The Morning Journal (Lorain, OH)
Trubisky says he’s ready for bright lights of Monday night
There’s nothing like a pro debut in prime time.
That can be daunting, but Mitchell Trubisky said he’s ready for it.
As for pressure, the Mentor graduate brushed that aside when he addressed the media following his first practice as the Bears’ starting quarterback.
He has his quarterback coach during his time at Mentor — Nes Janiak — to thank for that.
“Coach Janiak would tell me pressure only appears when you’re not prepared for something,” Trubisky told Chicago reporters. “You only feel pressure when you’re not prepared for a situation or you don’t know what you’re doing.
“My job is to study the game plan, go back to my instincts and play the game how I know how to play it. I’ve been playing this game for a long time, and the pressure should only be what everyone makes it out to be.”
Trubisky makes his longawaited NFL debut for the Bears Oct. 9 at home vs. the Vikings on ESPN’s “Monday Night Football.”
Coach John Fox informed
Trubisky he was switching to him and benching veteran Mike Glennon on the night of Oct. 1. Trubisky’s reaction? “It was cool,” he said. That’s what Bears fans hope he is in his first career start.
Fans in the Windy City began clamoring for the No. 2 overall pick in April’s draft during the preseason when he performed well.
Since then, it’s been Mitchell Mania in Chicago, which Trubisky has continually brushed aside.
“That’s something I can’t control,” he said.
That buzz from the fans — the backup is usually a fan favorite, especially when the starter struggles — cooled for a bit while Glennon was directing the team through its first three games and a 1-2 mark. Then in a 35-14 loss to the Packers on Sept. 28, Glennon struggled with turnovers (two interceptions, two fumbles).
Trubisky said he’ll bring a gunslinger’s mentality.
“I feel like I’m ready,” he said. “We’ve got a whole week of preparation to be ready for Monday night. I’m going to prepare as hard as I can to be ready for every single (defensive look).”
Trubisky’s first practice was in the books before he addressed the media. He said the team went at it with a “sense of urgency” and a “good mind-set.”
One area Trubisky said he’s improved since the start of training camp is recognizing opposing defensive schemes.
“I think I’ve come a long way (in that area),” he said.
As Trubisky prepares for any and all things in advance of his first start, he is also a realist. As a rookie, Trubisky knows it likely won’t be easy at times against the Vikings.
“Adversity’s gonna happen, and from what I’ve studied and the other players I’ve looked at — the great ones — they’re able to put bad plays behind them quickly,” he said. “It’s about how you are going to make the next play for your team.”