Chicago Bears: Has the pocket presence of Mitch Trubisky gotten worse?
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The good: regular season against the Vikings and Ravens
Trubisky entered his first regular season game with a large amount of hype around him and deservedly so. He also was facing one of the best defenses in the NFL, and I thought he handled it well.
On this play, he faces pressure from the left side of the line. He calmly slides to his left away from the pressure and makes a slick throw on the run to Zach Miller. There’s no hesitation.
First regular season game. Slides to his left out of the pocket and makes a good throw on the run pic.twitter.com/lQjLddDzP0
— Dustin Regan-Padilla (@dustinregpad) November 14, 2017
On this play, right tackle Bobby Massie gets blown off of the line and Trubisky easily escapes the pocket, which allowed him to throw the ball away.
This is a play he takes a sack on today. pic.twitter.com/CBU8vsWtr7
— Dustin Regan-Padilla (@dustinregpad) November 14, 2017
Once again, Massie gets overpowered into Trubisky, who is able to move within the pocket to pick up a few yards, which is great.
Escapes the pocket. Quick decisions. No hesitation pic.twitter.com/DKIkG3zLFI
— Dustin Regan-Padilla (@dustinregpad) November 14, 2017
This is the play that I mentioned in the last slide that is similar to the run he had against the Broncos in the preseason. The decisiveness that Trubisky has to take off and run is clear.
Decides to take off almost immediately. pic.twitter.com/eYIlF0fC9c
— Dustin Regan-Padilla (@dustinregpad) November 14, 2017
Now we move onto Trubisky’s second regular season game against the Ravens. As you all know, the supporting cast is not NFL caliber, so there is no open option here. He wisely throws the ball away, while he still buys time in the pocket.
Second regular season game for Trubisky. Nobody open and he throws the ball away. How many times against the packers did we beg him to throw the ball away? pic.twitter.com/VBeGVs3rEo
— Dustin Regan-Padilla (@dustinregpad) November 14, 2017
Here is a simple five-step drop. Trubisky almost immediately sees the opening he has to take off. His speed is evident, here.
Quickly decides to take off for a 19-yard gain pic.twitter.com/5EFv2sgbXG
— Dustin Regan-Padilla (@dustinregpad) November 14, 2017
Here is the infamous 3rd and 11 throw to Kendall Wright that put them in position for the game-winning field goal. Pressure is in his face, immediately. However, Trubisky is able to avoid the sack and make a great off-balance throw. This is a play some veteran quarterbacks don’t make. For Trubisky to do it in his second regular season game is remarkable. It also showed me how tough he is to sack.
Obviously, the best one of all. Helps them win the game. Multiple linemen whiff on their blocks but he's still able to make a play. Against the saints and GB, how many times did he just stand there and take a sack? pic.twitter.com/TLMimd8geS
— Dustin Regan-Padilla (@dustinregpad) November 14, 2017
Now, let’s move onto how Trubisky’s pocket presence has declined. To me, it’s no coincidence that it’s getting worse the longer Fox and offensive coordinator Dowell Loggains have their grimy hands on Trubisky.