The Chicago Bears host the Jacksonville Jaguars tonight, the lone game of the evening. Both teams are coming off of preseason wins, and still with a lot to prove. Here are several things to watch for tonight.
Chicago's Quarterbacks
Last week, while hosting Philadelphia, Chicago played 4 different QB's, each 3 of them putting together solid performances. Jay Cutler, of course, started, going 9 of 13 for 85 yards and a TD. Jordan Palmer played the second quarter, completing 8 of 11 passes for 104 yards, and a TD. Jimmy Clausen started the 2nd half, throwing 7 of 13 for 150 yards and 2 TDs. David Fales, the rookie out of San Jose State, finished he game going 5 of 7 for 68 yards and an INT. Watch Chicago's QB's tonight, and see if they can repeat another strong performance against the weaker Jaguars defense.
Chicago's Running Backs
Yes folks, moving right down the line to Chicago's RB's. They simply sucked last Friday, combining 30 carries for 74 yards... Almost 2 and a half yards per carry. Matt Forte failed to get past the LOS, and highly praised RB Ka'Deem Carey took a team high 10 runs for just 23 yards. Yes, they struggled a lot, and here they go. They need to improve a lot. Can they show better skills against the Jaguars?
*TE Zach Miller*
Chicago hit high with the Former Jaguar TE Zach Miller moving to the number 2 TE spot, playing with the first and second teams last Friday, and picking up 6 catches for 68 yards and 2 TD's. He was simply excelling in the TE spot, after being an H-Back type in Jacksonville, and looks like a huge steal for the Bears in Free Agency. The question is will he keep up those numbers?
*QB Blake Bortles*
Bortles looked simply impressive in his first action hosting the Buccaneers in Jacksonville. He was 7 of 11 for 117 yards, plus a designed run play that gained 7 yards. He fired passes accurately downfield in between defenders and looked overall very impressive. Gus Bradley promised that the 3rd overall pick will get some first team snaps over the course of the summer, so will this be one? Will he continue to look impressive and make a run to beat Chad Henne out for the starting job?
*RB Toby Gerheart*
Toby is expected to play tonight for the first time in a Jaguar uniform. He returned to practice on Tuesday after rehabbing from a hip injury. He is an explosive RB, with power and talent. Will this injury tie him down, or can he start on an impressive note?
Jaguars Defense
Jacksonville's defense looks much better then they did last season, and now they're generating pressure. 3 players, including newly acquired Chris Clemens, recorded sacks in action against the Buccaneers. Winston Guy, the former Seattle Seahawk, intercepted Josh McCown, and SLB rookie and expected starter Chris Smith strip sacked McCown. They look much better, and are a sure-fire must watch tonight.
Overall
The overall message is that this is the start of week 2, and we have some great players to keep an eye on. This is another good game, another good match-up. One team will come out of here 1-1, and don't be surprised if it is the Bears and not the Jaguars. Jacksonville is the team to beat this preseason.
Showing posts with label Blake Bortles. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Blake Bortles. Show all posts
Thursday, August 14, 2014
Monday, August 11, 2014
Rookie Quarterbacks Review for Preseason Week 1
Many rookies looked wonderful in their first bit of action since college football ended last January, impressing with speed, dynamics, explosiveness, and pure raw talent. We're going to go pick by pick through the draft in this article, give you the stats, and analize each player. This will be a truly informative article, not one of politics or opinion. Part 1- the Quarterbacks.
QUARTERBACKS
3. Jaguars Blake Bortles
Blake came out slinging like a pro and impressing just about every NFL analyst in action against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Bortles completed 7 of 11 passes for 117 yards, plus a 7 yard draw play. He came straight out and threw a long strike downfield between defenders. He ran the bootleg beautifully. He threw balls over defenders and threw accurate deep passes. Bortles looked wonderful out there, and provided a glimmer of hope for the Jaguars this coming season. If he continues to play as he did Friday, he will start opening day.
