Week three for the Bears tonight, the “Superbowl” of the preseason. Am I exaggerating? Perhaps, but it certainly feels like it some seasons. This is the time of year when NFL fans crave meaningful football, like a star wide receiver craves attention. Known as the “dress rehearsal” game, but how much do you really see that’s of any importance? As a fan there is a little meat on the bone, seeing the starters open it up a little bit. You aren’t going to see any jaw dropping play calls, and certainly no exotic defenses. In layman’s terms you’re really just looking for your guys not to suck.
What I want out of Fields tonight.
First of all stay healthy. ” Yea, no s#*@ Mr. Sports writer”. Well sometimes the obvious needs pointing out. Especially to Justin. These are world class athletes, sometimes in the heat of the moment you dont slide, or throw the ball away when you should. Accuracy with that Justin Fields zip on the ball. Get him ten pass plays and get him the hell out of there. He has a gold rush to attend to week one.
Jack “The Ripper” Sanborn
If that nickname sticks, you heard it hear first. I’m patenting it. Believe it or not, I would bet the farm his performance so far played a part in Roquan ending his holdout. Jack Sanborn has quickly become one of my favorite players. The typical “Chicago guy” blue collar, hard working, nothing handed to him. He’s going to be around for awhile. As a star or even a starter, I can’t say, but there is absolutely a place for him. There will be an injury at linebacker this season at some point. That’s when Jack “The Ripper” will seize the moment. Tonight I want to see his instincts continue to fire off and keep being a sure tackler. That’s what Will keep him around.
A receiver step up not named Mooney.
I was really excited about Dazz Newsome. Just like that “he’s up and gone like a fart in the wind” to quote Warden, Norton from Shawshank Redemption. I was wrong about Newsome, I’m the first to admit it, but the Patriots apparently have interest in him so maybe the Bears were wrong. It’s getting a little late to hope for reciever to come out of nowhere and give Bears fans hope. Velus Jones scares the hell out of me with the fumble last week. Sharp continues look like a solid veteran, with all the injuries and new Bears at the position it’s been tough to guage. Tonight let’s keep it simple. No drops, fumbles, or running of wrong routes and I will be happy.
The O-line.
Top priority, keep Field’s healthy. ” Yea, no s#@* Mr. Sports writer”. Much like the receivers, I don’t ask for much. No blown assignments, no getting eaten alive by Myles Garrett. Keep number 1 clean and get him to the party week one. I would imagine you will see week one’s starting line tonight, but I can’t say for certain especially since we know Patrick is the starter at center when he returns.
The secondary
I will make this short, and sweet. Let’s see one of the starters get a pick tonight. Doesn’t matter they do it as long as it boosts the confidence. I see them going one of two ways. Really great or really bad, I’m leaning heavily on great. I love Brisker.
Trestan Ebner.
The more I see of Ebner, the more I love, but I’m starting to hold him to a higher standard already. I smell a big play out him tonight. Maybe a return for a touchdown, a 50+ yard run. Something of that nature. I think he’s the future starting running back for the Bears. Possibly even by the end of this season.
Cairo Santos.
Can we give Cairo some love! People only talk about the kicker when he’s missing kicks. The Bears have been spoiled at kicker in my lifetime with Butler, and Gould. There were a few struggles in between. Like Paul Edinger, who didn’t even look at the goal post in his kicking stance. What the hell was that? As Bears fans are cup overfloweth again with the right leg of Santos. Setting a franchise record two already in his time here. I just wanted to show him love. Eberflus goes undefeated tonight 3-0 on a Santos game winner! Bears 27 Browns 24. Bear down Chicago!