Tag: Mike Furrey

Former Ohio State receiver named South Carolina coach

Former Ohio State receiver named South Carolina coach #GoBucks

Few Ohio State football fans will remember Mike Furrey from his playing days for the Buckeyes, but Furrey set receiving records after he transferred to Northern Iowa. Furrey also went on to have an excellent professional career, which saw him have a cup of coffee with the Indianapolis Colts and then played a role with the Las Vegas Outlaws in the first edition of the XFL.

After the XFL folded, Furrey earned All-Arena honors with the New York Dragons of the Arena Football League and his elite play gave him another shot in the NFL, where he actually started in the defensive backfield for the Los Angeles Rams.

After a stint with the Rams, Furrey landed with the Detroit Lions, where he started both in the defensive backfield and at receiver, while also leading the NFC in receptions with 98 in 2006. Furrey spent one season with the Cleveland Browns, where he again played on both sides of the football. Furrey ended his professional career with the Washington Redskins.

In addition to being a well-traveled player, Furrey became a well-traveled coach as well. Furrey spent time as a head coach at Kentucky Christian and Limestone and also as a positional coach at Marshall and for the Chicago Bears.  It was announced today that Furrey would land his next gig in the SEC with South Carolina.

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Bears add TE Jimmy Graham to reserve/COVID-19 list

The COVID list is getting a little crowded for the Bears as Jimmy Graham was placed on the reserve/COVID-19 list Friday.

The COVID list is getting a little crowded for the Chicago Bears.

Tight end Jimmy Graham is the latest player to be placed on the reserve/COVID-19 list, head coach Matt Nagy announced on Friday.

Graham joins outside linebacker Robert Quinn, running back Damien Williams, and receivers coach Mike Furrey, who remain on the list, per Nagy.

Graham, who is vaccinated, must test negative for COVID-19 twice within 24 hours apart before he can rejoin the team. Because of the timing, he will be out for Sunday’s game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

The veteran tight end has been used sparingly this year, totaling just one catch for 11 yards through six games, though he’s seen work as a blocker in the run game.

With Graham out, Cole Kmet, Jesse James, J.P. Holtz and Jesper Horsted are the remaining healthy tight ends. Holtz is questionable with a quad injury, but is expected to return to action.

The Bears take on the Buccaneers at 3:25 p.m. CT on Sunday.

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5 takeaways from Bears’ jarring 26-6 loss to the Browns

The Bears had the worst offensive performance we’ve seen since the turn of the century. But that’s just the start. Here are our takeaways.

The Justin Fields era began with a massive thud on Sunday against the Cleveland Browns. Hype and excitement quickly turned to anger and pain faster than it took Myles Garrett to bulldoze through Jason Peters. The Bears netted just 47 yards of offense in a brutal 26-6 loss against the Browns to drop them to 1-2 on the season.

To sum it up nice and quick, the offense was nonexistent, the defense held on for as long as they could, and the coaching staff failed to properly give Fields a fighting chance to succeed.

All in all, it was arguably the worst offensive performance we’ve seen since the turn of the century. But that’s just the start. Here are my takeaways from Sunday’s loss in Cleveland.

Mike Furrey on A-Rob’s failed contested catch: ‘He needs to make that catch’

WR Allen Robinson would’ve had three TDs if not for a failed contested catch on Chicago’s first offensive drive of Sunday’s loss.

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Receiver Allen Robinson has been the most consistent player on the Chicago Bears’ offense over the last three seasons, which despite the unit’s struggles has been an impressive feat.

But Robinson isn’t without his faults, as evidenced in Sunday night’s loss to the Green Bay Packers. Robinson led the Bears with 74 yards on eight receptions and two touchdowns. But he could’ve had three scores if not for a failed contested catch on Chicago’s first offensive drive of the game.

“[Robinson] said he ended up catching the football until he was kind of getting ready to go to the ground,” said receivers coach Mike Furrey, “and I guess [Packers cornerback Kevin] King came in from the side and ended up hitting it out, but him and I both would tell you that no matter what King did or the play that King made, that he needs to make that catch.”

