Jon Bostic First Start: Chicago Bears vs Washington

1:00 PM ET, October 20, 2013

FedEx Field, Landover, MD

64^°FHigh

Sunny

Chance of rain: 0%

Wind: WNW at 10 mph

Humidity: 49%

 

 

Stats of the Game:

 

Last year, Washington was ranked 4th in scoring with 27.2 per game. This year…..they are ranked #25 in the NFL with 21.4 per game.

 

 

 

 

Match Up to Watch:

 

Jon Bostic first career start:

 

I am really pumped to see Jon Bostic first start. I think he should have started early in the season but the Bears linebacking core is really deep. This is a great match up for him because he has great speed and can keep up with the offense. He has a great chance to show off like he did in the preseason game. If you haven’t seen the amazing hit Bostic did in the preseason game, you are welcome.

 

 

Players to Watch:

 

Chicago:

Guard- Kyle Long

Linebacker- Jon Bostic

Tackle- Jordan Mills

 

Washington:

Cornerback- David Amerson

Tight End- Jordan Reed

 

 

 

 

 

#75 Kyle Long: 6’6 313, Oregon1^st round 20^th pick, Position – Guard

Strength:     

+  Always keeps inside leverage as guard so no one can get an easy pass rush.

+  Great pulling guard and unloads on the linebacker at the second level.

+  Athletic and can get to linebackers really quick off the snap.

+  Always keeps asking questions. Keeps learning about the game every day. Never settles

+  With only 4 starts in college, he has played like a pro in his first 4 starts in the NFL.

Needs Improvement:

–          Gets too wide of a base and can’t move his feet when he does that.

–          Hand placement has to be better if he wants to improve.

–          He is in the way of the running back on screen plays. Must understand where he needs to be on that play.

–          Gets all turned around when the defensive line runs a stunt play.

 

 

#57 Jon Bostic: 6’1 245, Florida

2^nd round 50^th pick, Position – Linebacker

Strength:                             

+  Good play recognition and gets into the backfield.

+  Had a great interception and returned it for a TD.

+  Plays the quarterback eyes well and makes a play on the ball.

Needs Improvement:

–         Gives way too much cushion in zone coverage.

–         Bites too hard on the play action and gets out of position.

–         Lacks size to take on blocks effectively.

–         Fails in his trail technique which can’t recover on a play.

#67 Jordan Mills: 6’5 316, Louisiana Tech

5^th round 163^rd pick, Position – Tackle

Strength:                 

+  Blocks off the inside move well. Keeps inside leverage against a pass rusher.

+  His pass blocking is the biggest strength.  That’s all he did in college.

+  He has impressed his coaching staff that he started the season at RT for the Bears

Needs Improvement:

–          His down blocking needs some work. Not been able to collapse the defense.

–          Football IQ is lacking and does not understand blitz pick up.

–          Has to learn how to reload his hips and don’t get driven back.

–          Struggles in turning his hips and pulling out to the 2^nd level.

#39 David Amerson: 6’1 194, North Carolina State

2^nd round 51^st pick, Position- Cornerback

Strengt

+  Good route understanding  so he can break on them and make a play.

+  Knows how to use his hands in pass defense.

+  His best skill, is reading the receiver and reacting to his movement.

+  Does not get called for pass interference.

Needs Improvement:

–          When the ball is in the air then he must turn his head and play the ball.

–          Bites too hard on the double move and does not have the speed to recover.

–          Afraid to hit and allows big runs to happens.

#86 Jordan Reed: 6’3 225, Florida

3^rd round 85^th pick, Position- Tight End

Strength:                 

+  Long arms and big hands allow him to snatch the ball out of the air.

+  Does a nice job of disguising run or pass so the defense can’t key in on his assignment.

+  Elusive for a tight end. Has the speed not many have.

Needs Improvement:

–          Must come back for a pass instead of waiting for it.

–          Poor blocker. He will be a liability in the running game.

–          Was not very big in the red zone as you would like.

