What to watch for Thursday--the secondary
By Brad Biggs
on August 27, 2008 6:18 AM | Permalink | Comments (9) | TrackBacks (0)

Typically, there's not much that you can call riveting viewing in a fourth preseason game. I've always said if you've got season tickets, cross your fingers that the third preseason game is at Soldier Field. At least you get to attend (or sell your seats) a game that has some semblance of a regular-season affair.

That being said, the preseason finale against Cleveland at the end of the summer in 2005 carried at least some interest. It marked the first start for rookie Kyle Orton after Chad Hutchinson had bombed out following Rex Grossman's broken ankle.

Worth watching when the Bears take the field Thursday night at Cleveland will be how the secondary is deployed. Don't expect the first-team units to be on the field long, but Danieal Manning made it known change is in the air when he was asked about the departure of Ricky Manning Jr., the former nickel back.

"Right now they are moving some stuff around,'' Danieal Manning said. ``They said they are going to try something different. Some stuff might change.''

Brandon McGowan is the only member of the secondary with any experience as a nickel cornerback. It's a hybrid linebacker/defensive back position and he's stout vs. the run. He figures to take over there with Danieal Manning getting nudged aside in his bid to replace Ricky Manning Jr., who happens to be a distant cousin. That would allow the Bears to get Kevin Payne on the field at strong safety.

More compelling will be whether or not the change at strong safety in the nickel defense carries over to the base defense and Payne replaces McGowan there. Don't rule it out. Coach Lovie Smith is high on Payne and he split time against San Francisco with the first team. How things shake out in the defensive backfield will be interesting.

Looks like I need to go into damage control mode, I have McGowan, K Phillips, Mikell and Doughty as my 4 Ss. Doughty now looks like the best bet to play week 1. I am SOL if one of the others doesnt start. What an awful feeling to have before the season starts.

We talked about this on the podcast tonight. I'm very interested to see what's meant by "nickel back".

August 27, 2008, 14:46
Bears :: DB

Bears Look To Switch Things Up In Secondary
Brad Biggs, Chicago Sun-Times - [Full Article]

Danieal Manning is no longer the primary nickel back for the Chicago Bears. and the only player with experience in the role is DB Brandon McGowan. Biggs speculates that logic dictates he'll take over there, allowing DB Kevin Payne to step in at strong safety. McGowan and Payne split time at strong safety last week against San Francisco.

Danieal Manning never was the primary nickel back for the Chicago Bears. Ricky Manning Jr., was and he was just cut. This roto blurb is confusing the Mannings and that's confusing everything. The comedic irony is that Danieal Manning probably is the primary nickel back now. I have no idea why they're muddling Kevin Payne and Brandon McGowan in talks of the nickel back, who will be a corner, or in Danieal's case, a tweener. Nevertheless... I'm pretty sure that quote without a link was flawed.

That's my take anyway.

eta: googled for more and wth, I have no idea what is going on here. It doesn't make sense but it is corroborated. I'm very doubtful that McGowan is going to be a nickel back, whatever that is.

Top 5 safety IDP??? Ummm not from the bench! Ouch!

This Payne guy gonna ball??? Will he hold onto the job?

What u guys think?

Bears | McGowan demoted
Fri, 29 Aug 2008 01:55:26 -0700

Brad Biggs, of the Chicago Sun-Times, reports Chicago Bears SS Brandon McGowan has been demoted and is no longer the starting strong safety.

Bears | Payne to start at strong safety
Fri, 29 Aug 2008 01:51:00 -0700

Brad Biggs, of the Chicago Sun-Times, reports the Chicago Bears have promoted SS Kevin Payne to starting strong safety.

I'd like to hear this from someone other than Brad Biggs, namely a Bears coach. McGowan has looked great in each game, and Payne has been pedestrian at best. Did anyone see him blow contain in this last Cleveland game, letting Jerome ####### Harrison score on a toss play? Pathetic. This is stupid.

The team has already been back to the drawing board, making changes and at least considering others. Kevin Payne, who started in place of Brown, has been made the starting strong safety over Brandon McGowan.

''I'm just happy I got an opportunity to go out there and show what I can do,'' Payne said. ''Now I am just ready to go out and help the team. It's a blessing to be able to start.''

Danieal Manning never was the primary nickel back for the Chicago Bears. Ricky Manning Jr., was and he was just cut. This roto blurb is confusing the Mannings and that's confusing everything. The comedic irony is that Danieal Manning probably is the primary nickel back now.

"We haven't necessarily locked it in," said Bears coach Lovie Smith.

"Around Wednesday or so we'll kind of come out with our starting lineup. Both guys will play a lot for us, I'll say that. Both will be on the field at some point."

Anyone have any new news here? The Bears website has McGowan ahead. Is this a new decision, or an outdated website?

Any further updates on this? This is vital for me, thanks.

Well I lost. Payne and Greenwodd killed me. I saw nothing of Payne last night except him getting excited when Briggs scored the TD. I saw a big missed tackle and not much of anything else. Brutal.

Gamebook said starters were SS 44 K.Payne and S 36 B.McGowan.
Mike Brown came in later as S.