Bears V. Falcons: Quick thoughts.

What a home opener for the Bears, just wanted to drop a quick post about what I took away from this afternoon's contest:

• Tarik Cohen is a game changer; he's fast, strong, and can be used a receiver. Cohen was out there absorbing hits and moving the sticks both as a back and a receiver which is something the Bears need with them being so poor at wideout this year. I look forward to how offensive coordinator Loggins implements Cohen in gameplans as the season moves forward.
• Akiem Hicks is definitely the new heart and soul of this Bears defense; he gets after the quarterback frequently and should end up drawing double teams which will open up lanes for guys like Leonard Floyd, Eddie Goldman, and Roy Robertson-Harris. 
• The Bears defense in general looks tenacious; sure the secondary needs some work particularly at cornerback but that front seven should be a problem for most teams. I am hopeful that Kyle Fuller or Marcus Cooper will step up and create turnovers at that position, I know that's asking a lot from those two but for a team in transition I need to hold onto something.
• Mike Glennon CAN get it done but he simply folds under pressure too easily once a defender gets in his face; he's not the most mobile guy so expecting him to extend plays is out the question. Best thing he can do is make quicker reads and make better slide steps within the pocket to escape pressure but once he's flushed out the pocket it's a wrap.
• Kyle Long needs to be in the lineup immediately. I'm not sure how bad his ankle actually is but he's a missing factor in the power run game for this Chicago offense, they can't keep exposing young Tarik Cohen to big hits and expect him to stay upright for 16 games. Jordan Howard needs long to create the space for him in the interior so he can wear defenses down.
• Akiem Hicks did play well but there was one sequence where he was gassed and quit on a play then the following play he committed a costly roughing the passer penalty when the Falcons had already been stopped on 3rd down; he's the defenses most valuable asset right now but he's got to play smarter in key moments
• Mitchell Trubisky will start eventually his mobility in the pocket alone should be enough at some point for Bears brass to go ahead and start him; Glennon is a sitting duck inside the pocket and that will stall the offense and lose them games like it did today.

All in all the Bears put up a better fight against the defending NFC champions than expected it came down to the wire. If the Bears had big bodied wide out like I don't know Alshon Jeffery they might've come away with the closing TD they needed in the red zone at the end. Kevin White is not the answer and never will be. Hopefully they can step up and stop a rested Tampa Bay Bucs team but I won't hold my breath on that one.

Quick thoughts on the Bears.

After dealing with many years of Jay Cutler as starting quarterback for the Chicago Bears it's both great and terrifying to go into a new season with a brand new starter under center. Sure, Mike Glennon couldn't beat out Josh McCown for a starting job at one point in his career but he's better than watching the same old Jay Cutler movie. Sure, Mike Glennon threw a pick six in one of his first passes as a Bears quarterback but hey at least it's not smokin' Jay again right?

Being realistic about the Bears quarterback situation is something every Bears fan needs to do this season; it's not great. Glennon will start the first few games more than likely stink and by week 5 or 6 the second overall pick Mitchell Trubisky will be the starter and while he has shown flashes in the preseason I can't help but wonder how he'll handle 1st team defenses throwing everything at him week in and week out. I think Trubisky will play very well at certain points but there will be times where he will overshoot receivers, fumble snaps, or do things you'd expect a rookie quarterback with limited in game experience at both college and pro levels will do.

The Bears offensive line unit is underrated especially the interior linemen pair that with Jordan Howard and Tarik Cohen the Bears could have a dynamic offense and then you think about the wide receivers...it's not great at that position. Kevin White for all intents and purposes is a bust in my eyes; he can't separate himself from defenders and seems to lack any real physicality that scouts loved about him in college. Cam Meridith who was coming into this season as the no.1 option on the outside went down with a torn ACL in a meaningless preseason game; for a unit that was already lacking talent losing Meridith all but sealed the Bears fate for having one of the worst WR units in the league.

Defensively, they do have a pass rush which is great because much like the WR unit the secondary is lacking talent. The Bears invested heavily in shoring up the LB corps and defensive line and I think that was the right move start in the trenches when building your team but when that pass rush is ineffective or comes across a great offensive line that picks up blitzes or neutralizes your best pass rusher(i.e. Hicks or Floyd) then you're leaving the secondary to a task they may not simply be up to.

The Chicago Bears season is shaping up to be another rough one; while it would be great for them to go 8-8 or 9-7 it's going to be tough in the NFC north and even tougher when having to deal with that awful schedule they were given. It's season where we hope to see flashes from guys with high ceilings; your Trubiskys, your Cohens, your Floyds, and where we hope to see the defense take shape into something formidable and not the injury ridden mess it was last season.