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THURSDAY, DECEMBER 10, 2015 • CHICAGOFOOTBALL.COM
CHANGE THE NAME Hub Arkush: Washington nickname is offensive and shouldn’t be allowed to stand 2
THE LIST
Two rookie GMs square off Sunday at Soldier Field. How are they doing?
GAME ACTION
Bob LeGere: With Alshon Jeffery a 2016 free agent, Bears must see what they have in Kevin White. 9
3
ADDED DRIVE
First-year Bear Jarvis Jenkins has something to prove when he squares off against his former team
10
Washington team nickname must be changed This Sunday when the Bears square off against the NFL team based in Washington D.C., you will hear many references to the name “Redskins.” This column is the only time you will ever read or hear it used in any publications, digital products or broadcast programs produced by Chicago Football or Pro Football Weekly. We use it here to explain why we believe it is important that we do our best to never use it anywhere else. Our policy has absolutely nothing to do with political correctness. We could not possibly care less about the politics of the subject. The term “Redskin” is defined in Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary as “usually offensive.” Some versions of the dictionary also begin defining it with the words “a contemptuous term.” According to the latest information we could find from the U.S. Census Bureau, there were 5.2 million Native Americans, a.k.a. American Indians, in the United States. It is a pointless exercise to argue over how many of them find the descriptor
FROM THE EDITOR
By HUB
ARKUSH
harkush@chicagofootball.com @Hub_Arkush
“Redskins” offensive, but every creditable survey we can find says the majority do. We do not choose to offend millions of Native Americans on a regular basis. What are the possibilities that a major professional sports team or major college sports program would adopt the nickname Whities, Blackskins, Brownskins, Yellowmen, etc.? Obviously, they are slim and none, and slim works for the Washington NFL franchise.
Why does ashington team owner Daniel Snyder think it’s OK? In a 2014 letter to Washington fans, Snyder wrote, “After 81 years, the team name ‘Redskins’ continues to hold the memories and meaning of where we came from, who we are, and who we want to be in the years to come. “I respect the feelings of those who are offended by the team name. But I hope such individuals also try to respect what the name means, not only for all of us in the extended Washington Redskins family, but among Native Americans too.” Mr. Snyder, unlike you, we do “respect what the name means among Native Americans too.” The U.S. Government seems to agree with us. On June 18, 2014, the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office rescinded Washington’s rights to trademark the name, ruling, “Petitioners have found a preponderance of evidence that a substantial amount of Native Americans found the term ‘Redskins’ to be disparaging when used in connection with professional football.” On July 8, 2015, in U.S. Federal
Court, Judge Gerald Bruce Lee upheld the ruling, writing “ ‘Redskins’ was offensive to Native Americans and ineligible under the Lanham Act for status in the federal trademark registry.” We have been asked why we don’t object to sports teams use of nicknames like Indians, Braves, Chiefs, Warriors, Blackhawks, Seminoles, Illini, etc.? The answer is simple. None are used in a “usually offensive” or “contemptuous” way, and some are, in fact, considered descriptions of honor. Were Snyder to come to his senses and change the name, not only would it be literally the first positive contribution he made to the National Football League since he bought the team, it would open up a huge new source of revenue to him as fans all rushed to replace their Jerseys, hats, T-Shirts, etc. The use of the name “Redskins” is a simple case of arrogance, bigotry and insensitivity by a tiny group of people with the power and resources to actually make a change for the better. It is not an effort we choose to support.
BY THE
NUMB3RS
23-24-1
Bears all-time record vs. Washington dating to 1932, when the team was known as the Braves and played in Boston.
1937
Year the franchise moved from Boston to Washington, D.C. It already had changed from the Braves to its controversial current nickname in 1933.
11-2, 5-8
Kirk Cousins’ TD/interception rate in home games (11-2) vs. road games (5-8). Washington plays at Chicago Sunday. Chicago Football Weekly is produced by Shaw Media, the Daily Herald Media Group and the Chicago Sun-Times in partnership with other Illinois daily newspapers.
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ChicagoFootball.com • Thursday, December 10, 2015
| CHICAGO FOOTBALL WEEKLY
2
Ryan Pace
3. MIKE MACCAGNAN New York Jets: Within 24 hours
By
ARTHUR ARKUSH
aarkush@chicagofootball.com @ArthurArkush
Two of the NFL’s five rookie general managers, Chicago’s Ryan Pace and Washington’s Scot McCloughan, unite Sunday at Soldier Field. NFL head coaches often get second chances but general manager vacancies tend to be filled with new blood. How do the early returns look for these first-year decision-makers?
1. RYAN PACE
mixed bag: Pernell McPhee and Tracy Porter look like great finds, but Eddie Royal, Antrel Rolle and Alan Ball have disappointed. Pace put sentiments aside in ushering out stalwarts like Charles Tillman, Lance Briggs and Tim Jennings, but overlooked myriad character red flags to acquire Ray McDonald in what was a controversial signing not only in Chicago, but also nationally. (Chicago Foot-
ball grade: B+)
2. SCOT MCCLOUGHAN
Chicago: His first draft class
has been highly productive – and that’s with its biggest prize, Kevin White, likely sitting out his entire rookie season. Pace’s free-agent foray has been a
Washington: He’s taken a
page out of former Bears GM Jim Finks’ book by electing to start his roster construction in the trenches, spending the fifth overall pick on Iowa product
H. Rick Bamman – Shaw Media
Brandon Scherff, who’s started every game at right guard, and plucking Terrance Knighton and Ricky Jean-Francois off the free-agent scrap heap to play key defensive roles. McCloughan drafted some juice on offense with Matt Jones and Jamison Crowder. Perhaps most impressively, McCloughan, up until now, has coexisted with meddling owner Daniel Snyder despite he and his staff benching company guy Robert Griffin III for Kirk Cousins. (CF grade: B+)
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4. CHIP KELLY Philadelphia: After pushing former GM Howie Roseman into a management position, Kelly perhaps has made more waves than the rest of the men on this list combined – and not in a good way. His biggest moves – trading LeSean
JJ’s
grade: C-)
5. SHELDON WHITE Detroit interim GM: White didn’t get the luxury of a draft and free agency to endear himself to the Ford family and new president Rod Wood. But the Lions are 3-1 since firing Martin Mayhew and Tom Lewand, and White played a direct role in the first win, signing street free agent Crezdon Butler days before he became an unlikely hero in Detroit’s first Lambeau Field victory since 1991. (CF grade: incomplete)
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3 CHICAGO FOOTBALL WEEKLY | Thursday, December 10, 2015 • ChicagoFootball.com
How are the NFL’s rookie general managers performing in 2015?
