10 ideas after the Chicago Bears obtained a scoring drive from their starters on the sport’s first possession and didn’t look again in a 27-11 victory in opposition to the Seattle Seahawks on Thursday evening at Lumen Field.
1. The Justin Fields-to-Cole Kmet connection is one thing most thought they’d see extra of final season.
Kmet was productive in Fields’ rookie season, and the tight finish was simply the No. 2 goal behind extensive receiver Darnell Mooney. Fields focused Kmet 52 occasions, and he made 32 receptions for 330 yards. That accounted for roughly half of his manufacturing (60 receptions for 612 yards), which stands to cause as Fields performed in 12 video games with 10 begins.
The pair obtained going straight away Thursday, with Kmet catching a display screen move for 12 yards on the primary play from scrimmage throughout a 10-play, 52-yard drive that led to a 35-yard Cairo Santos area aim. Offensive coordinator Luke Getsy appeared to need to have Fields get the ball out of his hand rapidly, which led to fast throws to the perimeter like this one.
But on a shot downfield, Fields faked a handoff and rolled out to his left to catch Kmet extensive open within the center for a 19-yard achieve. It could be an enormous breakthrough for Getsy, Fields, Kmet and everybody else if this might be a extra common factor.
“It builds your confidence,” Kmet stated. “All the work you put in through the offseason, the experience I’ve been having these past two years, it continues to grow each game we play. It feels good.”
There have been tales galore about manufacturing wanted from the tight finish place. When Kmet and Jimmy Graham have been teamed up. When Adam Shaheen was drafted in Round 2. And earlier than that. But there hasn’t been a breakout.
“It was just a naked play,” Fields stated of the lengthy achieve. “And simply went by progressions, so he was my second learn and he was open. Just threw him the ball.
“Cole’s a great tight end. He can do pretty much all. He can block. He’s a great route runner. He has great hands, so he definitely brings another weapon to our offense.”
Fields wants that sure-handed goal in the course of the sector. And if the Bears aren’t making an attempt to take the highest off a protection with Mooney’s velocity on the surface, Kmet ought to get loads of the targets coming off play motion, which ought to outline the passing sport extra this season than it did a 12 months in the past.
Fields was underneath strain on the possession — the one one the offensive starters obtained — and coach Matt Eberflus went for it on fourth-and-2 from the Seahawks 49-yard line when the Bears benefited from a neutral-zone infraction.
The drive stalled when Fields floated a move to operating again Khalil Herbert within the flat, after which the QB was flattened by free security Josh Jones for a 2-yard loss.
“It was zone,” Fields defined. “I should have worked through to the middle of the field. That was my fault for sure.”
Getting a area aim was good to see — and an enchancment over the efficiency final week in opposition to the Kansas City Chiefs. It’s a ridiculously small pattern measurement. The offensive line, the place the Bears are nonetheless making an attempt to determine issues out, goes to be leaky every now and then, even in opposition to a Seahawks entrance seven that lacks a severe pass-rushing risk. Kmet had a stable season final 12 months, but when Fields goes to ascend, somebody apart from Mooney might want to put up numbers.
In the tip, the operating sport will key loads of this. Successfully operating the ball will preserve opposing defenses trustworthy. It will create greater throwing home windows for Fields. And it’s going to make life simpler on the road. It will feed the play-action sport.
“I thought the operation was good,” Eberflus stated of Fields. “His preparation was great. He handled the offense the way we wanted him to, had a nice drive and scored the field goal. It’s progress. And guys see more progress in practice sometimes, where his footwork is getting better, his delivery when he feels pressure, how he slides in the pocket and delivers the ball. He’s improving every single day.”
The common season will present a real standing of the place the offense is.
2. Teven Jenkins obtained again to the group resort round 6 p.m. Sunday.
Jenkins, who performed at proper deal with within the preseason opener, was getting ready for the quick week that led the Bears to Seattle. He was sitting down for dinner when his cellphone rang. It was line coach Chris Morgan.
