CSR Blogger Q&A with Windy City Gridiron

For those of you new to this blog, a popular feature of SB Nation is the weekly blogger Q&A between competing blogs. It's pretty simple, each blogger asks 5 questions of the other blogger about the upcoming game and post it on their blog. I always ask for a prediction as well. Since our Chargers blog is new (check out Bolts from the Blue) as of last week I didn't get to do one prior to our first game. This week though I've traded five questions with lead blogger Adam Tracey aka WCG over at Windy City Gridiron. Here are Adam's responses to my deep and probing questions:

Question 1: My lasting thought from the Bears week 1 victory was Joe Matt Forte breaking loose for a TD. I loved Forte going into the draft and I'm not surprised to see him perform at a high level. At this point is Forte the Bears best draft pick in 2008 and if not what other rookie could have an impact in the Panthers game?

WCG: Without question.  Most of the Bears rookies are backups or special teams contributors.  Our first rounder is out with injury and could be for some time.  Forte is arguably the most important member of the offense this week.  So long as he can do what he does the pass game is free to operate at the level they want it to.  If Bears coaching had their wish Orton would not have to throw the ball more than 20-25 times a game.

The Panthers will need to shut down the Bears running game and force Orton to throw the ball.

Question 2: At lot of pundits continue to barrage the state of the Bears QB situation. Is Kyle Orton the answer at QB for the Bears? What were the highs and lows of his week 1 performance?

WCG: Referencing back to the first question, it all depends on the run game.  If the offensive line continues to block well and open some holes and Forte/Jones can keep the ball moving than Orton can be the answer, but the game will come when the pass game needs to step up or win it for us and then we will know if Orton can be the kind of QB a franchise needs.

It is really hard to say he had a low considering what he was asked to do.  He kept cool, he moved in the pocket well, he got rid of the ball when needed and he kept the offense moving smoothly.  The high points and the ones that show promise for Orton were the two big plays to his TEs.  He made a big throw to Greg Olsen to setup a FG (could have been a TD, but coaches mismanaged the clock).  Toward the end when the Colts were still in the game, but it looked like the Bears were content to run down the clock he hit a big pass to Desmond Clark.  That essentially ended the game.  So he can make the big timely pass, he just needs to be consistent.

The Panthers struggle against TE's so this will be a key match-up, the Bears TE's vs. the Panthers LB's and SS Chris Harris

Questions 3: It looks like the Bears defense is as good as ever. We know about Urlacher and Harris but is there another Pro Bowler in the making on that defense?

WCG: This defense is loaded with potential Pro Bowlers.  On WCG I recently posted about Charles Tillman and his ability to create takeaways at the most crucial times for us.  I firmly believe he is the most underrated CB in the league.  He is big and can push around a lot of receivers.  He has decent speed.

If Mike Brown can stay healthy he can be on.  On the line Alex Brown and Adewale Ogunleye can also make a run at a Pro Bowl bid.

Another big test for the Panthers revamped offensive line.

Question 4:  Is see KR Devin Hester is now getting a prominent role in the offense after shining in the return, a route taken similar to that of the Panthers Steve Smith. Is Hester the next Steve Smith?

WCG: Hester actually did not play as much as one would have thought.  He only played about 20% of the offensive snaps.  A lot of that was because Forte was running so well.

I wouldn't go so far as to compare Hester and Steve Smith as receivers yet.  Hester probably has another 2 years before we really know what his true potential is.  This year he will catch a few and break them for long TDs, so you can see what he may be able to do, but he is still learning to play the position and he will have games where he won't be a factor in the receiving game.

This is an obvious understatement but the Panthers kick coverage unit will be tested by the best returner in the game. Here's where KO special Rhys Lloyd will be a weapon, keeping the ball out of his hands. Rookie FS Charles Godfrey will also have to make sure Hester doesn't get behind him in the passing game.

Question 5: Game plan-wise, what will that Panthers have to do to beat the Bears on Sunday? Prediction?

WCG: I'd like to see the Bears use the same game plan.  With Steve Smith out the Panthers lose the one guy who is fast enough to cause problems for that type of game.  Stop the run at all costs.  Rush the passer all day long.  No offense to Delhomme, but he isn't Manning, not even a rusty Manning.  He is much more likely to make a mistake.  Keep all recievers in front of them.  If Delhomme can do what Manning couldn't, then big ups on him.

The flipside of course is the Bears have to establish the run game.  If the Panthers can shut them down or limit them, we will see soon enough if Orton can win a game for us, but if the Bears can run the ball and stop the run, I'd put the odds in their favor, of course that same theory applies to every team.

You couldn't have expected me to actually pick against my team, right?  If the Bears play like they did against Indy, Bears win 24-14. Otherwie this is a pick em game.

The Panther defense matches up well with the Bears offense. If they can contain LT then they should be able to do the same against the Bears rushing attack. I'm sure the plan is to force Orton to beat them with his arm and force him into making mistakes. We have to keep tight coverage on the duel TE threat of Olsen and Clark.

On offense the Panthers need more of the same form last week. It will be harder to run on the Bears so another big game from Jake, Rosario and Moose will be needed. A little more from Jarrett & Hackett would be nice.