Joniak's Journal: Red-Zone Efficiency A Priority For Bears
By Jeff Joniak--
(CBS) The Bears (0-1) host the Cardinals (1-0) on Sunday at Soldier Field. Here are some thoughts heading into the contest.
First impression
My first impression of the Bears offense under new coordinator Adam Gase is that it will be one that definitely moves the chains. First downs lead to touchdowns, and the Bears had 25 first downs against the Packers. The next step is improved execution in the red zone and consistent touchdown efficiency numbers, as they recorded just one touchdown in three trips inside the 20-yard line Sunday. Running the ball creates the identity of a tough, physical team, while the up-tempo approach should create a rhythm that quarterback Jay Cutler is comfortable with. All this happened with three banged-up receivers and Kyle Long playing right tackle for the first time in his career. It's an intriguing starting point despite the disappointing outcome when the Bears had a chance to catch the Packers in the fourth quarter.
Second thought
In its second game, Chicago will greet an Arizona team that plays with a swagger. It comes from the top down with coach Bruce Arians and trickles down to the players in each phase. There's also a strong belief that 35-year-old starting quarterback Carson Palmer is the settling influence who will keep this team on track as an NFC West contender. Palmer has done nothing but win his starts the last two seasons -- he won all six of his starts in 2014 -- but his durability at this point remains the biggest question. The Bears will have to deal with a lot of speed Sunday and a secondary that's diverse and flexible in the Cardinals' 3-4 scheme.
Third degree
Bears kicker Robbie Gould says he started kicking earlier in the offseason to be ready to go for the regular season. It showed against the Packers. His 244th career field goal set a new franchise record that he had held with Kevin Butler and produced the first points of the season. He added a 50-yard field goal, also breaking Butler's record for that distance. There will be more opportunities than the 12 attempts he had in 2014, an unthinkably low total.
"It's an achievement to say that you worked your butt off to be a pro, to put yourself in moments that you're going to have to be able to do those things," Gould said. "It says a lot about doing your job, being accountable and helping your team win."
Gould has suffered a ruptured hamstring and a right quad injury nearly at the same exact point late in two of the last three seasons.
"There was something I was doing that obviously wasn't right," Gould said.
He went into the offseason to fix some things to make sure it doesn't happen again. Refocusing on just football, he said, has helped him significantly.
Fourth-and-short
I came away impressed with the mindset, professionalism and commitment to football by receiver Eddie Royal after talking with him at a WBBM "Chalk Talk" luncheon at Carnivale on Fulton in the city. Tom Thayer and I interviewed him for an hour, discussing his nine-year journey through the NFL, from Denver to San Diego to Chicago.
Royal is a worker. He often remains after practice working with young receivers and defensive backs, passing on his knowledge and working on technique. In 2008, Royal caught nine passes for 146 yards, one for a touchdown, in a Denver win over Oakland. That touchdown thrown by Jay Cutler was the first of his career. Royal's looking to have that connection with Cutler now in 2015.
Jeff Joniak is the play-by-play announcer for the Bears broadcasts on WBBM Newsradio 780. Follow him on Twitter @JeffJoniak.