“He said, ‘Hey, you’re going to be moving to right guard, how do you feel about that?’ ” Jenkins stated. “I told him my feelings about that. The next day I went out there and got right guard reps. I didn’t know until the night before. That’s better than the morning of.”
There’s no arguing that. It was a quick telephone dialog, possibly as a result of Jenkins’ thoughts was swimming a bit, which is comprehensible. He doesn’t recall particularly the way it went.
“I would tell you that it was more positive than anything else,” he stated. “That’s what I recall.”
What Jenkins, the 2021 second-round decide, must do now could be stack optimistic practices. His proper guard debut for the Bears got here Monday in a observe with out pads. He was launched to the place after which the following day, when the group was in full pads, he changed veteran Michael Schofield with the beginning unit — a positive signal he could be the starter versus the Seahawks.
The Bears doubtless can have 13 practices earlier than the Sept. 11 opener in opposition to the San Francisco 49ers. Half (at most) will probably be in pads. There is a few stuff Jenkins will know with out watching lengthy to wash up, nevertheless it’s a unique place. If an offensive deal with units up on an island, a guard units up in a telephone sales space.
“I’m still adjusting to the tackle-to-guard difference,” he stated. “It’s only like the third day. I am getting used to it and I am fortunate enough to get help from Sam (Mustipher) inside and I am getting help from Larry (Borom), so it’s been a nice transition.”
Even with the assistance, does he have sufficient time to win the job and be a part of the beginning 5?
“I feel like I can acclimate myself fast enough to be prepared,” Jenkins stated. “In the NFL, it’s about production now. I need to speed up the process. Whatever gets me on the field and is best for the team I am willing to do.”
For what it’s price, I like his angle. There is a problem forward for him, and it could be nice for him to haveworked at guard in OTAs. The Bears most likely know what they will get from Schofield. If they really feel Jenkins has potential to offer them extra sooner or later with out being a legal responsibility within the current — together with exposing the quarterback to hazard — possibly he can pull this off.
3. More than two hours earlier than kickoff, Roquan Smith was operating sprints with a small group of gamers, together with operating again David Montgomery, cornerback Kindle Vildor, defensive deal with Justin Jones and tight finish Ryan Griffin.
With any luck — and maybe it’s wishful pondering — Smith will probably be operating as a participant in observe at Halas Hall subsequent week. One factor that improves the percentages of the deadlock ending is that asthe common season nears, there may be extra strain for a decision.
Derwin James’ take care of the Los Angeles Chargers, which was finalized Wednesday, definitely doesn’t improve the possibilities that the Bears and Smith can discover widespread floor on a contract extension. Both gamers have been 2018 first-round draft picks and each started staging “hold-ins” initially of coaching camp. James performs security and is represented by an NFLPA-certified agent, whereas Smith is working with no registered agent. It’s tough if not unimaginable to match linebacker pay with security pay. The four-year, $76.3 million extension made James the highest-paid security within the league. Smith certainly wish to leapfrog Shaquille Leonard of the Indianapolis Colts to turn into the NFL’s highest-paid linebacker. If what the Bears proposed (no less than earlier than Smith’s feedback asking for a commerce have been despatched to NFL Network) hit key benchmarks to realize that, it’s most likely protected to think about a deal would have been accomplished.
The Bears season opener is in 23 days. That leaves 9 practices earlier than the primary week of the common season on Sept. 5. They doubtless can have 4 practices that week, that means there are simply 13 practices between now and the beginning of a brand new period for common supervisor Ryan Poles and coach Matt Eberflus. That’s loads of time for Smith to rise up to hurry.
As I’ve written beforehand, the Bears maintain most, if not all, leverage. They have Smith underneath contract with the fifth-year possibility on his rookie deal, and on the negotiating desk they will remind him in addition they might use the franchise tag on him in 2023. The solely actual leverage for Smith is withholding his companies in the course of the season — and that’s the place issues might get very costly for him rapidly. If the Bears don’t commerce Smith — and the suitable time for Poles to try this would have been the spring — then the linebacker faces the prospect of taking part in for $9.735 million and inheriting the danger that an damage might have an effect on his possibilities of a a lot bigger payday.
