Struggles Over the Middle: A Familiar Tale

One major reason for the Bears moving on from Justin Fields was his difficulties as a passer, particularly when it came to throwing over the middle. Fields was often criticized for his hesitancy in this area.

Dan Wiederer of the Chicago Tribune highlighted this issue, stating, "Fields is seen as overly hesitant on throws across the middle and suffering from what one league source labeled ‘delayed vision’—not getting his eyes to open targets with proper timing and rhythm, instead allowing defensive backs added time to react."                Just sayin'

https://www.msn.com/en-us/sports/nfl/eagles-urged-to-sign-3-time-pro-bowler-versatile-chess-piece-for-vic-fangio/ar-BB1mniMi?rc=1&ocid=winp1taskbar&cvid=7e35fc24f5e443319583f3a8a19f95e2&ei=8

6 hours ago, joemas6 said:

Julian Edlemen vs John Ross .... that's enough to not to have to write a book as to why long speed or a 40 time isn't all that matters. 

Plenty of slower WR have been successful. Very rare the combo of speed, size and height are in one package of a guy that can catch the ball.

But Edelman and slow WR really isn’t the discussion. It’s about what just pure speed can bring and provide to an O.

As a football player I’d think the idea of a WR catching the ball should be obvious.

Speed can stretch a D. Just can’t substitute what that can bring to an O. So we can discuss all the great pass catchers in the history of the game. Has nothing to do with what speed forces on a D.

6 hours ago, GreenbleedinNC said:

That was JJ. I saw a guy with that "twitch" who could provide that quick window,but he also had immense speed with 2nd and 3rd gears to take it to the house. It's rare to see a WR who can excel in all 3 spots

I think the best can move around to any WR position

5 hours ago, GreenbleedinNC said:

Agreed,I want more than "congestion",I would like some nice production like over 500 yards and a few TD's from the slot as well as making 3rd down conversions a reality

Stats aren’t very crucial to me. Just need him to be viewed as a legit option.

Any slot guy posting stats tells me not a whole lot. I don’t need him getting garbage time stats. Or even piling up stats in one matchup so much. We need a guy to make a catch deep and to give a couple of underneath YAC plays.

That’s all we need for the O to rock it. Just need something each week.

9 minutes ago, cunninghamtheman said:

Speed can stretch a D. Just can’t substitute what that can bring to an O. So we can discuss all the great pass catchers in the history of the game. Has nothing to do with what speed forces on a D.

Welp that's true if you have a QB who can throw 55 in the air,but Hurts is not that,so we need guys that can open windows that aren't that far away

7 minutes ago, cunninghamtheman said:

Stats aren’t very crucial to me. Just need him to be viewed as a legit option.

Stats(or lack of them) are crucial if you aren't getting them in a certain area. You can see how empty the middle of the field has been at least through 9 games last year. It's easier for defenses if they KNOW you aren't going to the middle of the field(as shown). So any stats up from ZERO works for me

6 hours ago, GreenbleedinNC said:

That was JJ. I saw a guy with that "twitch" who could provide that quick window,but he also had immense speed with 2nd and 3rd gears to take it to the house. It's rare to see a WR who can excel in all 3 spots

That’s how I saw his college teammate Chase

3 minutes ago, cunninghamtheman said:

Any slot guy posting stats tells me not a whole lot. I don’t need him getting garbage time stats. Or even piling up stats in one matchup so much. We need a guy to make a catch deep and to give a couple of underneath YAC plays.

Why does slot production have to be in garbage time???. JJ lit up the slot at LSU for 1800 yards. Don't tell me those were garbage time snaps LOL

7 minutes ago, cunninghamtheman said:

Any slot guy posting stats tells me not a whole lot. I don’t need him getting garbage time stats. Or even piling up stats in one matchup so much. We need a guy to make a catch deep and to give a couple of underneath YAC plays.

IDK just understanding how Hurts plays and his limitations(all QB's have limits), it would seem to me a welcome site of having a reliable slot as another read for short yardage/third conversions.It's just my thought this would be more beneficial to him than a 4.2 burner. I think AJ and DSmith are fast enough to stretch a D

4 hours ago, GreenbleedinNC said:

Struggles Over the Middle: A Familiar Tale

One major reason for the Bears moving on from Justin Fields was his difficulties as a passer, particularly when it came to throwing over the middle. Fields was often criticized for his hesitancy in this area.

Dan Wiederer of the Chicago Tribune highlighted this issue, stating, "Fields is seen as overly hesitant on throws across the middle and suffering from what one league source labeled ‘delayed vision’—not getting his eyes to open targets with proper timing and rhythm, instead allowing defensive backs added time to react."                Just sayin'

Yet this is the guy you been backing

1 minute ago, cunninghamtheman said:

Yet this is the guy you been backing

What do you mean backing? he had no O line,The new QB won't have one either(they will have the same issues as before)

2 minutes ago, cunninghamtheman said:

Yet this is the guy you been backing

Know another guy that doesn't throw over the middle? Fortunately we provide him with a top O line. Now he needs to make those type throws

19 minutes ago, GreenbleedinNC said:

Welp that's true if you have a QB who can throw 55 in the air,but Hurts is not that,so we need guys that can open windows that aren't that far away

Just a Hurts hater comment

18 minutes ago, GreenbleedinNC said:

Stats(or lack of them) are crucial if you aren't getting them in a certain area. You can see how empty the middle of the field has been at least through 9 games last year. It's easier for defenses if they KNOW you aren't going to the middle of the field(as shown). So any stats up from ZERO works for me

This is generally the idea. Need all the differences to force a D to cover everything.

1 minute ago, cunninghamtheman said:

Just a Hurts hater comment

Nah,it's understanding your QB,you should try it

1 minute ago, cunninghamtheman said:

This is generally the idea. Need all the differences to force a D to cover everything.

So that's why I want production from the slot, not just "garbage time"

18 minutes ago, GreenbleedinNC said:

Why does slot production have to be in garbage time???. JJ lit up the slot at LSU for 1800 yards. Don't tell me those were garbage time snaps LOL

It absolutely doesn’t. Just talking about meaningful stats though. Just could use the balance each week. Season stats aren’t very relevant overall 

2 minutes ago, cunninghamtheman said:

It absolutely doesn’t. Just talking about meaningful stats though. Just could use the balance each week. Season stats aren’t very relevant overall 

Well as you can see by the chart,we aren't getting much in the middle. If teams know you won't or can't hit them there they have an advantage. I want a guy who makes them PAY for that./ That will force coverage

13 minutes ago, GreenbleedinNC said:

IDK just understanding how Hurts plays and his limitations(all QB's have limits), it would seem to me a welcome site of having a reliable slot as another read for short yardage/third conversions.It's just my thought this would be more beneficial to him than a 4.2 burner. I think AJ and DSmith are fast enough to stretch a D

AJ, DeVonta, Barkley and Goedert are the weapons we need to open things up for.  So a speedy slot WR would be ideal. Also needing that YAC creator guy underneath.