of the league year opening, Maccagnan, the former longtime Texans scout, acquired former Bears WR Brandon Marshall in a trade and signed QB Ryan Fitzpatrick, two key cogs in Gang Green’s surprisingly prolific offense. Maccagnan spent freely in free agency to bolster the secondary with Darrelle Revis and Antonio Cromartie, moves that have fallen short of expectations. Already possessing arguably the NFL’s most talented D-line, Maccagnan stuck to his draft board to select the best available player, Leonard Williams. Most importantly, the Jets are in the thick of the playoff chase in December, namely due to a career year from Fitzpatrick at age 33. (CF grade: B-)
McCoy for Kiko Alonso; swapping Sam Bradford for Nick Foles; and giving 2014 NFL rushing champion DeMarco Murray $21 million guaranteed coming off one of the largest workloads in NFL history – haven’t materialized. Kelly put his “X’s and O’s” above “Jimmy’s and Joe’s,” a dangerous precedent that’s landed him on the hot seat after less than one full season in the expanded role. The silver lining is, in the NFC East, the Eagles sit in a three-way tie for first place after pulling off one of the season’s biggest upsets – traveling to Foxboro to hand the mighty Patriots their second consecutive loss. (CF
GAME PREVIEW
ChicagoFootball.com • Thursday, December 10, 2015
| CHICAGO FOOTBALL WEEKLY
4
Washington
VS.
Bears
GAMEDAY: NOON, SUNDAY, DEC. 13 / SOLDIER FIELD, CHICAGO By
KEVIN FISHBAIN
Matt Forte
kfishbain@chicagofootball.com @kfishbain
BEARS RUSHING OFFENSE vs WASHINGTON RUN DEFENSE
The Bears rushed for 170 yards on 42 carries, season-high marks against the 49ers. More importantly, Matt Forte and Jeremy Langford combined to run for 4.5 yards a carry, helping a Bears offense that is still 25th in the league in rushing average (3.8). Adam Gase has three backs at his disposal, with Ka’Deem Carey too, to ground and pound against a Washington defense that has had back-to-back strong outings, holding Darren McFadden to 53 yards on 14 carries on Monday night and the Giants to 33 yards the week before. However, they allowed more than 142 rushing yards in each of the previous six games, as Washington is 29th in the league, giving up 4.6 yards a touch. Nose tackle Terrance Knighton and inside linebacker Will Compton key the middle of the defense, along with former Bear Stephen Paea and left end Chris Baker. As good as the Bears looked at times against the 49ers, they still had too many short gains, and face another 3-4 defense this week, but Forte and Langford should have the advantage.
EDGE BEARS BEARS PASSING OFFENSE vs WASHINGTON PASS DEFENSE
This may be one of the closest matchups on paper leading into Sunday’s game. Jay Cutler, protecting the ball better than he has in his career, had his worst game in the loss to the 49ers, throwing an interception that was returned for a score and compiling his lowest passer rating of the season (64.2). Cutler has
Sandy Bressner – Shaw Media
14 touchdowns to seven picks in 2015, and has been sacked only 16 times, but he needs help from his pass catchers. If Marquess Wilson (foot) is unable to go, the onus shifts to Josh Bellamy and Marc Mariani to make plays, especially with Martellus Bennett on IR and a banged up Zach Miller. Teams have done a good job taking Bennett away, as he has eight catches for 58 yards in his past three games combined. Washington’s top cover man,
Bashed Breeland, has 13 passes defensed and two picks this year and likely will man up Alshon Jeffery. He had good battles with Dez Bryant, who had only three catches on Monday night. Ryan Kerrigan (6.5 sacks) and Baker (14 QB hits) key the Washington pass rush. If Breeland wins his matchup with Jeffery, Washington gets the edge, but we still like Cutler and Gase responding to a rough outing last week.
EDGE BEARS
WASHINGTON RUSHING OFFENSE vs BEARS RUN DEFENSE
The Alfred Morris-Matt Jones tandem has shown a few flashes … but as a whole, it has been far from Washington’s strength. Morris is averaging 3.5 yards a touch, just ahead of Jones’ 3.4-yard average, as Washington is 26th overall in rushing. Following two poor run defense performances in a row, the Bears shut down Shaun Draughn, holding him to a 2.8-
yard rushing average on 13 carries, but they broke down trying to keep Blaine Gabbert contained, especially on his 44-yard touchdown run. Washington is physical up front with its power-run game and the Bears’ D-linemen had issues against Denver and Green Bay winning blocks off the snap. Morris and Jones are big enough to shed tacklers, so the inside linebackers need to be stout. Something to watch is when Washington moves
THIS WEEK IN THE NFL
Kirk Cousins
AP photo
AP photo
outside, as it is averaging 5.4 yards off left tackle, while the Bears are giving up 5.1 yards in that direction on 57 plays. Washington has more options in the run game with Morris and Jones than the 49ers did and the type of style to gain yards.
EDGE WASHINGTON WASHINGTON PASSING OFFENSE vs BEARS PASS DEFENSE
Kirk Cousins is completing his passes at a higher rate than any starting quarterback in the league – 68.6 percent. He will go against a Bears defense holding opposing throwers to 60.6 percent passing. As efficient as Cousins has been with a solid group of weapons (DeSean Jackson, Pierre Garcon, Jordan Reed and Jamison Crowder), he’s been a different quarterback on the road. Cousins is 0-5 on the road with five touchdown passes to eight interceptions. His rating is 69.8 away from FedEx Field compared to 111.5 at home. When there haven’t been communication gaffes, like we saw in Torrey Smith’s game-winning touchdown, the Bears’ secondary has done a formidable job against opposing wide receivers, especially Tracy Porter, who is having a Pro Bowl-caliber season. The concern here
has to be Reed and Jones out of the backfield, as the Bears’ defense in the flats and over the middle of the field has left much to be desired. The pass rush got to Gabbert four times last week for sacks, and it will need to pick it up against an O-line with two first-round picks (Trent Williams, Brandon Scherff) that has done a good job keeping Cousins clean. Advantage goes to a Vic Fangio unit looking to move past last week’s errors.
EDGE BEARS SUNDAY’S OVERALL EDGE
Both teams are coming off brutal, last-second losses. Washington’s playoff chances, thanks to being in the woeful NFC East, are much better than the Bears. Washington is 0-5 on the road, the Bears are 1-5 at home — something has to give. The Bears have to be ready for Rashad Ross, who returned kicks for Chicago briefly last season and has Washington fifth in the league in kickoff returns. The talent level is similar on these rosters, and as good as Cousins has been overall, his road issues aren’t likely to be cured on short rest against a Bears team that has been good at responding to losses.