Scouts across the league I chatted with indicated the phrase of their circles is the Bears got here with a robust provide. Of course, that might be the corporate line trickling out of Halas Hall. Poles did say the group’s provide included “record-setting pieces … that I thought were going to show him the respect that he deserves.”
I nonetheless imagine the most certainly consequence will probably be an extension for Smith. It’s the prudent transfer for him. And possibly digging in his heels will lead to some concessions by the group. Smith might then take into account his hold-in as a win. I believe it could be tough for Poles to get good worth for Smith in a commerce, particularly right now. In the absence of acceptable worth, it could be very tough for Poles to face up and declare he made the longer term for the Bears higher by buying and selling away an excellent participant who is simply 25. Sure, Poles might make that declaration after buying and selling Khalil Mack in March, however different elements have been concerned, like the longer term well being of the wage cap. Too many indicators level to the Bears and Smith sticking this factor out. Stranger issues have occurred, however my hunch is they are going to discover a technique to make this occur. If that’s the case, the query is when.
4. The largest growth for the Bears because the offseason program started is the emergence of fifth-round decide Braxton Jones.
He spent the second half of the spring at left deal with with the starters, and it seemed as if that chance wouldn’t occur when 11-year veteran Riley Reiff signed on the outset of coaching camp. Reiff rapidly labored in with the primary unit at left deal with, however he has been on the proper aspect of late, givingJones a transparent path to nail down the job — a outstanding growth for a Day 3 decide at a marquee place.
The best inform up to now was when the coaches pulled Jones with the starters after 18 snaps within the preseason opener in opposition to the Kansas City Chiefs, an indication of how extremely he’s seen. It’s a speedy acceleration, even within the estimation of Southern Utah offensive line coach Aaron Fernandez, who helped recruit Jones to the FCS college.
Jones began once more Thursday, popping out of the sport after the sector aim on the finish of the opening drive.
“I would be lying a little bit if I said I didn’t have any surprise,” Fernandez stated. “There is somewhat shock for me possibly how rapidly it has transpired, but in addition I’ve full confidence that he was the kind of participant that was going to get a shot and a chance and completely do with probably the most with it.
“That’s his personality. That’s been him since I have known him. He knew what he wanted to be. He wanted to play tackle in the NFL. To see him pouring into that process doesn’t surprise me at all. That is why I think some good things are happening.”
Jones has impressed the Bears along with his athletic capability at 6-foot-5, 310 kilos and 35 ⅜-inch arms. There are questions on how effectively he’ll anchor in opposition to energy and bull rushes, however the Bears imagine he’s oozing with expertise that may be refined and improved rapidly.
“I think he has a good base and foundation,” Fernandez stated. “He understands the sport at somewhat bit totally different stage than another rookies, and that goes into the time and growth he put in in faculty. I’m positive he has picked the veterans’ brains rather a lot. He will perceive the sport. He will perceive the angles.
“When you suppose of a faculty profession, he’s the true sense of that and actually committing to that course of. He was an extended, athletic child in highschool and he went to a highschool that historically doesn’t win loads of video games. Numerous recruiters don’t cease there. Myself and one other recruiter on workers actually felt that he simply checked loads of packing containers. We felt like we had a imaginative and prescient for him. He had one walk-on alternative to an FBS college (Utah) and that was it. We have been the one college to see what this child might be in a pair years with the load room, studying, teaching, the setting of progress. We felt like this child might actually take off.
“He gravitated toward some of our best players as a freshman and I noticed that right away. How do they lift? How do they watch film? What makes them good? Some other freshmen were figuring it out daily as they went along and Braxton seemed to have more of a plan and understanding of what he wanted.”
Jones wasn’t closely recruited out of Murray High School in Utah. He additionally didn’t have loads of gamers round him at Utah State that introduced consideration to this system throughout a 1-10 season. Some scouts felt he was higher in 2021 when he popped on the radar and earned a Senior Bowl invite. He performed effectively within the first two video games of the season in opposition to FCS colleges San Jose State and Arizona State.
