One of the craziest things that happened during the pre-draft process were some analysts questioning whether Justin Fields was accurate enough to survive in the NFL. What? The kid completed over 70% of his passes in 2020 alone. This against one of the best conferences in college football and not by constantly checking down either. Fields attacked down the field a lot and completed those passes a lot.
This isn’t something that suddenly surfaced overnight either. The quarterback had a laser from the beginning. Don’t believe it? Check out this video that recently surfaced on Twitter. By the look of it, this comes from when Fields was still playing in high school. Somebody challenged him to hit the crossbar of the goal posts at what looks like 35 yards away. Fields nailed it. So the doubter said he couldn’t do it again.
That was a mistake.
https://twitter.com/nelsondaniels_/status/1408877619601358853?s=25&fbclid=IwAR1jsaCvXYH3ZIsbt8qTWhQ1rXqlKJ1HFUvLMUWM2W4QA_DM80bJ5ZCC56A
For those who might be curious, the maximum diameter of a football goalpost crossbar is no more than 6.5 inches. That is slightly over the length of a zip tie. Fields managed to nail it with a football from 35 yards away on what sounds like a somewhat windy afternoon. That is some crazy accuracy. That he was doing it while still in high school? This should provide Bears fans an idea of what they’re getting.
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The amount of touch and self-confidence a throw like that takes can’t be understated. That he’s made many like it during live games in full pads against some of the best teams in the country? It’s proof this wasn’t just some fluke trickshot video with multiple takes. Challenge Fields and that is likely to be the result you get.
Justin Fields isn’t staying idle ahead of training camp
Sure, talent is part of the reason he can do things like that. However, his relentless work ethic is what allows him to take it to new levels. Fields does not take shortcuts on anything. According to multiple reports, he plans to continue studying the Bears’ playbook while attending a family vacation. Then two weeks before training camp, he’ll return to Halas Hall to get a head start on preparation.
Justin Fields is a drive young man. It is hard not to cheer for him. He wants it bad. Reaching the NFL wasn’t his goal. His desire is to be great. One of the greatest ever. If the Bears do their job in building a proper roster around him with a good scheme? Success is almost certain to follow. Players like him almost never fail.
This year will be the first step.
Everybody is interested when Fields will finally see action. That depends on how Andy Dalton plays. If he stinks or gets hurt? Then fans will have their answer in pretty short order. How the rookie handles himself from there should say a lot about his future. He doesn’t seem intimidated by it. Quite the opposite. He wants that pressure. He wants that responsibility. Great ones usually do. Here’s hoping he reaches his ambitions.