The Chicago Bears resumed apply Wednesday as they put together for Sunday’s sport on the Cleveland Browns.
Along with defensive finish Yannick Ngakoue happening injured reserve, listed here are three issues we heard from coach Matt Eberflus and his gamers.
1. Bears quarterback Justin Fields stated he talks to officers about looking for late hits earlier than each sport.
Late hits on Fields have been a subject of dialog all through his three seasons within the NFL, and it got here up once more in Week 14 after Detroit Lions linebacker Jack Campbell hit Fields late after the quarterback slid down following a 1-yard run Sunday.
It occurred on the primary play of the sport, regardless of Fields speaking to officers about it so they’d hold a watch out for his security, he stated.
“Especially when we play the Lions, I know how they play, I know what kind of team they are,” Fields stated. “So I know that they’re going to play hard and play until the end of the play. I always tell them (the officials) that I’m not trying to take any hits. I get down pretty fast. Just look out for me if they see any late hits. I’m going to try to get down. I’m not going to try to do anything sneaky like any fake slides or whatever.”
Eberflus stated Monday he tries to be lively with the refs in addressing the subject and added he would ship in a few performs to the league for evaluate. Safety Jaquan Brisker adopted by making feedback that different groups are “being told to do dirty stuff” to Fields.
Fields stated Wednesday: “I don’t know what other teams are saying or what other coaches are saying to their teams.”
Fields normally doesn’t have time to talk with officers following a play to see why he didn’t get a name, he stated, so he simply strikes on to the following play.
“It’s just kind of frustrating, but not really astonishing because it happens a lot,” Fields stated.
2. Bears kicker Cairo Santos stated the NFL holding a sport in Brazil is “a dream come true.”
The NFL introduced Wednesday that it’ll maintain its first sport in South America in 2024 at Corinthians Arena in Sao Paulo, Brazil. The league hasn’t introduced which groups will play, however Bears kicker Cairo Santos hopes he will be there.
Santos, who’s the primary Brazilian-born participant to look in an NFL sport, stated he talked to quite a lot of excited folks at residence Wednesday.
“Everyone is kind of hoping the same as I am, that it’s the Bears next year playing there,” stated Santos, who may very well be in consideration for a contract extension to stick with the Bears this offseason. “If not, I’m going to find a way to be there. I’ll have to talk to Coach ‘Flus to give me a day off or something. I have to be there and just make it happen because it’s a day history is being made for sure.”
The Bears haven’t performed a world sport since 2019 in London. They have worldwide advertising rights beneath the NFL’s Global Markets Program in Spain, which is into account to host a 2025 worldwide sport. The Miami Dolphins are the one workforce with worldwide advertising rights in Brazil.
The NFL will maintain three video games in London and one other in Germany in 2024.
The NFL stated Brazil is residence to its second-largest worldwide fan base behind Mexico. Santos, who began enjoying American soccer as a highschool trade pupil in Florida after which performed at Tulane, has seen “tremendous growth” in that curiosity over his 10 years within the league.
Santos stated he will get acknowledged in Brazil greater than within the U.S. and has made appearances at malls there which have drawn lots of of followers. He additionally receives messages from followers saying they’re rooting for standard groups in Brazil — the Green Bay Packers, San Francisco 49ers, New England Patriots or Dallas Cowboys to call just a few — but in addition for Santos to make all of his kicks.
“It’s not (originally) part of our culture,” Santos stated. “It’s a complete different type of sport. It’s played more with hands than feet. But it is something that Brazilians have become fanatic about, and I’m so proud that (their) dream is coming true.”
Santos thinks the NFL, which is gearing as much as host as many as eight worldwide video games in 2025, might be drawn to the Brazilian fan base.
“Their passion for the sport — to have a Brazilian and now to have a game in Brazil — it’s something I think the NFL is going to fall in love with,” Santos stated.
3. Bears extensive receiver DJ Moore missed apply with an ankle damage.
Moore tweaked his ankle in opposition to the Lions however performed by it. He was current at apply however didn’t take part. Wide receiver Equanimeous St. Brown, who’s week-to-week with a pectoral damage, additionally was out. Linebacker Dylan Cole missed the apply for private causes. Safety Jaquan Brisker (groin) was restricted.
The Browns, in the meantime, had 11 gamers who didn’t apply: Defensive ends Myles Garrett (relaxation/shoulder) and Ogbo Okoronkwo (pectoral), defensive deal with Jordan Elliott (concussion), extensive receiver Amari Cooper (relaxation/ribs), operating again Kareem Hunt (groin), tight finish David Njoku (relaxation/knee), linebacker Anthony Walker (relaxation/knee), offensive linemen Joel Bitonio (relaxation/knee) and Ethan Pocic (stinger), security Juan Thornhill (calf) and kicker Dustin Hopkins (private).
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Source: www.bostonherald.com