After the Chicago Bears’ moist and wild win in Week 1, readers wish to know what was behind Cole Kmet’s lack of targets, what’s the way forward for the offensive line and whether or not working again David Montgomery ought to be re-signed. Brad Biggs wrings out these questions and extra in his weekly mailbag.
Was Cole Kmet’s utilization and efficiency a perform of the gameplan due to the climate and if that’s the case, do you count on a distinction vs. Green Bay? — @dvd_carrillo
His utilization was exactly what I’d have anticipated going into the season opener. Kmet was on the sector for 48 of the 58 offensive snaps (83%) whereas Ryan Griffin had 31 snaps and rookie Jake Tonges had 9.
You most likely are referring to Kmet being focused solely as soon as within the passing recreation. He didn’t have a catch. Yes, I’d count on him to be extra concerned within the passing recreation, however you’ve acquired to remember this was a unique recreation. Justin Fields tried solely 17 passes, finishing eight.
I’d be extra involved with large receiver Darnell Mooney being focused solely thrice (one reception, 8 yards). Mooney is probably the most explosive participant within the passing recreation and the Bears want to have the ability to get him the ball and make the most of his expertise. In a recreation with out heavy rain and a saturated discipline, I feel you will note extra alternatives for Kmet and Mooney.
Dominique Robinson had extra snaps than Trevis Gipson. Was that within the recreation plan or did it simply shake out that method? — @bigcelio
Robinson had 28 snaps and Gipson had 26 enjoying behind Robert Quinn (47) and Al-Quadin Muhammad (43). I wouldn’t learn an excessive amount of into the snap rely from one recreation, and so they principally had the identical variety of alternatives.
Quinn and Muhammad are the clear starters proper now. Quinn is the confirmed edge rusher on the roster and Muhammad is a veteran the coaches are comfy with from their time in Indianapolis.
I’d think about the snap counts for Robinson and Gipson are pretty comparable within the weeks forward until there may be an harm or one thing that forces a change on the depth chart. Robinson was very productive with 1½ sacks, 5 solo tackles and two assists. Gipson had three solo tackles, one quarterback hit and a cross deflection. They each maximized their alternatives.
Do you see the Bears including another large receivers? — @schiele1532
I’m undecided there may be a lot on the road proper now that may actually assist the Bears and, no, I don’t see the Bears having curiosity in Odell Beckham Jr. when he’s wholesome. I additionally don’t see him eager to signal with a crew within the early levels of a rebuild.
The Bears simply introduced in a brand new receiver, claiming Ihmir Smith-Marsette off waivers from the Minnesota Vikings after the minimize to 53-man rosters. Coach Matt Eberflus indicated final week that rookie Velus Jones Jr. is near coming back from a hamstring harm, so he could possibly be within the combine quickly.
The Bears want to judge the large receivers they’ve on the roster. Of course, they’ll at all times be looking out for gamers they consider can enhance the roster at any place, however I wouldn’t be sitting on pins and needles ready for the following large receiver to stroll by the doorways at Halas Hall.
Do the Bears envision shifting their observe facility to Arlington Heights as properly if/after they construct a stadium there? — @jerryf642
No. The Bears have invested closely within the services at Halas Hall, spending greater than $100 million for the latest renovation that made it among the finest headquarters within the NFL by way of area, know-how and extra. If (when) the Bears proceed to construct a brand new stadium in Arlington Heights, they’ll stay headquartered in Lake Forest.
Would you re-sign David Montgomery after this season or go along with Khalil Hebert at RB1 subsequent yr? — @chicagonic
It’s actually tough to reply questions like that when the crew is 1/seventeenth of the way in which by the season. There is a ton of soccer remaining to be performed.
As a normal rule, I consider it’s dangerous to take a position closely in working backs with a second contract. It’s straightforward to interchange gamers at that place and sturdiness issues are legit whoever the again is.
As far as Herbert, he performed properly with the alternatives he had however what has he completed at this level to anoint him because the starter subsequent season? Could he be that man? Sure. Let’s see what he does over the course of the season.
