The Bears are 0-3, and there isn’t much to like. This week’s “Film Study” looks at quarterback Jimmy Clausen’s struggles against the Seattle Seahawks, defensive end Jarvis Jenkins’ productive game and Seahawks tight Jimmy Graham’s 30-yard touchdown catch.
A close look at Clausen
It will be interesting to see what the Bears do at quarterback this week because Jimmy Clausen missed some opportunities despite having a run-heavy game plan.
The Bears’ pass protection held up fine, especially in the first half, though Clausen’s receivers struggled to get open quickly against the NFL’s best secondary. The Seahawks’ best rushes came on blitzes. On one, Clausen correctly threw the ball away.
Two of Clausen’s nine completions came on screen plays. Two of his best passes came on play action, including a 21-yarder to tight end Zach Miller, which accounted for 33 percent of Clausen’s passing yardage. Receiver Josh Bellamy had a bad drop on a third down.
Penalties put Clausen in some difficult third-down situations, but he also underthrew some passes. His worst miss was a wide-open Matt Forte on a wheel route on a third-and-4 from the Bears’ 26 in the first quarter. Instead, Clausen scrambled for a one-yard gain.
Defensive production
Defensive end Jarvis Jenkins was one of the Bears’ best players in Seattle, forming a nice tandem with outside linebacker Pernell McPhee.
Jenkins gave right guard J.R. Sweezy all sorts of problems in the first quarter, recording the Bears’ first and second sacks this season against him.
“We were always this close to getting sacks [in the first two weeks],” Jenkins said. “The thing about it was finishing.”
Jenkins also did that in the run game. He quickly broke through the line and tackled Marshawn Lynch for no gain on a third-and-short in the second quarter.
Man-coverage mismatch
Second-year safety Brock Vereen was in a losing situation at the snap during Seahawks tight end Jimmy Graham’s 30-yard touchdown reception in the third quarter.
Vereen was one of six defensive backs on the field for the third-and-5 play. He was in man coverage with Graham. Kyle Fuller, Alan Ball, Antrel Rolle, Adrian Amos and Tracey Porter also were in the secondary
Shea McClellin shadowed Russell Wilson, and Christian Jones covered running back Fred Jackson in the right flat. McPhee, Jenkins and Lamarr Houston provided the pass rush, which failed to move Wilson after his initial drop.
Vereen was leaning outside, when Graham cut to the middle, creating instant separation. Rookie safety Adrian Amos also was drifting outside as Wilson looked him off.
Vereen also failed to tackle Graham inside the 15-yard line. It was one of only three defensive snaps for Vereen in the game.
“I didn’t do my job,” Vereen said.
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Email: ajahns@suntimes.com
