Bears left tackle John Tait will face his former team for the first time Sunday when the Kansas City Chiefs visit Soldier Field. The Bears understand the significance of having him rather than facing him.
“He’s critical,” Ron Turner, the Bears’ offensive coordinator, said of Tait. “You’ve got to have a guy there that?s solid, that you know you can count on that’s going to be there every game. And you look at the way he played in our first game. He was great.”
The last time the Bears beat the Chiefs it was for the right to sign Tait. That was in March of 2004, when Kansas City decided not to match the six-year, $35.5 million contract the Bears offered the restricted free agent, a contract that included a $14 million bonus. The Bears also staved off the Miami Dolphins, who put up more of a fight than the Chiefs.
That night, Tait expressed how he was happy that the Bears, “stepped up to the plate.” His performance thus far has the organization believing it hit a home run.
Tait won’t be in the spotlight Sunday and usually never is, but he and the entire line?and the entire offense, for that matter?will be under the microscope in Week 2.
Cedric Benson has to perform better. The receivers can?t afford to stop their routes. And Rex Grossman has to show better awareness after getting blasted in San Diego.
CHICAGO TRIBUNE
Mike Downey
I will welcome the offense when it shows up. Until then, Darwin Walker will step into Soldier Field’s defensive line and that’s probably an upgrade. Let’s see if he and the Bears can stuff Larry Johnson the same way they did LaDainian Tomlinson. Don’t go out for a beer or you might miss a field goal.
Bears 12, Chiefs 6
David Haugh
You don’t have to be a football genius to figure out any team with Damon Huard at quarterback is going to wilt against the Bears’ defense. Solving the Chiefs’ secondary should be elementary for Rex Grossman. And smart people know how much pressure is on Cedric Benson to produce– or else. The mental giants will outthink, outplay the Chiefs.
Bears 28, Chiefs 12
Melissa Isaacson
Still another measuring stick for the Bears, who are better at every position on paper except quarterback and running back. That shouldn’t be enough for the Chiefs, who were turnover-prone last week but then, uh, yeah, so are the Bears.
Bears 28, Chiefs 14
Vaughn McClure
Kansas City lost by 17 to Houston last week. Enough said. The Bears should have little trouble on either side of the ball. Rex Grossman will be on point. Cedric Benson gets his 100-plus yards.
Bears 27, Chiefs 13
Fred Mitchell
The Bears should be in control of this one, but don’t be surprised if it takes awhile to seal the deal. The Chiefs are reeling after a season-opening debacle and the Bears are expected to take care of business at home. Cedric Benson and Rex Grossman will be under the spotlight.
Bears 27, Chiefs 13
Rick Morrissey
The Bears are still stinging from the way the loss went down in San Diego, and the postgame dissing from the Chargers didn”t help. Poor, poor, pitiful K.C.
Bears 20, Chiefs 3
John Mullin
Mental midgets and soft tailbacks don’t take insults falling down and the Chiefs will pay for what San Diego said about the Bears. Lovie Smith delights in using disrespect as motivation. And if the Chargers thought they could get in Grossman’s head, what do you think the Bears’ D figures it can do to Damon Huard?
Bears 31, Chiefs 10
Dan Pompei
The Bears shouldn’t miss Mike Brown too much in this game, as the Chiefs offense has not developed a rhythm. Look for the mental midget and the soft running back to silence the critics for one week.
Bears 20, Chiefs 9