Robinson has been one of the best receivers in contested catch situations since joining the Bears in 2018. And while he’s been far from perfect, he remains the offense’s most important weapon.

With the offense still struggling, Robinson remains on track for his second straight 1,000-yard season. He has 71 catches for 829 yards and four touchdowns through the first 11 games.

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Bears WR Javon Wims is back on the active roster following roster exemption

It sounds like Chicago is giving WR Javon Wims another chance as he’s officially back on their active roster following a roster exemption.

The Chicago Bears had a decision to make regarding wide receiver Javon Wims. The Bears were granted a roster exemption for Wims following the lifting of his two-game suspension after he threw punches at New Orleans Saints defensive back C.J. Gardner-Johnson.

It wouldn’t have been a surprise if the Bears decided to part ways with Wims following his actions. But it sounds like Chicago is giving Wims another chance as he’s officially back on their active roster following that roster exemption.

Wims was provoked by Gardner-Johnson, who has a reputation for running his mouth and getting into it with receivers. He was the one that got into a fight with Saints receiver Michael Thomas at practice.

And Gardner-Johnson’s reputation was something that certainly preceded him as receivers coach Mike Furrey warned Wims and the Bears’ receivers to steer clear of him prior to them taking the field when Wims went after Gardner-Johnson.

“I called Javon that night when I got home after the game and I told Javon, I said the most disappointing thing that occurred from that event was the fact that I just sat there on the bench prior to that play and told every single one of you, ‘Do not get involved with 22. Do not retaliate. Don’t put your hands on him. Don’t head-butt him. Get back in the huddle.’” Furrey said. “So the way I handled that, the biggest thing was the communication to learn a lesson – that when someone’s trying to protect you from maybe ruining your career, you need to listen.

“It’s unfortunate that that situation happened, but I think it’s even more unfortunate and disappointing that we addressed it right before it happened. That was the most disappointing part about it.”

The Bears were down to just Allen Robinson, Darnell Mooney, Anthony Miller and Riley Ridley at receiver with Wims’ serving his suspension.

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Bears need to decide whether to keep or cut WR Javon Wims

With Javon Wims reinstated after a 2-game suspension, the Bears have a decision to make – add Wims to the active roster or part ways.

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Chicago Bears receiver Javon Wims has missed the last two games due to a suspension following his actions against New Orleans Saints defensive back C.J. Gardner-Johnson.

Gardner-Johnson snatched Wims’ mouthpiece on the series prior to that, and apparently Wims stewed on the bench for 11 minutes before punching Gardner-Johnson twice, in the helmet, in Chicago’s Week 8 loss.

Wims’ actions cost the Bears 15 yards and cost himself two games without pay. Now, the NFL has reinstated Wims after he missed games against the Tennessee Titans and Minnesota Vikings.

The Bears received a roster exemption from the NFL, which expires Thursday. Now, the Bears have a decision to make — add Wims to the active roster or part ways.

While Gardner-Johnson is certainly no saint, Wims can’t act like he did. It doesn’t help that Bears receivers coach Mike Furrey even warned Wims and the rest of Chicago’s receivers to avoid Gardner-Johnson.

“I called Javon that night when I got home after the game and I told Javon, I said the most disappointing thing that occurred from that event was the fact that I just sat there on the bench prior to that play and told every single one of you, ‘Do not get involved with 22. Do not retaliate. Don’t put your hands on him. Don’t head-butt him. Get back in the huddle.’” Furrey said. “So the way I handled that, the biggest thing was the communication to learn a lesson – that when someone’s trying to protect you from maybe ruining your career, you need to listen.

“It’s unfortunate that that situation happened, but I think it’s even more unfortunate and disappointing that we addressed it right before it happened. That was the most disappointing part about it.”

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The secret is out: Bears rookie WR Darnell Mooney is a stud

Bears rookie WR Darnell Mooney could wind up being one of the biggest steals of the NFL draft.

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While Chicago Bears general manager Ryan Pace has been fairly criticized for his failure to hit on first-round draft picks during his tenure, one thing he has been good at is finding late-round gems in the NFL draft.

