Rodney Harrison saw both sides of the NFL landscape. The highest of highs and the lowest of lows. He was on a 1-15 team in San Diego with Ryan Leaf at quarterback. Then he was on a New England Patriots team that won back-to-back Super Bowls in 2003 and 2004 before almost going undefeated in 2007 with Tom Brady at quarterback. So he has a pretty balanced perspective when it comes to judging football teams.
That is why his opinion was interesting to hear when talking about the Chicago Bears on the Under Center podcast with JJ Stankevitz. He personally loves what the team has done fortifying their defense with Robert Quinn. Though he does wish they used Eddie Jackson a bit better. When it comes to the offense though? Well to paraphrase Baymax from Big Hero Six, he has some concerns. One of the biggest debates raging right now is who deserves more blame for the issues in 2019?
Matt Nagy’s play calling or Mitch Trubisky’s play? Harrison didn’t beat around the bush.
“I saw Trubisky. This is what I saw. I saw Trubisky when he drops back, he stares at the first read. If that’s not open, he goes to the second read but he’s kind of hesitant because he’s so focused on that first read. Then if that’s not open? He panics. And it’s like, okay run, take off, try to manipulate, try to do something.
I just…I don’t see the consistency in the play calling and obviously you don’t have that when you don’t have your guy at the quarterback position.”
Rodney Harrison isn’t totally buying Nick Foles either
Hearing him say this, it helps reinforce why the Bears traded for Nick Foles back in March. He knows this offense well and has connections to much of the new coaching staff including Nagy. He has a Pro Bowl and a Super Bowl MVP in this type of system. That said, Harrison isn’t ready to declare him the savior just yet. The 31-year old has had great moments, has never been able to shine for a full year. Nor with any other team.
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“There’s a question mark with Nick Foles. Can he play outside of Philly? Can he stay healthy? You know, it’s a lot of question marks man.”
Now to be fair, the former safety wasn’t all doom and gloom on the Bears. He likes the addition of Cole Kmet at tight end, an area they needed to upgrade. He also feels they have something going with David Montgomery at running back. There is capability in this offense. It’s a matter of whether they can get anything out of the quarterbacks resembling efficiency.
