Post by Deleted on Nov 9, 2017 22:36:38 GMT -6
Yes, Mitch Trubisky can treat the Packers the way Matthew Stafford just did
Steve RosenbloomSteve RosenbloomContact ReporterThe RosenBlog
Call it "Mitch at the Movies," and it’s not so much thumbs up or thumbs down as sideways.
Last week during his time off, Bears rookie quarterback Mitch Trubisky reviewed every pass he has thrown this season. That shouldn’t have taken long, goes the joke playing off the solitary confinement in which the second overall draft choice often has been placed in his four pro starts.
But if Trubisky found himself short on time or tolerance, he could’ve gone back to just the second and third series of the Saints game and found plays that mark the “Yes’’ and the “Yikes’’ of his NFL initiation.
On first-and-10 at his 38, Trubisky hit Tre McBride in stride for a 45-yard gain. Yes, just like big-boy teams, people.
Alas, on third-and-goal at the Saints 8, Trubisky threw behind tight end Adam Shaheen on a post at the goal line. That’s a “Yikes.’’ Trubisky overthrew him, too. Shaheen is 6-foot-7. That’s a double “Yikes.’’ That doesn’t go on the highlight reel, nope.
Of course, Shaheen could’ve helped by separating from a safety — a safety, do you hear me? — and putting himself in position for a jump ball, which is why he was drafted. But he couldn’t and didn’t. Which makes you wonder why he was drafted.
Starting his third series at his 20 early in the second quarter, Trubisky hit third options Tarik Cohen and Dion Sims for gains. “Yes" and “Yes" right there.
But on his only third down, Trubisky took a sack because he held the ball too long and passed up an open receiver on a crossing pattern underneath. “Yikes" and “Yikes."
Knowing what an open receiver looks like in the NFL compared to college remains an issue for Trubisky, although his receivers have trouble getting open. It’s as if GM Ryan Pace has a bonus clause for each receiver who displays a lack of separation.
NFL power rankings: Are Eagles and Patriots destined for Super Sunday?
Ranking the NFL teams before Week 10 begins (last week's ranking in parentheses). (Brad Biggs)
Knowing the area that’s open on a blitz also remains an issue for Trubisky, too. Lucky thing the Bears offensive line has become triage, so the rookie will gain a lot of experience in dealing with pressure.
This week would be a great time for a cram session to learn those last two lessons. The opportunity to slice up a beleaguered Packers defense Sunday is real, especially on a short week and without the asphyxiating presence of Aaron Rodgers.
I mean, not only are the Bears favored, but they also enter this rivalry game with the quarterback who has the higher season rating. No lie. True fact.
They also enter the game with the better defense, one that likely will smother the Packers offense and take away the ball to give Trubisky more chances.
Oh, this opportunity might not be as easy as Matthew Stafford made it look Monday night, but I hope Trubisky was watching because the Lions quarterback provided the cheat codes.
The Packers will give an opponent big chunks of the field underneath because defensive coordinator Dom Capers loves to blitz from anywhere and everywhere. Finding those openings — anticipating those openings — is the key, even if the Bears offense under Jay Cutler appeared to have no idea how the concept works.
Committing to a receiver no matter how small the gain to avoid a sack and potentially a fumble is a positive play. If Trubisky can find the accuracy on which we were sold when he was drafted, then those things add up.
Just look at Stafford’s outing against the Packers: He completed 26 of 33 passes for 361 yards and two TDs with no interceptions, but 17 of those 26 completions came within 10 yards of the line of scrimmage and those passes accounted for 229 of his 361 yards. He averaged an excellent 10.9 yards per attempt without playing mad bomber.
Now, not all of those completions were first reads. When Stafford had time, he was able to work through progressions. The Bears’ oft-injured offensive line can’t always provide time, but still, the point remains for Trubisky: Get rid of the ball quickly and let someone make a play.
The Packers also will give an offense deep shots with single coverage, but Stafford attempted just three passes longer than 20 yards, and besides, that’s getting ahead of ourselves. First, that requires the savvy to sucker a safety by looking him off, and second, that also requires a receiver who can get separation.
