NDN: Chicago Bears QB Justin Fields looks like the real deal
By John Blair
- While the Chicago Bears are very happy with first-round pick Justin Fields, that is not the case with second-round pick Teven Jenkins. The team is likely concerned about Jenkins due to a back injury that has kept him out of training camp, and it is uncertain when he will be able to practice again. The team recently signed nine-time Pro Bowl left tackle, Jason Peters, to fill the team’s left tackle job that Jenkins was penciled in to fill this year. UPDATE: Jenkins will have back surgery, per the Bears.
- Indianapolis Colts quarterback Sam Ehlinger continues to show why he was named to the All-Underrated team going into the draft. This past weekend he showed excellent command of the team and overall toughness as he led the Colts to a comeback victory over the Carolina Panthers. On the day he completed 10 of 15 passes for 155 yards and also rushed the ball eight times for 30 yards. If he continues to play this way it would not be a surprise if he beat out Jacob Eason for the backup job.
- A quarterback who had mixed reviews was Tampa Bay Buccaneers Kyle Trask. He finished the day completing just four of 15 passes for 35 yards. However, these numbers were hurt by his receivers dropping several of his passes. Why this can help explain these results it is more than likely that Trask will spend most of this year as the third quarterback on the roster behind Tom Brady and Blaine Gabbert.
- One rookie who has really struggled so far in training camp is Buffalo Bills defensive end Boogie Basham. The Bills who selected Basham in the second round of the draft have mainly been giving him reps against second and third stringers. He also saw most of his time in the team’s first preseason game late in the game, which is a time most teams play players who could get cut. While it is doubtful the Bills will cut this high of a pick they can’t be pleased with his production so far.
- An undrafted free agent who had a strong performance last weekend was Washington running back Jaret Patterson. Patterson led the team in rushing yards with 40 yards and receiving yards with 30. It looks like Patterson is in the team’s future as well as the team recently cut running back Lamar Miller and lacks great depth at this position.