Week 8: Bears (3-4) @ Patriots (5-2) Noon Fox/780

[UK1679666180]

On that notewith Thom a couple of CBS mock drafts. Bears pick 9th:

 

Rob Rang - Shane Ray, DE/OLB, Missouri: Despite investments in free agency and the draft, the Bears' defense remains alarmingly toothless. Ray, the SEC's leading sack artist, has the explosiveness off the edge to quickly improve Chicago's pass rush.

 

Dane Brugler - OLB Shaq Thompson, Washington: The Bears need to get faster and more talented on defense, specifically at the linebacker and defensive backs levels. Thompson is a hybrid linebacker and safety with speed to burn and developing instincts that make his potential very intriguing.

 

Hard for me not to think of U rlacher with Thompson.

[Guest]

On that notewith Thom a couple of CBS mock drafts. Bears pick 9th:

 

Rob Rang - Shane Ray, DE/OLB, Missouri: Despite investments in free agency and the draft, the Bears' defense remains alarmingly toothless. Ray, the SEC's leading sack artist, has the explosiveness off the edge to quickly improve Chicago's pass rush.

 

Dane Brugler - OLB Shaq Thompson, Washington: The Bears need to get faster and more talented on defense, specifically at the linebacker and defensive backs levels. Thompson is a hybrid linebacker and safety with speed to burn and developing instincts that make his potential very intriguing.

 

Hard for me not to think of U rlacher with Thompson.

 

He's my favorite prospect in the draft (not necessarily the best).

[Guest]

@AdamHoge: Phil Emery and Marc Trestman will have a press conference tomorrow at 12:30 CT. #Bears

 

@AdamHoge: And yes, Phil Emery was already expected to meet with reporters tomorrow. Typical for bye week. #Bears

[gscool89]

I really hope this team doesn't salvage the season and go 7-9 or 8-8 again. Either win or suck. Stop being average.

[rawaction]

OK, the wish list for next year. Not necessarily in order of importance:

 

1) Three starting linebackers

2) An offensive tackle

3) A safety (I'm not even going to be so greedy as to ask for two)

4) A field-stretching deep threat 3rd WR (I think this would do huge wonders for the passing offense)

5) An athletic DE who can play both the run and pass

6) An entire special teams unit outside of kicker

7) Do we need another CB maybe? Are we happy with Jennings?

 

Ugh.

Still might have one in Marquess Wilson who should be back in the 2nd half.

 

1. They have one starting LB in Bostic.

2. Or a G and kick Long to RT.

3 & 5. Yes.

4. We might also have to worry about replacing Brandon Marshall's production if he spirals. But I agree that speed on the outside would do wonders for this offense. Hopefully Wilson comes back healthy and can make an impact.

7. Jennings hasn't been that great but CB is way too low on the need list. I find it weird that many members in the national media seem to think CB is the Bears' biggest weakness - they probably see that Peanut is done but Fuller was drafted specifically to replace Tillman.

 

Yeah, I think Bostic gets 1 of the spots. Christian Jones probably with a good shot to be the SLB. I'd probably draft LB/S 1-2 depending on where the Bears pick. Shaq Thompson is the only LB I'd feel comfortable taking top 12-15 and he's a WLB, but I'd have a hard time passing on Landon Collins if he's there and Prewitt won't be there in the 2nd. If the Bears do their usual and just miss the playoffs picking 18-20, Bernardrick McKinney comes into play with the 1st pick. I don't know what I think about him, but he has great size and can run and can play Mike LB. If they somehow make the playoffs and pick in the 20s, Prewitt and Perryman are my top guys at S and LB. Could always go for a potential edge rusher though as there are a TON of those guys in this draft. Oversized, undersized, and prototype 4-3 DEs.

 

As for needs, I'd rank them similar.

 

1. Athletic LB. Need to increase team speed on the back 7.

2. Safety. Conte on a 1-year deal maybe? Then let the rookie, Conte, Vereen, and Mundy (who may have broken a PFF record low this week based on the eye test) compete for 2 spots.

3. OT.

4. CB. This position isn't as deep as it was going into the season. Hayden got cut. Frey got cut. Tillman got hurt. It's Jennings, a special teamer (McManis), and 4 rookie CBs on the roster. I'd bring in a (young) vet that has experience playing the nickel.

