Bears/NFL training camp opens

[minnesotacubsfan]

THIS IS GOOD NEWS

[David]

[David]

THIS IS GOOD NEWS

 

oh, also, fox was directly asked if there was any way trubisky could end up the week 1 starter and basically his answer was along the lines of "i don't like dealing with hypotheticals. we'll focus on this week and go from there."

 

i'd expect him to just shoot it down entirely if there wasn't a real shot.

[David]

i have no idea if this means anything or not, but i could swear glennon's mug was one of the two pictures on the team website's background all offseason and now he's gone (freeman and howard now)

[WrigleyField 22]

Kadeem Carey out 6 weeks with wrist surgery. Could help Langfords odds of making the roster (if he can get healthy himself). If he can't they perhaps will be on the lookout for a late roster cut at RB.

[Thrilho]

 

*bunch of awesome d-line videos*

 

really hope the injury doesn't linger, because bullard has been looking great

Great post. Bullard, Howard, and Goldman all looked great. And I'd remembered Bullard having an awesome game but hadn't found the videos. So thanks for posting them. Saw this too:

 

 

He looks like he's put on some good weight and was setting edges and powering through o linemen. Been all over the place. I expect RHH and Willie Young to both be decent and Hicks is real good. McPhee coming back is looking more likely. If the front 7 stays relatively healthy and look anything like they have so far (without Hick, Trevathan, McPhee, much of Houston) this could be a top 10 defense.

 

A lot will be on the secondary, but I think getting Demps was big. At least one competent, not over the hill safety to cover up some mistakes. Then ideally Eddie Jackson can take over right away and be decent. A good d-line should help the corners, of whom the Bears have a lot for competition.

 

We'll see on that part, but by getting Howard this year and seeing Bullard look as good as he has, this d-line has potentially really filled in with pretty high level players.

 

Also, yes, lets have Peyton Manning take an active interest in Mitch. Trubisky mentioned that Peyton called him before the draft and chewed the fat about his future and the NFL. Clearly Peyton's got a relationship with Fox, knows the offense a bit and cared enough to drop by the first day Mitch had first team reps. Get this dude around more often. Actually, let's just make him head coach. #PeytonManning2018 Cutthatmeat.gif

 

(For real though...that could happen and it would be the ultimate anti-Ditka and I would love it. It would be the Bears getting their Joe)

[Thrilho]

Also with you on the excitement. It's been a while since I've been excited about the bears and have mayyybe seen 25% of their snaps the last 2-3 years? Not bragging on that, just to say I'm not usually this effusive, nor have I cared much lately.

 

But I loved the switch to the 3-4, thought last draft was a home run (I've said before and still think it'll turn out better than any Angelo draft if you went by whatever WAR stat you could make up for the NFL...debatable of course), then Pace traded up to get the QB I wanted as well as a bunch exciting players at skill positions in this year's draft. All very exciting things in my world.

 

But the did the Jaye Howard thing which seems like a great move, and totally filled in that Jonathan Allen sized hole on the line. Cunningham looks like a steal. Pace didn't pay huge for a star corner, but got quantity and then locked up the LT, got a TE, a good safety in Demps, Howard, and maybe re-up Hicks. And also he spent some money on a giraffe to act as a smoke screen so people didn't see him coming on Money Mitch. Hopefully that giraffe is sitting on the bench soon but either way...low downside proposition if it helps you get the QB you want.

 

So in summary, I totally see that I'm the horsefeathering overflowing kool-aid man over here but I just wanted to note that it's not my default setting. Emory was junk and Angelo was largely milktoast nothing that sapped my caring about the NFL. This team though. A 3-4 defense that's coming together, a young sky's the limit QB, elite running game, and some good tools on offense. Could be a good reason to start watching NFL again.

[jumbo]

I have Bears excitement defense mechanisms built in over years of crummy teams that are kicking in now. I want to be excited, but then I remind myself its only preseason. I've been hurt before!

Logically though, there are positives. I'm not as bullish on the running game being as strong as last year, mainly due to a lack of depth on the O-Line. The WR group is still pretty blah and could be a real drain on the running game. TE, QB, RB, are all exciting positions on offense though.

