Opportunity to Prove Future Worth Awaits Bears WR Marquess Wilson
Published by Zach Kruse on December 11, 2014
Article Source: Bleacher Report - Chicago Bears
A season-ending injury to Brandon Marshall and the three mostly meaningless games remaining in 2014 will provide second-year receiver Marquess Wilson a chance to prove he’s a building-block member of the Chicago Bears.
A 2013 seventh-round pick and potential breakout candidate in 2014, Wilson missed the first nine games of this season after breaking his collarbone in training camp. Now, Marshall’s placement on injured reserve (broken ribs) will thrust Wilson into the starting lineup and back into the spotlight.
Head coach Marc Trestman confirmed his role will increase this week against the New Orleans Saints.
“I think he’s off and running,” Trestman told reporters, via the team’s website. “He knows and knew how he would be targeted as we got him involved, and certainly that will grow this week with Brandon out.”
Wilson has played in four games since returning from designated injured reserve. He has five catches on 14 targets for just 40 yards.
Trestman provided a checklist of sorts for what he wants to see out of Wilson over the final three games.
“Just continued growth, in terms of understanding what we’re trying to get done,” he said. “Make sure he’s assignment secure. We’ll move him around, and give him different places to come off the line of scrimmage and elevate his game.”
Plenty of opportunities should now be available in the Bears offense. Over 13 games, Marshall saw 105 targets, or roughly eight per game. Wilson certainly doesn’t have the same trust or rapport with quarterback Jay Cutler as Marshall, but he should be in line to see a similar number of chances over the final three weeks.
After Marshall went out last Thursday against the Dallas Cowboys, Cutler targeted Wilson seven times (two were negated by penalty). Here is a quick breakdown of those seven targets:
1. Incomplete short left
Wilson lined up in a stacked formation and ran a simple five-yard hitch. He was initially covered but broke off the route, and Cutler threw short and wide. It would have been a difficult catch.
2. Incomplete deep right
Wilson again ran a short hitch route. When the play broke down, he spun out of the coverage and created separation downfield. Cutler’s back-footed throw was to the inside and Wilson couldn’t get around to make the catch. A holding penalty negated the play. Still, Cutler missed a chance for a big gain.
3. Incomplete deep left
A straight go route against off coverage allowed Wilson to get deep in a hurry. The Cowboys had decent coverage, and it would have taken a good throw from Cutler to make the connection. Wilson made a diving attempt but the throw was two to three yards too deep. Safety Barry Church was in position, but the throw probably should have been to the outside—allowing Wilson to run it down away from the defender.
4. Complete left for nine yards
The Bears positioned Alshon Jeffery, Wilson and tight end Dante Rosario to the left of the formation. Wilson ran a short route to the flat, caught the quick pass and gained eight yards after the catch.
5. Incomplete deep left
Wilson again ran a deep go route against off coverage. Chicago went with a quick snap before the end of the quarter, and the disorganized Cowboys allowed Wilson to run free to the left side. Cutler gave him a shot, and the pass was nearly completed. Officials flagged cornerback Sterling Moore, who never got his head around, for pass interference.
6. Complete short left for 10 yards
Wilson beat press coverage and got inside on the slant. He made the catch, absorbed a big hit from Orlando Scandrick and still picked up 10 yards. It was the kind of play Wilson needed to make after dropping a few throws in the middle of the field earlier this season.
7. Incomplete deep right
Wilson was blanketed on a deep route, but it appeared Cutler tried to give him a chance on a back-shoulder throw. The pass just wasn’t accurate and Moore had his eyes in the backfield. Wilson essentially became a defender, breaking up a likely interception.
It’s hard to know how much can be gained from just one game, especially considering Chicago was down several scores by the time Wilson’s chances started rolling in. However, seven targets in one half after Marshall left the contest is an encouraging sign regardless.
Cutler clearly has some level of trust in Wilson’s ability to get downfield, which is an aspect missing in the Chicago offense. Marshall is now mostly a possession receiver, and Jeffery is more of a long-strider with elite high-pointing skills. The Bears have lacked a receiver capable of simply running by defenses down the field.
Without Marshall around, Wilson will have the opportunity to prove capable of handling such a role as a starting player.
Jeffery should take on an even bigger role, especially in the intermediate area and in the red zone. The same goes for tight end Martellus Bennett, who saw 15 targets and caught 12 passes against the Cowboys. Both have been go-to players for Cutler, and it should be expected that he will lean on them even more heavily without Marshall in the lineup.
However, Wilson is a capable player still finding his way. He had Bears camp buzzing early on with the idea of having three big, athletic targets at receiver. Wilson will now work with the first-team offense in practice and attempt to build a trust level with Cutler over the final three games. He can provide some validity to the preseason hype.
The playoff-eliminated Bears won’t be playing meaningful games to finish the season, but there’s still much to gain for 2015. Topping the list has to be a long look at Wilson in a starring role. He could take a big step in proving he’s a solid part of the Bears’ future over the final three games of 2014.
Zach Kruse covers the NFC North for Bleacher Report.
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