Going Off Script, No Pressure, Robinson’s Readiness, Reasons Rosen Sits, and Other Bullets

After eight hours working on a garage, I just hope my neighbors don’t come across the alley to air their grievances. I might need to send a peace offering of baked goods or something just in case.

  • NFL Network insider Ian Rapoport explains why the Arizona Cardinals aren’t ready to give the ball to rookie quarterback Josh Rosen and why it might be a few weeks before they’re ready to do so:
  • https://twitter.com/RapSheet/status/1043856237992050689

  • While Sam Bradford isn’t putting up stellar stats as a starter, he isn’t the biggest problem holding down the Cardinals offense. With that being the case, it’s tough to thrust Rosen into a role where he’d be viewed as some sort of savior. And to do that against a strong Bears pass-rush while starting a back-up right tackle seems like a less-than-ideal situation.
  • A glimmer of hope for the Cardinals offense? Larry Fitzgerald is going to play through a hamstring injury that has limited him recently. The Canton-bound receiver is an 11-time Pro Bowler who has rattled off three consecutive 1,000-yard receiving seasons. Even at age 35, Fitzgerald is always a threat to break out in a big way.
  • The Cardinals are under some kind of pressure entering Sunday’s game, as Bob McManaman of The Arizona Republic explains that the home team will hear it if their play doesn’t improve against the Bears.
  • On the other side of the coin, Bears fans are feeling good about their team despite the offense’s inconsistencies. It feels like things can only get better for the Bears offense, especially as long as the offensive line continues its remarkable play.
  • Not only does PFF have that group ranked among the five best in the league, they are excelling in pass protection:
  • It’s only a matter of time until the offensive line being a strength will lead to the Bears’ eventual improvement on offense. The five guys up front clear holes for rushers and can buy time for receivers to run routes and get open. One of those receivers who can benefit most from quality offensive line play is Anthony Miller. The rookie receiver has shown an ability to run crisp routes and generate throwing room for his quarterback. His touchdown in Week 2 in Seattle is just the beginning. “I just feel like I can contribute to this team in a big way,” Miller said, via Mark Potash of the Chicago Sun-Times. “And I think that’s what you’re going to see as this season goes on.”
  • Considering that much of Mitch Trubisky’s success has come on the scripted portion of the game, it was encouraging to see him execute that fourth quarter touchdown toss to Miller against the Seahawks on Monday Night Football. Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune writes that it’s time for the Bears to execute the rest of the offense as well as it does when things get started. The Bears yet to put together a complete game, which is a major reason the team is 1-1 and not 2-0 entering Week 3. Getting off to a hot start and scoring on the first drive is of the utmost importance, but carrying that for 60 minutes is a challenge the team needs to overcome if it is to reach its potential.
  • Having Allen Robinson running every route from every different spot on the field will certainly help. Robinson says the first two games for him has been about getting “back into game form,” via the Tribune’s Colleen Kane. It’s been so far, so good for Robinson, who is on pace for his first 1,000-yard receiving season since 2015.
  • The Bears signed Robinson with the hope he would help improve the Bears’ vertical passing game. But two weeks into the season, Maurice Moton of Bleacher Report underlines the team’s deep passing game as its biggest weakness after two weeks. The Bears rank 31st in yards per completion as their quarterback has yet to find his footing (literally) through two weeks. Trubisky needs to step it up and move the ball around for the Bears’ passing offense to really take off.
  • Here’s a match-up that I wouldn’t be looking forward to seeing if I was a Bills fan:
  • And yet, Bears fans are pulling for you, rookie. Good luck!
  • written by

    Luis C. Medina, who you can find on Twitter at lcm1986, has been covering the Chicago Bears at Bleacher Nation since 2017. Since then, he has written about 3 head coaches, 5 play-callers, and 11 starting quarterbacks. Previously, Luis wrote about the Cubs and MLB at BN (2015-16) and worked in the Chicago Tribune sports department (2011-16). He also co-hosted a Cubs postgame show, Outside the Ivy, in 2019.

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