What should be expected from the quarterback position in the Hall of Fame game? The Chicago Bears have the benefit of getting an extra game due to the Hall of Fame game. This game could be looked at as meaningless for the average fan, but the core fans will love to see extra snaps of fringe roster players. However, the Hall of Fame might get extremely fringy. With that in mind, what are some reasonable expectations to have coming into the game? Who are the players that will keep you watching in the second half, heck the second quarter? Quarterbacks: Mitchell Trubisky: Does he even play? If he does, it is likely one series to get things in order, trot out onto the field for the first time and get those butterflies out of the way. Given the new offense, it would be nice to see one Trubisky drive calling new plays given this opportunity. If I were running the show, this would be a great chance to get Chase Daniel reps. The only time Daniel ever really gets to see the field is the preseason. So while yes, this is nothing new to him, it is the closest thing he can get to live action. If Trubisky gets hurt, this team is in huge trouble. Getting Daniel as close to game action as possible for as long as possible seems like a smart idea. He likely will get most of the first quarter after Trubisky. The question will be how deep does he get into the second quarter? It seems pretty unlikely he will play the second half. Bray is going to get at the very least the entire second half. He is not going to be a player I zoom in on while the Bears are on offense. However, the biggest thing you want to see from him is pocket presence. The most significant difference between college football and the NFL is speed variables, and there is nothing that can simulate it like game action. Bray’s tape shows an ability to take flight rather than fight or maneuver his way through the pocket with poise. He is going to be playing the weakest players on the roster for multiple drives. He needs to show composure.<doc-sep>Joe Robbins/Getty Images Lamar Jackson and the Baltimore Ravens defeated the Chicago Bears, 17-16, in the 2018 Hall of Fame Game at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium in Canton, Ohio, on Thursday night. Jackson, the 2016 Heisman Trophy winner, played the entire second half and finished 4-of-10 for 33 yards and a touchdown. The 21-year-old also logged eight carries for 25 yards after coming on in relief of Robert Griffin III. RG3 Flashes Backup Potential With Strong Performance The Ravens have generally strayed from rostering three quarterbacks with Joe Flacco in the fold, but Robert Griffin III may give the coaching staff something to think about if Thursday was any indication. The former No. 2 overall pick finished 7-of-11 for 58 yards, one touchdown and one interception—which was the product of a drop by Breshad Perriman—and he looked at ease making quick reads out of short drops. Griffin also appeared comfortable throwing on the move, as was the case when he fired a five-yard touchdown pass to tight end Maxx Williams in the first quarter: Video Play Button Videos you might like If nothing else, it was clear Griffin still has the tools necessary to garner consideration as a backup. The issue is that such an opportunity isn't likely to present itself in Baltimore. Not only do the Ravens tend to avoid cluttering the depth chart under center, but Flacco and Jackson also are locked in as the team's top two signal-callers. In other words, RG3's best case scenario in Baltimore would be a third-string gig that leaves him inactive on game days. However, it stands to reason a productive preseason could put him on the radar of competing clubs in need of second-string upgrades. Bears Expectations Hard to Gauge After Sitting Regulars in HOF Game Drawing conclusions from preseason play is an inexact science to begin with, which made Thursday the ultimate test for those looking to glean any sort of information about the Bears' upcoming campaign under first-year head coach Matt Nagy. Taking the cautious route, Chicago benched quarterback Mitchell Trubisky, running backs Tarik Cohen and Jordan Howard and wide receivers Allen Robinson, Kevin White, Anthony Miller and Taylor Gabriel. That left Chase Daniel (8-of-16, 53 yards, 1 TD, 2 INT) to start, while Benny Cunningham (6 carries, 37 yards) operated as the Bears' lead back. On the receiving front, rookie Javon Wims led all Bears pass-catchers with seven catches for 89 yards. Come Week 1, those won't be the names making waves in the Windy City. Fortunately for Bears fans, Trubisky and the Bears' premier skill position contributors should be in the mix next week. Lamar Jackson Shows Tantalizing Upside Despite Rookie Mistakes Lamar Jackson's first preseason performance wasn't flawless. That said, it was easy to see why the Ravens are bullish on his dual-threat stylings after trading up to select him at No. 32 overall in April. Jackson looked fluid as ever running outside the pocket, and his pocket presence was encouraging—especially on his second series under center. That drive, which spanned 36 yards over six plays, was punctuated by Jackson's eight-yard touchdown pass to fellow first-rounder Hayden Hurst: However, there were also some glaring mistakes—like when Jackson was intercepted after making a late throw to his receiver on a comeback pattern: If nothing else, the pick was a stern reminder NFL defensive backs are faster and far less forgiving than the ones defending the boundary at the collegiate level. But for an opening statement, there was plenty to be intrigued by. What's Next? Both squads will be back in action Aug. 9. The Bears will travel to Paul Brown Stadium for a meeting with the Cincinnati Bengals, while the Ravens get set to host the Los Angeles Rams at M&T Bank Stadium.<doc-sep>
The Baltimore Ravens came into the Hall of Fame Game against the Chicago Bears on Thursday night trying to get a look at their depth and come out healthy. They managed to do both and come away with a 17-16 win. The contest — the first of the Ravens’ five preseason games — brought about some highlights as young players impressed and opened up some concerning holes for a team that has needed depth because of injuries in recent years. The highlights involved some concern over young players. Right tackle Orlando Brown Jr. is being penciled in as the starter, but there was unease over how he’d be able to handle NFL pass rushers. Brown looked fluid and had enough speed to do what was needed. Of course, he also showed off his strength and nastiness on the field, regularly pancaking defenders. Linebacker Kamalei Correa was also impressive in a game in which he had to be as he fights for a roster spot. In spite of switching from outside linebacker to inside linebacker last year back to outside linebacker this year, Correa made big plays. He also had a few slip-ups, which are to be expected given the switching of positions, but Correa came down with an interception, two sacks and three tackles in the first half alone. Another big positive was that no obvious major injuries occurred. And as sloppy as Hall of Fame Games typically are, Baltimore was surprisingly clean and disciplined, with only six penalties on the night — though several were for the new helmet rule. That would be solid if it were the third preseason game — the final one for the starters — much less almost exclusively depth players. But for all the good that was seen, perhaps the most concerning thing is arguably the most important. Outside of Brown, the offensive line was appalling. Nearly every player on the line made major mistakes, including missed blocking assignments, and the Ravens allowed five sacks in the first half and eight in the game. While it was almost exclusively second- and third-string players on the offensive line, Baltimore has needed that depth in recent years. Right now, right guard Marshal Yanda is on the PUP list after offseason shoulder surgery and a season-ending ankle injury last year. Left tackle Ronnie Stanley has had injury issues over the years as well, missing five games over two years. What was hoped to be a top-five unit, the offensive line has now become the most concerning part of the roster.