Down Goes Floyd, LeBlanc’s Redemption, First-String Offense Shows Up, and Other Bullets

Aug 19, 2018

The Chicago Bears won a game in which the team committed 14 penalties for 149 yards, including five that gave their opponents five first downs. It was a preseason game, so let’s not get used to the Bears being that fortunate. There is a lot to work on moving forward.

The injury bug reared its ugly head on Saturday and the Bears are left waiting for updates. In addition to Adam Shaheen’s ankle injury, Bears Radio sideline reporter Mark Grote reported that outside linebacker Leonard Floyd left the game early due to a hand injury. Head Coach Matt Nagy said he doesn’t believe either player suffered a fracture (Rich Campbell, Chicago Tribune), but testing today will tell us everything we need to know. Losing Floyd for an extended period of time would sting. He is the team’s most talented pass-rusher and they really can’t afford to lose a player of his skill level knowing the lack of quality depth behind him.

Without Floyd, the defense was still able to come up with four sacks and eight quarterback hits. I suppose that’s a testament to resiliency. Defensive end Roy Robertson-Harris was the biggest standout, coming away with 1.5 sacks, 3 quarterback hits, and a tackle-for-loss as he tries to play his way into a starting role. Robertson-Harris looks to have successfully made the transformation from tweener outside linebacker to 5-technique defensive end. His ability to make a push into the backfield could help alleviate some of the Bears’ pass-rushing concerns.

Robertson-Harris and Jonathan Bullard were able to get some extended looks because Akiem Hicks did not play. Patrick Finley of the Sun-Times tweets Hicks sat because of “precautionary” reasons.

Caps off to the defense, who found a way to blank the Broncos in the fourth quarter to help fuel the team’s come-from-behind win. And what’s more fitting than the play of the game coming on a perfectly executed Peanut Punch™ by Cre’von LeBlanc:

Cre'von LeBlanc peanut punch pic.twitter.com/RkeUicQ0Ik

— ⓂarcusD (@_MarcusD2_) August 19, 2018

The forced fumble (which was recovered by outside linebacker Isaiah Irving) came after what had been a rough night for LeBlanc. The third-year cornerback fair caught a punt inside-the-5 and fielded another one around the 2-yard-line. Both are big special teams no-nos and can’t happen again if LeBlanc is going to be a viable backup at the position. I understand the Bears don’t want to put Tarik Cohen in harm’s way, but they’ll need a better showing from their other special teamers.

Speaking of which, it’s a bit unsettling to have seen Cody Parkey miss field goals in consecutive weeks. Sure, both were from 50+ yards and I tend to be a little more lenient on long kicks from distance. But to miss from 50+ at altitude? Come on, now. That place is made for kickers to drill deep kicks. At least Parkey remained perfect from inside 50. And I suppose it’s better to get the misses out now because, at minimum, it will give the Bears an idea that maybe they’re better off going for it on fourth down in situations where an iffy field goal is the other option.

For the record: Parkey has attempted just seven 50+ yard field goals in his career … but he has made six of them. Parkey has two 54-yard makes in his career, with one of them coming in 2017. He has made 86.4 percent of his attempts during his four-year career, so I’m not all that worried. Just a bit bothered.

Can you believe we went this long without showing the first team’s highlight touchdown? Us either:

Trubisky to Trey for the TD. pic.twitter.com/lfIEI0yply

— Bleacher Nation Bears (@BN_Bears) August 19, 2018

The Bears’ first-team offense woke up on Saturday and Trey Burton was a factor. Burton caught four passes for 45 yards and the touchdown you see above. Burton was used in different spots in the formation and showed quality route-running and pass-catching skills. We won’t dare to compare Burton to the tight end Nagy had in Kansas City, but it’s worth pointing out that the things Burton did on Saturday are what is expected from the “U” tight end.

