Bears QB Trubisky 'earned' promotion, Fox says
Rookie quarterback Mitch Trubisky is one play away from running the Chicago Bears' offense.
“He earned that spot,” coach John Fox said after announcing Trubisky's promotion from No. 3 to No. 2, flip-flopping with nine-year veteran Mark Sanchez.
“We'll utilize both he and Mark as far as preparation reps. Obviously Mike Glennon will get the primary dose of those as far as the starter reps.”
Trubisky is way ahead of the learning curve the Bears envisioned for him.
“(It's) how fast they absorb and how fast they can connect to the pro game, as well as to your offense,” Fox said. “He surpassed everybody's feeling, all the coaches, the personnel, I know for myself, and I think his teammates.
“We were asked to evaluate him all the way through, (and) everybody was pretty impressed how fast he picked things up.”
Offensive coordinator Dowell Loggains said Trubisky showed impressive progress throughout the off-season and training camp, beginning with learning to take the snap directly from center, which he didn't do at North Carolina.
“Physically, he has all the tools, so we knew that wouldn't be an issue,” Loggains said. “It was getting up to speed as fast as possible with (aspects of) the passing game, the protections, the NFL coverages. I think that was the biggest growth he had.”
Trubisky also showed a mental acuity that exceeded his youth.
“(It's) his poise,” Loggains said. “This kid never gets rattled. No matter how much you throw at him, no matter how hard you coach him, he's the same guy every day.”
Wait for it:
Kevin White may be the Bears' No. 1 receiver in name, but he has a long way to go to earn that designation.
Quarterback Mike Glennon believes the 2015 first-round pick can be that guy, and Glennon's success may depend on it.
“He's got the size, the athleticism and the strength,” Glennon said. “He has what you're looking for. He (just) hasn't been healthy. We just need to all give him the opportunity to be that guy, and I think he'll show that this year.”
After missing his entire rookie season (shin surgery), White flashed briefly last year in four games before another leg injury ended his season.
“I have a real close relationship with him,” Glennon said. “I worked with him in the summer, just the two of us, and then all the time in practice.
“It might not show up in preseason games, but preseason isn't the same as regular season, as far as game-planning and all that. So Kevin will be just fine.”
Experience counts:
By the time he was 24, quarterback Mark Sanchez had played in back-to-back AFC championships with the New York Jets and started 37 games (including playoffs) in two NFL seasons.
Now, after 78 NFL starts, he's No. 3 on the Bears' depth chart.
“We were honest and up front with Mark about the reasons we value him,” said Bears general manager Ryan Pace. “It starts with, he's a good player. But it also goes into all the intangibles he brings.
“Mike (Glennon) can lean on his experience, and Mitch (Trubisky) can lean on that, too. He's valuable for us. We're glad he's here. He's the kind of guy that just exudes positive energy wherever he is.”
Houston released:
Oft-injured linebacker Lamarr Houston was released by the Bears on Wednesday.
Houston was placed on injured reserve after hurting his knee in the final preseason game and was let go Wednesday.
Houston was limited to 26 games in three years with the Bears because of injuries to both knees. His first season in Chicago ended when he tore his right anterior cruciate ligament celebrating a meaningless sack in a blowout loss at New England. Houston rebounded with 8 sacks while playing in 16 games in 2015. But a torn ACL in his left knee last season limited him to two games.
Injury report:
Three starters did not practice Wednesday — guard Kyle Long (ankle), wide receiver Markus Wheaton (finger) and cornerback Prince Amukamara (ankle) — and all appear doubtful for Sunday's season opener, although no official designations will be made until Friday.
Five other Bears were limited: linebacker Sam Acho (ankle), defensive end Jonathan Bullard (glute), safety Eddie Jackson (groin), cornerback Sherrick McManis (hamstring) and outside linebacker Pernell McPhee (knee).