EDGE BEARS
VIKINGS @ CARDINALS
COLTS @ JAGUARS
7:25 p.m. Thursday, NFLN
Noon Sunday, CBS
Carson Palmer on pace for career-high 4,924 yards and 38 TDs, MVP-type numbers.
Colts still can’t hang with AFC powerhouses; Jags have upstart offense, downright awful defense.
BILLS @ EAGLES
CHARGERS @ CHIEFS
Noon Sunday, CBS
Noon Sunday, CBS
Kelly’s Eagles produce upset of year, but Eagles fans will be upset if Shady goes off against old team.
Six of Rivers’ nine INTs have been pick-sixes. Red-hot Chiefs soaring as newcomers Maclin and Peters shine.
SEAHAWKS @ RAVENS
Top players
OFFENSE / QB Kirk Cousins, RB Matt Jones, WR DeSean Jackson, TE Jordan Reed, LT Trent Williams DEFENSE / DE Chris Baker, OLBs Ryan Kerrigan and Trent Murphy, S Dashon Goldson, CB Bashaud Breeland
Schemes
OFFENSE / The name of the game for West Coast-style quarterback Cousins is efficiency; his 68.6 completion percentage paces NFL passers. Jackson and Reed have speed to burn and Jones is the most dynamic Washington back, though his ball security (four lost fumbles) is alarming. DEFENSE / Coordnator Joe Barry’s 3-4 scheme is designed to limit big plays, but this unit has been inconsistent defending the run and creating pressure with just four rushers. Kerrigan is its most disruptive force off the edge, and Baker can wreak havoc as an interior rusher. Second-year cover man Breeland and former Pro Bowler Goldson key a secondary that has overachieved.
Weaknesses For the second consecutive week, Chicago’s opponent arrives at Soldier Field in search of its first road victory. Cousins has tossed eight of his 10 picks away from FedEx Field, and the ‘D’ allows more than 32 points on the road compared to 17 at home.
Last time they met
10/20/2013: Buoyed by nearly 400 yards of offense from Robert Griffin III, Washington beat the Bears at home in a shootout, 45-41.
Noon Sunday, FOX
SAINTS @ BUCCANEERS
Baltimore’s 8 losses by combined 34 points; Russell Wilson: 12 total TDs, 0 TOs in 3-game win streak
Noon Sunday, FOX
49ERS @ BROWNS Noon Sunday, FOX Perhaps NFL’s two most dysfunctional teams clash; JFF is back; Pettine, Farmer likely won’t be in 2016.
FALCONS @ PANTHERS
New Orleans ‘D’ yielding 31.8 points weekly, worst since ‘08 Lions; Jameis Winston has three fourth-quarter/OT comebacks.
TITANS @ JETS Noon Sunday, CBS Mariota offers glimpse of Titans’ bright QB future; Fitzpatrick-to-Marshall keeps Jets thinking playoffs.
Noon Sunday, FOX
RAIDERS @ BRONCOS
Matt Ryan could learn a thing or two from Cam Newton about crunch-time play.
3:05 p.m. Sunday, CBS
WASHINGTON @ BEARS
Derek Carr coming off late implosion for Oakland; Osweiler’s Broncos still unbeaten.
Noon Sunday, FOX
COWBOYS @ PACKERS
Will a second straight previously winless road team earn its first victory at Soldier Field?
3:25 p.m. Sunday, FOX
STEELERS @ BENGALS
4-8 Dallas one game off NFC East pace; Packers still counting blessings a week later.
Noon Sunday, CBS
PATRIOTS @ TEXANS
Dalton bested Big Ben late in 1st meeting for Bengals victory; Brown, Green coming off monster Week 13.
7:30 p.m. Sunday, NBC
LIONS @ RAMS Noon Sunday, FOX Both lame-duck coaches are on second offensive coordinators; will St. Louis interim OC Rob pull a Jim Bob?
Forget perfection, Pats currently play wild-card round game. Bill O’Brien facing must-win vs. former team.
GIANTS @ DOLPHINS 7:30 p.m. Monday, ESPN Coughlin’s seat hot after another 4th-quarter debacle.
CHICAGO FOOTBALL WEEKLY | Thursday, December 10, 2015 • ChicagoFootball.com
Adrian Peterson
5
ChicagoFootball.com • Thursday, December 10, 2015
| CHICAGO FOOTBALL WEEKLY
6
BEARS
VS.
WASHINGTON STAFF PREDICTIONS
Wednesday spread: Bears -3
Hub
Kevin
Arthur
Nate
Bob
ChicagoFootball.com
ChicagoFootball.com
ChicagoFootball.com
ChicagoFootball.com
Daily Herald
Bears 30 Washington 29
Bears 20 Washington 16
Bears 24 Washington 21
Bears 20 Washington 14
Bears 21 Washington 16
The Bears are due to win at home and with their 0-5 road record, getting Washington is like playing Tee Ball.
Bears coaches, players have responded to losses well this season. That continues vs. bad road team.
The Bears stink slightly less at home than Washington on road. Cutler bounceback coming.
Both defenses match up well. Jay Cutler is more likely to find the holes than Kirk Cousins.
Washington has more to play for, but the Bears are overdue for a solid performance at home.
Season Record: 4-8 Versus Spread: 6-5-1
Season Record: 4-8 Versus Spread: 6-5-1
Season Record: 3-9 Versus Spread: 5-5-2
Season Record: 5-7 Versus Spread: 8-3-1
Season Record: 6-6 Versus Spread: 9-2-1
Jon
Adam
Jay
Kyle
Wes
Northwest Herald
Chicago Sun-Times
Rockford Register-Star
Kankakee Daily Journal
Peoria Journal Star
Bears 28 Washington 20
Bears 27 Washington 24
Bears 26 Washington 20
Bears 17 Washington 21
Bears 18 Washington 14
Now that it’s less likely they need a win, you know they’ll get one.
Who is coming off a worse loss? It might be Washington, who had better playoff hopes in the woeful NFC East.
Bears looked horrible last weekend, but so did more than half the league. This time, Bears bounce back.
It’s tough to remain consistent when Alshon Jeffery is the only real receiving threat on the roster.
Bears stay in every game, but also let every team do same. Call this Robbie Gould’s revenge: Six FGs win it.
