Take 2: Which Bears rookies can take next step in second half?

In this week’s edition of ‘Take 2,’ Patrick Finley of the Chicago Sun-Times and Kevin Fishbain of Pro Football Weekly analyze the key Bears rookies we expect to see more from in the second half of the season.

Fishbain: Pat, thinking back to those miserable Cubs seasons that eventually led to last week’s World Series title got me thinking about players for Bears fans to watch in the last eight games. As bad as the Cubs were, fans could look forward to seeing what Theo’s draft picks were doing in the minors or during September call-ups. Jonathan Bullard is at the top of my mind as a Ryan Pace draft pick I’d like to see more from in the second half. We saw that quick first step at times in the preseason, but he hasn’t played a ton. Maybe his run stops vs. the Vikings will get him going.

Finley: I once had a football GM complain about the latitude fans give baseball GMs, and he was right: the Cubs actively tanked for years in the name of progress, while no NFL team, no matter how brutal, could ever do the same. But you’re right about the Bears: barring an eight-game win streak, the most significant thing they can do in the second half is develop players for the future. Bullard is coming off his best game, for sure, and has a chance to join Leonard Floyd, Cody Whitehair and Jordan Howard on the Bears list of successful picks. I’m curious to watch Deon Bush, who has started to earn a Sunday jersey; in July, we thought he’d be starting by now. Short of Floyd, is Cre’Von LeBlanc the Bears’ best rookie defender? They didn’t even draft him!

Fishbain: Deon Bush got one defensive snap against Minnesota – baby steps! – but I imagine he can earn more opportunities. Adrian Amos has been solid but it’s not like the safeties are creating turnovers. Why not give Bush some looks? LeBlanc wins this year’s “Bryce Callahan pleasant surprise” award, but there’s another rookie corner who could make an impact in December when he returns from injury, and that’s Deiondre’ Hall. The Bears have only four interceptions this season. Remember when creating turnovers was a big point of emphasis? Maybe Hall and Bush can help.

Finley: Maybe so, but I’m not counting on Hall, who has a badly sprained ankle, to return any time soon. Shoot, Kevin White could beat him back to the field. Speaking of which, I’m counting the receiver as a rookie. Is it wise to bring him back off the PUP list? And what’s a fair expectation if he does return?

Fishbain: Selfishly, I think it’s a great idea to bring him back to save us from covering yet another Kevin White comeback tour. But I think it’s important for his confidence, too, and his understanding of the NFL game, to get a few games under his belt in December. He was No. 1 on the list of young players for the Bears to build around – he’s the No. 7 pick! We can discuss the other rookies all we want, but for Ryan Pace, it really comes down to White and Leonard Floyd developing into stars, doesn’t it?

Finley: Sloooow down. Right now I think the Bears need to see White serve as a dependable player for more than a month before they worry about him becoming Odell Beckham. Floyd is getting better – and more confident – with each game, a reminder, as you said, that there’s no substitution for playing time. Pace has hit a few stand-up doubles on draft day so far – Eddie Goldman, Whitehair, Howard – but none that are home runs. Floyd might be his best chance.