Joniak's Journal: Adam Gase, Jay Cutler Starting To Click
By Jeff Joniak--
(CBS) The Bears (2-3) are on the road to face the Lions (0-5) on Sunday at noon. Here are my thoughts leading up to the game.
First impression
There's a good vibe coming from the Adam Gase-Jay Cutler pairing and a growing admiration and respect for how each individual goes about his business. Bears players feel it, too.
Gase, the offensive coordinator, is open-minded, dynamic and pragmatic. Cutler's operating the offense calmly but authoritatively. Missing pieces -- including top receiver Alshon Jeffrey and a different offensive line essentially in each of the last three weeks -- haven't derailed the unit.
Teammates respect Cutler's quick return from a strained hamstring, the toughness he plays with, the preparation he and Gase are putting in and the clutch throws Culter's made on the final drives of the last two games. It's nearly an entirely different locker room, and the new additions know only what they are experiencing firsthand. Trust is the key right now. Growth should follow.
Second thought
Marquess Wilson was 21 when the Bears selected him in the seventh round of the 2013 draft. He didn't play much in his rookie season and missed the bulk of his second season with a cracked collarbone. A healthy and fresh start to his third season reveals the potential he has only started to scratch.
"Given the opportunities at hand, definitely," Wilson said. "Being so young is an advantage, but I've also gained knowledge in the last two years. Being young is great, but I also feel like I matured, and I'm a pro."
Wilson tapped his experience with several veterans who have since moved on, like Brandon Marshall and Earl Bennett but also Jeffrey and now Eddie Royal. Receivers coach Mike Groh also gets a lot of credit for helping to grow Wilson.
I asked Wilson if he needed Groh at this point in his career.
"Yes, Groh is that fire coach," Wilson chuckled. "You think he wants to put on pads and a helmet the way he coaches us out there. He's full of energy. When we're messing up, he's definitely going to get after us. We need that kind of guy. Groh is always there for us. On game day, be ready for a head butt. That's his signature."
I'll have more with Wilson and his journey to the Bears in the audio version of Joniak's Journal in the second hour of WBBM's "Countdown to Kickoff" on Sunday from Ford Field in Detroit.
Third degree
This is a dangerous game for the Bears against the Lions, no doubt about it. However, I just can't grasp the concept that I'm hearing about this being a "trap" game for Chicago.
There can be no "trap" games for this team right now. Growing confidence shouldn't be confused with overconfidence. That concept for a team just now learning how to win again and with a bushel full of new players just isn't applicable. It can't be.
Yes, it's an important game in terms of the growth process. Detroit's backed into a corner and will be a tough out. The tape illustrates more than the record.
Fourth-and-short
I expect the Lions to come out and run the ball, or at least try. They're averaging only 17 rushing attempts per game, fewer than only the Dolphins. Those are the only two teams averaging less than 20 carries per game.
The Lions have had no play-action game to speak of, and with Calvin Johnson, Golden Tate, and potentially Eric Ebron at tight end, Matthew Stafford needs to have that in his hip pocket. Stafford has been awful on third downs, with a 28.3 quarterback rating with no touchdowns and five interceptions. The Lions have converted 11 of 14 third-down attempts measuring two yards or fewer, which means they're converting only 25 percent of their other 37 third-down plays.
Jeff Joniak is the play-by-play announcer for the Bears broadcasts on WBBM Newsradio 780. Follow him on Twitter @JeffJoniak.
