I opined before the season started that for a chance at a good season, Padilla needed to be installed as the starting QB. My basis for that contention was that with Petras, things would look good by this point of the season (was expecting 5-2), but that in the crunch of the last four games, he wouldn't be enough and Padilla would not have been made ready.
Well, here we are. IMO, had Padilla been playing and he had hit just half of the wide open, plenty of time, passes that Petras has missed, we would be 5-2. Just as importantly, he would be poised to go at least 2-2 in our last 4 games. Maybe only a 50% chance of that, but better than a 0% chance.
But alas! Although the chance for a western div title is gone, we now still have a second season to avoid a losing season and get to a bowl game. And it sets up nicely with a winnable NW game to give Padilla a chance to get acclimated before the four ending games. But will we take advantage of that opportunity or will we double-down on our mistake. Is KF that determined to show he's right?
This is not to say Padilla is great or maybe not even better. But he is better for THIS team. His better accuracy, his better field vision, his willingness to throw downfield, his threat to scramble, his movement within and out of the pocket, all serve to help open up an offense that's badly constipated.
When things aren't working, something has to be changed. Either change what the current players are doing, if that's possible, or use different players. Bear fans were probably thrilled the other night. They had been inept. But for the Patriots, the Bear coaches decided to play to Fields' strengths. After calling only 6 running plays for Fields all year, they called 8 running plays for him against the Patriots. That completely changed the game and was a big part of annihilating the Patriots. His running was just the changing vehicle and wouldn't be for us. The overall key is intelligently thinking through what can be changed to help make things work.
Will KF do that? Doubtful.
Well, here we are. IMO, had Padilla been playing and he had hit just half of the wide open, plenty of time, passes that Petras has missed, we would be 5-2. Just as importantly, he would be poised to go at least 2-2 in our last 4 games. Maybe only a 50% chance of that, but better than a 0% chance.
But alas! Although the chance for a western div title is gone, we now still have a second season to avoid a losing season and get to a bowl game. And it sets up nicely with a winnable NW game to give Padilla a chance to get acclimated before the four ending games. But will we take advantage of that opportunity or will we double-down on our mistake. Is KF that determined to show he's right?
This is not to say Padilla is great or maybe not even better. But he is better for THIS team. His better accuracy, his better field vision, his willingness to throw downfield, his threat to scramble, his movement within and out of the pocket, all serve to help open up an offense that's badly constipated.
When things aren't working, something has to be changed. Either change what the current players are doing, if that's possible, or use different players. Bear fans were probably thrilled the other night. They had been inept. But for the Patriots, the Bear coaches decided to play to Fields' strengths. After calling only 6 running plays for Fields all year, they called 8 running plays for him against the Patriots. That completely changed the game and was a big part of annihilating the Patriots. His running was just the changing vehicle and wouldn't be for us. The overall key is intelligently thinking through what can be changed to help make things work.
Will KF do that? Doubtful.
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