Whatever the case, the Bears felt lucky he lasted till the 168th choice in Round 5 — the primary of eight Day 3 picks for GM Ryan Poles. They knew they have been getting an clever participant, too, somebody who might course of a tougher place within the NFL. It’s maybe barely uncommon Jones was charged with serving to to make safety calls in faculty, one thing many offensive traces depart solely to the middle and quarterback.
“In our main protection system, our tackles were the first line of communication,” Fernandez stated. “That goes to show how Braxton sees the game. It’s partly why he is having some of this early success — his cerebral approach. He is able to see all three levels of the defense. He was able to read safeties for us, make protection calls, and he never had a problem doing that.”
5. It’s unimaginable to place an excessive amount of give attention to the offensive line.
It’s a gaggle the Bears very a lot need to enhance and is central in coordinator Luke Getsy’s system and the event of Fields.
To get a way of what sort of trainer new offensive line coach Chris Morgan is, I touched base with retired lineman Will Montgomery, who performed briefly for the Bears in 2015 earlier than struggling a season-ending damage. Montgomery had most likely his greatest seasons within the NFL because the beginning heart in Washington from 2011-2013 when Morgan was the group’s assistant line coach. It’s price studying extra about Morgan as a result of past the coordinators, the offensive line coach is crucial place coach on any group.
When Morgan joined Washington in 2011, Mike Shanahan led the workers and had 4 assistants who at the moment are head coaches: offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan (San Francisco 49ers), quarterbacks coach Matt LaFleur (Green Bay Packers), tight ends coach Sean McVay (Los Angeles Rams) and offensive assistant Mike McDaniel (Miami Dolphins). Chris Foerster, whom Morgan counts with Tom Cable as his largest influences within the NFL, was the O-line coach.
“Chris definitely has a history with the zone-blocking scheme even before he joined me in Washington,” Montgomery stated. “You look the place he got here from in Oakland with Tom Cable and that zone scheme and clearly his years with the Redskins was zone scheme, together with the nice 2012 Alfred Morris 12 months the place in some way Alfred was the No. 2 runner within the league behind solely Adrian Peterson. Then after Washington, he was again to Seattle after which Atlanta with (Kyle) Shanahan after which he will get right into a man-blocking scheme with a pair years for the Steelers and now in Chicago.
“Occasionally during the pandemic, he would have me Zoom in … Chris asked me to talk about how to prepare and take care of your body. Chris Morgan is a very knowledgeable coach. He knows everything. Most of his career he’s been in the zone stuff, but no matter where you are, you run plays besides zone schemes.”
One longtime personnel man I spoke with praised Morgan for persistently pushing his gamers laborious however in a way that was truthful. He described practices for linemen underneath Morgan as intense and grueling. That matched what Montgomery described.
“When you get with him in individual drills, he’s a hard charger,” Montgomery stated. “You’re going to get your cash’s price out of your particular person drill. And you’re going to be prepared for the group, interval, which implies in the end you’re going to be prepared for sport day. He’s a full-throttle coach. Whoever has him as a coach, they’re going to be fortunate.
“Some coaches might let a number of the small particulars slide. Chris could be very detail-oriented — be sure to step with the right foot, be sure to block every block the best way it’s purported to be accomplished. … With the right approach, you’ll make the block extra typically than the one time you probably did with poor approach. In particular person drills the place generally in mid- to late-season everyone seems to be taking a look at their calendar and possibly making an attempt to plan their postseason trip, he’s nonetheless grinding away — get to your aiming factors on the zone, get the palms underneath and up, regardless of the blocking task is. You can simply inform from his common presence that he loves and cares about his craft.
