{"id":136063,"date":"2022-10-19T16:30:16","date_gmt":"2022-10-19T20:30:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/?p=136063"},"modified":"2022-11-21T13:21:07","modified_gmt":"2022-11-21T18:21:07","slug":"bears-bill-belichick-justin-fields-roquan-smith","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/2022\/10\/19\/bears-bill-belichick-justin-fields-roquan-smith\/","title":{"rendered":"Chicago Bears Receive Unexpected Praise From Legendary Rival"},"content":{"rendered":"

It is one thing to understand the Chicago Bears’ current plight in the first year of a rebuild. But it is another thing entirely to heap praise upon them at this point too, even if you are a staunch believer in what they are doing. However, that is exactly the path that Hall-of-Fame-bound New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick<\/a> chose.<\/p>\n

Speaking to reporters ahead of a Monday Night Football clash with the NFL\u2019s charter franchise, Belichick showed that there is light even in what many fans currently see as darkness.<\/p>\n

The Bears are sitting at 2-4 and coming off of a trio of disappointing losses.<\/p>\n

But Belichick\u2019s serve as a humbling reminder of all that goes into the process of building a team, especially one as wayward as the Bears were before the arrival of general manager Ryan Poles<\/a> and head coach Matt Eberflus<\/a>.<\/p>\n

READ MORE<\/strong>: Is There Hope For Justin Fields?<\/a><\/p>\n

Pats HC Bill Belichick Sounds Off on Chicago Bears Ahead of Showdown<\/h2>\n

Hoodie High on Bears O<\/h3>\n

\u201c[Justin] Fields<\/a> is a major threat every time he touches the ball, very athletic kid,\u201d coach Belichick told reporters. [Darnell] Mooney<\/a> is a really outstanding receiver. He\u2019s had a ton of production and I can see why. He\u2019s very good at everything, plays multiple positions. In the slot, a lot but they\u2019ll move him around and he\u2019s had a ton of production.\u201d (h\/t Dakota Randall\/NESN<\/a>)<\/p>\n

These remarks might surprise some since Fields\u2019 stats are among the worst in the league.<\/p>\n

But note Belichick\u2019s mention of Fields\u2019 athleticism. Similar to Mooney, about whom Belichick cites versatility, it\u2019s not the one thing that they do that makes them dangerous. It\u2019s that they are \u201cguys that can score on any play\u201d.<\/p>\n

\u201cA lot of explosive plays. Lead the league in yards per pass attempt. They\u2019ve hit some big plays. Some of those are catch-and-run plays and then when you add in Fields\u2019 scrambles \u2013 which might count as running plays in the stats, but are actually pass plays, in terms of having to defend them. They’re really a lot of explosive plays there that are a problem.\u201d<\/p>\n

The Bears are tied for the third-fewest explosive plays this season with just 15. They\u2019ve also run the sixth-fewest plays of any team and rank seventh in passing yards per attempt.<\/p>\n

But to the coach\u2019s point, they do lead the league in yards per completion. While that may mostly be due to busted coverages, it is not the only way the Bears have been successful in moving the ball down the field.<\/p>\n

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If you want an in depth breakdown of Justin Fields performances I\u2019d checkout Kurt Warners QB confidential it\u2019s really good stuff. #DaBears<\/a> #Bears<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/ghNpcXASPW<\/a><\/p>\n

— Clay Harbor (@clayharbs82) October 19, 2022<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n