Tag: Larry Borom

Chicago Bears Stock Exchange: Who’s up, who’s down entering Week 6?

The Bears are coming off their first win of the year thanks to many players who are seeing their stock begin to rise.

For the first time in nearly a year, the Chicago Bears began a week of practice, coming off a regular-season win after they dismantled the Washington Commanders 40-20 on Thursday Night Football. The Bears were in control for most of the game as they got off to a fast start thanks to quarterback Justin Fields and wide receiver DJ Moore and never looked back. The score at halftime was 27-3, and though a late surge from the Commanders made things a bit more interesting late in the game, they were never a true threat to mount a comeback.

This was a team victory thanks to many different contributors on both sides of the ball, which means plenty of Bears players are seeing their stock rise as they get ready for a divisional matchup against the Minnesota Vikings. Here is the latest look at the Chicago Bears Stock Exchange heading into Week 6.

Bears believe ‘one win would change a lot’ amid early struggles

The Bears are riding the NFL’s longest and franchise-worst 13-game losing streak. But the team believes a win is the perfect remedy.

The Chicago Bears have had a disastrous start to the 2023 season, where they’re staring down an 0-3 hole where they’ve lost by an average of nearly 20 points per game.

It’s been brutal all around — Justin Fields and the offense can’t get things going, the defense is letting opposing offenses walk all over them and the coaches have their team wholly unprepared.

Coach Matt Eberflus met with the Bears’ leadership council Wednesday morning at Halas Hall, where he delivered a message: “Fight” to end the 13-game losing streak.

“A lot of times what happens is, with human nature, is you make excuses,” Eberflus said. “You blame this, you blame that, you blame injury, you blame circumstance, you blame all these things.

“You can’t do that. You got to own up to what you’ve done. The circumstance is the circumstance. You’ve got to execute and do what you’re supposed to do. Do your job every single day. You never know when it’s right around the corner. That’s our attitude. We’re determined. We’re focused on this week alone.”

The Bears are riding the NFL’s longest active losing streak — and the longest in franchise history. But the team believes a win is the perfect remedy.

“A win fixes everything,” left tackle Larry Borom said, via the Sun-Times. “It makes your morale better. Once you get one you start to get addicted to it. We just need to taste it.”

Safety Jaquan Brisker echoed the sentiment.

“It just has to start with one win,” Brisker said, via the Sun-Times, “and one win would change a lot.”

7 standout players in Bears’ 24-21 preseason loss to the Bills

The Bears wrapped the preseason with a loss to the Bills, but there were several standout players for Chicago.

The Chicago Bears’ preseason has finally come to close, and it certainly was an interesting stretch of exhibition games. The team was never able to match the same efficiency they produced in the opening game, and the Bears finished their final game with more questions than answers.

The offense was inconsistent, petering out on their first two drives before finally getting the offense into the red zone. Even then, quarterback Justin Fields took a hard hit and was pulled out of the game, leaving fans frustrated that he couldn’t see the drive through.

On the flip side, the defense got shredded by the elite talents of quarterback Josh Allen and receiver Stefon Diggs, leaving fans wondering whether to blame the defense’s preparedness or chalk it up to the Bills’ offensive greatness.

Despite how last night’s game went, fans are happy to be past the scrimmage-like games and are looking forward to meaningful football being played. Before that comes around, however, several Bears stood out in an attempt to avoid being on the cutting room floor when roster cut day comes around, and we’ll be covering every player here.

With that being said, let’s discuss the seven players who stood out in the Bears’ final preseason game.

Chicago Bears stock exchange: Who’s up, who’s down after preseason Week 2?

With just a week to go before roster cutdowns, here are the Bears players whose stock is rising and falling.

Chicago Bears training camp 2023 has come and gone, and there’s only one more week to go in the preseason. In other words, meaningful football isn’t far away. The Bears have one more week to determine who deserves a spot on the initial 53-man roster, but after two preseason games, many players have already made their case.

Some have surprised with impressive performances, while others are falling behind. It doesn’t matter if they’re a projected starter or a reserve; everyone is looking to put their best foot forward to begin the season on a positive note. Going into the final preseason game against the Buffalo Bills this Saturday, here are the players whose stock is rising and falling in the debut of the Chicago Bears stock exchange.