22. Browns Johnny Manziel
Johnny Football came straight out and earned himself a start for next week's Monday Night matchup against Washington. Completing 7 of 11 passes for 63 yards, Manziel was not only exciting to watch on the field, but he was electrifying. He put together 6 runs for a team high 27 yards, including a dynamic 16 yard scramble in between defenders that ended in Manziel diving for extra yards. He needs to improve his decision making, but he still played well, and threw his deep passes accurately between defenders to his receivers.
32. Vikings Teddy Bridgewater
Teddy wasn't exactly brilliant. His first pass was a dumpoff to Cordarrelle Patterson, who took it for a first down. In the red zone, though, he came under pressure and fumbled the ball... Recovered by Matt Kalil. Overall, his skill set looked limited. In Louisville, he threw screen passes all day on slant routes. It looked to me like he was looking to do that here. It didn't happen. He has a lot of work to do on his longer drops, and his downfield accuracy, and his pocket awareness. 6 of 13 for 49 yards.
36. Raiders Derek Carr
10 of 16 for 74 yards and an INT. Although the INT wasn't entirely his fault, his throws were off target, and Carr needs to work on his deep throw accuracy. He does nicely placing balls on screens. Jamize Olawale was the intended target on his INT, and Carr just overthrew him enough to where he couldn't catch the ball. Carr has a bit to improve on before he can overtake Matt Schuab as starter. The chances of that after this game are very slim.
62. Patriots Jimmy Garoppolo
Jimmy looked much more impressive then Ryan Mallett, that's for sure. Garoppolo came out there and threw 9 of 13 passes complete, for 157 yards and 1 TD, the only points New England scored all game. He looked good under pressure, and he should probably pass Mallett for the starting job next month.
120. Cardinals Logan Thomas
Logan Thomas was one of 3 impressive QB Performances by the Cardinals against the Texans, if not the most impressive. 11 of 12 passes were completions, for 113 yards and a TD that will compare him to Ben Roethlisburger. He was nearly sacked, but he ran out to the right and fired a bullet on the run into the end zone. Very impressive night for the 4th rounder, he's going to put pressure on Drew Stanton for the starting job.
135. Texans Tom Savage
Tom Savage had a poor night. He took limited snaps, and only got 3 passes off, 2 of them completed, for 14 yards. To early to tell on this guy.
163. Chiefs Aaron Murray
Took 2 knees to end the shootout against Kansas City.
164. Bengals AJ McCarron
AJ sat out Thursdays game with shoulder tightness that has been there since draft day. The Bengals didn't want to risk loosing him. AJ might debut this Saturday when the Bengals host the Jets.
178. Titans Zach Mettenberger
Zach got 7 passes off in the Titans win against Packers on Saturday. Going 4 of 7 for 87 yards and an INT, Zach still has some work to do. He has a strong arm, and he showcased that very well, with his 38 yard strike to Brian Robiskie, all arm strength no additional yards after the catch. He looks promising.
183. Bears David Fales
5 of 7 for 68 yards and an INT, Fales showed some promise before tossing his INT. He has a good arm and good mechanics, we'll see if he can't beat Jordan Palmer out for the 3rd string position.
194. Ravens Keith Wenning
Wenning took the last 3 knees of the game against San Francisco. Much to early to tell.
213. Jets Tajh Boyd
Didn't appear in the Jets-Colts game. Rex Ryan did mention the thought of playing Boyd at a different position back in May.
214. Rams Garrett Gilbert
Former #1 QB Recruit in the nation, went 6 of 11 for 53 yards against the Saints in Fridays action, plus a run for 1 yard. Not very impressive in his time.