This year’s gem is none other than fifth-round rookie receiver Darnell Mooney, who immediately made an impact upon his arrival. Without the benefit of an offseason program or sufficient training camp reps, Mooney has blossomed into one of the NFL’s young star receivers.

It didn’t take long for Mooney to climb up the depth chart, where he was the clear-cut No. 2 wideout behind Allen Robinson in Week 2. And it’s easy to see why when you see this kid’s ability to make catches and utilize his speed in a way that can be deadly for defenses.

“It’s not a secret anymore, the ability and skill-set that this young man possesses,” said Bears receivers coach Mike Furrey. “He’s obviously done enough and has proven enough that he can definitely be successful in NFL games as we get the ball in his hands.”

When it comes down to it, Mooney doesn’t feel like a rookie. He’s been playing like an experienced veteran, which starts with his preparation. That was something that impressed Bears coaches during training camp, and it’s carried over into the regular season.

“I love his ability and I love the way he approaches the game,” said Bears passing game coordinator Dave Ragone. “I made the comment [previously] that he didn’t feel like a rookie to me. Nothing has changed there.

“He just gets it, and when rookies just get it, you feel like the game is never going to be too big for him. Or the moment. Or what they’re asked to do. He’s done everything we’ve asked him to do, and he can get better and better. And he knows that. It’s just great watching him grow.”

Can Bears WR Darnell Mooney be the next Johnny Knox?

The Bears offense has been missing a speedy WR who can take the top off a defense. Perhaps they’ve found one in rookie Darnell Mooney.

For the better part of a decade, the Chicago Bears offense has been missing one key element; a speedy wide receiver who can take the top off a defense.

Sure, they’ve been fortunate to have big playmakers like receivers Brandon Marshall, Alshon Jeffery and Allen Robinson, all who have put together Pro-Bowl caliber seasons during their respective time in Chicago. But the team has been missing the speedster-type player ever since receiver Johnny Knox suffered a gruesome back injury that ended his career in 2011. Could they have found the next Knox in rookie receiver Darnell Mooney?

Like Knox, Mooney was selected in the fifth-round of the NFL Draft. Both hail from smaller schools, with Mooney coming from Tulane and Knox from Abilene-Christian, and both were known for their devastating speed. Mooney ran the 40-yard dash at the NFL Combine in 4.38 seconds. Knox ran just slightly faster when he participated in the Combine over 10 years ago, clocked at 4.34 seconds. Both showed their skill in college as Mooney averaged 20.7 yards per catch during his junior year in 2018 and Knox averaged 19 yards per catch in 2008.

Most rookie receivers take time to develop, but Knox was the exception when he burst on the scene in 2009. During his rookie year, he caught 45 passes for 527 yards and five touchdowns. He was selected to the Pro Bowl as a return specialist. He then went on to become the team’s most dependable wide receiver over the next two seasons, enhancing his skillset to develop into a well-rounded receiver before his career abruptly ended. Now, nearly 10 years later, Mooney could pick up where Knox left off.

Mooney has yet to play in any sort of NFL game, but he has drawn rave reviews in practice.

“Darnell’s done a really good job at soaking up his role, and I think with him, he’s a kid that you don’t see any change any day” Bears head coach Matt Nagy told Larry Mayer of ChicagoBears.com. “He practices the same way that he plays, whether it’s a rapid practice with coach [Mike] Furrey or whether it’s a full rep in a team period 7 on 7.”

QB Mitchell Trubisky echoed his coaches comments as well earlier in camp.

“He’s quick, he gets out of his cuts really well and he’s picking up the offense really quickly,” Trubisky said. “As a quarterback, you love to see a rookie picking up the offense as quick as he is. We’re putting him in different spots, seeing how much he can handle and he’s doing a great job just separating and running the routes and being on the quarterback’s timing. And he can fly a little bit as well.”

