Adams, Evan Rodriguez. Out: Brandon Venson. Analysis: With Spaeth missing time due to a minor injury this week, Rodriguez has worked with the first team more in the blocking game on the heels of his strong three-catch, 49-yard effort Saturday. Blocking was an area where he needed work. In fact, all of the tight ends need to pick it up in terms of pass blocking.
Devin Hester, Earl Bennett, Alshon Jeffery, Eric Weems, Dane Sanzenbacher. Out: Rashied Davis, Brittan Golden, Terriun Crump, Chris Summers. Summers had made a handful of impressive catches in practices, then all but sealed his fate by fumbling late Saturday to nearly cost the Bears the preseason game. Turning it over is never viewed lightly by coach Lovie Smith at roster time. Crump dropped an easy catch in the game. Golden had made his presence felt early, but has vanished in recent weeks.
Roberto Garza, Chris Williams, J'Marcus Webb, Gabe Carimi, Chris Spencer, Lance Louis, Edwin Williams, Chilo Rachal. Out: Ricky Henry, James Brown, Cory Brandon. Analysis: Rachal made great strides toward a possible a starting spot. He had a handful of plays in succession where he threw key blocks. The entire line played better against Washington, and the roster battle in question now appears to be between guard/center Edwin Williams and Ricky Henry. Williams' versatility is a plus, but the Bears have Chris Spencer as a backup center if something happened to Roberto Garza. Henry, meanwhile, is a young player still developing.
Julius Peppers, Shea McClellin, Israel Idonije, Corey Wootton, Stephen Paea, Henry Melton, Matt Toeaina, Brian Price. Out: Nate Collins, John McCargo, Chauncey Davis, Cheta Ozougwu. Analysis: The numbers game could get Collins, if coaches decided they don't need a fifth interior player. He did grade out well against Washington and made a tackle for loss as well as four total tackles. Idonije's ability to slide inside from end for pass rush situations makes an extra DT expendable, although Idonije would have a hard time doing it on a regular basis at his current weight. Price is valued more than Collins and cost the team a draft pick so his departure seems highly unlikely.
Brian Urlacher, Lance Briggs, Nick Roach, Geno Hayes, Blake Costanzo, J.T. Thomas, Dom DeCicco. Out: Patrick Trahan, Jabara Williams. Analysis: Williams spent most of training camp injured, and against Washington tried to make up time without much success. The next two games for Williams will be huge with DeCicco still suffering from a groin strain. A seventh linebacker spot is there for the taking. Costanzo all but wrapped up his spot by showing up well at the end of the last game on defense, in addition to playing special teams.
Charles Tillman, Tim Jennings, Kelvin Hayden, D.J. Moore, Jonathan Wilhite, Chris Conte, Major Wright, Brandon Hardin, Craig Steltz, Anthony Walters. Out: Greg McCoy, Isaiah Frey. Analysis: Injuries have clouded the safety position for now, but the cornerback spot is clouded only by poor play. Rookies McCoy and Frey had a big part in the late-game collapse made by the Bears' third-team defense that nearly cost them the game. Washington scored on three fourth-quarter TDs, including two allowed by the defense. In the meantime, Wilhite struggled with consistency and had a 3-yard pass interference penalty, but at least managed to make three tackles and prevent big plays.
Adam Podlesh, Patrick Mannelly. Out: Ryan Quigley. Quigley could wind up on the roster after the regular season starts because of a hip-flexor injury suffered by Adam Podlesh. The Bears would definitely not want to burn a roster spot with an injured punter. But Podlesh was so effective last season that putting him on IR would not be an option. A hip-flexor injury is a serious problem for a punter, though.
Follow Bears reporter Gene Chamberlain on Twitter @CBSSportsNFLCHI.
