After the Chicago Bears’ uninspired, lazy effort towards the Arizona Cardinals final Sunday, the soccer world turned its ire to No. 1 receiver D.J. Moore for seemingly quitting on Chicago by strolling off the sphere in the course of a play. It was a horrible search for one of many Bears’ leaders within the wake of a tricky couple of weeks for the staff.
Moore’s clarification for the sequence doesn’t make issues any higher. In any respect.
On Wednesday, Bears media reporters requested Moore to make clear what occurred on the play. He claimed he received damage (which seems to be true) and that … “momentum” (?) carried him out of bounds even when he noticed Caleb Williams was nonetheless scrambling round, in search of an open receiver. Moore, after all, form of simply trailed off earlier than denying that the net dialog concerning the play meant something.
One thing doesn’t add up right here as a result of that’s not what the video of the play reveals with Moore slowing down (who involves a full cease then seems of bounds), both:
It’s what it’s…
Attempting to show that play/movie into I’m a tricky man narrative preventing by way of a hurtie ankle is a alternative—good luck with that.
In case you wanna see someone preventing by way of an ankle mid play, go watch Caleb on the second to final play of the sport. Moreover for it… pic.twitter.com/cDwrhpA6Sy
— The QB College (@theqbschool) November 6, 2024
Hmm. OK. Let’s say we purchase that Moore was purely injured and couldn’t beat the legal guidelines of physics. Certain, no matter. Then why did Bears head coach Matt Eberflus initially say that Moore walked off the sphere as a result of a referee threw their hat down, signaling that he was an “ineligible receiver”?
Extra from Professional Soccer Discuss:
“I’m undecided the precise play however I do know that one play he [Moore] stepped out of bounds, and I feel the aspect decide threw his hat, he was out, so I consider that’s what occurred,” Eberflus stated. “I’ve to observe the play particularly however I feel that is perhaps the play you’re speaking about. I don’t know precise play, what you’re speaking about, however someone did make a remark to me. I’ve to return and have a look at it.”
He “believes” that’s what occurred? I wouldn’t precisely say Eberflus was assured in his reply, both. And it’s value noting he didn’t point out something about Moore’s ankle till days later:
Matt Eberflus stated DJ Moore rolled his ankle on the first quarter play the place he left the sphere whereas Caleb Williams was nonetheless scrambling. “That’s what I noticed and that’s what it was.”
— Courtney Cronin (@CourtneyRCronin) November 6, 2024
Yeah, whereas I’m positive Moore might need actually rolled his ankle, none of this feels prefer it tracks.
If the Bears had been on the identical web page, they could have had their tales straight, and nobody would have batted an eyelash. However that’s not the case. Between Eberflus meekly attributing the sequence to one thing about being an ineligible receiver solely to later stroll that clarification again and Moore claiming he couldn’t beat the legal guidelines of physics on a play the place he walked off in an informal method, it positive looks as if Moore did go away the Bears’ offense to its personal units. I’m simply connecting the dots.
Nevertheless, anybody admitting that in public can be a horrific improvement for a Bears season already going off the rails. They usually know that. So, subsequent time, perhaps Eberflus and Moore meet as much as speak about what they may say to the media. That will be the prudent factor to do for a united staff.
Sadly, I’m undecided Eberflus has that pull with any of his gamers proper now.
