Rookies giving the Bears positives during 0- 3 start
Wit ht he Bears’ playoff hopes already farfetched and the Cubs poised for a historic postseason run, why pay attention to an 0- 3 Bears team that appears will be hard- pressed to match last year’s 6- 10 mark?
Because, if you look through the cloud of disappointment that currently shrouds John Fox’s team, there are young players who will be the foundation when the rebuilding j ob is complete. Clearly that construction job has a long way to go. But not all the developments in another winless September have been negative, even though it seems like a lock that the Bears will miss the playoffs for the ninth time in 10 years.
No team since the 1998 Buffalo Bills has started a season 0- 3 and made it to the postseason. Only two other teams – the 1995 Detroit Lions and the 1992 San Diego Chargers – have managed that resurrection since the current, 12- team playoff format was adopted in 1990.
But enough about this year; we’re looking ahead here.
Kevin White was much more in- volve din the offense vs. the Cowboys than in the first two weeks and appears to be playing closer to his 4.35 timed speed. The 2015 seventh overall draft pick had a game- high 14 targets and season- bests of 6 catches and 62 yards Sunday night. He had 7 catches for 70 yards in the first two games combined.
White, who missed his rookie season following shin surgery, couldn’ t hold a deep ball that glanced off his outstretched hands. But he atoned when he came down with a 32- yard jump ball with a one- handed grab while reaching around Cowboys cornerback Morris Claiborne.
“They’re figuring it out on the fly, and I think Kevin had his best game,” John Fox said. “All young players, the more they do it, the better they’re going to get. We’ve got a lot of young ones out there. Whether you’re talking about Cody Whitehair or Kevin White or Nick Kwiatkoski.”
The 6- foot -2, 242- pound Kw iatkoski,t he first of the Bears’ three fourthround picks this year, flashed power and run- stopping ability vs. the Cowboys in his first start. On one blitz, he bull- rushed the Cowboys’ La’ el Collins and knocked the 6- foot- 5, 322- pound guard into the backfield and then trampled a running back before chasing quarterback Dak Prescott.
Whitehair, this year’ s secon d-round draft pick, is already showing improvement after three starts at center, where he had never started a game until the season opener. First- round pick Leonard Floyd has also started all three games and is one of the leading tacklers but has just started to flash his pass- rush potential with half a sack.
“Cody did a great job with Brian ( Hoyer) setting the ‘ Mike’ ( linebacker) and setting t he protections,” t hree- t i me Pro Bowl guard Kyle Long said after the loss to the Cowboys. “I thought we did a better job in pass pro( tection), but we’ve got to do a better job on the run game.”
Jordan Howard, who could turn out to be a fifth- round steal, could help in that regard. The euphoria over his 36- yard romp on his first carry Sunday night dissipated as his other 8 carries produced a total of 9 yards. Nevertheless, Howard is a big, strong back who can make tacklers miss with subtle moves, and he could be the future at the position.
Fox said he was not surprised by Howard’s performance.
“It’s the same thing I have seen,” the coach said. “A young guy, learning how to figure out our system and play better. I think he’s done well, and he’ll continue to improve.”
Howard has earned more opportunities on merit, but he should also get more touches out of necessity. Starter Jeremy Langford left Sunday night’s game with a sprained ankle and did not return. Backup Ka’Deem Carey didn’t make the trip to Texas because of a hamstring injury.
The future begins now.