Al Afalava, strong safety

The rookie sixth-round draft pick who played for Kahuku High and Oregon State started at strong safety because of Danieal Manning’s hamstring injury, forcing Kevin Payne to slide over to free safety. Afalava excels in the box, and that strength near the line of scrimmage showed. He made sure tackles and it didn’t look like the speed of the game fazed him. Physically, he already fits, and his awareness should only get better. If he continues to improve, it could allow the Bears to shift Manning back to nickel back.
Kellen Davis, tight end
The second-year player showed improved blocking from his rookie year as well as soft hands. On a second-quarter reception from Caleb Hanie, Davis dragged a couple of defenders with him the way good tight ends do. He started in a two-tight end set because Greg Olsen sat out with a hip injury, and he has moved ahead of free-agent signee Michael Gaines as the team’s third tight end.
Caleb Hanie, quarterback
No, Hanie cannot fumble the ball when rushed as he did late in the second quarter. But as he did during exhibition action last year, Hanie flashed the ability to keep plays alive with good feet and a strong arm on the run. His third-quarter touchdown pass was just one example. Just as the Bears shouldn’t overreact to a bad night from Cutler, a good night from Hanie only makes it necessary for him to do it again Saturday and prove he can be consistente.