I believed Herbert regarded higher than Montgomery within the opener from the standpoint that he was extra decisive along with his cuts and acquired going north and south with extra urgency. But it’s a small pattern dimension and I count on offensive coordinator Luke Getsy to proceed deploying each.
When do you suppose Lucas Patrick can be good to go at middle? — @khanhoops
Patrick isn’t going to have the ability to play middle and successfully snap the ball so long as he has a solid or protecting protecting on his proper thumb. Patrick performed with a “club” to guard the hand towards San Francisco, rotating each two sequence with Teven Jenkins at proper guard. It’s doable he’ll want safety on his hand for one more week or two.
In the meantime, Sam Mustipher will stay at middle. It’s doable the Bears hold Mustipher at middle after Patrick is totally wholesome and slot Patrick in at proper guard. Maybe there are strikes made at different positions on the road that necessitate a transfer. Maybe an harm forces a transfer. Let’s see how the road performs till Patrick is wholesome sufficient to play middle.
Thoughts on the rotation at proper guard in Game 1? Do you count on that to proceed for one more week or two? — @mosconml
I believed Jenkins fared just a little higher than Patrick, however that’s simply my opinion. Eberflus stated the teaching workers was happy with the way in which each gamers carried out. Jenkins had a very nice mixture block with Larry Borom to spring Herbert for a 10-yard achieve within the pink zone.
San Francisco defensive deal with Arik Armstead is a load for any offensive lineman to deal with and his dimension (6-foot-7, 290 kilos) could make it much more difficult for a lineman basically enjoying with one hand.
I think about the rotation will proceed as a result of the Bears have invested in Patrick (two-year, $8 million contract) and Getsy was probably one of many driving forces within the crew pursuing him in free company. We’ll must see how issues play out on the road within the weeks and months to return.
Did Justin Fields play in the identical climate as Trey Lance? It looks like the successful QB is being criticized and the dropping QB is getting excuses. — @mo_slowmo
Both quarterbacks performed in the identical climate and each struggled. Fields finally made a wild, off-schedule play on a 51-yard landing cross to Dante Pettis that modified the momentum and jump-started the Bears after the offense had produced solely 74 yards on its first 32 performs.
I’m undecided who you might be counting on for an analysis of the sport, however each quarterbacks had a tough go and if you wish to blame the terrible situations and standing water on the sector, that’s advantageous. Anyone who isn’t criticizing each quarterbacks isn’t that recreation with an goal eye.
Former Bears offensive coordinator Mike Martz was notably harsh in evaluating each quarterbacks, saying he can foresee the 49ers turning to backup Jimmy Garoppolo.
“I wouldn’t be surprised to see them go to Jimmy G. in the fourth week because they’re not going any place with where they are at now,” Martz stated. “That second half of offensive football was really difficult to watch.”
On Fields, Martz stated: “Less-than-remarkable would be the kindest thing you could say about him. I don’t know if I’ve seen such a bad performance by a quarterback in his opening performance of the season. He was just completely awful. When you get a quarterback who can’t do anything at all, and defensively, you shut him out basically for a half, you kind of lose hope. Right now, they’re a team without hope.”
I perceive Bears followers most likely usually are not excited by Martz’s evaluation of Fields as a result of he hasn’t been variety in his analysis of the offense and roster. But Martz is aware of what he’s , and you’ve got a former head coach hammering each quarterbacks. Reality is you’re not going to win many video games within the NFL finishing 8 of 17 passes for 121 yards. Fortunately, the Bears is not going to have many (or any) extra video games this season in such dreadful situations.
What place would you usher in gamers to check out for this week or subsequent? — @bart_suchocki
I feel individuals generally mistake the purpose groups have after they usher in gamers for a tryout. Sometimes it’s to fill a selected want created by an harm. Let’s say two linebackers undergo accidents in a recreation, perhaps the crew must exit and add a physique on the place, so a small group of gamers can be introduced in for an analysis.
More usually, nonetheless, tryouts are completed so groups can replace free-agent lists that they hold. Teams have complete emergency lists of accessible gamers at every place. On event, there are gamers minimize free by different groups {that a} entrance workplace will wish to get a better have a look at.