QUARTERBACKS
3. Jaguars Blake Bortles
Blake came out slinging like a pro and impressing just about every NFL analyst in action against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Bortles completed 7 of 11 passes for 117 yards, plus a 7 yard draw play. He came straight out and threw a long strike downfield between defenders. He ran the bootleg beautifully. He threw balls over defenders and threw accurate deep passes. Bortles looked wonderful out there, and provided a glimmer of hope for the Jaguars this coming season. If he continues to play as he did Friday, he will start opening day.
22. Browns Johnny Manziel
Johnny Football came straight out and earned himself a start for next week's Monday Night matchup against Washington. Completing 7 of 11 passes for 63 yards, Manziel was not only exciting to watch on the field, but he was electrifying. He put together 6 runs for a team high 27 yards, including a dynamic 16 yard scramble in between defenders that ended in Manziel diving for extra yards. He needs to improve his decision making, but he still played well, and threw his deep passes accurately between defenders to his receivers.
32. Vikings Teddy Bridgewater
Teddy wasn't exactly brilliant. His first pass was a dumpoff to Cordarrelle Patterson, who took it for a first down. In the red zone, though, he came under pressure and fumbled the ball... Recovered by Matt Kalil. Overall, his skill set looked limited. In Louisville, he threw screen passes all day on slant routes. It looked to me like he was looking to do that here. It didn't happen. He has a lot of work to do on his longer drops, and his downfield accuracy, and his pocket awareness. 6 of 13 for 49 yards.
36. Raiders Derek Carr
10 of 16 for 74 yards and an INT. Although the INT wasn't entirely his fault, his throws were off target, and Carr needs to work on his deep throw accuracy. He does nicely placing balls on screens. Jamize Olawale was the intended target on his INT, and Carr just overthrew him enough to where he couldn't catch the ball. Carr has a bit to improve on before he can overtake Matt Schuab as starter. The chances of that after this game are very slim.
62. Patriots Jimmy Garoppolo
Jimmy looked much more impressive then Ryan Mallett, that's for sure. Garoppolo came out there and threw 9 of 13 passes complete, for 157 yards and 1 TD, the only points New England scored all game. He looked good under pressure, and he should probably pass Mallett for the starting job next month.
120. Cardinals Logan Thomas
Logan Thomas was one of 3 impressive QB Performances by the Cardinals against the Texans, if not the most impressive. 11 of 12 passes were completions, for 113 yards and a TD that will compare him to Ben Roethlisburger. He was nearly sacked, but he ran out to the right and fired a bullet on the run into the end zone. Very impressive night for the 4th rounder, he's going to put pressure on Drew Stanton for the starting job.
135. Texans Tom Savage
Tom Savage had a poor night. He took limited snaps, and only got 3 passes off, 2 of them completed, for 14 yards. To early to tell on this guy.
163. Chiefs Aaron Murray
Took 2 knees to end the shootout against Kansas City.
164. Bengals AJ McCarron
AJ sat out Thursdays game with shoulder tightness that has been there since draft day. The Bengals didn't want to risk loosing him. AJ might debut this Saturday when the Bengals host the Jets.
178. Titans Zach Mettenberger
Zach got 7 passes off in the Titans win against Packers on Saturday. Going 4 of 7 for 87 yards and an INT, Zach still has some work to do. He has a strong arm, and he showcased that very well, with his 38 yard strike to Brian Robiskie, all arm strength no additional yards after the catch. He looks promising.
183. Bears David Fales
5 of 7 for 68 yards and an INT, Fales showed some promise before tossing his INT. He has a good arm and good mechanics, we'll see if he can't beat Jordan Palmer out for the 3rd string position.
194. Ravens Keith Wenning
Wenning took the last 3 knees of the game against San Francisco. Much to early to tell.
213. Jets Tajh Boyd
Didn't appear in the Jets-Colts game. Rex Ryan did mention the thought of playing Boyd at a different position back in May.
214. Rams Garrett Gilbert
Former #1 QB Recruit in the nation, went 6 of 11 for 53 yards against the Saints in Fridays action, plus a run for 1 yard. Not very impressive in his time.
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