Staley Da Bear
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- Mar 16, 2019
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*An act of Wimsy: *Apart from Allen Robinson II, the Bears have struggled to find another top target in the passing game. With relatively quiet seasons so far from receiver Anthony Miller and tight end Trey Burton—both players who flashed potential last season before missing time to injuries–offensive coordinator Mark Helrich expects that to change soon.
"I think you do force it a little bit in terms of scheming things up," said Helfrich.“Sometimes that's taken away by whatever reason; maybe it's the defense that they dialed up, maybe it's the protection, myriad issues there."
One player who has been making the most of the moment is receiver Javon Wims, who started in place of the injured Taylor Gabriel against the Vikings and caught four passes for 56 yards.
Helfrich is excited by the 2018 seventh-round pick's potential, telling reporters that Wims’ route-running ability, sometimes cited as an area where Wims need to improve, is up to snuff.
"He's got a different skill set than some of those guys," said Helfrich. "I think it is[important to] be able to plug you in at this spot and do everything that is required of that spot. He did a really good job. He might not break the top off the defense like Taylor Gabriel, but he might double move to get there. So that can work and then just do the dirty work in the other areas."
Trust the process: After improving his rushing totals in Weeks 2 and 3, David Montgomery took a little step back against the Vikings. He was kept without a big run and needed to fight for even short gains. He ended the day with 53 yards on 21 carries.
"We're looking for more explosive plays," said coach Matt Nagy. "We haven't had a lot of those, I don't think. We haven't had a lot of those explosive plays in the run game. Those get you going."
Nagy believes that Montgomery is on the right track and has the correct attitude toward the frustrations of being a rookie.
"There's zero frustration from him," said Nagy, "which could happen sometimes. He understands that we're going through this process and we're gonna get it figured out and he's just very patient. The way he plays the game, the way he attacks it in meetings, nothing's changed from the very first day he got here."
*Welcome back: *Sherrick McManis made his return against the Vikings after being inactive for the previous two games. McManis rewarded the Bears by making two open-field tackles on special teams.
"He's a true pro's pro," said special teams coordinator Chris Tabor. "If there was a young player watching Sherrick during those two weeks, and he wasn't up those two weeks, just to watch how he handled that, and he still prepared every day. That's what happens."
McManis has been a walking example of the rewards of persistence. The Northwestern alum is the Bears' longest-tenured player, having cut out a niche for himself making the same types of tackles that he made on Sunday.
"That will be a story for me to tell a young player," said Tabor. "He gets activated. He goes out. He makes--those were splash plays. Those were big-time plays on a really, really good returner, so that's a credit to him."
McManis' performance against the Vikings makes it more likely he will find himself on the active roster throughout the rest of the season.
"I think any time a player plays well, that helps their case," said Tabor. "I think that's why this league is a day-by-day deal. You take nothing for granted. He put good tape out there. I mean, your tape is your resume. Like I say, we'll need him this week. There's no doubt about it."