Season Record: 5-7 Versus Spread: 7-4-1
Season Record: 4-8 Versus Spread: 5-5-2
Season Record: 7-5 Versus Spread: 7-4-1
Season Record: 4-8 Versus Spread: 4-7-1
Season Record: 3-9 Versus Spread: 7-4-1
ARKUSH
STYF
FISHBAIN
ARKUSH
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ChicagoFootball.com • Thursday, December 10, 2015
| CHICAGO FOOTBALL WEEKLY
8
Injuries have hampered a promising Bears offense By ADAM
JAHNS
ajahns@suntimes.com @adamjahns
It was just never to going to happen. Offensive coordinator Adam Gase and quarterback Jay Cutler always were going to be shorthanded this season. It’s really unfortunate. Injuries and attrition have undermined what many thought could have been a solid offense this season under Gase. In the midst of rookie receiver Kevin White’s progress, the Bears’ decision to place tight end Martellus Bennett on injured reserve only further illustrates that point. Are injuries to blame for all the Bears’ struggles in the red zone? Definitely not. Blame Gase’s play calls and coach John
Fox’s conservative predisposition. Blame Cutler for being Cutler. But being able to field a more talented lineup more often would have undoubtedly helped Gase in his plans and Cutler with his decisions. Sunday’s loss to the 49ers was only the third time this season that Bennett, receiver Alshon Jeffery and running back Matt Forte started together. Jeffery was active in Week One, but still wasn’t himself after straining his calf in the preseason. Bennett, meanwhile, clearly was hindered by his battered ribs against the 49ers. The Bears have featured five different offensive line combinations, and Cutler has taken snaps from three different centers. At receiver, the attrition has been even worse. Beyond Jeffery
THE WAY WE HEAR IT Do Colts need Luck to make playoffs?
Martellus Bennett Sandy Bressner – Shaw Media
and White, the Bears have been without Eddie Royal (knee) for six games. Marquess Wilson (foot) also was missed in the 49ers loss. Injuries affect all teams in every season, but in the end, all the Bears’ wounds have just been too much to bear.
Did the Bears just catch the 49ers at the wrong time? It’s a peculiar thing to ponder when it comes to considering a team with only four wins. But the 49ers’ defense was coming off a solid outing against the Arizona Cardinals, who field one of the NFL’s best offenses. Cardinals quarterback Carson Palmer was held to a season-worst 80.3 passer rating and didn’t have a touchdown pass for the first time all season. The Cardinals still managed to pull out a 19-13 win over the 49ers, but it was their second lowest point total of an exceptional season. It was something that Fox, Gase and Cutler hinted at, but it was a factor that went overlooked with the Bears coming off an impressive win against the
Packers. As everyone knows, Cutler had a tough day against the 49ers, who were prepared for the quick screen that led to nickel back Jimmie Ward’s pick-six and more. Cutler’s 64.2 passer rating was his worst this season.
Looking for a positive? The Bears’ pass rush is no longer a one-man show, starring only outside linebacker Pernell McPhee. Outside linebackers Lamarr Houston and Willie Young are the main reasons why. Over the past five weeks, they’ve combined for 7.5 sacks. Houston has tied McPhee for the team-lead with five sacks. Young and rookie lineman Eddie Goldman are right behind them with 4.5, and defensive end Jarvis Jenkins has four.
BY HUB ARKUSH
home against the Texans in the game that could very well decide the division. Matt Hasselbeck ran out of Of course, that raises two key magic in the Colts’ 45-10 beating issues, with the first being even if at the hands of the Pittsburgh Luck is close to 100 percent, how Steelers last Sunday night and, according to our sources, left a lot much rust will he have to knock off to be effective in the biggest of folks around the Indianapolis offices and locker room wonder- game of the year. Secondly, if Luck isn’t close to ing if Andrew Luck can get back in time to get Indy to the playoffs 100 percent, how much risk do the Colts take with one of the as the AFC South champ, and most important assets in the whether or not Chuck Pagano’s league? job could hang in the balance. Whether Pagano wants to Luck is almost certainly out be back, whether he has done one more week with the Colts enough to make team owner Jim traveling to Jacksonville this Irsay want him back, and whether Sunday, but it seems more than or not the job of general manager reasonable that Hasselbeck can Ryan Grigson is safe ... are all get them one more win against open questions depending on who the hapless Jaguars. you talk to in Indy and around the Even if he doesn’t, the Texans will have to knock off the Patriots league, with a lot of it likely to be sorted out vs. the Texans. in prime time Sunday night to move ahead of the Colts. Will Sean Payton Originally, Luck was projected be leaving the Big Easy? to return Week 16 against the Multiple sources are reporting Dolphins, but there is hope now he can be ready to go Week 15 at it is highly unlikely Sean Payton
would be fired at the end of this season even if the Saints don’t win another game. Ownership – the Benson family – is focused right now on the health of owner and family patriarch Tom Benson and highly unlikely to force any organizational upheaval in the next month or so. For his part, Payton claims to be enamored with some of the young talent on the team and believes he can author a turnaround. But that doesn’t mean Payton
wouldn’t come down with a case of “the grass is always greener” if ownership allowed him to be wooed by other suitors. There are multiple reports that at least three or four teams, including the Dolphins, Browns and Titans, would entertain a trade for Payton. The last time a high profile coach was traded, the Raiders sent John Gruden to the Bucs for two first- and two second-round draft choices. If that kind of offer was on the
Sean Payton
table, from a club sure to have top-10 picks this year and possibly next as well, we’re hearing the Saints would think long and hard about the deal.
Is it possible Chip Kelly is back in Philadelphia?
There are few more dysfunctional organizations or underachievers in the NFL right now than the Philadelphia Eagles. The failures and mistakes all have Chip Kelly’s fingerprints indelibly imprinted on them. Forget that the Eagles actually are tied for first in the NFC East at 5-7 and coming off a huge upset of the Patriots in Foxborough. 2015 had been a disaster in Philadelphia. Nonetheless, we are now hearing that team owner Jeffrey Lurie is leaning strongly towards giving Kelly at least one more year to clean up his mess, and at least for now Kelly is saying all the right things about wanting to be back.
