Chicago Bears’ youngsters missing great opportunity to impress
With suspensions and injuries, the Chicago Bears’ young players have a golden opportunity to impress the coaches. Instead, the opportunity is passing them by.
This is one frustrating, irritating season for the Chicago Bears. Between injuries and suspensions, this season went down the drain.
Some good can come from all the missing players. Opportunities to impress coaches, either in Chicago or elsewhere, are all around. The young players have a chance to see valuable playing time they would otherwise not have.
Instead, these players are losing out on their opportunities. I know that most of these players aren’t Pro Bowl-caliber players, but they could be rotational players. Their play may keep them out of rotation as well.
Opportunities fall through their hands
Sunday’s game was a perfect example. With Alshon Jeffery out with a suspension, Eddie Royal not completely healthy and Kevin White on injured reserve, the younger receivers got their chance to shine.
What happened? Bears receivers dropped TEN passes, including two in the end zone on a potential game-winning drive.
I know that a lineup of receivers named Marquess Wilson, Josh Bellamy, Deonte Thompson and Cameron Meredith does not strike fear in opposing defenses. These guys, however, had a chance to show how good they are. What happened, though, was that we saw why the Bears are 2-9, and not much hope for the future.
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How can a quarterback have confidence in throwing to guys when he is not sure a perfect pass will be made?
Is Cutler’s replacement on this roster?
Quarterback Jay Cutler missed several games with a sprained thumb and a partially torn labrum.
With his loss (he may be out for the season), Matt Barkley and perhaps David Fales get chances. Barkley is the starter (for now), but Fales could get a long look as well.
Barkley made his first NFL start on Sunday, and his results were mixed. Yes, he nearly pulled off what could have been the Bears’ greatest comeback in team history. Yes, the receivers’ drops denied him the chance of accomplishing that.
The trouble with Barkley is that he didn’t take off until the fourth quarter. Up until then, he struggled. He threw a touchdown, but also had two red zone interceptions, one of them in the end zone.
In two games this season, Barkley has FOUR interceptions already. Cutler played in five games and has five interceptions. Brian Hoyer (out for the season with a broken arm), did not throw any interceptions in six games and 200 passing attempts.
Barkley hasn’t shown good, quick decision-making skills. When he is pressured, he panics and throws the ball in coverage instead of throwing it away. Does that sound familiar?
On CBS Chicago’s website, former Chicago Bears Director of College Scouting Greg Gabriel spoke about Barkley.
"Barkley started the game poorly. His best throws were passes that ended up being gains because of interference penalties. Barkley isn’t a quick decision maker, and he doesn’t have a quick release. He often waits too long before he releases the ball. His arm is average at best and he can’t “drill” the ball when it needs to be drilled. He often just floats the ball, and that can be dangerous. Both of Barkley’s interceptions came in the red zone and were costly. Neither pass should have been thrown, as they were the results of poor decisions by Barkley."
The Bears picked up Fales from the Baltimore Ravens practice squad last week. He is a Bears draft pick, so he is familiar with the system. Should Barkley struggle (or get injured), Fales would step in and get his chance.
The quarterback of the defense
Nick Kwiatkoski has a four game audition with the Bears. The rookie linebacker steps into Jerrell Freeman‘s shoes after his suspension for PED use.
Freeman, the inside linebacker, was the signal caller for the defense. Kwiatkoski took over that as well.
Kwiatkoski himself missed several games with injury, but is healthy now. In his first start on Sunday, registered just four tackles. Getting the defense in the right position wasn’t in question, however. Perhaps with more time on the field, he may show that trading up to pick him in the fourth round was justified. For now, though, the jury is out.
Next: Bears woes continue as they drop their third straight
These players will, of course, get a lot more playing time. They should play better. The question is, will they show enough to be a part of the Bears rebuilding?