The Chicago Bears surprised a lot of people with their lack of maneuvers during the offseason in regards to their pass rush situation. This after they lost three veterans in Pernell McPhee, Willie Young, and Lamarr Houston. Were they really that confident in who they already had on the roster and the pieces they did add? Or is it they had little confidence in the bigger names that were available?
Either way, things didn’t look good on paper coming into the preseason. Leonard Floyd was the only proven talent at the edge rush position they could realistically depend on for sacks. After that, it’s a series of question marks. Sam Acho has been a backup most of his career. Aaron Lynch has been effective since 2015 and is still nursing a hamstring issue. After them, it’s nothing but young bucks with no proven chops.
The Bears needed somebody to step up in the Hall of Fame game. Somebody to help make their decision to be passive at such a critical position look wise. Thankfully two young men stepped up to do just that.
Chicago Bears get big contributions from Isaiah Irving and Kylie Fitts
Leave to the two unsung kids to spark a ray of hope for this team. Isaiah Irving, a former undrafted free agent, and sixth round pick Kylie Fitts came into the night with plenty to prove. They’d some good things in practice during training camp but this marked the first time they would see live game action against another opponent.
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All things considered? It went well. Irving was active early in the game. He had a strip-sack of Robert Griffin III that was called back due to an offsides penalty (by him). He made up for it though, sacking Griffin again a series later to force a Baltimore field goal.
Big explosive get off by Irving but the RB blocks the wrong place accidentally hitting the tackle allowing Irving a free run at th QB and a Sack #PFHOF18 @BearsBarroom @BearsHourLive pic.twitter.com/68JeefPVus
— Draft Dr. Phil (@FulphilO) August 3, 2018
Fitts struggled a bit early on with some mental errors but seemed to find his footing in the second quarter. His signature play came when he blew up a Ravens tight end staying in to block and forcing the quarterback to hit the deck for a sack.
Great job by @K_Fitts11 vs the TE- you get blocked 1 on 1 you deliver and finish. Shows power and awareness getting to and finishingnhe QB @BearsHourLive @BearsBarroom #PFHOF18 pic.twitter.com/LTXlDs1LC5
— Draft Dr. Phil (@FulphilO) August 3, 2018
Yes, this was done against second and third-string players but it would’ve been far more concerning had they not done anything at all. This was the first revelation that the Bears may have had an idea of what they were doing when they stayed passive for the most part on the pass rush end. They felt they had some pieces that could get the job done at an affordable price. Not to mention the talent available was considered somewhat weak.
