Pompei: Observations From Bears-Cowboys
By Dan Pompei--
(CBS) As the Bears head into October, they aren't just losing football games. They're getting smacked around. The Bears are losing by an average of 12.7 points, worst in the NFL.
Here are my observations from their latest loss, a 31-17 setback to the Cowboys on Sunday night that dropped the Bears to 0-3.
1. Watching the Bears on Sunday made me feel like I was back in the early 1970s, except I wasn't wearing bellbottoms.
2. The Bears were terribly soft up the middle without defensive lineman Eddie Goldman and linebacker Danny Trevathan. Not including three short-yardage rushing touchdowns the Cowboys scored up the middle, the Bears allowed an average of 6.5 yards per run up the middle. For the season, they are allowing 5.1 yards per rush up the middle. You can't win like that.
3. Cornerback problems are starting to become very apparent for the Bears. And it's probably going to get worse before it gets better. I would like to see more of young Cre'von LeBlanc, however. There's something about him.
4. As for the pass rush, where have you gone, Richard Dent?
5. And will you consider coming out of retirement?
6. Given the way he plays, safety Harold Jones-Quartey is going to have repeated concussions. And the players he hits are going to have repeated concussions too.
7. Brian Hoyer's stats don't look bad, but the reality is he didn't do anything until the game was out of hand.
8. Kevin White is playing with more confidence and using his size and athleticism better as he gains experience. I think he's going to be really good.
9. The opponent didn't offer the greatest challenge, but the Bears' offensive line looks like it may be starting to come together. Kyle Long probably had his best game, and Bobby Massie definitely did.
10. Tight end Zach Miller may be the Bears' second-most dangerous offensive weapon at this point. The Bears need to keep getting him the football.
11. Like almost everyone, I'd like to see Jordan Howard get 25 hand-offs against the Lions. But let's not write off Jeremy Langford after 31 carries.
12. Last winter, I thought the Bears should have made an attempt to bring back Matt Forte. I'm sure of it now.
13. I dozed off a little at halftime. I didn't feel so bad about it when I woke up early in the third quarter and half of the Bears were asleep.
14. With the first overall pick of the 2017 draft, the Chicago Bears select DeShone Kizer, quarterback, Notre Dame.
Dan Pompei has been covering the NFL since 1985 and is a regular contributor to 670 The Score and a host on 670's Bears pregame show. He writes for Bleacher Report and theathletic.com. You can follow him on Twitter @Dan Pompei.