COMPARING NOTES
Glennon- Trubisky isn’t the only Bourbonnais takeaway topic— just the biggest
The Sun- Times’ Bears experts— Adam L. Jahns, Patrick Finley and Mark Potash— break down the best and worst of the Bears’ training camp, which ended Monday at Olivet Nazarene University:
Mike Glennon looked ...
Jahns: Like a quarterback who needs to play more in the preseason after being the Buccaneers’ backup for two full seasons. He shouldn’t be treated as a typical starter. It was telling to hear him on Thursday saying he still needs “to get used to coming out as the starter and playing and being that guy.” At best, his camp was uneven. The Bears say they like how he performed last week against the Broncos, but it was a rough preseason debut. The Bears’ defensive backs have seemed to have a good read on Glennon in practice.
Finley: A lot better a week ago. His teammates still love his take- charge attitude— he makes them run gassers after practice — but it won’t mean much if he can’t perform on game day. The Bears are saying the right things about their faith in Glennon, who never looked as bad in practice as he did against the Broncos. Even a pedestrian performance Saturday against the Cardinals will slow any Mitch Trubisky momentum.
Potash: Like an inexperienced quarterback still finding his way—
understandable considering he’s learning a new offense and learning new receivers, who themselves are learning a new offense. This is going to be a work in progress, but the pressure is on to hit the ground running in Week 1.
Mitch Trubisky looked ...
Jahns: Like he belonged when faced the Broncos, but his inexperience was still evident in Bourbonnais. For all his struggles in camp, though, he still flashed the talent of a top- five pick. His accuracy, velocity and touch are special. He can make throws Glennon can’t. And the most encouraging aspect might be off the field: Trubisky has bought into the Bears’ plan for him. He’s a team- first guy who knows he has much to learn. He has natural charisma, and his teammates have bought into it.
Finley: Worlds better against the Broncos than at any point in camp. The big question is why. Because he had a play script? Because he’s better when the lights come on? Because he was playing against third- stringers for most of the second half? The Bears need to sort through those variables when determining exactly what they have in him.
Potash: Better than advertised. Trubisky’s obvious skills are enticing— the quick release, arm strength, accuracy, mobility and ability to throw on the run. He still has a lot to prove, but his performance in the preseason opener might have been an indication he’s closer to being ready than the Bears thought. We’ll see.
Dothe Bears have a quarterback controversy?
Jahns: Not yet. One preseason game is too small a sample size to spark major changes. But the best players need to play — it’s how you keep your locker room in order. The Bears have their reasons for not rushing Trubisky, but Glennon still needs to prove his worth on the field. Finley: Trubisky won’t win the job unless he’s undeniable. He’s the boxer who must win by TKO. If he’s miles better than Glennon again Saturday, then he’ll be halfway there, and the Bears will have a controversy. Also, in what world is that a bad thing? The Bears threw two darts this offseason by signing Glennon and drafting Trubisky. If Trubisky hits the bull’seye right away, that’s fabulous news for him and the team.
Potash: Not yet. Unless the disparity in performance continues in the preseason, Glennon will be the Week 1 starter. But all bets are off— or should be— once the season starts. Then it’s the quarterback who gives the Bears the best chance to win.
He had a good camp ...
Jahns: Rookie safety Eddie Jackson. With interceptions and pass breakups, he showed off his ball skills and range. The Bears like his instincts. His tackling ability will determine whether he starts, but his strong showing has put him squarely in the mix to play alongside veteran Quintin Demps.
Finley: Lightning- quick, 5- 6 running back Tarik Cohen was the most exciting player to watch in camp. I feared “Chicken Salad” might be just another training camp MVP— see Braverman, Daniel— until he put on a show against the Broncos. If his speed and elusiveness continue to stand out in preseason games, I’ll be sold.
Potash: Receiver Tanner Gentry. The 6- 2, 209- pound undrafted rookie from Wyoming has consistently made big plays and is not a one- trick pony. He has caught everything short, middle and deep and has shown a knack for coming up with contested balls at each level. Still have to see it in games, though.
He had a disappointing camp ...
Jahns: Running back Jeremy Langford, because he didn’t have a camp. He sprained his right ankle during an early walk- through. It’s the same ankle that required surgery in the offseason. Langford still is the Bears’ best option to back up Jordan Howard, but the running back competition has heated up without him, with Cohen earning playing time.
Finley: Linebacker Pernell McPhee couldn’t pass the Bears’ physical on move- in day, was placed on the physically-unabletoperform list that night and had arthroscopic surgery on his right knee two days later. There’s no timetable for him to return, and when he does, it’s fair to wonder whether the Bears can count on him as more than a role player.
Potash: Wide receiver Kevin White. The Bears are doing all they can to pump him up; Glennon even listed White with Cam Meredith as the two receivers with whom he has developed a rapport in camp— something the eye test doesn’t confirm. It remains to be seen if White still has the speed and other skills that made him the No. 7 pick of the 2015 draft. We just don’t see it out there.
I’ll be watching ...
Jahns: The players Trubisky plays with and against for the rest of the preseason. The Bears might not have a quarterback controversy, but Trubisky has earned the right to play with and against better players. It will determine how far along g he is in his development. He moved the ball well with receivers Josh h Bellamy and Deonte Thompson mpson against the Broncos. What at can he do with White hite and Meredith? The Bears already know what Mark Sanchez can do.
Finley: To see how both quarterbacks handle the pressure of the next week. In the modern NFL, figuring out the quarterback is all that matters.
Potash: Guard Kyle Long. He’s expected to be ready for Week 1, but it’s not clear how good he’ll be after being so limited in the preseason— and how well he’ll hold up through a 16- game season.
Did camp changemy opinion of the Bears’ future?
Jahns: No. The roster is more talented than many think, especially nationally. The Bears might not be a playoff team, but it continues to be understated how devastating their injuries were last season. Quarterback Matt Barkley, who wasn’t even in camp, started a team- high six games.
Finley: I’m a bit more optimistic, in part because they seemed to escape Olivet Nazarene without a catastrophic injury. At the least, linebacker Leonard Floyd, tight end Adam Shaheen, Cohen and maybe Trubisky will be fun to watch. That’s good news. Bad and boring is a bad combination.
Potash: No. There are way too many unknowns. But first impressions were more good than bad: The defense should be better; the rookie class could have an immediate impact; Trubisky might be a factor sooner than expected; and while Long, linebacker Danny Trevathan andan McPhee are question marks, significant on- the- field inju injuries were limited. ButB the bar has yet to beb raised for this t team— until furtherfu notice, 7- 9 would be a good season. Follow us on Twitter @ adamjahns, @ patrickfinley, @ MarkPotash.M