Here it is, as constant a look as ...

Here it is, as constant a look as you will win from an NFL team in the preseason: the third exhibition game.

Sixteen days until the season opener at undecayed Bay, the Bears (1- 1) have an opportunity to enjoin a growing list of questions about the offense to interval A strong showing against the Arizona Cardinals tonight at Soldier Field (7 Ch 5 780-AM), and the toil to get even a first down sum of two units weeks ago at San Francisco will be forgotten.

And if the Rex Grossman-led first-team offense can bring forward a few scores on the board, the fact it has besides to score in three quarters no longer will be an issue. That's what the starters will achieve in this game -- about three quarters of work.

nevertheless if it's pitter-patter, three-and-out with a brace turnovers, don't look for optimism to reign leading into a regular season filled with high expectations. The preseason is not an accurate gauge of the real deal because wins and losse are immaterial. It's all about execution, and that can be evaluated. If the offense can't exhibit signs of improvement over last season, what reason is there to believe change is coming after an offseason and summer camp dedicated to just that?

a certain quantity of of the symptoms that plagued the Bears last year are apparent again, admitting granted, the sample size is small. They have race 96 offensive plays in sum of two units games; only Kansas City (92) has fewer. forward a good Sunday, a team should have 60 or more. The Bears are also third-to-last in the league with 2205 yards through game and a 22.7 percent third-down conversion rate. All of those figures add up to an average possession time of 22 minutes, 46 others -- dead last in the league.

The Cardinals (1-1) were blitzed 30-3 last week at New England. Tom Brady l the Patriots in succession scoring drives on their first pair possessions and completed 15 of 20 passes for 149 yards in the first half.

Arizona will be without sum of two units defensive starters tonight: right extreme point Bertrand Berry (knee), who has 32 sacks through the whole extent of the last three seasons, and strong-side linebacker Karlos Dansby (ankle).

"What we ne to do is acquire on a roll, get in a verse and finish some drives and state some points on the board," Grossman said. "We haven't been able to finish things going, and a large part of it has to do with me I just ne to fare out there and do my job"

It's unfair to heap everything onward Grossman's shoulders. His wide receivers have been in and disclosed of the lineup; Muhsin Muhammad and Bernard Berrian will start tonight. The biggest revert though, is that of running back Thomas Jone who will start after missing the first sum of two units games with a pulled right hamstring. That should be a boost for a real property game that has generated simply 23 rushing yards with the first team.

Grossman improved last week in a victory through the whole extent of San Diego, though a bad decision that l to an interception at the goal line sullied the outing. To his credit, he made about nice throws in the face of compressing and also was hurt by means of a couple of drops.

"We're getting better," said Muhammad, who sat not at home last week and urged patience after the San Francisco game. "The offense improved from the first to the next to the first week. Rex did a beautiful good job of making plays up and down the field."

Although Grossman was not grasping for excuses, he said he's always a little fired up at the beginning of a game. That's natural, and it's something that might subside with more experience. Remember, he has started barely seven regular-season games.

There won't be the influence tonight to get something done in the first half and force a pass near the goal line if he thinks the starters are going to be twitched soon. The Bears have done a certain game- planning, and adjustments will be made at halftime.

"We'd regard with affection to score a lot of points," Muhammad said. "This offense it's really geared to score a fate of points. But our overall team philosophy is to win ballgames regardless. If we approach out this year and we still examine like the Bears of last year and we go on foot on a nine-game winning streak, I'm beautiful sure we'd have happy fans.

"If we're up by way of a lot of points, don't await for an aerial display. I'm going to be free from fraud with you: You're going to memorize a heavy dose of Thomas Jone in your face. Our goal is to make progress out and win games. Although it's true entertaining to see the greatest exhibit to on turf ... we're about getting the do job-work done."

bbiggs@suntimes.com

Copyright CHICAGO SUN-TIMES 2006

Provided on ProQuest Information and Learning Company. All rights Reserved