 | Injury Report - Wk 7 - Chicago at Seattle2003-10-17
The 1-4 Bears travel to Seattle to face the 4-1 Seahawks this Sunday (3:15 Central time). Coach Mike Holmgren?s Seahawks are coming off a hard-fought Sunday night victory over the San Francisco 49ers. The 49ers are now 2-3 after embarrassing the Bears in the opening week of the season. Let?s take a closer look at how injuries impact the Bears and Seahawks in this game.
BEARS OFFENSE vs. SEAHAWKS DEFENSE
Third down back and special teams ace Rabih Abdullah is not on the report this week and should play unless there is some disciplinary action from the team or the league. His absence last week meant Anthony Thomas took all the snaps at halfback, and Thomas had another good game running the ball, although he admitted to not being comfortable with blitz pickups. Thomas is doubtful this week with a foot injury, which means second-year running back Adrian Peterson could start. Marty Booker turned his ankle on an end around play last week. If he is unable to play, David Terrell will get all of his reps at flanker. Terrell and Stewart did not appear to be on the same page last week. Kordell Stewart is not expected to start. It was announced this was because of an injury, although ineffectiveness could be easily argued as the reason. Veteran Chris Chandler will be under center. After adapting to injuries to Tucker, Columbo and Villarrial early in the season, the offensive line has settled down. Massive tackle Aaron Gibson has been a pleasant surprise on a team full of disappointments. Converted tackle Steve Edwards has found a home at left guard, and has shown surprisingly good footwork pulling to lead the way for Thomas. The Bears are expecting bad news on the condition of Marc Columbo?s surgically repaired knee. He?ll be eligible to come off the physically unable to perform list, and he does not appear to have made the progress necessary for him to get back on the field.
Cornerbacks Ken Lucas and Willie Williams are questionable for the Seahawks. Considering the condition of Marty Booker, the matchups should even out. Linebacker Anthony Simmons is also questionable, and his matchup with Desmond Clark could prove to be one of the more interesting on the day. Having lost Chad Eaton and Lamar King to injuries, the Seahawks have had to use a number of players on the defensive line. They still struggle to put pressure on the quarterback, mustering only 9 sacks on the season. This bears watching, since the Bears have already allowed 18 sacks in 5 games.
One of the few problems the Seahawks have had this year has been with getting opposing offenses off the field, despite being the league leaders in turnover differential. What this means is that if the Bears can somehow play mistake-free football, they can have a chance of staying in the contest. Look for Seattle to mix fronts and coverages to confuse new starters, to force turnovers. Expect the Bears to continue to try running the football. With Chris Chandler at quarterback, look for them to do a better job of getting their running backs involved in the passing offense and to use more 3-step drops to get rid of the ball quickly.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
BEARS DEFENSE vs. SEAHAWKS OFFENSE
The Bears will be without tackle Keith Traylor (out-knee) for about a month. Alfonso Boone has done a reasonably good job replacing him. Linebacker Joe Odom started last week for Warrick Holdman (ankle/knee) on the weak side, and led the team in tackles. He?s expected to start again this week. Odom will face a challenge in Shaun Alexander, a big and shifty running back, capable of making people miss and going for long gains. Alexander is questionable, but is expected to play. Maurice Morris is one of the league?s more dangerous second-string running backs.
Seattle?s offense is perhaps best at converting third downs (46%) while the Bears (51.4%) can include this among their many shortcomings on defense. This is a trademark of a patient, West Coast Offense. Greg Blache will need to outthink his opponent when it comes to blitz situations and mixing coverages. If he is too predictable, then Matt Hasselbeck will pick them apart. The pressure has to come from the front line of the Bears? defense. With only 4 sacks through 5 games, this matchup is especially unfavorable for the Bears. Fortunately for the Bears, the Seahawks have allowed 14 sacks. Look for the Bears to do a better job of rotating fresh bodies in on the front line, and to play more of a base defense against the Seahawks. Expect the Seahawks to methodically take what the defense is giving them, putting together long scoring drives.
Article By Michael Nudo
www.BearsTalk.com
Article archive |
| |
|
