On the Chicago Bears’ second offensive sequence of the preseason, on a third-down play from their 38-yard line, quarterback Justin Fields broke the huddle and set himself within the shotgun with constructive vibes.
Fields scanned the Kansas City Chiefs protection, acknowledged the person protection he could be dealing with and recognized a matchup he liked along with his favourite receiver Darnell Mooney within the slot to the left towards cornerback L’Jarius Sneed.
“I pretty much knew what was going to happen,” Fields stated.
Roll the tape.
With a glance he liked and sufficient safety in entrance of him, Fields hit the highest of his five-step drop and launched — on time and in rhythm. Mooney, with a crisp outdoors launch on a fade route, bought a little bit of a decide from fellow receiver Equanimeous St. Brown and created separation. Fields’ ball was on Mooney’s again shoulder, requiring a slight adjustment however protecting security Juan Thornhill at bay.
Mooney twisted, jumped and hauled within the soccer for a acquire of 26 yards.
“I think Darnell knew where I was going to put that ball,” Fields stated.
Added Mooney: “I just went and grabbed it. We had an opportunity to make ourselves a play. And it was nice to get that in game-like conditions going against some other guys.”
In phrases of yardage gained, that was the Bears’ greatest play from scrimmage of their 19-14 victory at Soldier Field, a 26-yard chunk play that introduced the gang to life — no less than for a number of moments. An argument could possibly be made that that deep shot was additionally the staff’s greatest play so far as future potential is worried.
Look, August within the NFL is all the time a seek for promising indicators. And that Fields-to-Mooney connection Saturday certified as one brilliant spot throughout a day during which the rebuilding Bears appeared very very similar to a staff with an extended, lengthy strategy to go to compete on the highest stage.
Still, when the chemistry between the quarterback and the highest receiver is obvious, it’s no less than a bit one thing to be ok with, proper?
“I think that was a routine play for us,” Fields stated. “It was, of course, a great catch by (Mooney). But we’ve seen that many times. So it was no surprise.”
That’s a major big-picture aim for Fields and the offense, to extra constantly really feel like their huge performs are routine. And with 4 weeks left till the common season begins, the established and still-growing connection between Fields and Mooney stays noteworthy.
“It feels great,” Fields stated. “It’s just knowing how he’s going to run the route, how he’s going to work the defender, where he’s going to end up. Just the chemistry between us two and the work put in in the offseason, that shows right there.”
To be clear, the manufacturing of the Bears’ first-unit offense Saturday was removed from spectacular and barely passable. Fields took 18 snaps over three possessions with the Bears managing all of 78 yards and 4 first downs.
The drive chart — punt, punt, punt — felt all-too acquainted and registers as no less than reasonably regarding.
From the beginning of coaching camp by means of Saturday’s victory, there was little proof to consider {that a} vital offensive breakthrough is coming anytime quickly. But internally, the baby-stepping Bears are eagerly figuring out issues they’ll construct on.
Coach Matt Eberflus, for one, applauded the way in which Fields operated, dealing with the huddle and exhibiting a really feel for the sport.
Mooney acknowledged the offense was enjoying behind a work-in-progress line with out the companies of receivers Byron Pringle, Velus Jones and N’Keal Harry, who’re out with accidents. In addition, beginning operating again David Montgomery and tight finish Cole Kmet sat out.
“Definitely a lot of guys missing right now,” Mooney stated. “But with the guys who are here, I feel like we executed well. I’m interested to see (on video) how smooth it was.”
If the Bears wished a glimpse of what they’re someday striving to change into, Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes fortunately obliged. Overseeing only one drive Saturday — and actually simply trying to break a sweat and loosen up — Mahomes took the Chiefs on an 11-play, 72-yard march into Soldier Field’s north finish zone.
Bing, bang, growth.
The 2018 league MVP and Super Bowl LIV champion unfold his six completions round to 6 receivers and completed the sequence with a 5-yard display go to tight finish Blake Bell for a landing.
“We did what we were supposed to do,” Mahomes stated.
Perhaps someday, Fields and the Bears will have the ability to anticipate comparable effectivity and ease in how they carve up opposing defenses. But for now, they’re in a unique stage of the grind with a much less skilled quarterback studying a brand new system with so many new faces throughout.
To Fields’ credit score, his first-blush assessment of the early offensive output was appropriately subdued.
“I think it went all right,” he stated. “There’s always room to improve.”
Fields was requested what he was most wanting ahead to dialing in on when he had his first likelihood to assessment the 18 performs.
“I’ve got to dissect every play,” he stated. “Go back to my rules. What am I supposed to do on this play? (Look at) protection and stuff like that. It’s just being process-driven and making sure I did my job.”
For an NFL beginning quarterback with the grandest of ambitions, the celebration of 26-yard completions can go solely thus far when factors aren’t added to the scoreboard.
So Fields could be the primary to acknowledge that the Bears’ climb barely has gotten began.
He did add one other crowd-pleasing completion late within the first quarter, recognizing further Chiefs stress coming earlier than the snap, adjusting the safety, then hitting Tajae Sharpe on the proper sideline to transform third-and-9.
“Justin did a great job of putting it in a spot where only I could get to it,” Sharpe stated.
Much of the Bears fan base reacted equally.
Hurray! Now … extra of that. Much extra.
For the file, the Bears scored all 19 of their factors after halftime with backup quarterback Trevor Siemian main two landing drives and a short-field field-goal sequence. Siemian hit rookie Trestan Ebner with a 12-yard landing go over the center and later related with Dazz Newsome for a 13-yard rating.
Cairo Santos added area objectives of 20 and 47 yards to punctuate the victory.
Now the Bears will flip the web page with coaching camp practices Monday and Tuesday adopted by a second preseason sport Thursday night time in Seattle towards the Seahawks. At this stage within the rising course of, Fields and the offense should take all their victories, nevertheless small they is perhaps, and pocket them with out apology. But additionally they should demand extra of themselves, striving to supply huge performs and brilliant moments much more steadily.
Said Fields: “We’re just going to keep working, keep stacking days and continue to get better with the small details.”
()
Source: www.bostonherald.com