Now that the Bears have played themselves out of the playoffs, they need to get Kevin White on the field. The playing field, that is. The big-play, first-round wide receiver from West Virginia participated in the individual portions of practice last week. He ran routes and caught passes during pregame warm-ups Sunday at Soldier Field with no ill effects from the stress fracture in his left shin that has kept him on the sidelines since June. The 6-foot-3, 215-pound White is now four months removed from his August surgery and seems to be progressing nicely since the Bears began his 21-day practice window on Nov. 24. They have until Tuesday, Dec. 15, to add him to the 53-man roster or place him on season-ending injured reserve. “I think his leg is healed,” coach John Fox said. “Now it’s a matter of getting into football shape, where he’s kind of been sidelined for some time. We’ll evaluate that deal. “We have medical people that
OPINION
By BOB
LeGERE
rlegere@dailyherald.com @BobLeGere
deal with him every day. And we’ll continue to bring the football-play element back into it. If he’s cleared to play football, he’ll be out there. If not, he won’t.” He must. White doesn’t need to be in tiptop football shape to benefit from some late-season exposure, even if it’s in a limited role. Any playing time White gets in the final four games this year gives him a better chance next year to be the impact player the Bears believe he is. With the possibility that
Pro Bowl wide receiver Alshon Jeffery will bolt in the offseason as an unrestricted free agent, the Bears cannot afford to go into the 2016 season with a group of journeymen and a green-as-grass White at wide receiver. If White is to be the go-to guy in 2016 that the Bears projected him to be when they made him the seventh overall pick, he needs to hit the ground running on opening day. That can’t happen if opening day marks the first time in 20 months that he participates in a meaningful game. White hasn’t played in so much as a preseason game since his last live action, on Dec. 29, 2014, when he caught seven passes for 129 yards and a touchdown against Texas A&M, earning MVP honors in the Liberty Bowl. That capped an all-America season that included 109 receptions for 1,447 yards and 10 touchdowns. Bears offensive coordinator Adam Gase would love the opportunity to incorporate another weapon into an offense that rarely has been at full strength because
Kevin White
H. Rick Bamman – Shaw Media
of injuries. “He’s an explosive guy who can create big plays after short throws,” Gase said of White, who ran a blazing 4.35 40-yard dash at the Combine. “He has an allaround game, from (blocking in) the run game, to being a downfield threat, to an underneath, catch-and-run-type guy.” Gase has been contemplating White’s potential role in the offense since he returned to practice. “I try to think what would be the right thing to use him for,” he
said. “When you’re a first-year player in the league, you’re not going to grasp everything right away.” That’s exactly why the Bears need to get White on the field now, so he doesn’t have as steep a learning curve next year. Gase already has demonstrated that he can put players in the best positions to succeed, from backup tight end Zach Miller to all three running backs. “It’s what should we do with him if he does get out there?” Gase said of White. “And what’s going to be the best thing that he can do to help contribute? In the back of my head, every time I’m watching to see what’s going to be best for him if we get that opportunity. “You can make it very simple for a young wide receiver if you want to. You just say, ‘Hey, we’re going to throw one up, go and get it.’ There’s always those kinds of situations you can put a guy in.” Even that would be better than letting White languish on the sidelines.
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9 CHICAGO FOOTBALL WEEKLY | Thursday, December 10, 2015 • ChicagoFootball.com
Bears must get top pick Kevin White real game action
ChicagoFootball.com • Thursday, December 10, 2015
| CHICAGO FOOTBALL WEEKLY
10
Chicago Bears defensive lineman Jarvis Jenkins takes down San Francisco 49ers quarterback Blaine Gabbert Sunday in the first half of Sunday’s game at Soldier Field. Sandy Bressner - Shaw Media
There goes
Jarvis again
First-year Bear Jenkins leads with a big laugh, but nothing will fire him up more than facing the team that let him go By
NATE ATKINS
natkins@chicagofootball.com
E
veryone who knows Jarvis Jenkins seems to have a Jarvis Jenkins story. Most of them end in laughter. Bears players have known him for only half a year. The story they settle on is an easy choice. It’s the night before the Rams game at the team hotel. The day before, the coaches had approached Jenkins about speaking to the team, something they have a different player do before every game. Pernell McPhee once had all the players lock arms the night before they beat the Raiders to break an 0-3 slump. The bar was high. Jenkins started in the real, recounting the only other time he played in the Edward Jones Dome back in 2012, his second career game. Two of the most physi-
cal teams in the league squared off, and with replacement officials, plays turned violent. Adam Carriker and Brian Orakpo got hurt for Washington, Steven Jackson and Rodger Saffold for St. Louis. Near the end, Washington was readying for a game-tying 47-yard field goal attempt when Josh Morgan threw the ball at Cortland Finnegan. A 15-yard penalty made the kick 62 yards, and since it was fourth down, Billy Cundiff kicked it anyway but came up way short and wide right. It was one of the dirtiest games Jenkins can remember playing in, he told the Bears that night. “But what is a ram?” he asked them in his deep, humming South Carolina voice. “A ram is nothing but a ****ing sheep. They travel in packs, and they run away. We’re going to be the wolves trying to eat some sheep.” The entire team burst into laughter.
Then they went out on the field and ran away with a 37-13 victory, the Bears’ most dominant performance of the season so far.
