Aug. 29--The Bears have trekked to Ohio for their all-important third exhibition game, a Saturday night clash with the Bengals at Paul Brown Stadium. Coach John Fox will play most of his starters into the third quarter looking for signs of progress and praying for good health. In what likely will be the last important look at the team's key players during the preseason, here are four storylines to keep tabs on.
Intensity check: If there were early hints a year ago that the Bears' 2014 season was headed in a depressing direction, the most jarring reality check came in the third exhibition at Seattle. The Seahawks thoroughly outclassed the Bears that night, rocketing to a 31-0 halftime lead and exposing Marc Trestman's team as sloppy with major flaws.
The Bengals aren't the Seahawks. But they have been to the postseason in four consecutive seasons. So it will be paramount for the retooling Bears to be focused and disciplined. Of most importance, in a game that has so little at stake, the Bears need to play as if there's something to gain.
Fox wants to mold a team that's tough, physical and intelligent. And the seeds for growth in those areas must continue to be watered.
Intensity check II: The Bengals had a short week of preparation and a lot to clean up after delivering a stinker in Monday's 25-11 loss to the Buccaneers.
Most troubling for Marvin Lewis' club: the sloppy turnovers made by normally reliable playmakers. Pro Bowl receiver A.J. Green bobbled an easy catch that turned into a pick six. Quarterback Andy Dalton's next interception came on a pass that sailed a good 2 feet over tight end Tyler Eifert. And running back Jeremy Hill lost a fumble.
With Saturday offering one last chance to smooth out the rough edges before the regular season, the Bengals have plenty of motivation.
The running game: We're well aware that August stats mean so very little in the grand scheme. But it's notable that the Bears ranked third in the NFL in exhibition rushing yards through Monday, averaging 165.5 per game in their victories over the Dolphins and Colts. That seems to be tangible proof that Fox and offensive coordinator Adam Gase aren't merely paying lip service with their vows to be a run-first team this year.
Matt Forte saw his first exhibition action last week in Indianapolis and needed eight carries to grind out 24 yards. It was, at the very least, an opportunity for Forte to knock away some rust. He will be used conservatively again Saturday before turning backfield duties over to Jacquizz Rodgers, Jeremy Langford and Ka'Deem Carey. But even in limited action, Forte wants to stay sharp.
"It's truly just about feeling the rhythm of the game and feeling how Adam calls the offense and uses the hurry-up concepts we have," he said.
Eddie Goldman: The Bears weren't surprised this week when the league slapped veteran defensive tackle Jeremiah Ratliff with a three-game suspension, a punishment stemming from a drunk driving accident in 2013 while Ratliff was with the Cowboys. That case didn't conclude legally until April.
But now the defense must develop contingency plans for September, needing Goldman to become a reliable starter at nose tackle until Ratliff can return. Drafted in the second round this spring, Goldman is learning how best to utilize his strength and leverage and believes he's making strides in formation recognition. The heightened speed of exhibition action has been helpful.
"I try to play my hardest," Goldman said. "But I know when the regular season comes it's going to be even faster. I just have to play fast."
dwiederer@tribpub.com