While the former Tulane standout may not see the instant success Knox had, the Bears are working to integrate him into the offense and give him a role, according to The Athletic’s Adam Jahns. He lists Mooney as one of his top-five players from camp and had this to say about the rookie:

The Bears are definitely in the process of sketching out a role for Mooney this season. He’s playing with the starters and against the Bears’ best defenders. His speed and quick-twitch elusiveness definitely stand out. ‘A lot of people are bailing back on me a lot and respecting my speed,’ Mooney said. He’s also different than the rest of the Bears’ offensive threats. He’s Taylor Gabriel but with better moves after he has the ball.

Mooney will still have to earn playing time, but it’s clear the Bears aren’t just giving lip service. Knox became a special player and one of the biggest “what ifs” in recent Bears history. Time will tell whether or not Mooney reaches the same heights Knox did, but he has all the makings to do so.

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4 takeaways from second episode of Bears’ training camp series

In the second episode of ‘1920 Football Drive,’ we went inside the QB and DL meeting rooms and got a peek at the Bears’ first scrimmage.

For years, the Chicago Bears have kept things under wraps when it comes to training camp practices. Whether it’s limitations with the media live-tweeting during practice or prohibiting fans from recording plays to share with other fans, it’s felt like Fort Knox at times.

The Bears are making a peace offering with their new behind-the-scenes series, 1920 Football Drive, which will give fans exclusive access to the things they’ve wanted a deeper look into in the past. Inside meeting rooms, exclusive access from practice and mic’d up coaches and players to bring it all together.

Here are four takeaways from the second episode of 1920 Football Drive.

1. Every rep counts in Bears’ QB competition

AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh

Given the circumstances of this offseason, the Bears’ quarterback competition will be decided with training camp practices, which means that every rep is going to be judged in determining the starter between Mitchell Trubisky and Nick Foles. In this second episode, we got a glimpse of quarterbacks coach John DeFilippo breaking down practice film with the quarterbacks, and it’s clear that they’re looking for the guy that can be the most consistent.

Unfortunately for the Bears, neither Trubisky or Foles has been consistent at this point in the competition. While Foles has had the best practice of a Chicago quarterback in camp, he hasn’t impressed outside of that. Trubisky has had his moments, including the best throw of camp to Jesper Horsted, but he hasn’t impressed either. But we haven’t seen or heard about every rep either in practice highlights or through media observation. The Bears have been watching every rep in determining who will be under center come Week 1 against the Detroit Lions.

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Bears know they must get the ball in Cordarrelle Patterson’s hands

When you have a versatile weapon that’s a threat to make a play, you should do everything you can to get him the ball as much as possible.

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When you have a versatile weapon that’s a threat to make a play every time the ball is in his hands, you should do everything you can to get him the ball as much as possible. Which, unfortunately, is something the Chicago Bears failed to do with Cordarrelle Patterson last season.

Patterson had an All-Pro year as a kick returner last season, including a 102-yard kickoff return against the New Orleans Saints. There were also times when Patterson was brought in either as a running back or receiver and was able to make a big play to keep the chains moving for an offense that really needed it.

So it’s no surprise that getting the ball into Patterson’s hands more often in 2020 has been a focal point for the Bears. Whether that’s as a receiver, running back or kick returner.

“I think we all have realized that [regardless of] how we do it or how it happens, the guy has to have the ball in his hands,” receivers coach Mike Furrey said, via ChicagoBears.com. “He’s one of the most elite, explosive, dominant football players with the ball in his hands in this league, whether it’s kick return or whatever he does on offense. Those are the traits that he has, so we have to get him ready and get him going.”

The Bears have a loaded receivers room where players like Allen Robinson and Anthony Miller are the go-to guys for whoever wins the starting quarterback job. So one of the ways Chicago is considering utilizing Patterson more is in the running game.

NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo reported that Patterson was meeting with the running backs rather than the wide receivers during training camp, which could indicate an increased role for Patterson in the run game this season.

Last season, Patterson had 17 rushes for 103 yards, which should change this year given a bigger workload for Patterson in the run game. With the intention to get Patterson the ball as often as possible, the run game is probably the best chance to do just that.

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