I know what you’re thinking, in Sunday’s heartbreaking and frustrating 23-16 loss to a beatable Packers’ team, who cares about the positives from the game?
The once formidable Bears defense was incapable of shutting down an inexperienced Brett Hundley and a third-string running back. The offense, picked up where it left off, doing absolutely nothing.
But as Bears fans mourn in the darkest of basements there needs to be some glimmer of light to get even the most optimistic of fans (not me) to look forward to Sunday’s.
The newest member of the Bears, wide receiver Dontrelle Inman, isn’t a bright light, but more of a flashlight.
In his Bears’ debut, Inman led the team with six receptions for 88 yards. That was the second most yards by a Bears receiver this season only behind Tre McBride III’s three receptions for 92 yards against the Saints. Against the Packers, McBride only had seven snaps – a surprising move for sure.
Still, Inman’s productive day was encouraging for a wide receiver group that has failed to provide much of an impact. Inman was able to create separation by running clean routes, which gave quarterback Mitch Trubisky throwing lanes.
Despite Inman only being on the team for 20 days, Trubisky still targeted him four times in the fourth quarter and completed three of those passes.
It took one game for Trubisky to find his new go-to-guy.
But for the chemistry to improve for Trubisky and Inman, the Bears must continue to throw the football. It wasn’t until the Bears were trailing that they resorted to the passing game. That has been the common theme for the offense all season.
Moving forward, the Bears greatest threat to improving the passing game will be the duo of head coach John Fox and offensive coordinator Dowell Loggains. Fox likes to run despite opponents consistently stacking the box and Loggains must cater to Fox’s game plan. However, when passes are called, Loggains’ plays are questionable.
This inconsistency from the coaching staff has hurt the offense and if there is any hope for the unit to improve Fox and Loggains must settle on a happy medium of run to pass plays.
The next opportunity to improve the passing game and to get Inman the ball will be against the Lions at Soldier Field this Sunday.
Leave a Reply