Chase Claypool's noisy week ended with personal success, although no victory.
The Bears wide receiver finished a bounce-back week with three receptions and a 20-yard touchdown catch to close the deficit to 20-17 in the fourth quarter against Tampa Bay, then recounted the past week's struggle.
"It was a step in the right direction but I feel like if we're not winning, it doesn't really matter–but it was a step in the right direction," Claypool said.
Maybe after Sunday's 27-17 loss, he will avoid being social media fodder this week. He had been a hot topic all week for his troubles against Green Bay in the opener.
"I didn't know people were dragging me through the mud until my family was texting me and checking up on me," Claypool said. "So, I was a little confused when they did that. I don’t go on Twitter; it is just a breeding ground for hate. I don't think it's good.
"I know what I have to fix, I don't need other people who think they know the game to tell me what I need to do. I definitely know exactly what I need to fix, and I made sure I did that this week."
Claypool's blocking against Green Bay, or lack thereof, had infuriated social media and call-in show types. Nor did it help when he had no catches or targets against Green Bay.
However, he turned it around with some of both on Sunday.
He had a standout block on Khalil Herbert's 23-yard gain with screen pass in addition to the TD catch, although he did get flagged for offensive pass interference when the Bears were trying to drive for a go-ahead or tying score. The penalty immediately preceded the screen pass Justin Fields threw for a Shaq Barrett interception and TD return, and it wiped out a first down by Khalil Herbert on a 9-yard run.
"I think we are improving," Claypool said "I think we did a lot better than last week. I think it is too early to say we are having issues.
"There are going to be times this season where we don't play our best in the passing game, running game, blocking. We just have to learn from that and do better the next time. That’s what we did this week–a little bit better–but we have to move forward."
He even impressed coach Matt Eberflus.
"I thought his effort was good, I thought he did a nice job, obviously, catching that little skinny post in the end zone there was excellent," Eberflus said. "I thought it was really good."
Claypool moves forward looking for even bigger impacts in Kansas City in Week 3.
"It was a good week," he told reporters. "A lot of lessons learned, and a lot of progress made. Going to keep that journey going."
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