Bears, Cardinals try to hit positive note before regular season begins

LAKE FOREST, Ill. -- The Chicago Bears have high expectations after a surprising run to the playoffs last season, but their first-team offense is scoreless heading into tonight's preseason game against the Arizona Cardinals.

The Bears hope to get what they think will be an improved offense going.

Maybe having a healthy Thomas Jones, who rushed for more than 1,300 yards last season, will free up some passing lanes for Grossman this week.

"Whenever you get a player back like Thomas Jones, it should help," coach Lovie Smith said. "We're getting closer to having the guys we'll play the season with."

Chicago made the playoffs with one of the NFL's stingiest defenses, arguably the best offensive line and a good running game. The Bears also had an offense that ranked 29th, mainly because of an anemic passing game.

The Cardinals have high expectations, too, after a busy offseason.

They have a new stadium, a new running back (Edgerrin James) and drafted a Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback (Matt Leinart).

The Cardinals are coming off a 30-3 loss to New England.

"I think our first-team offense and defense had a chance to play well, but they weren't in much, just a few plays, particularly on offense," Cardinals coach Dennis Green said. "So we never really got a chance to get going."

Actually, quarterback Kurt Warner and most of the starters played nearly the entire first half against the Patriots but managed just 113 yards. James had 5 yards on two attempts against the Patriots, after rushing twice for minus-2 yards against Pittsburgh the previous week, and is not expected to carry the ball much this week.

-- The Associated Press