Jenkins’ high school coach has a story to tell about him, but in this one, no one is laughing. Daniel High School in Central, South Carolina, was 2-5 around two-thirds the way through Jenkins’ senior season in 2006. Randy Robinson was feeling the heat in his first year as head coach of the traditional powerhouse. He had to try something. So he benched his best player, his one great senior. He needed to send a message to Jenkins, who played passively with all that joy, relying on natural power and speed rather than the low pad level and leverage techniques that could make him great. “When you’re the biggest and the fastest out there, you can just stand up and go find the ball like you do in the backyard,” Robinson said. “That’s kind of the way Jarvis played early on, and it about drove me crazy.” Robinson put him at fullback for a few plays, itching to see what the 300-pounder would do in a role built on effort. Furious at his coach and needing to hit someone, Jenkins blocked for a touchdown by just throwing his weight around. Rodriguez
knew he was ready. Prior to that day, Jenkins was so in love with playing a game that he didn’t need fuel from anything else. He just needed to be on the field. To have that taken away from him was to suck the happiness out of a big body. It was a foreign feeling he didn’t want to experience again. But he would experience it again. That is, after all, how he got to Chicago. After four years at Clemson, he arrived in Washington as a second-round pick. He was making noise in training camp before he tore his ACL and missed his entire rookie year. He was crushed. When he worked his way back onto the field the next season, the happiness came back. He was playing again, months after surgery, after spending his rookie season on the sidelines again, staring at the disappearance of a dream. Jenkins was overjoyed, and he played that way. “I just did the amount to be a starter,” he said. “I never took that extra push, and now I realize that.” Only after new general manager Scot McCloughan chose not to re-sign Jenkins did he notice the signs on the wall, like the two sacks in three years or Jason Hatcher’s regular greeting of, “Are you coming to work today?” which he found out in time meant to not just show up but actually make a difference on the field. Defeated, Jenkins entered a cold offseason. Back home, things felt different. He worked out at Clemson and held a youth camp at Daniel, and he saw his own disappointment in the eyes of everyone he saw, from the Tigers training for the pros to his friends already on NFL teams to the kids who didn’t want
“When you’re the biggest and the fastest out there, you can just stand up and go find the ball like you do in the backyard. That’s kind of the way Jarvis played early on, and it about drove me crazy.” — RANDY ROBINSON Jarvis Jenkins’ high school coach
he watched unhealthy amounts of film on himself and others, picking out hand techniques he’d try to master for the first time. Twelve games in with the Bears, he’s having the best season of his life. Jenkins has four sacks, and he’s been a leader on and off the field, connecting to veterans with his experience, to rookies with his col-
lege-like humor, to them all with that deep third-leading receiver with the Texans; and South Carolina drawl. extending most recently to Shaq Lawson, a Clemson outside linebacker projected to be a first-round pick next spring. They all faced different doubts entering DeShawn Williams has a Jenkins story, college or the NFL. They all followed Jenand he keeps it on a piece of paper at his kins’ lead into the dark. mother’s house back in Central. It’s written In Chicago, he’s trying to have a simby Jenkins, and it begins, “Dear DeShawn.” ilar effect on younger players. He enveWilliams was in middle school when lopes everything in humor, from his Clemhis mother approached Jenkins’ mother, son smack talk – the Tigers are No. 1, he whom she was related to through a long reminds everyone – to his dances in the line of cousins. She told her that her son stretching lines to the speeches he’ll give looked up to Jarvis, and it would make his about a ram and a sheep. day to feel connected to someone so good at “When you step inside the locker room, what he so desperately wanted to become. you can say, ‘OK, these are the older guys. The letter showed up at Williams’ house, These are the guys that’s been in the league and he couldn’t believe it. In it, Jenkins told for a lot of years.’ But with Jarvis, we click Williams he could be anything he wanted so well, you know what I mean? It’s like to be as long as he had goals and held them he’s one of us,” rookie nose tackle Eddie tight. Goldman said. Nearly a decade later, the undersized That’s because he’s the same kid he alWilliams has made the Bengals’ 53-man ways was, just now with the understanding roster as an undrafted rookie out of Clem- that nothing ages a man quite like the NFL. son. The letter was his turning point in “There’s always pressure in the NFL,” Central. That was his benching. Jenkins said, “because you can be replaced “I was like, if there’s somebody who can like that.” make it out of small Central, South CaroliHe’ll get a reminder of that on Sunday na, and make it to the NFL, then why not against Washington. He won’t bring a me?” Williams said. speech about the mascot – that’s a taboo topWearing Jenkins’ No. 99, Williams ic these days anyhow – but he’ll be sure to played in his spot at both Daniel and Clem- stare it down. The team clown might even son, continuing the train Jenkins started get mad, but that’s no reason for alarm. that followed with Hopkins, now the NFL’s He’s at his best that way.
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to be free agents when they grew up. In Central, a town of just more than 5,000 people, kids dream about playing professional football just like anyone else. The difference is they do it in the shadow of a Power Five program in Clemson, which, thanks to guys like Jenkins and DeAndre Hopkins and Sammy Watkins and Byron Mawell, has become one of the best pro factories in America. There, the difference between stardom and regret can be one rack over in the weight room. Perhaps the only feeling worse for a Daniel High Lion than not getting a chance in the NFL is getting one and losing it. “I should have been a better pro,” Jenkins said. “… I see all these guys in free agency go before me. I’ve got something to prove. Guys are saying, ‘He’s washed up,’ this and that, so it’s like, I’m about to go out here and prove myself wrong. “It kind of pisses you off.” A player so hungry and desperate was exactly what Ryan Pace was looking to fill the Bears with by using one-year “prove it” deals. When he signed, defensive line coach Jay Rodgers sat him down and told him, flatly, that being a starter wasn’t enough here. This new regime was looking for players to build around. So right away, Jenkins started searching for what everyone said he lacked the most, a pass rush. Those two sacks in three years in Washington danced in his head as
ChicagoFootball.com • Thursday, December 10, 2015
| CHICAGO FOOTBALL WEEKLY
12
NFC NORTH REPORT By
ARTHUR ARKUSH
aarkush@chicagofootball.com @ArthurArkush
LIONS @ RAMS Jim Caldwell was making a compelling case for being retained by the next Lions general manager … until last Thursday’s indefensible mismanagement of the most epic Hail Mary in NFL history. Caldwell’s fate appears sealed, but an enigmatic NFC North passer not named Jay Cutler is in the midst of his best four-game stretch since 2011. Matthew Stafford seems reborn under interim offensive coordinator Jim Bob Cooter, and the Lions’ No. 1 run ‘D’ from 2014 has rematerialized over the same span. Despite Thursday’s setback, Detroit’s second-half push illustrates a cupboard hardly bare for the impending coach/GM hires. After his team’s fifth consecutive loss, Jeff Fisher fired rookie offensive coordinator Frank Cignetti, a move too little, too late as quar-
terback-less St. Louis’ death march toward Fisher’s fourth sub-.500 season continues.
Matchup to watch
Lane Tech product Laken Tomlinson has made nice strides as a rookie while starting 10 games at left guard. He won’t have a tougher matchup than this Sunday against All-Pro Aaron Donald, St. Louis’ sack leader (8). The Lions could start veteran Manny Ramirez for the second consecutive game at center and, along with LG Larry Warford, the trio must continue giving Stafford time to push the ball downfield.
By the numbers
Detroit has held opponents below 70 rushing yards in four consecutive games for just the sixth time since 1940.
VIKINGS @ CARDINALS
Overview
Does Minnesota belong in the discussion with the NFL’s best, much less the top-tier teams in their own conference? In their
past two home games, against the 2014 NFC Championship game participants, neither as formidable as a year ago: Vikings 30, Green Bay/Seattle 68. In the biggest game of his young NFL career, QB Teddy Bridgewater managed 4.2 yards per attempt and a 54.4 passer rating against a ‘D’ that had yielded an average of 353 passing yards in three games prior. Worse, Minnesota, on short rest, likely will be without three of its top four defenders when they visit the 10-2 Cardinals, winners of six straight.
Matchup to watch
In addition to S Harrison Smith, SLB Anthony Barr and NT Linval Joseph, the Vikings began preparations for Arizona without their second-, third- and fourthstring safeties. Meanwhile, QB Carson Palmer leads the NFC in passing yards and yards per attempt. Last week, Palmer connected with vertical specialist John Brown on Arizona’s longest hookup of the season – 68 yards. With 37-year-old corner Terence Newman, who pinch hit at safety a week ago, perhaps doing so again, defending Arizona’s deep passing attack is concern No. 1.
