Qualities Evident in Two Bears Preseason Games

Someone, somewhere keeps track of preseason records.

No one goes back and looks at them for any important reason.

However, things learned in preseason games about specific players do carry significance for the season.

Coaches and personnel people think they see things in players and preseason games can confirm or disprove these thoughts, whether in rookies or free agent acquisitions.

Two Bears preseason games are in the book and here are pleasant surprises about players to this point. Some were suspected some are totally out of the blue.

Elijah Hicks' Development

This looked like a big mistake on the part of Bears GM Ryan Poles and Eberflus when OTAs were underway. They had not signed DeAndre Houston-Carson. They hadn't brought in a free agent safety to serve as third safety. Yet Hicks started both preseason games due to injuries to Eddie Jackson and Jaquan Brisker and held things together on the back end. He played 39 snaps and has three tackles while playing special teams and making two tackles.

It still wouldn't be surprising if they brought in another safety but not because Hicks has failed. Those behind him have been shaky at times and they could use a fourth without issues.

D'Onta Foreman's Power

Sure, Foreman had run with power for other teams. But he's a veteran who had only 240 carries for his career from 2017-2021. Until you see him running in the Bears offense it's questionable whether he could be a fit. The veteran back only had three carries in each of the two preseason games, but in the last one had more opportunities to build up momentum because of better blocking. Foreman made a 9-yard run looking like a semi rolling downhill. The pile moves backwards if the line gets him the room to build up steam. He also caught a short pass for 6 yards and no one expected he could contribute in the passing game. This power is a quality they can definitely use at the end of games trying to salt away a win or wear down an opponent.

Terrell Lewis' Bend

Since the start of OTAs, Lewis' ability to come around an edge in the rush has been apparent. Now with two strip-sacks while coming all the way around from behind the quarterback, he shows situationally and in a rotation he could provide a quality most analysts thought the team lacked when training camp started.

Zacch Pickens' Persistence

The rookie defensive tackle, who has been used mostly at nose tackle so far, is displaying traits like a three technique with seven tackles, two quarterback hits and two tackles for loss plus a sack in 69 reps. He has shown up more than any other defensive tackle, veteran or rookie.

Tyson Bagent's Composure

If you're going to be a backup quarterback, one necessary quality is composure. Opponents are going to come after the backup with blitzes and various disguised coverages if he gets in a game because it's a good way to take advantage of a player who doesn't play often. Bagent just stood in the pocket Saturday, running through his progression. He refused to be overwhelmed by a moment that should have been too much for a Division II QB. Somewhat hidden because of the 17-play TD drive were the two completions he had just before the half ended. He took a sack got right back up and challenged the defense with a throw over the middle at the sticks as time was running down. If this composure is something he maintains, eventually it can make a big difference for his career, if not for the team.

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