Week 1 of the 2011 NFL pre-season is underway and the Bears are set to take the field Saturday Night. Chicago will start off the pre-season at Soldier Field against the Buffalo Bills. Playing in front of the home crowd is monumental for three reasons…

Bears family night was cancelled due to poor field conditions at Soldier Field. This annual event provides Bear fans with an opportunity to watch the team scrimmage on Soldier Field. This occurring just 1 week before the pre-season opener at Soldier Field, led many fans to scoff at the idea, that a game would be played there on time vs the Bills.

Fans will be able to see the aura that surrounds undrafted free agent WR Dane Sanzenbacher in person.

Gone are the days that our back-up quarterback is completely terrible. After an impressive showing in the NFC Championship game, many fans are excited to see Caleb Hanie look like Joe Montana against Buffalo’s 2nd and 3rd team scrubs.

5 Things to Watch For

1.) Running Back Battle between Marion Barber & Chester Taylor.

At the start of the off-season there were rumors circulating that the Bears intended to release Chester Taylor. After investing in the RB to possibly compete with Forte, he fell extremely short of that goal. Taylor was paid good money and fans didn’t believe he earned even half of it with his play on the field. Despite the Bears denying rumors they intended to release Chester Taylor, they decided to sign FA RB Marion Barber. Marion “The BarBEARian” Barber is a ferocious runner but many believe he has lost a step. He’ll forever be famous for his 2 yard against the Patriots. If we can get a fraction of that violent running from his glory years in Dallas, Chester will be out of a job.

2.) WR Dane Sanzenbacher, 2011 training camp legend?