Chicago Bears: 3 Takeaways vs. Lions in Week 11
2. Why are the players performing well suddenly disappearing?
I am really confused about how this coaching staff does things. It seems like they do things opposite of the way they’re supposed to be done.
For example, look at Tarik Cohen. Cohen broke out of the gate with some great moves and plays at the start of the season. As the season progressed, however, he’s seen less and less playing time. The first three weeks he had 17, 16, and 16 plays targeted for him. Then it went to 10 plays, then seven plays before getting 17 plays. Then the last three weeks before Week 11 were three, seven, and three plays. Against the Lions, the Bears targeted him 14 times.
This is not the way of developing Cohen. If he doesn’t get consistent action, then why is he in there? He is dynamic and exciting so use him.
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The same with tight end Adam Shaheen. Before Zach Miller‘s injury and Dion Sims‘ illness (?), Shaheen had just one catch for a yard. Now, the more plays we see him involved in, we see why general manager Ryan Pace chose him in the second round of the draft. His size and athletic ability cause mismatches all over the field. He’s faster than any linebacker or safety on him and he’s stronger than defensive backs. He and Cohen led the team with four receptions against the Lions. The problem is that two of those catches came on the first drive.
Another head scratcher was Dontrelle Inman. Inman was the best receiver on the field last week against the Packers, yet wasn’t used much this week. In the fourth quarter, he was on the sideline. On the last drive, the game’s announcers wondered aloud why Inman wasn’t playing. They speculated he must have been injured. No, however, as he came in and made a key 17-yard reception.
A couple of weeks ago against the New Orleans Saints, Tre McBride had three catches for 92 yards. Many thought he might be someone to depend on in the second half. Nope, as he had no receptions (on only one target) against the Packers and two catches for 14 yards against the Lions.
It seems whenever we see a player doing well and we feel good about him, John Fox and his coaching staff yank him from the game plan. These coaches work better than the U.S. Marshalls in their Witness Protection Program.
Many fans bemoan the lack of talent on offense. While I agree there are no stars at wide receiver, there are plenty of good players who just cannot get into games. It’s the coaching staff who keeps the offense down and out. Some of these players need to play more so they develop and become better players.