Trubisky, then, with a combination of discipline and helplessness, will be forced to take what both the Packers and the Bears give him.
Steve RosenbloomSteve RosenbloomContact ReporterThe RosenBlog
Call it "Mitch at the Movies," and it’s not so much thumbs up or thumbs down as sideways.
Last week during his time off, Bears rookie quarterback Mitch Trubisky reviewed every pass he has thrown this season. That shouldn’t have taken long, goes the joke playing off the solitary confinement in which the second overall draft choice often has been placed in his four pro starts.
But if Trubisky found himself short on time or tolerance, he could’ve gone back to just the second and third series of the Saints game and found plays that mark the “Yes’’ and the “Yikes’’ of his NFL initiation.
On first-and-10 at his 38, Trubisky hit Tre McBride in stride for a 45-yard gain. Yes, just like big-boy teams, people.
Alas, on third-and-goal at the Saints 8, Trubisky threw behind tight end Adam Shaheen on a post at the goal line. That’s a “Yikes.’’ Trubisky overthrew him, too. Shaheen is 6-foot-7. That’s a double “Yikes.’’ That doesn’t go on the highlight reel, nope.
Of course, Shaheen could’ve helped by separating from a safety — a safety, do you hear me? — and putting himself in position for a jump ball, which is why he was drafted. But he couldn’t and didn’t. Which makes you wonder why he was drafted.
Starting his third series at his 20 early in the second quarter, Trubisky hit third options Tarik Cohen and Dion Sims for gains. “Yes" and “Yes" right there.
But on his only third down, Trubisky took a sack because he held the ball too long and passed up an open receiver on a crossing pattern underneath. “Yikes" and “Yikes."
Knowing what an open receiver looks like in the NFL compared to college remains an issue for Trubisky, although his receivers have trouble getting open. It’s as if GM Ryan Pace has a bonus clause for each receiver who displays a lack of separation.
NFL power rankings: Are Eagles and Patriots destined for Super Sunday?
Ranking the NFL teams before Week 10 begins (last week's ranking in parentheses). (Brad Biggs)
Knowing the area that’s open on a blitz also remains an issue for Trubisky, too. Lucky thing the Bears offensive line has become triage, so the rookie will gain a lot of experience in dealing with pressure.
This week would be a great time for a cram session to learn those last two lessons. The opportunity to slice up a beleaguered Packers defense Sunday is real, especially on a short week and without the asphyxiating presence of Aaron Rodgers.
I mean, not only are the Bears favored, but they also enter this rivalry game with the quarterback who has the higher season rating. No lie. True fact.
They also enter the game with the better defense, one that likely will smother the Packers offense and take away the ball to give Trubisky more chances.
Oh, this opportunity might not be as easy as Matthew Stafford made it look Monday night, but I hope Trubisky was watching because the Lions quarterback provided the cheat codes.
The Packers will give an opponent big chunks of the field underneath because defensive coordinator Dom Capers loves to blitz from anywhere and everywhere. Finding those openings — anticipating those openings — is the key, even if the Bears offense under Jay Cutler appeared to have no idea how the concept works.
Committing to a receiver no matter how small the gain to avoid a sack and potentially a fumble is a positive play. If Trubisky can find the accuracy on which we were sold when he was drafted, then those things add up.
Just look at Stafford’s outing against the Packers: He completed 26 of 33 passes for 361 yards and two TDs with no interceptions, but 17 of those 26 completions came within 10 yards of the line of scrimmage and those passes accounted for 229 of his 361 yards. He averaged an excellent 10.9 yards per attempt without playing mad bomber.
Now, not all of those completions were first reads. When Stafford had time, he was able to work through progressions. The Bears’ oft-injured offensive line can’t always provide time, but still, the point remains for Trubisky: Get rid of the ball quickly and let someone make a play.
The Packers also will give an offense deep shots with single coverage, but Stafford attempted just three passes longer than 20 yards, and besides, that’s getting ahead of ourselves. First, that requires the savvy to sucker a safety by looking him off, and second, that also requires a receiver who can get separation.
Trubisky, then, with a combination of discipline and helplessness, will be forced to take what both the Packers and the Bears give him.