“You can tell Chris Morgan would probably do his job for zero dollars. He just loves the game of football and loves coaching the O-line. He will coach you hard, but that doesn’t mean he will (curse you out) for no reason. He coaches you because you are a pro and you deserve to be coached. A lot of guys like that. They want to be coached. Sometimes the film session will go on and on and on and you may not get feedback. But to be better and ultimately make more money and win games, you need to refine your craft as a player and that is where he’s going to help you.”
6. Many Bears have been within the locker room for almost half-hour earlier than rookie Kyler Gordon lastly left the sector.
The second-round decide had family and friends to see, and followers who noticed him play close by on the University of Washington, in addition to Bears followers in attendance, have been chanting his title. It was a surreal expertise for Gordon, who attended Archbishop Murray High in Everett, Wash., about 30 miles north of the stadium.
Most vital, after all, was that Gordon obtained on the sector after an damage value him chunk of the primary two weeks of coaching camp and stored him out of the Chiefs preseason sport. He entered because the nickel cornerback on the second defensive snap. He wasn’t credited with a deal with in press-box statistics, however Eberflus thought he had a hand in a compelled fumble that the statistician assigned to linebacker Joe Thomas. Gordon blitzed from the slot and almost sacked Geno Smith. The rookie seemed fast in redirecting to chase him to the sideline.
“I dipped down a little bit too far,” Gordon stated. “I am going to get him next time — whoever it is.”
What struck me about Gordon is he has the arrogance of a seasoned veteran at cornerback. Doubt can’t creep in for gamers at that place, and he doesn’t really feel as if he has skipped a beat even after lacking almost half of the offseason program with an undisclosed damage.
“Film, being with coaches, being locked in on the sidelines and being able to take those mental reps at every position I play,” Gordon stated. “That’s been so important. Extra time, extra stuff and that’s why I don’t feel behind.”
We’ve seen the Bears shift Gordon from exterior cornerback to nickel and vice versa. Since getting again on the sector, he has been centered at nickel.
“We’ll look at both things — putting him on the outside and still keeping him on the inside,” Eberflus stated. “We really like him on the inside, but certainly he’s going to play on the outside too.”
It says rather a lot about Gordon’s capability to course of info that he’s clearly the Week 1 beginning nickel. It’s a complicated place with loads of guidelines and duties, extra than simply taking part in on the surface.
“The stuff they taught me has really translated all over to the NFL,” Gordon stated of his faculty expertise. “A lot of the rules are the same. It’s the same type of leverages. The terminology changed but other than that, it really hasn’t been anything crazy.”
7. DeMarquis Gates doubtless has performed in additional minor-league soccer operations than you possibly can title in 10 seconds.
He has made stops within the AAF, XFL, the Spring League, CFL and USFL, and now the previous Ole Miss linebacker believes he has an opportunity — his greatest thus far — to battle for an NFL job.
Gates was named to the All-USFL group this spring. He helped the Birmingham Stallions to the championship, totaling 68 tackles, 6 ½ sacks, two compelled fumbles and one fumble restoration with an interception, placing collectively the kind of sport movie that may earn him an opportunity with an NFL membership in coaching camp.
Gates had earlier NFL alternatives, simply by no means for lengthy. After main the SEC in solo tackles in 2017, Gates went undrafted in 2018 however obtained a contract from the Cleveland Browns. They launched him after a month. In 2019, he spent two months with Washington in the course of the spring earlier than being minimize free. The Minnesota Vikings signed him in 2020, however he was launched early in coaching camp, which was removed from regular with COVID-19 protocols in place.
In between temporary appears from these NFL groups, Gates suited up for the Memphis Express (AAF), Houston Roughnecks (XFL), TSL Blues (Spring League), Saskatchewan Roughriders (CFL) and the Stallions. Then the decision got here from the Bears.
So think about his dismay when he almost didn’t make it to the Aug. 5 tryout with three different linebackers. Gates was set to journey from Atlanta on Aug. 4, however his flight that night was delayed a number of occasions earlier than it will definitely was canceled. The first flight out the following morning was overbooked, and his possibilities on standby standing didn’t look good.
“I was about to (leave the Atlanta airport),” Gates stated. “I was just tired and you’re disappointed because those opportunities come seldomly. But something just told me to stick it out.”