Bears score high PFF grades for strong preseason performance

The Bears have received some high marks from Pro Football Focus for their play in the preseason.

The Chicago Bears have played well during the preseason up to this point, where they’re sitting at 1-1.

The Bears began their series of exhibition games by battling the Titans at Soldier Field, and the team hit the ground running. The offense scored on incredible catch and run plays from wide receiver DJ Moore and running back Khalil Herbert, and the defense made sure the Titans offense could never get comfortable, producing eight sacks and four turnovers.

The following week, however, the Bears were much more inconsistent. The offense couldn’t get their wheels out the mud with quarterback P.J. Walker at the wheel for the opening quarter, and the defense was gouged in the running game. Their fortunes shifted soon after quarterback Tyson Bagent supplanted Walker in the second quarter, as the undrafted rookie played like a seasoned pro, scoring the Bears’ first touchdown on a quarterback keeper before the half ended.

The club’s solid performance in the preseason has earned them some high grades from Pro Football Focus. The Bears offense ranks fourth through the first two preseason games, with only the Las Vegas Raiders, Kansas City Chiefs and the loathsome Green Bay Packers ranked higher.

There is a Bears quarterback who PFF ranked as one of the best passers in the preseason so far. Of course, it’s got to be starter Justin Fields, right? Nope, it’s the player that’s the talk of Chicago, Bagent. Bagent is slotted in as the third best quarterback, taking his rightful place beside two-time MVP Patrick Mahomes.

For those keeping track of the Bears’ unexpected position battle for backup quarterback, Walker is also on this list, just on the opposite side. Walker is currently listed as the second worst quarterback of the preseason.

Several players have been close to being recognized as the best, but none have reached the top. That’s where Bears tackle Larry Borom comes to save the day, as the offensive lineman is ranked as the best tackle of the preseason. The guys in the trenches had received praise last week for their strong play, and now a Bear has the top spot.

With Week 1 fast approaching, the Bears strong play over the preseason is a solid indicator that the team is ready to play for keeps.

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Here’s how impressive the Bears offensive line was against the Titans

The Bears played a great game against the Titans on Saturday, and the offensive line was graded as one of the best by PFF.

The Chicago Bears generally played well on Saturday against the Tennessee Titans, with many of the stars putting their best foot forward in their first live-action game of 2023.

Bears such as quarterback Justin Fields, receiver DJ Moore, running back Khalil Herbert and cornerback Kyler Gordon all impressed in their limited snaps. But the real treat was the strong showing of the positions many considered to be weaknesses, providing an extremely pleasant surprise for the fans.

The designated weak points of the team are considered both the offensive and defensive lines, extremely important positions that can prohibit the Bears from making a big leap in play this year. The guys in those spots, however, proved that they weren’t going to be written off so easily on Saturday.

The defensive line was the star of the show, as players like rookie defensive tackle Zacch Pickens and defensive ends Trevis Gipson and Terrell Lewis became a force that the Titans couldn’t contain. Conversely, the Bears’ offensive line was able to hold their own for most of the game, being a big reason why Moore and Herbert were able to score long catch-and-run touchdowns.

Evaluating the offensive line can be a tough task, considering they aren’t the focal point of any play and they don’t have a category of stats that you can look up following a game.

Pro Football Focus recognized the Bears as having the highest pass blocking grade in the first week of preseason (87.1). They also had the second-highest run blocking grade (88.3).

The Bears’ O-line as a whole allowed only three QB pressures, the second fewest of all NFL teams in preseason Week 1, trailing only the Las Vegas Raiders. Offensive linemen Alex Leatherwood (86.4), Ja’Tyre Carter (85.7), Larry Borom (83.5), and Doug Kramer (82.5) led the way for Chicago.

As for those three QB pressures, Borom allowed one while Aviante Collins allowed two pressures.

It’s encouraging that what was widely considered the most suspect aspect of the team had such a strong showing. The play of the offensive line should only get better too, as starting right guard Nate Davis returned to practice Monday.

Things are starting to come together for the Bears.

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Bears 2023 training camp preview: Offensive line

Our next Bears position preview is the offensive line, a group that will look very different than it did in 2022.

Chicago Bears training camp is less than a month away, which means it’s time to start looking ahead at the roster the team is bringing to Lake Forest.

