Chicago Bears: 5 things to watch in second preseason game

Encore performance

While fans have to be careful about putting too much stock into preseason performances, it’s hard not to be excited about what Javon Wims did last week. Alright, I get it — it was largely done against fourth and fifth string players, most of whom won’t make the team. The reality is, Wims, a seventh-round draft pick, is fighting for a spot on the roster himself.

However, if he keeps performing the way he did last week, other Bears receivers could find themselves on the hot seat. One of those players could be Josh Bellamy, a.k.a. “Dropopotamus,” (patent pending). Although Bellamy has some value on special teams, so he is likely safe.

Another candidate is Bennie Fowler, who apparently suffers from the same affliction as Bellamy — or at least had a bout of it last week against the Ravens, having dropped a couple of easy passes. Fowler does not have the benefit of adding special teams value so he is the more likely candidate to be in competition with Wims.

And in that competition, Wims appears to have taken the first game 40-love. As I mentioned, Fowler did not impress. Wims, on the other hand, was spectacular. He finished with seven receptions and 89 yards, good for a 12.7 average.

And while he was playing against benchwarmers, he flashed skills that will translate against better competition. Specifically, he showed he has strong hands, with the ability to snag the ball in traffic. He also demonstrated terrific body control on a deep sideline pass early in the fourth quarter.

It would be great to see Wims get an opportunity against the second and third units this week. If he does and is able to turn in a similar performance, he will also turn some heads. Keep an eye out on Thursday, as the Bears might have the steal of the 2018 draft on their hands.