Bears get on-field treatment from Todd Gurley
In case you missed it, Bears tailback Todd Gurley returned to the field for the first time since his knee surgery. “He went in and threw some routes and then came back in the huddle,” defensive lineman Akiem Hicks said. “I mean, he did a good job moving around, but it’s not like he hasn’t been doing it already. It’s just getting back out there, going through some things. He’s a great player and a great person. And he’s here to help.” Bears offensive lineman Bobby Massie added: “Any time you come back from ACLs and MCLs it’s going to take a little bit to get that quick twitch back. But I thought he did a really good job with that. He was lighting it up. He’s one of the best running backs in the NFL.”
Bears RB Todd Gurley returns to field for first time since knee surgery
Too bad Bears beat reporter Brad Biggs’ point led to another focus in Washington. Even that, though, is a short view. The Bears beat an offensive-minded team on Sunday and have the ability to have one of the top offenses in the league. And, yet, they were 8-6-1 last season. So maybe we are not dealing with anything so simple as familiarity. Just about everyone who matters on the Bears believes they have the ability to be good, but we are talking about an unproven team that has never had to play on two consecutive weekends (barring Hurricane Sid Friday in ’85).
Bears QB Mitch Trubisky takes a sack
Kirk Cousins is going back to what he did on offense in 2017: throwing the ball downfield. “We want to run the ball really well,” he said. “Obviously, it’s going to allow you to take some shots down the field, put some numbers up. (Brandon) Scherff is probably the best quarterback protection right now, I would say. Maybe Sammy Watkins will get in there with a couple, too.” “We’re going to be aggressive,” he added. “We’re going to go for it when we have to. They’re running the football pretty well. They’re moving the ball really well. There’s big play opportunities there. (Bears coach Matt Nagy) knows that. We’re not just going to sit back there and play check-down ball against these guys. Hopefully they haven’t learned their lesson from last year. We’ve got to mix things up. Our guy’s got to see it. That’s the way it goes. We’ve got to throw it, let’s run it.”
“Pressured this year, been in trouble on a few third down”
Early-season questions about QB Case Keenum’s ability to make throws in difficult situations have not gone away. “I haven’t had a chance to throw the ball to DeAndre’ (Coleman) and Jeremy (Maclin), though,” Keenum said. “I’m still concerned about our passing attack. I haven’t been there a whole lot. But look, we just got to keep going. We’re right in the thick of things right now, so it’s going to be interesting, but we’re back. Got a chance to go 1-1 and get that on-field treatment today. So it’s good.”
The Cheat Sheet: It’s the beginning of the end for Lamar Jackson | LaMichael James | Calvin Johnson | Top wild card | Kyle Shanahan | Art Rooney II | Brian Gaine | Behind the scenes | Washington Football | Bill O’Brien | Super Bowl LII
Question of the Week: Do you want big, physical cornerbacks, or a ballhawk?
Subscribe to the podcast on iTunes or in Stitcher.