HOF Game 2018 - What to look for

The HOF Game kicks off at 1am UK time on NFL Gamepass between the Chicago Bears and the Baltimore Ravens.

Each team goes into the new season with some exciting acquisitions both through the draft and free agency, however the chances of seeing a lot of those guys play any meaningful snaps during the HOF Game is pretty low. However, we should see them on the field at some point. So, what are we looking for from each of these teams? I think to answer that question, it has to be noted that the HOF Game is yet another chance for coaches to evaluate players, it can be looked at as somewhat of a competition for some key positions. We will also see rookies given a chance to shake the dust off.

Chicago Bears

One of the biggest stories from Bears camp this training period is the absence of 1st round pick, outside linebacker, Roquan Smith. According to both parties, there are still some contract issues to be sorted out, however what this means is, we won’t see Smith on the field for the HOF Game. We may have to wait till the pre-season to get a sense of what Smith can bring to the Bears and HC Matt Nagy.

The Bears are starting QB, Mitch Trubisky for the 2018 season, so chances of seeing him taking many snaps (if any) during the HOF Game are slim. Instead, we will probably see Chase Daniels, Trubisky’s back-up taking the majority of snaps.

Rookies

The Bears rookies will see some playing time, allowing the coaches to see how they are progressing and picking up both the offense and defensive systems. Here are the guys we could see during the HOF Game.

James Daniels was drafted to boost the Bears Interior O Line. Instead of opting for a true guard, they went with Daniels who had played mostly center at Iowa and that fits the Bears needs and plans after the departure of Josh Sittion. We should see Daniels on the field at some point at left guard. I personally am interested to see how Daniels gets on with the Bears, a team well known for moving their linemen around.

Arming Trubisky with talent to ensure he has weapons to use in the passing game was key, and the Bears addressed that with wide receiver, Anthony Miller out of Memphis. Miller joins a steller case of pass catching talent that the Bears worked hard on over the offseason, acquiring Allen Robinson and Taylor Gabriel as well as two pass catching tight ends in Trey Burton and Adam Shaheen. I’m hoping the Bears put Miller in for a few snaps, so the fans can get a sense of what they have got from their draft pick.

We will see Joel Iyiegbuniwe step in at linebacker. The Western Kentucky draft pick didn’t put up spectacular numbers in college, however he ran a 4.6 second 40-yard dash which gives the Bears a weapon to be utilised on special teams. However, for the HOF Game, I think we see him at his true position. It will be interesting to see where they line him up as he did play inside and outside at college.

Bilal Nichols comes in from Delaware as a Defensive Tackle and is someone I am very excited to watch in this HOF Game. He is 6’4, 306lbs and runs a 4.95 second 40-yard dash. Which, at his size is incredibly impressive. He clearly has the athletic ability to play at his position and could cause problems for the opponent’s offense. We should see him start in the HOF Game as the Bears depth at that position is quite deep, so it makes sense to give the rookie a run out.

Baltimore Ravens

The main story emerging form the Ravens training camp is Lemar Jackson. Jackson has impressed everyone at camp, and the Ravens are probably scratching their heads at the moment trying to find a way of ensuring Jackson gets game time, whilst balancing that with having Joe Flacco as starting QB. There have been sightings of them on the field at the same time on the same play, so clearly the Ravens are thinking outside the box.

Im hoping we see Jackson play in the HOF Game, even if it’s just for a quarter or so. He is clearly an immense talent and gives the Ravens something that they don’t have with Flacco, a mobile QB.

Whilst we will see Lemar Jackson take the field, I would put a wager on RGIII starting the game.

Rookies

The Ravens will use this game, like the Bears to give some of their rookies some playing time and brush of those rookie nerves. This is who we hopefully will get a look at.

Lemar Jackson, we have already spoke about, so I won’t focus on him except by saying, as an NFL fan, I am incredibly excited about watching this guy play. His accuracy and his mobility will hopefully make him one to watch in the next few years, and if he does start this year at any point, we could see success much like Watson has had in Houston.

With Jackson being chosen in the first round and the hype that surrounded him and his position in the 2018 draft, some people forget that Hayden Hurst was actually the Ravens first pick. The Tight End out of South Carolina gives the Ravens a big bodied blocking, pass catching weapon. He has some good speed for a big guy and can extend plays by coupling that speed and size.

Orlando Brown is the Ravens 3rd pick and provides them with a huge bodied tackle on that offensive line which struggled last year. Im looking forward to Brown taking up position during the HOF Game and showcasing his powerful run blocking capability by opening up holes for whichever running back starts.

The Ravens went hard on tight ends in this year’s draft, picking up two. The second was Mark Andrews out of Oklahoma. Andrews is 6’5 and 256lbs which makes him a mismatch for defensive backs. Heyden Hurst will no doubt be the number 1 tight end going into the regular season, and that will be shared with Nick Boyle, but there is potential for Andrews to grow into a steady number 2 and this HOF game is a perfect place to showcase his talents.

The defense got some added talent during the draft and I think we will see all of them play in this HOF Game at some point. Anthony Averett out of Alabama at CB, Kenny Young from UCLA at inside linebacker, DeShon Ellott out of Texas at safety and Zach Sieler out of Ferris State taking up the defensive end position. Defense will be an interesting element of this Ravens team to watch during this HOF Game and that simply because they struggled last year, and they have a heap of rookies to put through their paces, giving the fans a sense of who they can expect to start during the regular season.

We will probably see Bradley Bozeman out of Alabama at center during this game which will be interesting as some have stated they feel he is more suited to guard. Personally, and given their lack of depth at center, we will see Bozeman play at his true position.

Jaleel Scott and Jordan Lasley are the Ravens two wide receivers and during this HOF Game, we will see them with some reps. Looking for that deep ball from Jackson to Lasley further down the field or a number of quick slants from Scott, playing on their strengths.

Outcome

What is less important in this game is the outcome, however we all love predictions. I think we see the Ravens take the win with a 36-28 lead.

But lets focus on what this game means tonight, the rookies getting out there and displaying why they were chosen and what they can ultimately bring to the team when the regular season starts.

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