There were a lot of plays and players that stood out in the BEARS 1st preseason outing against the Tennessee Titans. A lot of it good, some of it bad and a little was ugly. It’s really easy to nit pick a preseason game especially the 1st one. You normally don’t want to get too high or too low during preseason games because they’re merely a dress rehearsal for the REAL THING. The BEARS, however, did answer a few questions fans had going into this contest and left us looking for answers in other areas. Let’s get to it…
We’ve been keeping a close eye on all the practices for a variety of reasons. How does Justin Fields look in year 2 of Luke Getsy’s system? How will this retooled offensive line protect him? How is Fields chemistry developing with newly acquired DJ Moore? Will this defense be able to generate more pressure on the opposing QB and force more takeaways? Will Velus Jones shake off the “dropsies” in the punt return game? How will the rookies fare? The BEARS got answers to most of these questions in their win over the Titans and look to go into joint practices with the Indianapolis Colts this week, before preseason game number 2 this Saturday, hoping to build on the many positives they displayed.
Let’s start with the good… Fields was only on the field for 7 plays but didn’t waste anytime answering the chemistry question with him and Moore. On Moore’s only target he hauled in a Fields screen pass, made a cut and followed solid blocks by Tackle Braxton Jones and Receiver Darnell Mooney and took it 62 yards to the house. Fields stat line for his short day of work was 3-3, 129 yds and 2 TDs (his 2nd TD came on another impressive screen pass to Khalil Herbert who raced 56 yds to the house). The Herbert screen was impressive because Fields had to wait a hair to let a defender rushing right at him clear a throwing lane. Herbert snagged the 3rd down pass and raced up the sideline behind Center Cody Whitehair and Guard Ja’Tyre Carter to pay dirt. Fields got the ball out his hands quickly on all 3 pass attempts and kept his jersey clean in the process. Fields day was over after the Herbert score and rightfully so. If this a taste of what BEARS fans have to look forward to from this passing attack, LOOK OUT!
The good didn’t stop there as the BEARS defense came to play! Playing without starters Tremaine Edmunds, Yannick Ngakuoe, DeMarcus Walker and Jaquan Brisker, the defense mounted 8 sacks and 4 takeaways. Rookie Cornerback Tyrique Stephenson had an impressive preseason debut racking up 7 solid tackles and a pass break up he should have squeezed in for an interception. Nevertheless, the 2nd round pick from Miami showed the physical style of play he was known for in college and was part of the reason the BEARS drafted him. Other rookies that impressed on defense were Defensive Tackle Zaach Pickens (who notched a sack and a fumble recovery), Defensive Tackle Travis Bell (.5 sack) and Safety Bralen Trahan with a game sealing interception late. A big question in BEARS camp is who has the upper hand in the backup Safety competition? AJ Thomas, Adrian Colbert and Bralen Trahen all threw their names in the hat forcing turnovers this past Sunday. Some rookies shined on the offensive side of the ball as well more notably Running Back Roschon Johnson, Tackle Darnell Wright and Quarterback Tyson Bagent (who is battling veteran Nathan Peterman for the 3rd QB spot). Special Teams had clean operations on 3 Cairo Santos field goals (from 28, 29 and 49 yds) and the defense pitched a shut out in the 2nd half.
Now let’s cover the bad… A few of the rookies we’ve been watching and wanting to hear from didn’t have the games they wanted, I’m sure. Defensive Tackle Gervon Dexter Sr. didn’t have the impact he was hoping to have as he struggled keeping his pad level down. Fellow rookie Wide Receiver Tyler Scott fumbled after making a 9 yd reception though he did handle a few kickoffs cleanly. Veteran backup QB PJ Walker threw an interception on a long pass intended for receiver Equanimeous St. Brown on a pass I’m sure he wanted back. Believe it or not, this is where the bad ends for the BEARS in this ball game. You’d expect some hiccups in the 1st preseason game but the team was presented with a lot of valuable game situations and scenarios that they handled pretty well for the most part.
Now, we cover the ugly. This is ugly because it’s almost a carry over of a problem that might have cost the BEARS a few wins last year. There is no question that 2nd year Wide Receiver/Punt Returner is a talented player. The BEARS used a 3rd round pick in last year’s draft on the speedy playmaker and former SEC special teams player of the year out of Tennessee. In camp he seemed to have been getting a handle on securing punts and was looking to turn the corner and take a step forward in the return game. Unfortunately, the woes that plagued him securing punts last year reared it’s ugly head against the Titans. Jones muffed a punt he more than likely should’ve let bounce. This comes down to decision making and knowing when you can make a play and when to let the ball bounce and live for another play. I just hope this doesn’t make his confidence plummet and sends him on a tailspin that ultimately can lead to him not making the team. The BEARS are definitely deeper at receiver than a year ago and if Jones can’t do one of the things he was drafted to do (return punts) I’m not sure where he fits on this team? It would be a shame to see a 3rd round pick cut in just his 2nd year? It would also be a drag to see him go somewhere else, get his act together and become the player you envisioned him being in ANOTHER team’s uniform (gasp). This is the situation the BEARS are faced with. Hopefully Jones has a great week of practice and puts all of this behind him in time for preseason game number 2 against Indy. Special Teams coach Richard Hightower has always preached that the MOST important thing about being a punt returner is catching the ball FIRST! You can’t gain yards or score WITHOUT the ball??? Maintaining possession of the ball is job number ONE. Veteran Dante Pettis is no doubt still hanging around as a security blanket in case the BEARS have to do the inevitable (cut Jones). Rookies Tyler Scott and Tyrique Stephenson may even get a crack at returning punts against Indy (just to see what they’ve got)? The BEARS would like to sort this out sooner rather than later because losing games THIS year because of muffed punts could cost them a chance to win the division or just as important a playoff spot?
The BEARS gave us glimpses of things they may have shored up from last season and help propel them upward in their climb from last year’s basement finish in their division. We’ll see if they take a few steps forwards this week in their joint practices and next preseason game against the Colts…
OFF THE WIRE…
BEARS pick up former starting Falcons Linebacker Mykal Walker (12 starts 107 tackles, 1 sack, 2 INTs in 2022) and release LB Kuony Deng to make room for Walker… The BEARS are taking full advantage of being 1st up in the waiver order and have made their 3rd claimed player this month (Bravvion Roy (DT) and Logan Stenberg (OL) were the other two).
Welcome to the Sportzfam 