Post by JABF on Sept 1, 2021 22:05:58 GMT -6
This is behind a paywall so I can only post a brief snippet here. FWIW, The Athletic is offering 50% off on a subscription. It's a great source (I think) for worthwhile Bears news.
Regarding Dalton. I think the Bears think that he's good enough to start until Fields is ready to be the starter. Regarding that bold print below, I just don't know if the O run game can do much with the run-blocking that we have. The OL run-blocking looked worse to me than the pass protection. If the run game isn't there, then it's going to be a tough go for Dalton I think.
LINK
Dalton is going to get his chance to prove Pace right on the field in less than two weeks against a pretty good Rams defense.
Offensive players have been impressed by Dalton. Sometimes you can tell if players are just talking or actually believe in someone. And yes, they see that Fields is special, but there is a confidence that Dalton carries that his teammates have noticed.
The problem is expecting that to translate to a regular-season game for a quarterback who, even at his best, was still not a top-10 signal caller in the league, and someone who struggled last season. The key to success early on is for Dalton to avoid turnovers and get a lot of help from the run game, receivers after the catch and his defense. That’s what worked in 2018 and for a few other average quarterbacks to come through Chicago. That said, they didn’t have a future franchise QB with rare traits as their backup.
Dalton is going to get his chance to prove Pace right on the field in less than two weeks against a pretty good Rams defense.
Offensive players have been impressed by Dalton. Sometimes you can tell if players are just talking or actually believe in someone. And yes, they see that Fields is special, but there is a confidence that Dalton carries that his teammates have noticed.
The problem is expecting that to translate to a regular-season game for a quarterback who, even at his best, was still not a top-10 signal caller in the league, and someone who struggled last season. The key to success early on is for Dalton to avoid turnovers and get a lot of help from the run game, receivers after the catch and his defense. That’s what worked in 2018 and for a few other average quarterbacks to come through Chicago. That said, they didn’t have a future franchise QB with rare traits as their backup.