By the numbers
Adrian Peterson is averaging 11 carries for 43 yards in four losses and 24 for 125 in eight wins.
COWBOYS @ PACKERS
Overview
The Packers are back atop the division
after Aaron Rodgers’ Motown Mary flew to the top of 2015’s best NFL plays chart. Moreover, Green Bay has had 10 days to recuperate, especially critical for its wounded O-line, and attempt to retain as much magical momentum as possible for an offense that’s often lacked tricks. The big question coming off the “mini bye” is the role of Eddie Lacy, who was benched following his best two-game stretch of the season for violating curfew last Wednesday. Remember, Lacy tends to be the Packers’ closer late in the season and into the playoffs, as he was against the Cowboys in the 2014 divisional round, amassing 101 yards on 19 carries
Matchup to watch
Packers CB Sam Shields and Cowboys WR Dez Bryant reunite after Bryant’s controversial overturned fourth-down catch in the 2014 playoffs buried Dallas and helped lift the Packers to the NFC Championship game. After being held without a catch for more than a half Monday night, Bryant ignited to help Dallas stun Washington. … Keep an eye on the right side of the Packers O-line, where both starters were inactive last week and replacements, Don Barclay (RT) and Lane Taylor (RG), could again be overmatched versus ascending Cowboys DE Demarcus Lawrence (two sacks in Week 13).
By the numbers
Green Bay allows only 18.3 points per game at Lambeau Field.
CARS815.com
FOOTBALL
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MATCHUPS TO EXPLOIT
role. Martin has been the leading rusher in the Bucs’ last four games. This is a great matchup for Tampa. The New Orleans defense is dead last in total yards, points (31.7 per game) and rushing yards. They are second to last in passing yards allowed. In other words, they are really, really bad. Must start: Martin, Mike Evans Solid play: Jameis Winston, Vincent Jackson Worth a look: Sims, Austin Seferian-Jenkins*, Connor Barth Last resort: Bucs D/ST
BEARS (vs. WASHINGTON)
JAGUARS (vs. COLTS)
By
ChicagoFootball.com fantasy football writer
Week 14 is the final week of the regular season in many fantasy leagues. If you are in need of a win to secure a playoff spot, you might find some help from unusual sources. The Bears, Bucs and Jags are not necessarily synonymous with fantasy success, but all three teams have intriguing matchups this week. On to Week 14 …
Noon Sunday Like most prognosticators, we felt the Bears would fare better last week against the 49ers. Keep in mind, Robbie Gould missed two makeable field goals, Jay Cutler just missed Alshon Jeffery on a couple of deep tosses, the Bears had a ridiculously conservative game plan, and San Fran’s defense has been playing much better of late. This week, they’ll face a Washington team that has given up an average of 35 points in their last three road contests. Washington is ranked 21st defensively and 25th versus the run. With the Bears giving up 4.8 yards per carry and Washington yielding 4.6, both teams should find success on the ground. Must start: Matt Forte, Jeffery* Solid play: None Worth a look: Cutler, Jeremy Langford, Martellus Bennett*, Robbie Gould Last resort: Ka’Deem Carey, Zach Miller Stay away: Bears D/ST
Noon Sunday Don’t look now, but Blake Bortles is a top-10 fantasy QB. Depending on your scoring system, he is as high as No. 6 in QB points. Jacksonville has been held under 20 points just once (a 19-13 win over Tennessee in Week 11) since Week Four. T.J. Yeldon has only three TDs this season (one receiving), but he has a combined 956 yards from scrimmage and he is third on the Jags in receptions with 35. This is a good matchup for him; the Colts are No. 24 against the run. Allen Hurns (48 receptions for 758) will play after missing last week with a concussion. Must start: Allen Robinson Solid play: Bortles, Yeldon, Julius Thomas Worth a look: Hurns, Jason Myers Last resort: None Stay away: Jags D/ST
SEAHAWKS (@ RAVENS)
7:30 p.m. Sunday The Ravens 14 th-ranked defense isn’t all that bad, but SeatBUCCANEERS (vs. SAINTS) tle is on a roll. Any idea that they Noon Sunday couldn’t play well across times Tampa Bay has scored 23 zones was put to rest with their points or less five times in the 35-7 dismantling of the Vikings past six weeks, but the Bucs have in Minneapolis. Baltimore is betthe NFL’s No. 2 rushing attack. ter versus the run (No. 10) than Doug Martin has become a work- the pass (No. 19), so this could horse back with Charles Sims be another monster day for Russettling into a change-of-pace sell Wilson. The biggest problem
for Baltimore is the Seahawks’ 2nd-rated defense. If the Ravens could muster only 13 points in Miami, they’re unlikely to have much offensive success against this unit. Three-and-outs will lead to short fields, and a lot of points, for Seattle. Must start: Wilson, Steven Hauschka, Seahawks D/ST Solid play: Thomas Rawls, Doug Baldwin Worth a look: Tyler Lockett, Luke Willson
AP photo
that. After starting the season 5-0, the Falcons arguably have been the worst team in the NFL. The Panthers had a very tough time last week in New Orleans, and it would not be a complete shocker if the Falcons kept the game relatively close. However, after so many consecutive clunkers, it’s probably unwise to trust your fantasy season to this offense. Must start: Julio Jones Solid play: Devonta Freeman ALSO CONSIDER Worth a look: Matt Ryan Last resort: Tevin Coleman, BRONCOS (vs. RAIDERS) Roddy White, Jacob Tamme 3:05 p.m. Sunday Stay away: Shayne Graham, We hate to keep picking on Falcons D/ST the Raiders, but their defense is ranked 25th in yards allowed, RAIDERS (@ BRONCOS) and the team seems to be head- 3:05 p.m. Sunday ing in the wrong direction. C.J. Oakland tends to give Denver Anderson left Week 13 with an fits, especially when the Broncos ankle injury. If he sits out this are heavily favored. That caveat week, Ronnie Hillman is a must- aside, Denver’s defense is ranked start. Fantasy owners in need of No. 1 overall, No. 1 against the a boost at QB might want to con- pass and No. 5 against the run. sider Brock Osweiler. He has not They just held the Chargers to put up gaudy stats, but Oakland three points in San Diego. Rookie is dreadful (No. 28) against the QB Derek Carr threw three bad pass. interceptions against a KC defense that is good, but not as good DOLPHINS (vs.GIANTS) as Denver’s. Logic would tell you 7:30 p.m. Monday to sit your Raiders. If we could It’s rare that we’d recommend just get the nagging little voice in the Dolphins, but the Giants’ our head to go away … defense is so bad, fantasy ownMust start: None ers will at least have to consider Solid play: None some Miami options. Meathead Worth a look: Carr, Latavius interim coach Dan Campbell Murray, Amari Cooper, Michael is out to prove that his team is Crabtree tough. Apparently, tough teams Last resort: Andre Holmes, run the ball, and that logic is Clive Walford, Sebastian Janigood news for Lamar Miller own- kowski ers. Stay away: Raiders D/ST
