The Chicago Bears practiced Wednesday at Halas Hall to organize for Sunday’s sport in opposition to the Detroit Lions at Soldier Field.
Here are 4 issues we discovered from coach Matt Eberflus, quarterback Justin Fields and different gamers.
1. Fields was named NFC offensive participant of the week for his record-breaking efficiency Sunday in opposition to the Miami Dolphins.
Fields has been getting lots of acclaim nationally after throwing/ for 123 yards and three touchdowns and ran for 178 yards and a landing, breaking Michael Vick’s NFL single-game regular-season speeding file for a quarterback of 173 yards.
On Wednesday, Fields obtained extra reward from Eberflus, who was requested what has shocked him concerning the quarterback’s sport over the primary few months teaching him.
“You see some of those plays from the field level and watch what he does to pull away from people, I think that’s pretty special,” Eberflus mentioned. “He’s definitely lots sooner while you see it in particular person than I assumed, for positive. He’s sturdy. … I didn’t know the way sturdy he was when it comes to hanging within the pocket, with the ability to transfer guys off of him and have the ability to keep alive. Those are actually the 2 issues.
“I’ve said everything else about the guy. He’s uber smart and is running the offense well. He’s getting more comfortable, so that’s what we’re most excited about.”
Fields mentioned it was “an honor” to be named the NFC offensive participant of the week.
“I couldn’t have done it without my teammates and coaches,” Fields mentioned. “I’m not the type to get too high on one award. Just the same old me. I’m going come back to work today, practice hard with my guys and we’re just going to get better.”
2. Eberflus mentioned he was ‘a little bit taken (aback)’ when he heard the Indianapolis Colts fired Frank Reich and employed Jeff Saturday.
Eberflus labored because the defensive coordinator beneath Reich in Indianapolis for 4 seasons earlier than taking the Bears job.
Reich had three profitable seasons and two playoff appearances in his first 4 years with the Colts, however proprietor Jim Irsay fired him Monday in the midst of a 3-5 begin and main offensive struggles. Irsay then employed Saturday, the Colts’ former All-Pro heart and ESPN analyst, because the interim coach.
Eberflus declined to reply a query concerning the Colts hiring Saturday, who has no faculty or professional teaching expertise, however added, “I will say that I was a little bit taken (aback) by what happened there.”
“Frank’s a very good friend of mine,” Eberflus mentioned. “I really enjoyed my time with him. He certainly helped me professionally as a man, as a coach. And I can’t say enough good things about Frank Reich. I love him to death.”
Eberflus mentioned he additionally felt for different coaches and workers within the constructing whom he is aware of effectively, noting how he skilled a training change as an assistant when the Cleveland Browns fired Eric Mangini after the 2010 season.
“I was in that situation a little bit when I was back in Cleveland before I got hired with the Cowboys, so I know that feeling with the families,” Eberflus mentioned. “I know it’s hard, and my heart goes out to those guys and just hopefully they’ll have some wisdom and stay strong.”
3. When it involves enjoying time for rookie receiver Velus Jones Jr., Eberflus mentioned ‘we’re doing what’s finest for us.’
Jones, the Bears’ 2022 third-round choose, was a wholesome scratch Sunday following the addition of vast receiver Chase Claypool. Eberflus mentioned after the sport that the Bears determined to go with out Jones due to an even bigger want on their particular groups protection models. Jones already had misplaced his return job as a result of he muffed two punts.
Eberflus was requested Wednesday about whether or not the Bears wanted to play Jones to additional his progress.
“Certainly we look at that and we understand that,” Eberflus mentioned. “But we do that more in practice. For the game, we’re going to put the best guys up for the game to win that game.”
Along with the Claypool addition on the commerce deadline, the Bears have gotten more healthy within the vast receivers room, with N’Keal Harry getting back from injured reserve and Byron Pringle in his window to return from IR.
That has pushed Jones down the depth chart. Eberflus mentioned it stays a contest to get time.
“Do you know your job? Do you know your motions? Do you know how to block the point, when we’re running the ball on the perimeter and hustle on the back side?” Eberflus mentioned. “But then it comes down to being a playmaker. That position to me is a game-changer, playmaking position. And there’s a lot of competition in there, which is good for us.”
4. The Bears have been lacking two key defensive gamers at apply.
Defensive finish Al-Quadin Muhammad sat out Wednesday with a knee harm, whereas cornerback Kindle Vildor is recovering from an ankle harm he suffered in opposition to the Dolphins.
Safety Dane Cruikshank additionally sat out with sickness, and defensive again/particular teamer Josh Blackwell was restricted with a knee harm.
The Bears additionally opened the 21-day window for linebacker Matt Adams to return from IR. Adams has been out since Oct. 11 with a calf harm.
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Source: www.bostonherald.com