THIRD MENTALITY
Game 3 of preseason is time for bubble players to step up
It is hard to knowwhen and exactly why the third exhibition game of the four- game preseason became the “All- Important Third Preseason Game.”
There are the occasional outliers around the league like Bill Belichick, who in some seasons has given starters extended playing time in the final exhibition game.
But for the most part, the third game has become the one in which the starters get the most snaps of the preseason before teams ease off the throttle in the fourth game.
I asked Bears coach John Fox on Thursday if he will place extra weight on his players’ evaluations based on their performances Saturday against the Chiefs.
“You know, not much. It’ll be the most extended play for the starters we have available,” Fox said. “We’ve got some guys that we’ve evaluated on a lot of football plays before the third preseason game, so albeit it is important, we have a pretty good idea about some of our players. I feel good about where we are. We get an opportunity to look at some different guys, maybe even in different positions, which is all part of getting through an NFL season.’’
To me the key element of that answer is when Fox said, “We have a pretty good idea about some of our players,” and that was solidified by what he told me when I asked if this game is more important to the guys fighting for the 46th through 53rd spots on the roster.
“No, I think we know them better,’’ he said. ‘‘ We’ve had preseason 1 and preseason 2 to look at them. We’ve already formulated some sort of opinion on every player and we have two more opportunities with Saturday being the third.”
So in Fox’s world, the game Saturday will have no extra impact on how he already views his players.
What could be critical, if you listen to Fox closely, is when he said, “We get an opportunity to look at some different guys, maybe even in different positions.”
Things I would keep a particularly close eye on:
On the offensive line, look for tackles playing guard and guards playing center.
On the defensive line, look for tackles playing end and ends playing tackle.
In the secondary, look for corners playing safety, safeties playing corner and new guys in the slot.
When you see players trying new positions, it’s usually because they are fighting to stay off the roster bubble.
Although the Chiefs will be without one of the game’s top pass rushers, Justin Houston, they are still one of the better rush teams and will come from multiple looks in their base 3- 4 scheme.
How the offensive line handles them without Kyle Long will be key.
In his final dress rehearsal, Kevin White needs to make some plays and be more of a solid NFL wideout than just an exciting prospect in training.
With Jacquizz Rodgers seemingly a sure thing to make the team, either Ka’Deem Carey or Jordan Howard needs to take this opportunity to make an impression.
While it would be nice to see Leonard Floyd make a few plays, the defensive unit to focus on is the secondary.
We know who and what the front seven will be made of, but while Tracy Porter, Kyle Fuller ( when healthy), Adrian Amos, Harold Jones- Quartey and Bryce Callahan ( nickel) seem destined to be the opening- day starters, only Porter seems certain to still be there by October.
If they want to make impacts for the team, now is the time for Jacoby Glenn, De’Vante Bausby, Deon Bush, Deiondre’ Hall, DeAndre Houston- Carson to make statements.
“I feel good about where we are. We get an opportunity to look at some different guys, maybe even in different positions, which is all part of getting through an NFL season.’’ John Fox, Bears coach