Back at rookie minicamp in May, offensive line coach Dave Magazu hinted at changes within the Bears’ blocking scheme this fall, saying, “We’ve changed offensively a little bit.” He deferred follow-up questions about what the changes were specifically, saying that the answers would reside in the tape.



Through two preseason games, it’s evident that the Bears will be using a zone-based run-blocking scheme this fall.



That’s not to say the Bears didn’t use some zone-blocked run schemes last year. They did. However, once Kyle Long slid outside to right tackle, they were forced to play with limited athletes at guard – Matt Slauson, Vladimir Ducasse and Patrick Omameh. Consequently, they leaned heavily on man and drive-blocked run schemes, which typically left second-level defenders (linebackers) unblocked to read, react and attack downhill.



However, against the Patriots, all but one of the Bears’ first quarter...