Emptying the Week 1 notebook: An edge for Glennon and a snap count for McPhee?

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Mike Glennon went through four game weeks preparing for the Atlanta Falcons’ defense while backing up Jameis Winston with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers over the last two years, and threw 11 passes against the eventual NFC champions last November. He’s prepared for the Falcons eight times, total, in his career. 

Can that give Glennon somewhat of an edge heading into Sunday’s game?

“I came in with already some knowledge of them,” Glennon said, “better than I would opponents in the NFC North because I’ve game-planned them and studied them multiple times over the past couple years.”

The Falcons have a new defensive coordinator — Marquand Manuel — but promoted him from within the coaching staff to replace Richard Smith. The concepts of the defense likely will remain similar to what was on tape the last few years.

This may or may not matter, but the Bears will need Glennon — who Pro Football Focus had 30th in its starting quarterback rankings — to have any edge he can get on Sunday. 

Is Pernell McPhee in the best shape of his life?

That’s what strength and conditioning coach Jason George said about McPhee, according to coach John Fox. But defensive coordinator Vic Fangio wasn’t buying it. 

“I heard from our medical training staff that he’s in the best shape of his life, then I hear that he can only play so-and-so many snaps,” Fangio said. “Take everything with a grain of salt that you hear from those people.”

McPhee was listed as questionable on the Bears’ final injury report released Friday and was a limited participant in practice this week. In talking with the media Thursday, McPhee wouldn’t guarantee he’ll play Sunday against the Atlanta Falcons (“it’s in God’s hands,” he said). 

But it’s seemed increasingly likely that McPhee will play Week 1, despite missing the entire preseason after being placed on the PUP list before training camp began. If he does play, though, he’ll likely be on a snap count — as Fangio alluded to — while rotating with Willie Young and Leonard Floyd. 

Having McPhee back would be a boost to an outside linebacker group needing depth. But would it be fair for the Bears to expect McPhee to immediately be the guy who had five sacks in his first seven games with the Bears in 2015?

“Probably not,” Fangio said. 

Off the bubble and onto the field

With Prince Amukamara doubtful for Sunday, expect Kyle Fuller to start at cornerback against the Falcons’ high-powered passing attack. It’ll be a major test for Fuller, who will be a free agent after the season following the Bears’ decision in the spring to not pick up his fifth-year option. 

Fuller entered camp squarely on the Bears’ roster bubble, but played relatively well when given opportunities to fill in for a banged-up Amukamara. 

“I think we’re aware of his ability, but getting him back healthy’s been a real plus for our defense,” coach John Fox said. “I think I’m excited to watch him play Sunday.”

The Bears’ secondary as a whole is a question mark heading into the season with new starters at every position — Fuller, Marcus Cooper, Quintin Demps and Eddie Jackson. For all the optimism about what the front seven can do, this unit will have to hold up on Sunday for the Bears to contain an Atlanta offense that led the NFL in scoring last year. 

Somebody hit somebody

Danny Trevathan hasn’t been listed on the Bears’ injury report this week and, nine and a half months after rupturing the patellar tendon in his (left?) knee, is likely to start at inside linebacker on Sunday. He didn't appear in a preseason game but traveled to Tennessee and dressed for the Bears' third preseason game, which was a good indicator of where he stood in his recovery process. 

Trevathan’s return to the Bears’ lineup adds some speed to a front seven that looked impressive without him during the preseason. But personally for Trevathan, getting back on the field and making a play after such a serious injury will be meaningful. 

“That first tackle come Sunday is going to be very special,” Trevathan said. “It’s going to be good. I’m just looking forward and I thank God for the opportunity to come back out here.”

Could Adam Shaheen be among the inactives?

While Mitchell Trubisky, Tarik Cohen and Eddie Jackson all impressed over the last few weeks, Adam Shaheen faded into the background. He looked great during OTAs and minicamp — without pads on — but struggled to make an impact during games and live-contact portions of practice. 

Fox framed Shaheen’s quiet preseason as normal for a rookie tight end, and he’s not wrong about that. But with Zach Miller and Dion Sims atop the tight end depth chart, and Daniel Brown contributing on plenty of special teams units (so has Shaheen, to be fair) it wouldn’t be too surprising if the second-round pick were among the inactive players on Sunday. 

“I think the transition to the pro game for tight ends, particularly in the blocking part of it, I think is an adjustment for all tight ends,” Fox said. “I’ve seen a lot of them come through and that’s usually kind of the last thing that kind of comes. But I like his progress and I think things have slowed down for him. Obviously, going from Ashland to the NFL is a little bit of a jump. And then in games I think it does take time to adjust like it does with all rookies.”

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