The Bears introduced in 13 gamers for a tryout final week and signed two — offensive lineman Michael Niese and defensive finish Andre Anthony — to the observe squad this week. Niese is a rookie undrafted free agent from Temple who frolicked in coaching camp with the Denver Broncos. Anthony was drafted within the seventh spherical out of LSU by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers this yr and was a part of the crew’s closing cuts.
Are the Bears bringing in any kickers for a tryout this week? — @bigsk68
I don’t consider the Bears’ religion in Cairo Santos goes to falter primarily based on one recreation performed in horrendous situations, particularly for particular groups. Santos struggled along with his plant foot in standing water and missed two further factors. If he begins lacking routine kicks in regular situations, then the Bears can have a difficulty. It’s a brief listing of gamers remaining on the roster which have been as constant as Santos the final couple seasons.
I’m simply curious why the Bears wouldn’t be making an attempt Alex Leatherwood on the left aspect. Greg Gabriel stated he thinks a lot of Leatherwood’s struggles come from shifting to the precise aspect after enjoying superior faculty soccer on the left aspect. Getting past that there appears to be so much guys engaged on the precise, with Teven Jenkins, Lucas Patrick and Sam Mustipher vying for 2 spots on the inside. Jenkins is a pure proper deal with and veteran Riley Reiff is the backup. On the left aspect they appear to be thinner. — John R., Washington
The very first thing I’d say is don’t learn an excessive amount of into the place the crew has Leatherwood proper now in observe. He’s been at proper deal with and offensive line coach Chris Morgan stated final week the Bears merely need him to be taught the offense, playbook and calls together with how the crew practices No determinations have been made at this level about the place he’ll play or what place the crew may strive him at first.
My second response to your query is that Leatherwood was actually unhealthy at proper deal with final season in Las Vegas, so shifting him to an arguably tougher place at left deal with is likely to be a nasty thought. He spent a full season enjoying on the precise aspect — he moved to proper guard after 4 video games at proper deal with for the Raiders — so saying he’s not accustomed to a stance on that aspect by now isn’t truthful.
Most of us I chatted with thought-about Leatherwood a proper deal with prospect getting into the 2021 draft. Yes, he performed on the left aspect at Alabama, however scouts projected him with no consideration deal with as a professional. If a crew actually favored him as a left deal with, he most likely wouldn’t have lasted till the seventeenth decide and most thought he was overdrafted at that place. Could he ultimately discover a residence on the left aspect? I wouldn’t rule something out and I actually don’t wish to low cost Gabriel’s opinion.
As a lifelong fan, I perceive the Bears contemplating a transfer to a extra up to date facility. I lived in Chicago for 34 years earlier than having to relocate. My solely time seeing a recreation at Soldier Field was a Carolina Panthers/Bears recreation. Been studying loads of unfavourable press about Soldier Field recently, however I used to be very impressed on the time at how useful the workers was, how quick the traces have been for concessions and restrooms and the way rapidly we have been in a position to exit and get on our method after the sport. Do you concur with the present reservations in regards to the Bears staying at Soldier Field? — Victor E.
I’m undecided everybody shares your expertise by way of traces for the toilet or concessions however I’m not in these traces, so I don’t converse from information.
The Bears’ bid to construct a brand new stadium in Arlington Heights is pushed by the crew’s purpose to be its personal landlord and have complete management of the constructing to generate extra income. It has nothing to do with the variety of seats, fan expertise, location, enjoying floor or anything. It is 100% a enterprise resolution to make the Bears extra worthwhile.
That being stated, if the Bears can pull it off they need to be capable of create a setting that has higher fan enchantment, extra parking (that can generate extra income), seats, concession areas, restrooms and extra distinctive seating areas by way of golf equipment and suites. With a dome, the Bears will be capable of hire out the constructing year-round. Some followers may object to the commute — those that stay nearer to Soldier Field than Arlington Heights — however every thing else could possibly be improved with a brand new stadium.
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Source: www.bostonherald.com