MATCHUPS TO AVOID
RAVENS (vs. SEAHAWKS)
7:30 p.m. Sunday Bears fans will not be surprised to learn that the Ravens Noon Sunday Trivia question: When was the are in the bottom third of the last time the Falcons scored more league in rushing yardage under than 21 points? Answer: Week OC Marc Trestman. Decimated Five against Washington, and they by injury, Baltimore’s passing needed overtime to accomplish game is not as productive as it
FALCONS (@ PANTHERS)
was earlier in the year. Rookie Buck Allen had a nice day in Miami, and backup QB Matt Schaub did manage to post 300 yards in that game. However, this week they’ll face Seattle’s second-ranked defense. The Seahawks have looked as good as any team in the league over the last three weeks. Must start: None Solid play: None Worth a look: Allen, Justin Tucker Last resort: Kamar Aiken Stay away: Schaub*, Terrance West, Chris Givens, Crockett Gillmore, Ravens D/ST
GIANTS (@ DOLPHINS) 7:30 p.m. Monday The Giants’ offense is the poster child for imbalance. They are 7 th in passing yards, but a miserable 29th in rushing. They have scored a grand total of three rushing TDs all year and no running back has more than one TD or a single 100-yard rushing performance. Rashad Jennings is their leading rusher with just 431 yards. Jennings is the only current Giants RB who has ever run for 100 yards in an NFL game. Last week’s leading rusher was Orleans Darkwa with eight carries for a whopping 23 yards. Miami’s 27 th-ranked defense is not very good. Unfortunately for New York, Miami is worse against the run (No. 30) than the pass (No. 22). Outside of Odell Beckham – and maybe Eli Manning – there’s not a lot to like fantasy-wise on the Giants. Must start: Beckham, Solid play: None Worth a look: Manning, Josh Brown Last resort: Rueben Randle, William Tye Stay away: Jennings, Darkwa, Andre Williams, Shane Vereen, Giants D/ST *Check injury status
CHICAGO FOOTBALL WEEKLY | Thursday, December 10, 2015 • ChicagoFootball.com
FANTASY
13
Blake Bortles
14
ChicagoFootball.com • Thursday, December 10, 2015
| CHICAGO FOOTBALL WEEKLY
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TAKE TWO PATRICK FINLEY
KEVIN FISHBAIN
What can Bears accomplish in final games? In this week’s edition of ‘Take Two,’ Patrick Finley and Kevin Fishbain discuss what to look forward to while watching the final month of a Bears season with dashed postseason hopes.
FINLEY: Kevin, I have no idea who came up with the phrase “playing out the string.” Who plays a string well, anyway? Yo-Yo Ma? Adorable kittens? Whatever it means, the Bears are doing it after they lost at home to the hapless 49ers. At 5-7, their playoff hopes are dead. To quote Monty Python, their playoff life has ceased to be. But the Bears still have things they can get accomplished in the final four weeks. People love lists, Kevin. How about three of such things? FISHBAIN: C’mon Pat! The Bears could win out and then have Roger Goodell take wins away from teams that have too
many unnecessary roughness penalties or had too many players violating the uniform policy for good causes, THEN they would make it! OK fine, I guess we have to spin it forward. Who are the core players of this team’s future? I know you asked for three, but I’ll give you four players to watch in the last month to see if they’ll be on this team in 2016: Matt Forte, Alshon Jeffery, Tracy Porter and Shea McClellin. Am I missing anyone?
FINLEY: Ah, the little-known “If it’s not camo or pink, your postseason will stink” corollary. Those four look pretty good to me, though it’s fair to ask the same about a few respected veterans whose contracts are in place for next year but are candidates to be let go: tackle Jermon Bushrod, outside linebacker Lamarr Houston and maybe even kicker Robbie Gould. There is one player — think much, much younger — who
FISHBAIN: Speaking of those players you mentioned, don’t discount the possibility of Pace continuing to make this roster his ... and not Phil Emery’s. Outside Jay Cutler and Matt Slauson, and maybe Willie Young now, there aren’t many veterans signed by Phil Emery who are guarantees to still be here in 2016. But let’s talk about this mystery man, Kevin White. I think, Pat, we agreed all fall that he would not play this season. Now, after a full week of practice and some pre-game warm-ups, I’m allowing you to open the door slightly. Do you know what the Bears missed in that loss to the 49ers? A dynamic receiver. Heck, I think they could have really used Marquess Wilson. But, now that playoffs are out of the question, we enter the, “Is it worth it?” part of the season.
FINLEY: I don’t believe it’s worth it. Seems to me that throwing a guy into games after a few weeks of practice is foolish on two accounts: he won’t be very good and, like any game, it puts him at risk for injury. Here’s what wouldn’t surprise me, though: the Bears add him to the 53-man roster next week with no intent of playing him in games.
Having White practice with the team for an additional three weeks might be worth creating the roster spot. Let’s worry about the young players who we know will be on the field, Kevin. Who can help their 2016 chances the most in the next month? FISHBAIN: Pat, you’re ignoring the fact that if White gets added to the roster, that gives John Fox three whole games to say that White is “day-to-day” and make opposing defensive coordinators sweat! As for this final month, one young player I’ll be watching is Charles Leno Jr. I’ve liked what I’ve seen in pass protection, and obviously the coaching staff has, too. But has he done anything – aside from replacing Jermon Bushrod – to prove he’s a long-term answer at an important position, or is it still going to be a priority in the draft. Who’s got your attention this December?
FINLEY: Kyle Long. The two-time Pro Bowler is still learning the finer points of right tackle. While he’s looked pretty good this season – or better than could have been expected, given he didn’t appear there in the preseason at all – he’s the Bears’ star and can use all the reps he can get. Who knows, maybe he’ll be a left tackle next year. Because while the number of Bears games is running short, the amount of questions will only go up.
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15 CHICAGO FOOTBALL WEEKLY | Thursday, December 10, 2015 • ChicagoFootball.com
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