First touchdown went to the tight end, so it’s only fitting the last one did, too:

Chase Daniel finds Ben Braunecker in the end zone and the @ChicagoBears take the lead! #CHIvsDEN pic.twitter.com/uMO51rmKGF

— NFL (@NFL) August 19, 2018

Chase Daniel put in that work on Saturday, completing 19 of 28 passes for 189 yards, and two fourth-quarter touchdowns. It all added up to a 110.6 passer rating, which certainly looks great.

And yet, the best catch of the night went to (who else!?) Anthony Miller:

Miller!! pic.twitter.com/KgJa2NnCne

— ⓂarcusD (@_MarcusD2_) August 19, 2018

Things I didn’t want to see that definitely happened: A QB sneak in a preseason game. I appreciate the call to go for it on fourth down and the execution from Mitch Trubisky and the offensive linemen in front of him, but it’s unnecessary to put the quarterback at risk on that play.

Shotgun snaps came into play (again) on Saturday. To be clear, Trubisky should have caught the Cody Whitehair feed that led to the Broncos coming up with a safety. HOWEVER, the snap was a little bit high and on Trubisky’s left shoulder. It wasn’t the easiest play to make, but Trubisky should have made it. Clearly, both players need to work on things here.

An interception ruined what would have otherwise been a nice night for Trubisky. You have to think that he and Tarik Cohen will watch film of the pick and note how they would have done things differently. Remember, it’s still the preseason. Interceptions are teachable moments for quarterbacks, pass-catchers, and coaches alike.

Definitely an interesting look that caught my eye, too:

Whoa, Kevin White in the backfield there. That was interesting.

— Adam Hoge (@AdamHoge) August 19, 2018

written by

The Lions are making an extension for quarterback Jared Goff a "high priority." The Cardinals, Texans, and Giants added wide receivers this week. More in today's NFL Notes. Lions Making Jared Goff Extension a "High Priority" Two weeks after securing...

Patrick K. Flowers

May 10, 2024

Chicago Bears

I Love This Caleb Williams Quote About Leadership

The first Caleb Williams minicamp press conference is in the books, and without a glitch. Whew! Limiting the drama this season is atop of my Chicago Bears 2024 wishlist. Caleb Williams had some interesting things to say in his first...

Luis C. Medina

May 10, 2024

Chicago Bears

EA Sports College Football 25 Cover Leaked

I've written about this a few times since EA Sports first announced the return of the long-awaited College Football Video game. And while part of me is keeping my hopes tempered until that game is actually downloaded onto my XBOX...

Matt Rooney

May 10, 2024

Chicago Bears

Don’t Freak Out, But Bears Rookie Kiran Amegadjie Will Miss Offseason Practices

I am going to preface this by saying there isn't a reason to freak out over news that Kiran Amegadjie will miss the Chicago Bears upcoming rookie minicamp practices. And there is definitely no reason to be alarmed about a...

Luis C. Medina

May 10, 2024

Chicago Bears

There Is No Competition: Caleb Williams is the Chicago Bears QB1

The Caleb Williams Era is officially underway. So says Chicago Bears Head Coach Matt Eberflus: https://twitter.com/BrendanSugrue/status/1788962639520960945 MORE: Caleb Williams Wasted No Time Organizing Team Activities You'll remember this moment for as long as you're a Bears fan. The Caleb Williams...

Luis C. Medina

May 10, 2024

Chicago Bears

The Rookies Are Here, Local Rooting Interests, What’s Your Chipotle Order? And Other Bears Bullets

I'm trying to put myself in a mindset where I don't take it for granted that I made it to Friday. Not everyone does, so be mindful of that as you go throughout your day. Caleb Williams, Rome Odunze, and...

Luis C. Medina

May 10, 2024

Picks

Top Player Prop Bets for Pacers vs. Knicks Eastern Conference Semifinals Game 4 on May 12, 2024

Player props are listed for Pascal Siakam and Jalen Brunson, among others, when the Indiana Pacers host the New York Knicks at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on Sunday at 3:30 PM ET.How to Watch Pacers vs. KnicksDate: Sunday, May 12, 2024Time: 3:30...