 

 

 

 

 

Thursday Night Football: New York Giants vs Chicago Bears

8:25 PM ET, October 10, 2013

Soldier Field, Chicago, IL

58^°Low

Partly Cloudy

Chance of rain: 0%

Wind: SSE at 5 mph

Humidity: 80%

 

 

 

 

Match Up to Watch:

 

Giants experience defensive line vs Bears young offensive line:

 

The Bears looked like the same old Bears. Jay Cutler got sacked 3 times and knocked down 6 more times against the New Orleans Saints last week. Is it a one week thing or is it becoming more of a trend? Thursday night will prove as test even with the Giants having a poor season but they still have a defensive line that will cause problems. Chicago has lost 2 in a row, can they stop the skid or keep going down hill on primetime?

Players to Watch:

 

New York:

Tackle- Justin Pugh

Defensive Tackle- Johnathan Hankins

 

Chicago:

Guard- Kyle Long

Tackle- Jordan Mills

 

 

#72 Justin Pugh: 6’4 301, Syracuse1^st round 19^th pick, Position- Tackle

Strength:

+  Keeps a good solid base. Never is off balance.

+  Fantastic in goal line plays. Stays low and drives the defender back.

+  Good football IQ. Understands blitzes and when to switch.

+  In the early part of the season, he has played very well even when the offense has been so poor.

Needs Improvement:

–          Very weak at the second level. Unable to square up the linebacker.

–          Hands tend to slip outside the defender so could be called for holding.

–          Not very athletic and has trouble going out for screen passes.

#74 Johnathan Hankins: 6’2 320, Ohio State

2^nd round 49^th pick, Position- Defensive Tackle

Strength:                 

+  Causes trouble for the double team. Does not allow them to push him back.

+  Uses leverage really well and causes problems for the lineman.

+  Punches his man right into the chest and puts them on their heels.

Needs Improvement:

–          On the ground too much, Must pick up his knees.

–          Slow off the snap. Got to get lower on his stance to explode out.

–          Too high sometimes. Will get on his tippy toes and can’t create any push.

 

 

 

#75 Kyle Long: 6’6 313, Oregon1^st round 20^th pick, Position – Guard

Strength:     

+  Always keeps inside leverage as guard so no one can get an easy pass rush.

+  Great pulling guard and unloads on the linebacker at the second level.

+  Athletic and can get to linebackers really quick off the snap.

+  Always keeps asking questions. Keeps learning about the game every day. Never settles

+  With only 4 starts in college, he has played like a pro in his first 4 starts in the NFL.

Needs Improvement:

–          Gets too wide of a base and can’t move his feet when he does that.

–          Hand placement has to be better if he wants to improve.

–          He is in the way of the running back on screen plays. Must understand where he needs to be on that play.

–          Gets all turned around when the defensive line runs a stunt play.

#67 Jordan Mills: 6’5 316, Louisiana Tech

5^th round 163^rd pick, Position – Tackle

Strength:                 

+  Blocks off the inside move well. Keeps inside leverage against a pass rusher.

+  His pass blocking is the biggest strength.  That’s all he did in college.

+  He has impressed his coaching staff that he started the season at RT for the Bears

Needs Improvement:

–          His down blocking needs some work. Not been able to collapse the defense.

–          Football IQ is lacking and does not understand blitz pick up.

–          Has to learn how to reload his hips and don’t get driven back.

–          Struggles in turning his hips and pulling out to the 2^nd level.

 

Old NFL Rivalry: Chicago Bears vs Detroit Lions

1:00 PM ET, September 29, 2013

Ford Field, Detroit, MI

 

 

Match up to Watch:

Right side of the Bears offensive line vs Lions defensive line:

The biggest surprise of the season, is the right side of the Bears offensive line. Chicago has two rookies playing guard and tackle, Kyle Long, Jordan Mills. Jay Cutler has only been sacked 3 times in the first 3 games. Now, we know its early in the season but compared to last year, this is a major improvement but they will have a challange this week. Going against Suh, Fairly and Ansah. Who will win the match up?

Players to Watch:

Detroit:

Defensive End- Ziggy Ansah

Cornerback- Darius Slay

 

Chicago:

Guard- Kyle Long

Tackle- Jordan Mills

 

 

 

#75 Kyle Long: 6’6 313, Oregon

1^st round 20^th pick, Position – Guard

Strength:     

+  Always keeps inside leverage as guard so no one can get an easy pass rush.

+  Great pulling guard and unloads on the linebacker at the second level.

+  Athletic and can get to linebackers really quick off the snap.

+  Always keeps asking questions. Keeps learning about the game every day. Never settles

 

Needs Improvement:

–          Gets too wide of a base and can’t move his feet when he does that.