At the final minute, Gates’ title was known as and he was the final individual to board the flight, which arrived at O’Hare at 11 a.m.
“I got off the plane and didn’t even grab my suitcase (at baggage claim),” he stated. “I had my carry-on with my cleats and gloves in it and went straight to the car and had a sandwich during the ride because I wasn’t able to eat that morning. Got (to Halas Hall), changed real quick.”
The Bears signed Gates and organized to get his suitcase from the airport.
“I have been around the block, that’s for sure,” Gates stated. “I feel like this is going to be a great opportunity. I have been telling the coaches and players I have never been to any training camp (for so long). This is my first real opportunity to show in pads on the NFL level what I can do. I never got to the nitty-gritty of training camp.”
With bonuses, Gates earned about $5,500 per week within the USFL earlier than taxes. So it has been a problem to make a dwelling in fledgling minor-league operations, a few of which have come and gone rapidly. The 26-year-old didn’t abandon hope. When he had a standout season for the Stallions, he figured that solely enhanced his NFL odds.
“Most definitely,” Gates stated. “But talking about taking part in effectively, I believe I performed effectively in all the different leagues as effectively. I’ve been making an attempt to stack up video games and enhance my approach. I simply knew that I needed to keep affected person and my alternative was going to come back eventually.
“In my eyes, I’ve been the best linebacker in the league everywhere I have gone. I’m just waiting on that real opportunity, like I said, getting in pads here and showing I can play. It’s going to pop sooner or later.”
Gates made 5 tackles, together with two for a loss, in opposition to the Seahawks. In Week 1 of the preseason, Gates had three tackles (one for a loss) and a deal with on particular groups, logging 26 snaps on protection and 9 on particular groups. The Bears have some skilled depth at linebacker, particularly if Roquan Smith returns. Matt Adams has performed within the scheme and is in place to play the sturdy aspect within the base protection. Joe Thomas has been a core particular groups participant within the league for seven seasons. Caleb Johnson had an excellent rookie season on particular groups for the Bears, and undrafted rookie free agent Jack Sanborn was usually across the ball within the first preseason sport.
Eberflus has favored lengthy, athletic linebackers — and Gates is that at 6-foot-2, 221 kilos. He runs effectively too. His greatest likelihood to make the group might be flashing repeatedly for particular groups coordinator Richard Hightower.
“Within this business, you have your ups and downs,” Gates stated, reflecting on how he has remained motivated. “Sometimes you get disillusioned questioning why issues will not be understanding for you. My agent jogs my memory about James Harrison; he went by a storm too. Got minimize a number of occasions. He’s going to be a Hall of Famer. If that is one thing you actually need, you simply have to remain the course. This is certainly one thing I need. I’ve been taking part in since I used to be 4 years outdated. I do know what I signed up for.
“Doubt has definitely crept in on occasion. Sometimes you don’t get those answers for why — why I’m not getting it. It’s a business. They tell you you are doing well but it’s like, ‘If I am doing well what’s the problem? Why am I being released?’ But if you really want it, you know that you’ve got to keep your head down, keep focused and keep grinding it out. Opportunity is going to come. Sometimes God wants to see if you really want it — if it’s really what you have been asking for. Hopefully they will make the decision to keep me around.”
8. The 10-play scoring drive Justin Fields led to open the sport might be the ultimate look you’ll see of the first-team offensive gamers within the preseason.
A younger lineman may get a quick look within the preseason finale in opposition to the Browns on Aug. 27 in Cleveland, however something greater than that may be uncommon.
“We’re going to look at that,” Eberflus stated of his sport plan. “We’ll evaluate our team and see where we are. I’ll have a coordinators meeting sometime (Saturday), and we’ll get everybody’s opinion and go from there.”