We’re unveiling our Bears 2023 training camp position previews, where we’re breaking down every player by position and examining the biggest question facing the group.

Rounding out the offensive side of the ball is the offensive line, a group that only has one projected starter playing the same position they played in 2022. Braxton Jones is back at left tackle but the rest of the line has done more shuffling than the 1985 Bears.

Teven Jenkins and Cody Whitehair were both prominent starters in 2022 who are now playing new positions, while newcomers Nate Davis and Darnell Wright were added to anchor the right side of the line. Meanwhile, players like Lucas Patrick and Larry Borom are now backups after entering last year’s camp as starters.

Here’s a closer look at the Bears’ offensive line heading into training camp.

What the Bears starting offensive line looks like ahead of NFL draft

The Bears’ offensive line remains a work in progress, but here’s a look at what the starting lineup would look like before the NFL draft.

There’s been an emphasis this offseason for the Bears to build around quarterback Justin Fields, who’s entering a pivotal third season. While there’s no denying the skill position groups are set — including the new addition of DJ Moore — the offensive line remains a focal point.

Fields was sacked a league-high 55 times in 15 games last season. And considering the offensive line’s struggles in pass protection were well-documented, it’s surprising the Bears made just one move in free agency — signing guard Nate Davis.

‘‘We’re solidifying the offensive line, and we’re getting the skill sets around him that we need to move the ball down the field and score points,’’ said coach Matt Eberflus, via the Sun-Times. ‘‘And we’re excited about where that’s going.’’

The offensive line remains a work in progress, but there are some pieces already in place (and others who will be moved). Here’s how the starting offensive line looks right now: Braxton Jones (LT), Nate Davis (LG), Cody Whitehair (C), Teven Jenkins (RG), Larry Borom (RT).

With the addition of Davis, GM Ryan Poles previously mentioned Whitehair making a move to center (given he has 4,000 snaps at the position). Jenkins thrived at right guard last season, so it makes sense to keep him there.

The tackle spots are what stand out. It’s not a surprise that Jones is currently penciled in at left tackle, but Eberflus noted they could move him to the right side if they upgrade at left tackle.

‘‘That’s all open right now,’’ Eberflus said. ‘‘We have to go through the draft and see what we do there.’’

The one glaring hole on the offensive line is right tackle, where Borom is currently the placeholder. But that should change after they make moves in the NFL draft.

Even after trading out of the No. 1 pick, Chicago is in a prime position to select a top offensive tackle, including Ohio State’s Paris Johnson Jr., Northwestern’s Peter Skoronski and Georgia’s Broderick Jones.

‘‘Right now, to improve our team, I think we’ve got to look to the draft,’’ Poles said.

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Bears 2022 OL review: Teven Jenkins, Braxton Jones bright spots among struggling unit

Our next Bears position review of 2022 looks at the offensive line, which featured some standouts on a struggling unit.

The Chicago Bears wrapped the 2022 season with a 3-14 record, which culminated in a 10-game losing streak. But there’s still reasons to be optimistic about the future, including a boatload of salary cap space, the first overall pick in the 2023 NFL draft and the emergence of quarterback Justin Fields.

Here at Bears Wire, we’re going position by position through the 2022 Bears and grading every player. Next up is the offensive line, which had its share of struggles in pass protection and will likely be overhauled this offseason.

5 bold predictions for Bears vs. Bills

From Khalil Herbert’s strong return to a big game from N’Keal Harry, here are our bold predictions for Bears vs. Bills.

The Chicago Bears will be spending Christmas at their home stadium Soldier Field, eagerly awaiting the big man in red to arrive. No, not Santa Claus, but Josh Allen and the Buffalo Bills for a Christmas Eve showdown in the frigid elements.

After taking on the NFC’s best in the Philadelphia Eagles last week, they get a turn with one of the AFC’s best in the Bills, who are looking to keep their spot as the top seed with the playoffs just around the corner. The Bears, meanwhile, are playing for pride, development, and even draft at this point as the season draws closer to an end.

With temperatures likely in the single digits come kickoff, this game could become a battle of attrition. But that doesn’t mean we won’t see some impressive individual performances either. Here are our bold predictions for Bears vs. Bills.