–          Hand placement has to be better if he wants to improve.

–          He is in the way of the running back on screen plays. Must understand where he needs to be on that play.

–          Gets all turned around when the defensive line runs a stunt play.

 

 

#67 Jordan Mills: 6’5 316, Louisiana Tech

5^th round 163^rd pick, Position – Tackle

Strength:                 

+  Blocks off the inside move well. Keeps inside leverage against a pass rusher.

+  His pass blocking is the biggest strength.  That’s all he did in college.

+  He has impressed his coaching staff that he started the season at RT for the Bears

Needs Improvement:

–          His down blocking needs some work. Not been able to collapse the defense.

–          Football IQ is lacking and does not understand blitz pick up.

–          Has to learn how to reload his hips and don’t get driven back.

–          Struggles in turning his hips and pulling out to the 2^nd level.

 

 

 

 

#94 Ziggy Ansah: 6’5 271, BYU

1^st round 5^th pick, Position- Defensive End

Strength:                             

+  Explodes off the snap and puts the lineman on their heels.

+  Does not get pushed back and holds strong against the run.

+  Will get his hands in the passing lane if he doesn’t get pressure on the QB.

+  Just good football awareness.

 

Needs Improvement:

–          Too much ball watching instead of playing his man.

–          Gets worn out late in the game. Has to be in better condition.

–          Needs to stay low throughout the play.

–          Must use his hands more if he wants to get off blocks

 

 

 

 

#30 Darius Slay: 6’0 192, Mississippi State

2^nd round 36^th pick, Position- Cornerback

Strength:                                         

+  Has elite speed so he can stay with any receiver either flanked or slot.

+  Takes on cut blocks very well. Stays upright.

+ Shadows the receiver really well. Able to match them step for step.

 

Needs Improvement:

–          Has to be more physical in cover 2.

–          Must shed his block better if he wants to help out in the run.

–          Flies open his hips which cause him to be in bad position.

 

 

Kyle Long #20 pick for the Chicago Bears

Position: Offensive Guard

Height: 6’6 Weight: 313 Arms: 33 3/8 Hands: 11

When you have a dad who is in the Hall of Fame in football and your brother was the #2 pick for the St. Louis Rams in 2008, there shouldn’t be any pressure when you are heading in 2013 NFL Draft. I would love to be in that house just one day…..”DAD! I am the best football player in the world” father replies “Son, you are not even the best player in this house and I was in a blockbuster movie called Broken Arrow. My best friend is John Travolta so until you are movie star like me then you have ways to go.” Yes in my head, the Long family has very BIG egos!

Kyle Long wasn’t even suppose to play football. He was drafted by the Chicago White Sox in 23rd round ( a little foreshadowing) but didn’t sign and went to play baseball at Florida State but after one year at the school, he got into off the field problems and was kicked out. He then would attend Saddleback College and played football for the first time since high school. His first year on the defensive line but moved to offensive line the next year. He later transfer to Oregon University and played one year on the offensive line, started 12 of 13 games. He tried to get another year of eligibility but was denied by the NCAA.

Strength :

+ Great downhill blocker. Would be perfect for the zone blocking scheme.

+ Very athletic at the second level blocking. Moves the linebackers out of the play.

+ If he is locked on to you then you have no chance to get out of the block.

+ Does a good job in double team blocking.

+ Is a MAULER and knows how to finish off blocks.

+ At the senior bowl, he was asking a lot of questions to the coaches which is good for someone who is new to the position.

Needs Improvement:

– Not very smooth in the hips. Struggles in pulling.

– His feet are too choppy and long and exposes himself to a bull rush.

– Is so raw at the tackle position, more suited for guard.

– Needs to work on hand placement. Have to deliver it in the defenders chest, not outside.

– Weak at cut blocking. Cutting at their feet instead at their thighs.

– He gives the screen play way too early. Defenses will recognize that.

Summary:

I love watching Kyle Long play, just looks like he is just having fun. He has all the physical tools you would want in a guard. In the future, he could play tackle but that is a work in progress. Lets remember he has just played on offensive line for 2 years and only 1 year at the FBS level. Most of the work needs to be done of fundamentals but he has a great attitude and is very coachable. He is worth the pick and will be worth the wait Bears fans. Just FYI, if you have a twitter account then you should definitely follow Kyle Long @Ky1eLong