The Eddie Jackson interception return for a touchdown against the Carolina Panthers was a joy to watch. It showcased all the things about him that made many believe he was a draft steal back in April. He showed awareness to find the football, ball skills to get it and then speed to take it back for what was the decisive touchdown of the Chicago Bears’ third victory of 2017.
It also marked the second-straight week a Bears safety had scored. A complete turnaround from where this team had been for the past decade. Indeed that position has given them lots of problems over that span. Player after player was unable to fill the void, making safety one of the weak points of an otherwise strong defense.
Jackson was merely the latest in a long line of mid round picks and free agents trying to help fix it. At last it appears the Bears have scored a hit. His progress over the past few weeks is impressive. As it turns out his biggest play as a Bear got a huge assist from the greatest source ever.
Eddie Jackson interception laid out in practice by Mike Glennon
Everybody would rather not remember the brief Mike Glennon experience through the first four games of this season. It was hard to watch at time, mostly due to turnover issues. Well get ready for some irony. Turns out Glennon played a pivotal role to Jackson’s big moment on Sunday according to teammate Prince Amukamara.
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“The latest version included a bullet point that stuck in Prince Amukamara’s mind. Whenever the Panthers lined up two receivers on each side of the formation and split them wide, the veteran cornerback should be aware of a slant pattern.
So as the Panthers got set Sunday for third-and-10 from the Bears’ 33-yard line in the second quarter, Amukamara’s memory set off alarm bells.
He recognized the formation. Two-by-two. Wide split.
Watch the slant.
Amukamara chuckled at his locker as he recalled how a scenario similar to the interception played out in practice last week.
Bears scout-team quarterback Mike Glennon threw the slant, but in that case, Amukamara called off Jackson to get the deflected ball himself.
On Sunday, Jackson charged after it, undeterred by the traffic.”
It seems rather fitting. Glennon wasn’t much of a help on the Bears offense. So being the team player he is he applied his talents towards helping the defense instead. It’s hard to argue with the results. Hopefully he’ll keep it up so Jackson can get more.
