Week 4: Midweek Report

As the Bears head into their week 4 match up against the Carolina Panther, there are many issues the Bears are addressing heading into the game. On the Carolina side of the ball, the game represents the return of head coach Ron Rivera and Greg Olsen to Chicago. Ron Rivera was the Bears defensive coordinator for the Bears from 2004 to 2008 when he left to coordinate for the Chargers. Greg Olsen's return makes his first time back since being traded this off season after the lockout was lifted. Both Rivera and Olsen will have a good idea of what the Bears will be doing on defense, seeming that most of the same players are there from the time the two spent with the team. With the Bears, many issues need to be straightening up or else the Bears could fall to a 1-3 record. First off, the Bears need to address the issue of a balanced attack on offense. In the previous two losses, the Bears have passed 82 times compared to only running the ball 25 times. The Bears don't have the offensive line to be passing the ball nearly three times as they run it. If Mike Martz doesn't get the hint and start running a more simple styled running game, the Bears will have trouble winning games. The running game will gain a valuable boost with the return of Marian Barber, who hasn't played since the third game of the preseason. He should provide a nice change up to Matt Fortes style and will help boost the Bears bad third down conversion rate. On the defensive side of the ball, the Bears have to shore up their play because they have given up 57 points in the last two games. This has to start with the defensive line, who have not been able to consistently create pressure on the opposing quarterback. The Bears will have trouble with the mobility of Cam Newton but should be able to rack up some consistent pressure on him seeing that his is a rookie. Another area the Bears need to shore up is the safety position. Last week, the Bears started two new safeties in Brandon Meriweather and Craig Steltz and struggled with their lack of experience and knowledge of the system. The Bears may receive a boost with the return of Major Wright but could still be without veteran Chris Harris. Harris re-aggravated his hamstring injury this week during practice and is unlikely to play this week against the Panthers. It will be important to see how the Bears come out and play against a Panthers offense that has leaned on the passing game more than the running up to this point in the season. So until next time, Bear Down Chicago.