It's All Over

October 28, 2019

The Bears dominated the Los Angles Chargers yesterday. They outgained them in rushing and passing yardage, totaling over 300 yards for the first time this year. They also ran 77 plays to the Chargers 42 and controlled the ball for 38 minutes. However, the Bears lost in the most important category, points scored, and lost 17-16. It was the 13^th time in 24 games that offensive guru Matt Nagy’s team has failed to score 20 points. The fat lady is warmed up and ready to sing as the Bears death roll spiral continues, with their third consecutive loss

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General Manager Ryan Pace has made two colossal mistakes that will define his tenure. He hired Nagy to invigorate the offense and develop quarterback Mitch Trubisky. Nagy is 0 for 2. His play calling has been idiotic and on this past Sunday, perhaps cowardly.  It’s as annoying as fingernails on a chalkboard. The Bears were in the red zone 4 times without scoring a touchdown. The first time, they were settling for a field goal. With the ghost of Cody Parkey enveloping Soldier Field, Eddy Pineiro’s kick hit the upright.

The Bears had 12 plays inside the 10 yard line and didn’t score a touchdown. Contrary to prior play calling gaffes, Nagy tried to run the ball rather than pass.  David Montgomery had a good game, but if you take away the 55 yard run he averaged only 3 yards per carry. He and the Bears have never been good in short yard situations. I mentioned cowardice when I referenced Nagy’s play calling. In these situations he got scared and lost trust in Trubisky. With the ball at the six yard line he called two runs for little or no gain. Then an incomplete Trubisky pass that was poorly thrown and the Bears settled for 3 points. At the end of the half, with the ball at the four yard line, they ran the ball twice for no gain. The next play, Trubisky throws an uncatchable ball out of the end zone. The Bears luckily get a pass interference call and have the ball at the one yard with 29 seconds remaining and no timeouts. You can get 3 passes into the end zone with the time left. Against the Washington Redskins I saw Trubisky complete a one yard touchdown pass to Taylor Gabriel. I can’t believe in that billboard playbook Nagy carries he doesn’t have a play for this situation.  He calls a run for no gain and they have to scramble to get the clock stopped with one second left. They settle for another field goal.

Pace’s other colossal mistake was moving up in the draft to pick Mitch Trubisky as the second overall pick.  He had only 13 starts in his senior year at North Carolina. As a Junior, he couldn’t start over a quarterback who was not even drafted and was let go by a team in the Canadian League. He has played a part in Bear losses and Sunday was no different.  With the Bears clinging to a six point lead he makes a horrible read and throws an easy interception. Trubisky can’t seem to read the field. He only looks at the primary receiver. Many times he throws into multiple coverage when someone else has to be open. If Nagy is using the Kansas City Chiefs offense, he should also have a check down receiver who can gain yards after the catch. The Chargers miss the field goal and the Bears still lead 16-10. The Bears get the ball back and without being touched, Trubisky clumsily fumbles. I heard that before he went to the sideline he had to find his hand warmers on a 58-degree day. The Chargers capitalize on the turnover and take a 17-16 lead.

With less than 2 minutes left, the Bears had a chance for a game winning field goal. With 41 seconds left Nagy decides for Trubisky to take a knee and call a timeout with 4 seconds left. He would later lamely explain why they didn’t run another play. I guess he forgot about Parkey’s miss from the same distance last year. A gain of three yards moves Pineiro closer. If the kick is from 38 yards it goes between the uprights before veering wide to the left.

The honeymoon between Nagy and the Chicago media is over. In a contentious interview, Nagy barked at reporters who questioned his play calling.  He correctly pointed out that you don’t risk a pass. About not running for a few extra yards he replied you may fumble or lose a couple of yards. The coward had no faith the team could advance the ball couple of yards. He concluded by yelling “I did not consider a pass and I did not consider a run”. What a jerk. Problem is he and Trubisky are here to stay.

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