Bears’ offense joining the party in a big way

By Paul Eide  |   Monday, September 18, 2006  |  Comments( 0 )

Chicago Bears
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What superlative do you use and which member of the Chicago Bears' offense do you apply it to in explaining how proficient it was in a 34-7 thrashing of the Detroit Lions this past Sunday? The Bears have a list of contributors to pick from:

1) Rex Grossman - Grossman has set career highs for passing yards in a game for two weeks running and scorched the Lions on Sunday, throwing four touchdowns. The last Bears quarterback to throw four TDs in a game was Cade McNown in 1999, also against the Lions. What has this guy been eating lately? Whatever it is, Grossman looks like a completely different quarterback, displaying confidence which harkens back to his days at the University of Florida.

2) Desmond Clark - What hasn't this guy been eating? After shedding 15 pounds in the offseason, Clark looks sleek and smooth, as the weight loss may be to thank for his newfound athleticism and quickness. In catching 10 passes for 162 yards and a score through two games, Clark has exhibited the playmaking ability that the front office envisioned when they signed him as a free agent in 2003. Clark has developed a great rapport with Grossman and is the Bears' leading receiver thus far.

3) Offensive line - While the running game hasn't been as productive as it needs to be, the pass protection is the best Grossman has ever had at the NFL level. How many times on Sunday did Grossman have over four seconds to make a read and deliver the ball? Too many is the answer for Lions fans. Grossman spread the ball around to eight different receivers, showing that the line gave him time to make the proper read and react accordingly.

4) Bernard Berrian - After a preseason devoid of significant contribution, Berrian has exploded onto the scene. His reputation as a speedster capable of making big plays has been cemented thanks to two touchdowns of over 40 yards in the first two games. The Bears were concerned if another receiver would step up opposite of Muhsin Muhammad and aid the development of the passing game. After two games, both Berrian and Clark have heeded the call and helped transform the Bears' offense into a top 10 unit.

The encouraging thing about the offense for Bears fans was the play calling after establishing an early lead. Rather than take the lead and sit on it, the Bears continued to throw the ball, with Berrian's 41-yard touchdown catch blowing the game wide open, and Clark's 31-yard reception sealing the deal.

The offense is actually trying to win games by itself this year, rather than managing it long enough for the defense to make a big play that ultimately cements the victory. If the offense can continue to produce the way it has through the first two weeks, Chicago could very well be thinking Super Bowl.

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