Data Skrive

May 12, 2024

Picks

Braves vs. Mets Probable Starting Pitchers – May 12

After winning their past four games, the Atlanta Braves (24-12) visit the New York Mets (18-20) at Citi Field on Sunday at 7:10 PM ET.The Braves will call on Bryce Elder (1-1) against the Mets and Luis Severino (2-2).Braves vs....

Data Skrive

May 12, 2024

Picks

Avalanche vs. Stars NHL Playoffs Second Round Game 4 Prediction: Live Odds, Stats, History and Picks – Monday, May 13, 2024

The oddsmakers give the edge to the Colorado Avalanche on home ice (-135) over the Dallas Stars (+114) when they play on Monday, May 13 at 9:30 PM ET.Watch the NHL on Fubo!Avalanche vs. Stars Favorite, Moneyline, TotalFavorite: Avalanche (-135)Underdog:...

Data Skrive

May 12, 2024

Picks

Hurricanes vs. Rangers NHL Playoffs Second Round Game 5 Prediction: Live Odds, Stats, History and Picks – Monday, May 13, 2024

The Carolina Hurricanes are slight favorites (-118) versus the New York Rangers (-102) on Monday at 7:00 PM ET, at Madison Square Garden.Watch the NHL on Fubo!Hurricanes vs. Rangers Favorite, Moneyline, TotalFavorite: Hurricanes (-118)Underdog: Rangers (-102)Total: 5.5Best Hurricanes vs. Rangers...

Data Skrive

May 12, 2024

Chicago Blackhawks

World Championships Updates, Great Stars, Canes Survive, Still No Q, and Other Blackhawks Mother’s Day Bullets

Happy Mother's Day to all of the wonderful moms out there. My sons are incredibly fortunate to have a great mom and two wonderful grandmas still in their lives. We hear Blackhawks players talk about hot much they appreciate their...

Tab Bamford

May 12, 2024

Chicago Cubs

Horrible History, Morel’s Knee, Almonte’s Shoulder, Hoerner, Wesneski, Hendricks, Mervis, and Other Cubs Bullets

Happy Mother's Day to the mothers among you, and to the mothers in my life! I'll be doing some extra family stuff today, so I'm gonna cruise through these Bullets ... Up front, because this was certainly the thing most...

Brett Taylor

May 12, 2024

Picks

Mariners vs. Athletics Prediction: Expert Picks, Odds, Stats & Best Bets – Sunday, May 12, 2024

Two of the league's top power hitters meet Sunday when the Seattle Mariners (21-19) and Oakland Athletics (19-22) take the field at 4:10 PM ET, live on NBCS-CA. Caleb Raleigh has 10 home runs for the Mariners (-240 favorites on...

Data Skrive

May 12, 2024

Picks

Royals vs. Angels Prediction: Expert Picks, Odds, Stats & Best Bets – Sunday, May 12, 2024

Jo Adell leads the Los Angeles Angels (15-25) into Sunday's matchup with the Kansas City Royals (24-17) on a two-game homer streak. His Angels are underdogs for the contest, however, with bookmakers naming the Royals as -136 moneyline favorites. The...

Data Skrive

May 12, 2024

Picks

Dodgers vs. Padres Prediction: Expert Picks, Odds, Stats & Best Bets – Sunday, May 12, 2024

The Los Angeles Dodgers (27-14) visit the San Diego Padres (21-21) at 4:10 PM ET Sunday in a meeting between two of the league's best hitters. Shohei Ohtani is batting .352 this year (second in the league) for the favored...

Data Skrive

May 12, 2024

Picks

Giants vs. Reds Prediction: Expert Picks, Odds, Stats & Best Bets – Sunday, May 12, 2024

The San Francisco Giants (18-23) and the Cincinnati Reds (17-22) meet in the rubber match of a three-game series on Sunday at 4:05 PM ET. The Giants are -131 favorites on the moneyline to win the series over the Reds...

Data Skrive

May 12, 2024

Down Goes Floyd, LeBlanc’s Redemption, First-String Offense Shows Up, and Other Bullets

Read More

more bears news

Latest News

more bears news

Most Popular

Most Popular

Latest News

Most Popular

Most Popular