Milwaukee Journal Sentinel - Packer Plus
Bears to assess Fields' ability to face Packers
The Chicago Bears showed Sunday they struggle trying to beat good teams with veteran Andy Dalton at quarterback.
The attention turns now to getting rookie quarterback Justin Fields available and healthy enough to face the Green Bay Packers for a second time despite broken ribs. The development of their first-round draft pick remains a key goal in a 4-8 season.
“That’s going to be an ongoing discussion for us all week long, literally,” Bears coach Matt Nagy said on Monday.
Despite the injured ribs, Fields threw in practice last week and practiced on a limited basis every day. Dalton then started and threw four interceptions in Sunday’s 33-22 loss to Arizona, three on tipped balls.
“I’ve said it all along: This is more of a pain thing for him right now medically,” Nagy said of Fields.
Fields has missed the past two games after suffering the injury and leaving in the second half of a 16-13 Nov. 21 loss to Baltimore. Nagy said there is no chance the team would put Fields on injured reserve because they feel he’ll be ready again at some point, and playing time is critical in his development.
There are goals in mind for Fields in terms of reading defenses and proving he can run specific types of plays, but coaches also need to learn more about Fields’ strengths. Nagy feels eight starts haven’t been enough to reveal what Fields can do best within their offense.
“I really felt like his confidence was starting to get good out there at practice, on the field, in himself,” Nagy said.
WHAT’S WORKING
The offensive line. The blockers allowed 30 sacks in the first eight games and only 10 in the past four, and helped the offense outgain each of its past four opponents after being outgained by each of the previous four.
WHAT NEEDS HELP
Pass receiving. Tipped passes for interceptions were only part of the problem Sunday. The Bears had other passes dropped, including one by practice squad player Rodney Adams in his first game after being flexed to the 53man roster.
Rain, wind and cold at Soldier Field was part of the problem, but the biggest issue they have is health, as Allen Robinson hasn’t been in the lineup since Nov. 8 with a hamstring injury. No. 3 receiver Marquise Goodwin missed Sunday’s game with foot and ribs injuries.
STOCK UP
David Montgomery. Montgomery had been somewhat hard on himself assessing his play since returning from a knee injury on Nov. 8. He had averaged 3.8 yards a carry with six total receptions in three games prior to Sunday’s loss. Against the Cardinals, Montgomery carried 21 times for 90 yards and a touchdown, and caught a season-high eight passes for 51 yards.
STOCK DOWN
Dalton. Going into Sunday, the backup had just two INTs in his first five appearances this year, and now has six.