The NFL lowered the preseason slate from 4 to 3 video games final summer time. The overwhelming majority of coaches deal with exhibition No. 3 in the identical method they beforehand dealt with exhibition No. 4. That means backups throughout the board on each side of the ball. The Bears’ offensive starters obtained 18 snaps final week in opposition to the Chiefs, and a few snaps in Cleveland aren’t going to make a distinction for Fields or Mooney or linebacker Nicholas Morrow or anybody, until that play results in an damage.
“I feel ready (for the regular season),” left guard Cody Whitehair stated. “The coaches do a great job preparing us in practice. The routine that we go through is a good dress rehearsal for the season. Our camp has been good. It’s been intense. I feel ready to go.”
Free security Eddie Jackson echoed that sentiment, noting the observe tempo.
“There are a few things to clean up, but yeah, we’re ready,” Jackson stated. “The way we practice, it’s high speed and high tempo and we’re flying around. So it’s kind of like a game.”
Eberflus needs to deal with the approaching week like an precise sport week by way of the schedule every day and having it replicate what a traditional regular-season plan will probably be like. From that standpoint, he needs his starters to be dialed in, however there isn’t any sense in risking accidents in Cleveland.
9. Third-round decide Velus Jones Jr. obtained his first motion and, effectively, the velocity is as marketed.
Jones busted off a 48-yard punt return in opposition to the Seahawks. Drawing comparisons to Devin Hester wouldn’t be truthful to the all-time nice or to Jones, however on that one return, he actually did look somewhat like Hester. Jones arrange the closest defender, made a rapid minimize after which hit the fuel down the sideline. It was spectacular.
“I got the ball and there was a defender to me and he was a bigger body, like a linebacker body (former Bears linebacker Joey Iyiegbuniwe),” Jones stated. “So I just made a quick move off him and got to the sideline where I could see where my blockers were. I just let everything fall (in place) from there.”
Jones fumbled — then recovered — the opening kickoff return, one thing that little doubt will probably be harped on in conferences.
“To get out there and get my feet wet and actually have some film I can watch of myself, that’s a great feeling, and I can’t wait for the next,” he stated. “I be ok with these returns. I can’t be dropping the ball and placing the ball on the bottom. I obtained it again, in order that was a optimistic.
“I can smile now. I know what to expect. I wasn’t the first to fumble and I won’t be the last to fumble in this league. It’s all about short memory. If you allow that to creep on you, it will affect your next play, and you never know — your next play might be your biggest play. You’ve got to have that short-term memory, especially in this game. That’s something I have, and I thank God for it.”
Jones caught one move for 4 yards. Considering the time he missed, integrating him on offense may take a while, nevertheless it’s little doubt within the works.
“He’s a do-it-all guy,” Fields stated. “He’s a physical guy, I think he weighs like 210 (200) at receiver, and you don’t see it from a guy his height. What he’s able to do with the ball in his hands, he’s almost like a running back playing receiver. He’s a great weapon that we have on offense, and we’re going to find ways to give him the ball this year.”
10. Scouts from three NFL groups have been in attendance.
The Denver Broncos, Green Bay Packers and San Francisco 49ers have been represented. Scouts from six NFL groups have been in attendance on the first preseason sport, together with the 49ers and Packers, whom the Bears will face the primary two weeks.
10a. Linebackers Matt Adams (proper shoulder) and Caleb Johnson (knee) and operating again Trestan Ebner (ankle) left with accidents within the first half. Near the tip of the sport, cornerback Jaylon Jones and defensive finish Charles Snowden went out and gave the impression to be injured. The group didn’t share any particulars. Fullback Khari Blasingame was held out with a hand damage.
10b. Players held out who don’t have identified accidents embody operating again David Montgomery, cornerback Kindle Vildor (who returned to observe final week), defensive deal with Justin Jones and defensive lineman Mario Edwards.
10c. The Bears return to observe at 3:30 p.m. Saturday at Halas Hall, the ultimate coaching camp exercise open to the general public. It was initially scheduled for 10 a.m., however the group pushed it again, certainly to account for an early-morning arrival Friday from Seattle. It would be the first of 5 practices earlier than the preseason finale.
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Source: www.bostonherald.com