Thoughts and observations after watching film of the Bears’ 20-17 loss to the Vikings in Week 5:
Mitch can move
As expected, Bears offensive coordinator Dowell Loggains had a more diverse game plan for rookie Mitch Trubisky than he had for Mike Glennon in the first four weeks. Trubisky’s mobility and athleticism allow for more variety and calls.
In the first half, Trubisky had 22 drop-backs, including plays negated by after-the-snap penalties. There were 12 “straight” drop-backs, half of which featured scrambling in some form by Trubisky.
Those 22 plays included two sprint-outs, two play-action bootlegs, three run-pass option looks and three screens.
“He’s the type of player that when you’re game-planning on defense, you have to switch it up,” wide receiver Kendall Wright said.
In the second half, Trubisky had 10 drop-backs, three of which featured scrambling in some capacity. Five plays were “straight” drop-backs. There also were two play-action bootlegs, one run-pass option look and one screen. One play was botched by a bad snap.
“He extended plays for us, made plays downfield, made plays with his legs, put us in position to win that game,” tight end Zach Miller said.
A trick and treat
The Bears’ perfect execution of their reverse-option play for their two-point conversion was months in the making.
Team rules restrict reporters from going into detail about such plays during training camp, but it did debut at Olivet Nazarene University.
“Sweet, right?” Trubisky said. “I’m glad you guys [the media] didn’t give that one away because we did run it at Bourbonnais.”
The play itself has a number of moving parts beyond running back Jordan Howard’s reverse inside handoff to Miller, a former college quarterback, who then pitched the ball to Trubisky off an option look.
The offensive line made the play work. While center Cody Whitehair, right guard Kyle Long and right tackle Bobby Massie drove left with their blocks, left guard Josh Sitton pulled to his right with Miller’s movement.
Sitton blocked linebacker Eric Kendricks. It left Miller and Trubisky two-on-one with linebacker Anthony Barr, who was their option target.
Miller said the Bears have practiced the play often.
“That’s fun,” Miller said. “Great call and design. Really, just great execution for all of us across the board.”
Missing ’backers
The Bears’ depth at inside linebacker was further exposed after John Timu was injured. He left the locker room with a walking boot on his left foot.
Vikings running back Jerick McKinnon’s 58-yard touchdown run in the third quarter was an example of how much Jerrell Freeman, Danny Trevathan and Nick Kwiatkoski were missed.
Wide receiver Michael Floyd blocked Christian Jones, and guard Nick Easton cut Jonathan Anderson. The result was a gaping hole.
Follow me on Twitter @adamjahns.
Email: ajahns@suntimes.com
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