Aug. 18--The news popped Saturday with all the subtlety of an M80. Bears rookie Kevin White had aggravated a stress fracture in his left shin. Surgery was suddenly inevitable. And just like that, the Bears' top draft pick is staring at the very real possibility that he will miss his entire rookie season.
On July 30, coach John Fox had labeled White's injury day to day, perpetuating hope that the promising receiver would soon be practicing and eventually playing with the team, in line to realize the potential that prompted the Bears to pick him seventh overall in April.
Those 2015 dreams, however, have now vanished, shaking the ground beneath a new regime trying to rebuild the franchise. And now, whatever benefits general manager Ryan Pace hoped to gain in team chemistry by trading away Brandon Marshall will be measured against the holes on the stat sheet resulting from White's absence.
In this week's "Real Talk," beat reporters Rich Campbell and Dan Wiederer break down what's next for the Bears' offense.
Rich Campbell: Framing this discussion begins with a grim reality: There's a strong likelihood Kevin White will miss the entire season. Multiple orthopedists have indicated as much to the Tribune, based on generalities about this type of injury and surgery. Considering how cautious the Bears tried to be with White after the stress fracture was first detected in mid-June, I'd be stunned if they pushed him back into action, especially if they're not in playoff contention.
That said, White's absence reinforces their need to center the offense on Matt Forte and the running game. Obviously, that's easier with a downfield receiving threat such as White, who could have kept defenses from frequently playing eight in the box. Figuring out how to keep defenses honest is coordinator Adam Gase's challenge, especially considering the Bears defense could require the offense to win shootouts.
Dan Wiederer: The Bears are likely going to miss White's presence this season more than they'll miss his production. Sure, general manager Ryan Pace and coach John Fox repeatedly put a hopeful spin on White's injury by referencing Giants receiver Odell Beckham, who missed the first four games of his rookie season in 2014 with a hamstring issue, then exploded for 91 catches, 1,305 yards and 12 touchdowns. But not even the most optimistic believers at Halas Hall were naive enough to believe White would replicate those numbers. (More realistic expectations were in the range of 55 grabs and 800 yards.)
What the Bears did sense, however, was that having an explosive athlete with elite speed on the outside would create a significant strain on defenses. Opposing secondaries would have to always keep one eye on White based on his big-play ability alone. And that, in turn, would open up the field for Alshon Jeffery, Eddie Royal and Martellus Bennett in the passing game. That luxury is now gone. So what is Gase's next move?
Campbell: His focus turns to Marquess Wilson. I think we both envisioned Royal having a major role in the passing game regardless of White's health. He came into the league as an outside receiver in 2008 and will play there some this season, but his greatest value in the Bears offense -- on paper, with White healthy -- was in the slot. The Bears could still try to maximize Royal's suddenness and agility inside if Wilson is productive outside.
Former general manager Phil Emery liked Wilson's straight-line speed, smooth stride and length (he's 6-foot-4, 199 pounds) as a seventh-round pick in 2013. He flashed during training camp this summer with a few leaping catches on deep throws. But can he be consistent in the first extended action of his career? Can he be as rugged a run blocker as White is known to be?
Wiederer: See. Therein lies the peril with this whole ordeal. In a blink you go from having an offense giddy to turn loose a dynamic top-10 pick to now suddenly relying on a former seventh-round selection who's entering his third season with 19 catches. Makes even more sense now why Pace seemed so crushed while delivering the White news Saturday.
And poor Jay Cutler. He was thoroughly impressed by White's athleticism and his mental makeup. Cutler was envisioning big things. Now it's quite possible he never throws White a pass in a regular-season game. Ever.
Campbell: Cutler at least has confidence in Wilson and some chemistry with him. Wilson would really help Cutler by producing early in the season and forcing defenses to account for him in their coverages and alignments. To that end, he has to diversify his route-running ability. The Bears need him to attack the middle of the field and not be a one-dimensional straight-line deep threat.
So much of the burden falls on Wilson because, as the Bears learned last year, there aren't any studs on the street in August. We just passed the first anniversary of the Santonio Holmes signing. Let's pause to remember his whopping eight catches for 67 yards as a Bear.
Wiederer: Yep, right now the Bears are trying to patch a massive wound with a pinkie Band-Aid. Still, this is all about perspective. I understand the fans who have taken this White news like it was a cannonball to the belly. Part of the payoff in suffering through a season as miserable as last year's comes in rallying around the exciting top-10 draft pick. And for 2015 anyway, the Bears' No. 7 selection will go completely wasted. No one will be able to glean even an ounce of hope from White.
But Pace is wise in taking the long view. The Bears were never going anywhere this season, long shots to even challenge for a wild card. So now the focus has to shift way, way out. There is zero point rushing White back to join what could be a 4-7 team -- or worse -- when Thanksgiving ends.
So gear the rehabilitation timeline to 2016. Get this kid's shin well. Get his mind right. Focus on the future. The present seems too bleak.
Campbell: I agree that Pace's long-term perspective is in proper focus. And what he said Saturday about White's character shouldn't be discarded. I know it seemed a bit hollow for the GM to talk up White's work ethic and attitude in the wake of such a bombshell, but that's why Bears fans can continue to hope for big things from him in the more distant future.
He'll attack his rehabilitation with the same gusto that lifted him from junior college to the NFL, and his makeup is such that he'll get whatever he can mentally out of being around the team during the season.
Wiederer: Maybe so. But we both know it'll be hard to sell visions for 2016 and beyond three weeks before this season kicks off. Circling back to the present, Bears fans better buckle in tight. It may be a while before this bumpy ride smooths out.
rcampbell@tribpub.com
dwiederer@tribpub.com
Twitter @danwiederer
