Preseason Game 2, 2016, Pats/Bears

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chevss454

chevss454

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The New England Patriots are set to kick off their second preseason game of the year and will face the visiting Chicago Bears at 8:00 tonight. After a couple days of practice field scuffles, look for the two teams to bring a high level of energy to the game.
There will be a bunch of players that won’t dress. Don’t expect Jabaal Sheard or Shea McClellin or Rob Gronkowski. Don’t expect Rob Ninkovich or Malcolm Mitchell Julian Edelman. But this will give a lot of second teamers a chance to face a quietly strong Bears squad.


The Bears have a deep roster at wide receiver, which should give the Patriots cornerbacks a good barometer for where they stand- youngsters Jonathan Jones, Cre’Von LeBlanc, and Darryl Roberts will have their hands full.
We might get our first look at Patriots wide receiver Chris Hogan, oh, and some guy named Tom Brady might play.
http://www.patspulpit.com/2016/8/18...-live-alec-and-rich-take-on-the-chicago-bears



The Chicago Sun-Times says the Patriots passing attack is the perfect test for the Bears young secondary.
The Chicago Tribune says the Bears can thank the Patriots for elevating their play this week.
 
http://www.chicagobears.com/news/ar...ars-Pats/50327c3f-95a1-4f97-9b6c-9de912520145


(1) Will the Bears offense show signs of improvement?
The only NFL team that failed to score in the first full week of the preseason, the Bears will look to make major strides against the Patriots after generating only 130 total yards and eight first downs in a 22-0 loss to the Broncos last Thursday night at Soldier Field.
The No. 1 offense, which produced just 13 yards and one first down on 10 plays over three possessions versus Denver, is expected to play the entire first half in New England.
"We're going to have a lot more success than last week," said receiver <nobr>Kevin White</nobr>. "Last week we had a couple plays and then we were out. We all wanted to play more. But I think we'll have the opportunity to get our feet wet and get in a rhythm."
howard_inside_081816.jpg
Bears fifth-round pick <nobr>Jordan Howard</nobr> during the first preseason game against Denver.
​

(2) Will the defense get off the field on third down?
The Bears added playmakers to their defense in free agency and the draft after ranking 29th in the NFL in third-down efficiency last season at 44.3 percent. But the unit continued to struggle to get off the field last week, allowing the Broncos to convert 6-of-14 third-down opportunities (43 percent).
Denver was 3-of-3 on third down on a 10-play, 76-yard game-opening touchdown drive as quarterback Mark Sanchez completed passes of 14 yards on third-and-seven, 13 yards on third-and-eight and 32 yards for a TD on third-and-nine.
The No. 1 defense did generate a takeaway on the Broncos' second possession when inside linebacker <nobr>Jerrell Freeman</nobr> intercepted a pass that was deflected by cornerback <nobr>Bryce Callahan</nobr>—but not before Denver had already picked up two first downs. A three-and-out would be a great way for the Bears defense to start tonight's game against the Patriots.
(3) Will Jordan Howard challenge for the No. 2 running back position?
The Bears are high on Howard and have been giving him expanded reps in practice to show what he can do. The rookie fifth-round pick from Indiana is listed fourth on the depth chart, but with a good performance against the Patriots, he could challenge veteran <nobr>Jacquizz Rodgers</nobr> for the No. 2 spot behind starter <nobr>Jeremy Langford</nobr>. Third-stringer <nobr>Ka'Deem Carey</nobr> has been limited in practice and may not play tonight after suffering a concussion in the preseason opener.
Coach John Fox believes in employing a backfield-by-committee, ideally relying on two backs with different styles. It appears that Howard's power running style would ideally complement Langford's speed and elusiveness, but the rookie must show in the preseason that he's capable of not only running with the ball but catching passes and picking up blitzes. Howard struggled with some drops in the Bears' joint practices with the Patriots.
(4) Will cornerback <nobr>Jacoby Glenn</nobr> stake a claim to a starting job?
Injuries to <nobr>Kyle Fuller</nobr> and Bryce Callahan have conspired to give Glenn a great opportunity to prove that he deserves a starting job at cornerback opposite veteran <nobr>Tracy Porter</nobr>. A second-year pro from Central Florida, Glenn has consistently broken up passes throughout training camp.
With Fuller back in Chicago getting his sore knee evaluated and Callahan unlikely to play tonight after being limited in practice, Glenn is expected to start. The 6-foot, 185-pounder is undersized, so it's crucial that he shows he can provide run support while also making plays on the ball.
 
Is Brady playing?
 
Mazz22 said:
Is Brady playing?
Click to expand...

Great question.

Strictly a guess here, but I think not. I expect him to get some reps in the 3rd game, presumably when the OL has had a chance to shake itself out, but at this juncture I'm guessing Tom can pretty much get what he needs out of practice.

I'll be in the red seats tonight and I don't expect a lot of company there.
 
Tom Brady - QB - Patriots

NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reports Tom Brady "will take little to no snaps" in the second preseason game.

Brady also sat out the preseason opener. Rapoport added the Patriots are primarily concerned with getting Jimmy Garoppolo ready for Week 1, which suggests Garoppolo will play plenty of snaps. Rob Gronkowski and Julian Edelman are expected to sit out Thursday night.
 
Big/Sky/Fly said:
Tom Brady - QB - Patriots

NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reports Tom Brady "will take little to no snaps" in the second preseason game.

Brady also sat out the preseason opener. Rapoport added the Patriots are primarily concerned with getting Jimmy Garoppolo ready for Week 1, which suggests Garoppolo will play plenty of snaps. Rob Gronkowski and Julian Edelman are expected to sit out Thursday night.
Click to expand...
That is what I figured. It will be the Jimmy show until week 5.
 
Tom Brady will appear in the Patriots' second preseason game.
The suspended quarterback will play a series or two after sitting out the exhibition opener. The Pats are focused on getting JimmyG ready...
 
Big/Sky/Fly said:
Tom Brady will appear in the Patriots' second preseason game.
The suspended quarterback will play a series or two after sitting out the exhibition opener. The Pats are focused on getting JimmyG ready...
Click to expand...

Good to hear. Brady needs to play too behind this line and getting in sync with the new receivers.
 
Tonight's game program cover.

CqLKm2_WAAAzvIn.jpg


Ebner, Slater, Bolden, Freeney, Brandon King. STs being stressed all week.
 
chevss454 said:
The New England Patriots are set to kick off their second preseason game of the year and will face the visiting Chicago Bears at 8:00 tonight. After a couple days of practice field scuffles, look for the two teams to bring a high level of energy to the game.
There will be a bunch of players that won’t dress.
Click to expand...

NFL trying to up their female viewership again???
 
At least Blount decided to show up. Oline looking good so far.

Coleman still sucks.

Sent from my VS980 4G using Tapatalk
 
Huh, Jeff Howe of the Boston Herald, Mark Daniels of the Providence Journal and Tom E. Curran reporting that Brady sliced his thumb on a pair of scissors, so that's why the last-minute scratch. They also say per a source that "Tom will be okay in time." Ouch!:eek:
 
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