Players to Watch - Week Three

Written by Chris Sullivan | 27 September 2009

Going to be a tough one today with all these injuries (it would be a tough one if everyone was healthy). Here's who I'm watching today:

1. Seneca Wallace - Obviously, Wallace needs to be better than okay. He needs to come out and own this team, prove that he is leading the offense today, and rely on his wide receivers, and use his mobility to keep the Bears at bay. Look for some deep shots downfield early and, if successful, possibly often. Seneca has a very good arm, and Holmgren generally did not use it. Will Mora / Knapp? I think so.
2. Brandon Mebane - He's back and, reportedly, healthy. Him and Cole need to contain Matt Forte and force Cutler to beat our secondary. Yes, we're injured in the secondary, but without Trufant we've still put together two great weeks (against two mediocre-at-best, QBs, true). Ken Lucas is also expected to play.
3. Cory Redding / Patrick Kerney - These are two veteran leaders of this football team, and neither one of them has really sparkled yet. Redding has been solid, but not great, while Kerney has... not been either, really. The defensive ends are going to need to put a lot of pressure on Cutler, and it starts with these two. Tapp and LoJack will get a lot of playing time today too.
4. T.J. Houshmandzadeh - Put up or shut up time for Housh. His comments this week about Hasselbeck were absurd and he's going to feel a cascade of fans turning away from him if he doesn't start living up to his salary. I think he can. If Wallace can't consistently find him today, the question marks are going to start following before much longer. 100 yards and TD or bust.
5. David Hawthorne - The Heater earns his roster spot today. Can he control the defense like Lofa? No, but can he control it? Yes, I think he can run this D. He needs to be successful on his blitzes and stout in the run game. All three LBs absolutely must tackle well. Very well. Very, very well.

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