NewsBot
New Member
- Messages
- 111,281
- Reaction score
- 2,947
A preview of the Cowboys opponent for Week 3 of the 2016 schedule.
The Dallas Cowboys open the 2016 regular season with two division games against New York and Washington. In Week 3, the Cowboys begin their tour of the NFC North with a game at home against the Chicago Bears. The game will be played on a Sunday night on NBC.
The Bears played their first season last year under new coach John Fox. The team finished with a 6-10 record, fourth in the NFC North. The Bears definitely showed improvement, playing most games competitively. Last year's offensive coordinator Adam Gase was able to get a decent season out of embattled quarterback Jay Cutler, but Gase has moved on so the Bears will have another new coordinator. The Bears will also be without stalwart running back Matt Forte for the first time in a while. On the defensive side of the ball, Vic Fangio finally got the defense out of the very bottom of the NFL, but still has work to do.
For more information on the Cowboys Week 3 opponent, let's see what Windy City Gridiron has to say about their team.
Chicago Bears
Notable free agent additions: ILB Danny Trevathan, ILB Jerell Freeman, DL Akiem Hicks, RT Bobby Massie
Notable free agent departures: RB Matt Forte
Trades: TE Martellus Bennett
Draft picks expected to contribute as rookies:
1st Round OLB Leonard Floyd will at the very least be in on passing downs to rush the passer. His coverage skills could be put to use as well.
2nd Round OL Cody Whitehair is in line to start at left guard.
3rd Round DL Jonathan Bullard will be in the defensive line rotation.
5th Round RB Jordan Howard will be part of the Bears' backfield by committee. The power element he adds could give him the edge on short yardage and goal line situations.
Biggest offseason addition: The two free agent inside linebackers will help get the Bears defense back to being respectable. Trevathan and Freeman are so much better (like really, really, better) than last year's duo of Shea McClellin and Christian Jones.
Biggest storyline heading into training camp: There are a lot of story lines to pick from, but I think most fans are excited to see 2015 first round draft pick Kevin White finally healthy. He missed all of last season with a shin injury, and if he's all he's cracked up to be, he will add a huge playmaker to the offense.
Under-the-radar storyline heading into training camp: So many to choose from, like the revamped front seven gelling, the running back by committee taking shape, the safety position figuring itself out, Jay Cutler meshing with new offensive coordinator, but a more obscure storyline could be 7th round pick Daniel Braverman. He's a smallish and shifty slot receiver that Bears' fans are already rooting for. If he has a good camp then follows it up was a decent preseason, some fans will have their new favorite player.
Notable injuries heading into training camp: Fourth wide out Marquess Wilson broke his foot again and may end up on the PUP list. Outside linebacker Pernell McPhee is recovering from offseason knee surgery, but he should be 100% for training camp.
What do you think BTB? How do the Cowboys match up against the Bears in 2016?
Continue reading...