Trubisky practicing, waiting to be called up
When offensive coordinator Dowell Loggains was asked during the week how many snaps backup quarterback Mitch Trubisky is getting with the starters, he replied, "Mike Glennon is our starter."
In "coachspeak," that means "not many," or "none." Unlike in training camp, the starter gets the vast majority of the No. 1 practice reps.
But there are other ways the rookie can continue to develop as he awaits his inevitable ascension.
"It's different," Trubisky said. "The reps are cut down, so I'm continuing to find other ways to get better on and off the field.
"It could be doing the best I can in scout and giving (the No. 1 defense) a look, simulate (the opponents') plays, and staying after practice and getting the throws in (the Bears' offense) I need to get."
Off the field there's watching film with Glennon, nine-year veteran Mark Sanchez, and coaches.
"Just trying to learn as much as possible and continue to progress," Trubisky said. "So, when my name is called, I'll be ready."
Trubisky says he's been able to learn from Glennon's ups and downs.
"He's very level-headed," the rookie said. "He doesn't get frustrated. He owns up to his mistakes, and he just continues to do his job. I think the guys respond around him. You just learn from that and how to carry yourself and how to be a leader in the huddle and on the sidelines."
Early education:
Even before he joined the Bears as the second overall pick in the draft, quarterback Mitch Trubisky had an NFL role model - Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger.
Both quarterbacks hail from Ohio, Trubisky from Mentor and Roethlisberger from Findlay. They have the same agent, Ryan Tollner, so they spent time working out together before the draft.
"Big Ben's awesome," Trubisky said. "It was really special and really a privilege to learn from him. Pre-Combine, I was out there in Irvine, California, with him, and I've really looked up to him ever since he came out, because he's an Ohio guy as well."
Roethlisberger went 13-0 as a rookie starter in 2004.
"That's what you try to duplicate as a quarterback coming into this league," Trubisky said, "and just how he carries himself, how competitive he is. I just try to take those things and hopefully add them into my own game as well."
Rounding into form:
Steelers running back Le'Veon Bell is off to a slow start after skipping training camp and the preseason in a contract dispute before signing his one-year, $12.12 million franchise tender.
The Bears' run defense has played well, allowing just 3 rushes of 10 yards or longer through two weeks, tied for fourth best in the NFL. Bell's longest run of the season is 15 yards, and the longest run the Bears have allowed is 14 yards.
"He's always highly conditioned over a 12-month calendar," Steelers coach Mike Tomlin said. But being in shape and being football-ready are two different things."
After a light load in Week One, Bell got a crash course last week with 27 carries that produced 87 yards (3.2-yard average).
"It's just done on a day-by-day basis, executing natural, normal assignments, and doing it with the level of intensity that's required," Tomlin said. "He's doing that, and he's reaped the rewards from it, and we expect it to continue."
Keeping the faith:
Bears receivers dropped 6 passes last week, including 4 during one possession in the fourth quarter.
A better effort from the alleged pass-catchers would have improved quarterback Mike Glennon's 76.2 passer rating, but he shrugged it off.
"You have to move on," Glennon said. "I didn't yell at those guys. They know they have to make those plays, but there's no reason to harp on it. I kept coming back to them. I have faith in those guys that they'll make those catches."
Coming and going:
Inside linebacker John Timu was promoted from the practice squad to the 53-man roster, and wide receiver Tre McBride was waived.
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