Grading the Bears

Posted October 19, 2008 11:00 pm

By Mike Spellman

Game ball

How about those young guns in the Bears' secondary? With starters Nathan Vasher and Charles Tillman sidelined and nickel back Danieal Manning unavailable, the subs were the heroes. Corey Graham, Trumaine McBride, Zackary Bowman and Kevin Payne each had a pick. Craig Steltz blocked a punt to set up a touchdown, and Bowman also recovered a muffed punt for a touchdown. Wow. Enjoy the bye week fellas - you deserve it.

Quarterback: 4.5 balls

Explain again why there was a quarterback competition at training camp? Kyle Orton is playing as well as anyone in the league. He was 21 of 32 for 283 yards with a pair of touchdowns, but would have had 5 TDs if Desmond Clark didn't fumble at the goal line and Marty Booker caught the pair that went off his fingertips.

Running backs: 2 balls

Not much to report. Against the stingy Vikings rush defense, Matt Forte (56 yards) and the Bears couldn't get much going in the first half. It got a little better in the second half, but still well below par.

Receivers: 3 balls

What's the deal with Booker? He looked terrible dropping a pair of would-be TD passes early and then turned around and looks as if he found the Fountain of Youth on a 51-yarder in the third quarter. Greg Olsen was solid with 6 catches. Seven different receivers had at least 2 catches.

Offensive line: 3 balls

They provided Orton pretty good protection against a tough defense, but on the whole the offense was one-dimensional for most of the day thanks to a punchless rushing game.

Defensive line: 1 ball

Hey, a Tommie Harris sighting! But just 1 sack and hardly any pressures by the vaunted line against a 37-year-old, immobile QB? C'mon.

Linebackers: 2.5 balls

After nothing but crickets in the first half, Lance Briggs and Co. came to life in the second half.

Secondary: 4 balls

See Game Ball.

Special teams: 4 balls

Sure the Vikings dorked it up, but the Bears finished with a blocked punt for a TD and got a touchdown on a muffed punt return. Garrett Wolfe filled in admirably when Devin Hester left the game with a thigh injury. But a blocked Robbie Gould field goal attempt earns a demerit.

Coaching: 3 balls

Offense and special teams - good. Defense? Not so much.

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