EXTRA POINTS
Looking good
Of all the good things that quarterback Mitch Trubisky did this preseason, his ability to go through his progressions and be decisive resonated most.
It’s what separated him from other quarterbacks in the draft, according to some scouts. Trubisky might not have
Patrick Mahomes’ natural arm strength or Deshaun Watson’s championship resume, but Trubisky was the top quarterback on many teams’ boards because he simply was the best at reading the field.
It’s a distinguishable factor between Trubisky and Watson. Some teams didn’t like that Watson tended to go through only one read before running.
Watson might be a threat with his legs — then again, so is Trubisky — but plenty of teams prefer their quarterbacks to operate from within the pocket.
So while some evaluators believed Watson could step in immediately for the play offcaliber Texans because of his intangibles, the preseason showed that concerns about his field- reading abilities were warranted.
In three preseason games, Watson completed 29 of 56 passes ( 51.8 percent) for 397 yards with an interception and a 67.3 passer rating. He was sacked five times. He almost threw two more picks in the third preseason game.
Watson’s first touchdown came on a 15- yard scramble in his preseason debut against the Panthers. Watch the film. He only looks to his left before tucking the ball and running.
Trubisky, meanwhile, proved some scouts right. The game isn’t too fast for him. He can read defenses.
Trubisky’s numbers in three preseason games — 34- for- 48 ( 70.8 percent), three touchdowns, zero interceptions, 354 yards and a 112.7 rating — are more impressive than Watson’s.
According to Pro Football Focus’ analysis, Trubisky was the most accurate passer this preseason with an 82 percent adjusted completion rate, which accounts for drops, throwaways and other factors.
More on QBs
The Browns will be interesting to watch this season because they coveted Trubisky, passed on Watson and ended up taking DeShone Kizer out of Notre Dame with the 52nd selection.
Teams were concerned about Kizer’s intangibles heading into the draft, and now everyone gets to see how well he plays after being named the starter.
Trubisky was better than Kizer this preseason. In the Browns’ third preseason game against the Buccaneers, Kizer completed 6 of 18 passes for 93 yards with an interception and a 28.2 rating. But Kizer outplayed Brock
Osweiler and Cody Kessler. Mike Glennon struggled for the Bears, but he wasn’t nearly as awful as Osweiler ( 12- for- 22, 67 yards, one interception, 41.3 rating).
History lesson
The Bears’ 19- 7 win against the host Titans in the third preseason game is a good omen.
In the previous three preseasons, the Bears’ starters were thoroughly outplayed by their opposition in their third exhibition games: 2014 ( Seahawks, 34- 6); 2015 ( Bengals, 21- 10); and 2016 ( Chiefs, 23- 7).
The starters — specifically, Glennon — have something good to build on. Jay Cutler completed 6 of 15 passes for 45 yards and a 47.9 rating in last year’s dress rehearsal.
— Adam L. Jahns