FRISCO, Texas -- Here are my two marquee matchups for the Week 3 primetime matchup against Chicago.
Dallas Cowboys WR Dez Bryant vs. Chicago Bears CB Jacoby Glenn
Jacoby Glenn might not be a household name for most fans that follow the NFL, but when you study the Bears defensively on film – you notice him.
He has been the Bears' starter at left cornerback for the first two weeks of the season. He played as a field corner while at Central Florida and would go all over the place to cover his man. You see some of that with the Bears. He is not afraid to stick his nose in on the tackle, and he is aggressive despite his lack of bulk.
He puts himself in position to makes plays. Played a ton of zone coverage in college but is adapting well to life in the NFL when he has to carry a man in route. Glenn plays with awareness. He makes nice reads to come off his man and carry receivers up the slot. He has also shown quickness for the Bears. Poor timed speed (4.65), he but plays much faster than that on tape.
Glenn can knock the ball away when he gets in position. Can play the ball in the air -- not afraid to battle. Reads quickly. Had a knack for getting turnovers while in college. Has the ability to get his hand in there to knock ball away. This is one of those players that has some "Right Place, Right Time" to him.
All of that said, he will have to be ready for Bryant and his ability to run those inside routes. I can see him being far more aggressive dealing with Bryant than what we saw from Bashaud Breeland in the Washington game. This is a hard guy to run away from. There are going to be some tight window throws if they go to Bryant in this game with him in coverage.
Dallas Cowboys DT Terrell McClain vs. Chicago Bears C Cody Whitehair
This is a really nice matchup between two up-and-coming players for their respective squads.
McClain, through two games, has been outstanding in the way he has played to this point. He has been the most consistent player along the defensive line -- against both the run and the pass. He's been active and difficult for opponents to block. McClain has won more than his share of battles one-on-one.
This week he will face a blocker in Cody Whitehair that has shown the ability to handle his style of play. Whitehair played tackle at Kansas State and during the draft process was projected to play inside at guard. Personally, I did not project him to play center, but that's where the Bears have him. When you study his game you see a player that moves easily. There are times where he tends to get a little straight-legged, but it doesn't affect his ability to adjust in space. He has movement skills and is light on his feet. It's rare to see him on the ground.
He has improved on his ability to punch sooner and has done a better job of slowing his man down. He can hold his man in position along the line. Doesn't get knocked back. Takes defenders where they want to go in the running game. Stays in position on block. Has done a nice job of handling the middle for the Bears. He has also worked well with veteran guards Josh Sitton and Kyle Long.
I will be interested to see how he handles the quickness of Terrell McClain off the snap.
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