No need to overthink this.
Very few if any real conclusions can be drawn from any preseason NFL game, much less the first one where the starters are pulled after a couple of series.
“We have enough to work with,” Bears quarterback Jay Cutler said. “We didn’t see anything crazy where we said, ‘we didn’t see that coming.'”
So instead of going too deep into the ins and outs of Thursday’s 27-10 win over Miami at Soldier Field, we’ll just let you know who had a good day and who’s going to have to run a few extra laps at the next practice.
Good day for: Video boards
The new 128-by-40-foot video screens look magnificent. They dwarf the old screens in either end zone at Soldier Field, and there’s no mistaking that the picture quality is topnotch. Even if fans never look at the field, they can almost get their money’s worth.
Bad day for: Discipline
Miami and the Bears combined for 27 penalties Thursday. Disgusting. Even in the preseason, no one needs to see the officials get so much face time.
Good day for: Robbie Gould
Veteran kicker Robbie Gould, not necessarily renowned for his strong leg, put the opening kickoff 9 yards deep in the end zone (with no help from the wind, either). Later the 33-year-old nailed a 48-yard field goal with yards to spare. He was 4-for-4 on field goals Thursday.
Bad day for: Jordan Mills
The Bears’ first offensive play resulted in … a false start by lineman Jordan Mills. The third-year player later was victimized by Pro Bowler Cameron Wake, who sacked Jay Cutler. No doubt Mills wanted a do-over after an iffy first impression.
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Good day for: Patrick O’Donnell
The Bears punter averaged 46 yards per boot on five attempts. Even for a practice game, that’s a solid day’s work.
Bad day for: Terrance Mitchell
Although he was later cleared, the Bears cornerback left the game in the first half to be evaluated for a concussion. Let’s hope no one else on the Bears has to endure that this season.
Bad day for: Ka’Deem Carey
One of the scariest moments Thursday came in the third quarter. Carey leaped to try and stretch the ball into the end zone but was flipped and almost twisted in a way the human body is not meant to bend.
Good day for: Ka’Deem Carey
Well, Carey ended up scooting in from short yardage for a touchdown one play after that flip and awkward landing. All’s well that bends well, we suppose.
Chris Sosa is RedEye’s sports editor. @redeyesportschi
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