5. I have 0 doubt the Bears are going to draft a return specialist/speed WR. Even if Wilson comes back and is good, he's not really a speed guy. Look for the mid rounds (3-4) for them to go after a Tyler Lockett, Philip Dorsett or Stephon Diggs.

6. DE. I'm looking for a pure pass rusher. The Bears need a consistent edge presence. Young has been good, but it seems like the more he's out there the less he's effective at getting to the QB. The Bears need a guy that is what Jared Allen is supposed to be. This has potential to go way up if the right person is available thru the draft or free agency. Or way down if Cornelius Washington or David Bass play really well coming in after Houston is almost certainly IR'd this week.

[scarey]

How likely is it for Thompson to be converted to safety? Less than 230 lbs is pretty lean for a linebacker.

[rawaction]

How likely is it for Thompson to be converted to safety? Less than 230 lbs is pretty lean for a linebacker.

 

He has the room to add bulk to get to 230, while not losing speed. I actually think the benefits are greater with him at LB over SS. At LB, he's potentially a special player with more speed than most LBs in the league. At S, he could still be really good, but is just bigger than most safeties, which has some benefits (see Chancellor) but isn't a necessity. I think if you can find a legit SS and play him at LB, that makes your pass D even better as you now have a LB that can cover TEs, leaving an extra guy in the back 4 in the base defense.

 

To add: even if you play him at SS in the base defense, he's going to be a LB in the nickel anyway or at least play underneath kinda like Chancellor is for Seattle. Also, I've seen Thompson listed as 231 in a few places. He's a lot like Shazier who went 15th to Pittsburgh this year and Shazier plays inside in a 3-4. I think Thompson could play SLB or WLB in the 4-3 or weak side ILB or OLB in a 3-4 if he had to.

[WrigleyField 22]

While I find the Urlacher comps a bit much, he too was originally thought of as a OLB and not MLB. Didn't even start until an injury at MLB thrust him into that spot. So I'd say if Thonpson is the best D talent, grab him and just go from there.

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[RynoRules]

At this point I've lost confidence in Trestman. Based on how they are playing its reasonable to believe the team has tuned him out. Its less about the record and more about the fact that they aren't competitive in these games they are losing. If that changes over the next 8 games then maybe he gets another year, but to me this is the kind of game that gets a head coach fired.

 

Emery will still be here, IMO. History indicates the McCaskeys won't overhaul the entire football operation in one offseason. Most of their GM's get two bites at the apple.

[rawaction]

Tom Brady had the best completion percentage against vs. the Bears defense in the history of the franchise. 6 of the top 14 comp % games have come in the last 2 years (Rodgers, Brady, Dalton, Brees, Foles and yes, Tannehill). 4 of those 6 have come in the team's last 10 games.

 

So, uh, F anyone bitching about run defense last year. It was and always will remain secondary to the secondary.

[Guest]

At this point I've lost confidence in Trestman. Based on how they are playing its reasonable to believe the team has tuned him out. Its less about the record and more about the fact that they aren't competitive in these games they are losing. If that changes over the next 8 games then maybe he gets another year, but to me this is the kind of game that gets a head coach fired.

 

Emery will still be here, IMO. History indicates the McCaskeys won't overhaul the entire football operation in one offseason. Most of their GM's get two bites at the apple.

 

I originally wasn't crazy about Trestman and wanted McCoy or Clements. Trestman grew on me early last year, though.

 

Now I'm questioning him, but am still more bothered by the presence of Tucker and Joe D. The offense should be better, for sure, but the defense and ST are dumpster fires. Not only are we somewhat lacking in talent, but we're very poorly coached in those areas.

[Guest]

Tom Brady had the best completion percentage against vs. the Bears defense in the history of the franchise. 6 of the top 14 comp % games have come in the last 2 years (Rodgers, Brady, Dalton, Brees, Foles and yes, Tannehill). 4 of those 6 have come in the team's last 10 games.

 

So, uh, F anyone bitching about run defense last year. It was and always will remain secondary to the secondary.

 

Pass rush with 4.

[UMFan83]

PFF gave Brady an 8.9 rating yesterday, which is the 9th highest they've given out to a QB since they started doing this in 2007.

