Bears DC Eric Washington gets into the holiday spirit with his description of Cardinals' quarterback Kyler Murray
The Chicago Bears defense has already dealt with one nightmare situation this week following the heart breaking loss to the Washington Commanders on Sunday.Leading up to Week 9's game against the Arizona Cardinals, the unit is getting prepared for another, at least that's what defensive coordinator Eric Washington said."Great challenge in front of us this […]
The Chicago Bears defense has already dealt with one nightmare situation this week following the heart breaking loss to the Washington Commanders on Sunday.
Leading up to Week 9's game against the Arizona Cardinals, the unit is getting prepared for another, at least that's what defensive coordinator Eric Washington said.
"Great challenge in front of us this week starting with the quarterback of this offense, Kyler Murray. You could describe him as a nightmare for opposing defensive coordinators," Washington fittingly said on Halloween. "This young man has tremendous speed, arm talent, he can change the arm angle against the rush, they've done an excellent job of protecting him, and he's done a great job protecting the football."
Simply put, the Bears' defense is going to have to quickly put Week 8's loss behind them and starting getting prepared to defend the Cardinals' young quarterback.
Murray has quickly established himself as one of the most dangerous quarterbacks in the league early in his career and has the ability to make defenses pay in more ways than one. Through eight games, Murray has scored 13 total touchdowns and only turned the ball over five times.
His biggest weapon has to be his ability to use his legs as a runner, but also knowing when to run and when to stay in the pocket. The Cardinals are 3-1 this season when Murray rushes for 50+ yards in a game.
"We won't concede any yards from anyone," Washington added. "We got to do a good job making sure that we understand how to affect the quarterback with that type of speed and mobility… Some of the quarterback runs, those are assignment driven. We have to make sure we're in great position."
Murray isn't the only dangerous player the Bears defense will have to be worried about on the ground on Sunday. Cardinals running back James Conner has been brutalizing opposing defenses all season long. According to Pro Football Focus, Conner leads the NFL with 54 missed tackles forced, 13 more than the next closest player.
While Murray and Conner will be a handful on the ground, the Bears can't take their eyes of Arizona's top play-maker downfield. Rookie wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. took over the game in Week 8 for the Cardinals, totaling 111 yards with a touchdown, reminding everyone why he was the fourth overall pick in April's draft.
"He's growing as a player and you see why he was picked where he was," Washington explained. "His confidence is growing. He's becoming a person that you have to address, that you have to plan for. His catch radius, the speed, the ability to get himself open, we have to make sure that we do a good job with him."
Overall, this will be an explosive offense the Bears will be facing on Sunday, but it's not the first time the season Washington's unit was faced with such a daunting challenge.
Bears’ second-year cornerback might replace Tyrique Stevenson in the starting lineup in Week 9 after costly mistakes vs Commanders
Doesn’t seem like a long-term punishment.
