After the Chicago Bears’ mini-bye weekend, coaches met with gamers Tuesday at Halas Hall to debate their particular person six-game evaluations. They addressed the basics and strategies every participant wants to wash up as they look forward to Monday evening’s street sport in opposition to the New England Patriots.
On the offensive aspect, there have been many areas of enchancment to debate for a staff averaging 293.7 yards and 15.5 factors per sport — each figures within the backside 5 within the league.
Here’s the Tribune’s evaluation of the nice and dangerous on the Bears offense over the primary six weeks.
What’s working
The operating sport is likely one of the few areas of the offense that has constantly labored.
The Bears are second within the NFL with 170.8 speeding yards per sport and seventh with 5.2 speeding yards per play.
Khalil Herbert leads the way in which with 63 carries for 403 yards (6.4 yards per carry) and three touchdowns. Quarterback Justin Fields has 54 carries for 282 yards and a landing. And David Montgomery has 62 carries for 246 yards and a landing — plus 10 catches for 113 yards — giving the Bears a number of choices on the bottom.
“We’re just going to go with the hot hand,” coach Matt Eberflus mentioned of the steadiness between utilizing Herbert and Montgomery. “Whoever’s hot right there, we’re going to stay with him and go from there.”
Fields has made some dynamic performs along with his ft, recent in thoughts the 39-yard scramble late in opposition to the Washington Commanders that introduced the Bears to the 5-yard line.
The neatest thing that may be mentioned of the passing sport is that the numbers have improved considerably from an abysmal begin. Over the final three video games, Fields accomplished 40 of 70 passes for 572 yards with two touchdowns, an interception and an 87.3 passer ranking.
That features a stable efficiency within the second half of the loss to the Minnesota Vikings through which Fields helped lead the Bears again from an 18-point second-quarter deficit to take the lead. It additionally features a fairly 40-yard landing go to Dante Pettis within the loss to the Commanders.
And Fields confirmed spectacular toughness in taking part in via some massive hits in opposition to the Commanders.
What’s not
Let’s begin with Fields, whose 54.8% completion charge is among the many worst within the NFL. He’s tied for fourth with 5 interceptions. And among the many gamers with at the very least 5 interceptions, solely Patriots quarterback Mac Jones has fewer landing passes than Fields’ 4. (Jones has two and New Orleans Saints quarterback Jameis Winston additionally has 4, each in three video games.)
Fields and the Commanders’ Carson Wentz are the most-sacked quarterbacks within the NFL, every taking place 23 instances.
According to NFL Next Gen Stats, Fields’ minus-10.7 completion proportion above expectation is the second-worst amongst starters with at the very least 45 makes an attempt, behind Baker Mayfield’s minus-11.7 for the Carolina Panthers.
Situationally, after the Bears went 0-for-3 within the pink zone in opposition to the Commanders, they rank twenty eighth with a 46.67% red-zone proportion and thirty first in goal-to-go proportion at 42.86%.
All of these numbers are a product of numerous issues with the Bears offense. That consists of, at instances, anxious play and inaccuracy on Fields’ half. And it’s truthful to place the play-calling of first-year offensive coordinator Luke Getsy below the microscope.
The blame for the 23 sacks and frequent strain falls partially on an offensive line that’s creating rookie left sort out Braxton Jones and two second-year gamers in proper guard Teven Jenkins and proper sort out Larry Borom. The Bears additionally needed to change their plans when heart Lucas Patrick’s hand damage prevented him from snapping early within the season and left guard Cody Whitehair went out with a knee damage.
However, ESPN Analytics not too long ago put the Bears’ go blocking win charge at 68%, and Next Gen Stats has Fields’ common time to throw at 3.03 seconds. That’s among the many longest within the NFL and a stat that may be a product of many elements, together with Fields taking too lengthy to course of or not discovering open receivers.
“We all know we are improving there, but pass protection is everybody, right?” Eberflus mentioned. “It’s not only the offensive line, it’s the tight ends, it’s the running backs, it’s the quarterback. … Pass protection is always going to be all 11 of them, and we will improve on that.”
The inaccuracy falls partially on the receiving corps, which has had a number of drops and errors. Darnell Mooney, who topped 1,000 receiving yards in 2021, has 17 catches for 241 yards on 33 targets. Montgomery and tight finish Cole Kmet have 10 catches apiece. No different go catcher has greater than six catches.
Injuries to receivers have performed a component within the offensive issues. Byron Pringle is on injured reserve with a calf damage. N’Keal Harry hasn’t performed after recovering from August ankle surgical procedure. And Velus Jones Jr. has performed simply 15 offensive snaps after lacking numerous time with a hamstring damage.
Reliable participant
Herbert confirmed he may very well be counted on in a pinch in 2021 when he stuffed in for Montgomery over a four-game October stretch. He stepped up massive once more this yr when Montgomery went down with an ankle damage in opposition to the Houston Texans. Herbert rushed for 157 yards in that sport and 77 the next week in opposition to the New York Giants.
His season-best, 64-yard run in opposition to the Commanders put the Bears in prime scoring place, although he nonetheless was beating himself up this week about not stepping into the tip zone on fourth-and-1 on that drive.
The 2021 sixth-round decide mentioned Tuesday he needs to enhance on numerous issues.
“Especially short yardage, find a way to punch it in,” Herbert mentioned. “When we’re in the red zone, find a way to get the ball in the end zone. Pass protection. Catching out of the backfield. Still making that first guy miss consistently.”
Second-half query: Will Justin Fields do sufficient to earn the Bears’ belief past 2022?
The Bears have a self-created predicament in evaluating Fields this season.
General supervisor Ryan Poles determined within the offseason to rely on a younger offensive line and largely unproven broad receivers. Those selections have proven up in a number of the issues on offense, and due to that it may be troublesome at instances to get a full learn on the place Fields is making strides.
Can Fields overcome a number of the points to point out progress and make the Bears leaders — and the followers — extra snug with the place he’s headed past this season?
And will any of the Bears playmakers step as much as assist him get there? It looks like extra may very well be in retailer for Mooney if he builds on his seven-catch evening in opposition to the Commanders. And Poles was excessive on Jones’ potential when the Bears drafted the receiver within the third spherical this spring.
“Velus has got a lot of talent and a lot of things he can bring to the football team, certainly with his speed and athletic ability in space,” Eberflus mentioned. “And we’re going to try to utilize that.”
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Source: www.bostonherald.com