 

Roethlisberger got a 10.9 rating, which is 2nd highest.

[UMFan83]

Also apparently, the Pats offensive line got the best grade they've given out all season to an offensive line.

 

Go Bears?

[RynoRules]

Tom Brady had the best completion percentage against vs. the Bears defense in the history of the franchise. 6 of the top 14 comp % games have come in the last 2 years (Rodgers, Brady, Dalton, Brees, Foles and yes, Tannehill). 4 of those 6 have come in the team's last 10 games.

 

So, uh, F anyone bitching about run defense last year. It was and always will remain secondary to the secondary.

 

Pass rush with 4.

 

Yeah, the secondary certainly could be better, but when your pass rush can't even make a pro QB shuffle his feet a bit in the pocket its pretty much over for your defense.

[Guest]

PFF gave Brady an 8.9 rating yesterday, which is the 9th highest they've given out to a QB since they started doing this in 2007.

 

Roethlisberger got a 10.9 rating, which is 2nd highest.

 

And, as Ken Tremendous pointed out last night, neither had a perfect QB rating (while worse QB outings have gotten perfect ratings).

[UMFan83]

More PFF:

 

Chicago Bears – Performances of Note

 

Lamarr Houston, DLE: -2.9

 

Breakdown: Houston’s overall grade was the worst of any Bears’ defender, as the defensive end converted 33 pass rushes into just one pressure, an unblocked sack in the fourth quarter.

 

Signature Play: With 3:24 left in the game, Houston sacked Patriots backup QB Jimmy Garoppolo, his first sack of the year. He then pulled a Stephen Tulloch, appearing to injure his knee while celebrating the play, and left the field on a cart.

 

AL Louis-Jean, CB: -2.6

 

Breakdown: Louis-Jean was no match for Brandon LaFell (+3.7) in this one. After replacing the injured Kyle Fuller, Louis-Jean ended up being targeted more times (7) than any other Bear. The results were not encouraging, as the undrafted rookie allowed Brady to complete all seven passes, for 87 yards and a touchdown.

 

Signature Stat: LaFell caught 6-of-6 passes for 73 yards and 1 TD when covered by Louis-Jean.

 

Jay Cutler, QB: -2.3

 

Breakdown: Cutler struggled under pressure, and ball security continues to be a major issue. His fumble late in the second quarter on a sack was returned for a touchdown, giving the Patriots a 38-7 lead. Cutler finished 1-5 on passes thrown 20+ yards, including an intercepted hail mary near the end of the first half.

 

Signature Stat: Cutler earned a -0.4 grade on 22 drop-backs with no pressure, and a grade of -2.0 on 12 drop-backs under pressure, including both of his turnovers.

[UMFan83]

Torn ACL for Houston

[cubbyvirus00]

The media is going IN on the Bears on Twitter. Cant wait to hear how Emery spins this disaster of a season.

[rawaction]

Not to sound like a Cutler apologist, but really that Hail Mary counts against him? The fumble should count against him, but that play wasn't as much a ball security issue with Cutler as it was an "IDGAF" play by Cutler. He obviously could have held onto the ball if he wanted to but figured down 31-7, what's the worse that could happen.

[Burtonbell]

Man, I am just not liking the Cutler contract every time he has a game like this. I know there are no alternatives but this feels so much like Soriano's deal.

 

I love the dude, he's statistically the best QB I have ever seen in a Bears jersey. But after 3 years there is the possibility of cutting him with a pretty negligible cap hit, right?

 

Someone make me feel better about Cutler stat!

[Sammy Sofa]

His contract is pretty well set up for them to cut him and not have it cripple them.

[Billy_Buck]

This was the steamrolling that the 49ers game was shaping up to be. But for the late hit, some helpful SF play calls, and Colin Kaepernick, the Bears could easily be sitting on 2-6.

[Banedon]

Someone cliff notes the Emery PC please, cuz I'm not gonna listen to him prattle on.

[UMFan83]

This was the steamrolling that the 49ers game was shaping up to be. But for the late hit, some helpful SF play calls, and Colin Kaepernick, the Bears could easily be sitting on 2-6.

 

A couple of bad Cutler INTs against Buffalo and Carolina and the Bears are 5-3