Defensively it's hard not to get excited about the front 3 & OLB's. Hopefully the secondary can step up and display some general competence and benefit from the pass rush and really look good.

[Guest]

I have Bears excitement defense mechanisms built in over years of crummy teams that are kicking in now. I want to be excited, but then I remind myself its only preseason. I've been hurt before!

Logically though, there are positives. I'm not as bullish on the running game being as strong as last year, mainly due to a lack of depth on the O-Line. The WR group is still pretty blah and could be a real drain on the running game. TE, QB, RB, are all exciting positions on offense though.

Defensively it's hard not to get excited about the front 3 & OLB's. Hopefully the secondary can step up and display some general competence and benefit from the pass rush and really look good.

 

The running game not as good? I mean, it's possible, but it was fine with Long being out much of the year.

 

They also added the perfect compliment to Howard in Cohen. Assuming health, the running game will be elite.

[David]

i'm gonna be in vegas for week 1. i think i might make a small over bet on the win total just for the horsefeathers of it.

 

it's at 5.5. i'd feel a ton better about 4.5, but w/e. i still think this team is closer to mediocre (and could be surprise solid rookie year from trubisky away from being kinda good) than awful, like most (especially the national media) seem to.

 

the schedule still looks rough but the nfl is so weird and unpredictable from year to year that who knows how good those teams really end up being.

[Thrilho]

For anyone who missed the game, here's Eddie Jackson saving a TD with a diving play. Floyd also in Palmer's face on an inside rush.

 

https://www.clippituser.tv/c/edqdgw

[jumbo]

I have Bears excitement defense mechanisms built in over years of crummy teams that are kicking in now. I want to be excited, but then I remind myself its only preseason. I've been hurt before!

Logically though, there are positives. I'm not as bullish on the running game being as strong as last year, mainly due to a lack of depth on the O-Line. The WR group is still pretty blah and could be a real drain on the running game. TE, QB, RB, are all exciting positions on offense though.

Defensively it's hard not to get excited about the front 3 & OLB's. Hopefully the secondary can step up and display some general competence and benefit from the pass rush and really look good.

 

The running game not as good? I mean, it's possible, but it was fine with Long being out much of the year.

 

They also added the perfect compliment to Howard in Cohen. Assuming health, the running game will be elite.

 

Long may not even start the season. If Grasu starts at center and Whitehair shifts to G that seems much worse than last year when Kush/Larson stepped in. Again, it may just be my constant sense of impending doom, but the line just feels thin. Another reason for my concern is the defense stacking up against the run since the WR depth is so poor top to bottom. A one dimensional running game doesn't seem like the recipe for a winning team. I hope I'm wrong and you're right. The pieces are there, I'll give you that.

[Guest]

I have Bears excitement defense mechanisms built in over years of crummy teams that are kicking in now. I want to be excited, but then I remind myself its only preseason. I've been hurt before!

Logically though, there are positives. I'm not as bullish on the running game being as strong as last year, mainly due to a lack of depth on the O-Line. The WR group is still pretty blah and could be a real drain on the running game. TE, QB, RB, are all exciting positions on offense though.

Defensively it's hard not to get excited about the front 3 & OLB's. Hopefully the secondary can step up and display some general competence and benefit from the pass rush and really look good.

 

The running game not as good? I mean, it's possible, but it was fine with Long being out much of the year.

 

They also added the perfect compliment to Howard in Cohen. Assuming health, the running game will be elite.

 

Long may not even start the season. If Grasu starts at center and Whitehair shifts to G that seems much worse than last year when Kush/Larson stepped in. Again, it may just be my constant sense of impending doom, but the line just feels thin. Another reason for my concern is the defense stacking up against the run since the WR depth is so poor top to bottom. A one dimensional running game doesn't seem like the recipe for a winning team. I hope I'm wrong and you're right. The pieces are there, I'll give you that.

 

one dimensional running game? they have two distinct type of backs that can share the ball. Whitehair at guard is better than Long at guard and moving Grasu to center isn't different than playing Kush or Larson at guard. i'm not worried.

[jersey cubs fan]

 

The running game not as good? I mean, it's possible, but it was fine with Long being out much of the year.

 

They also added the perfect compliment to Howard in Cohen. Assuming health, the running game will be elite.

 

Long may not even start the season. If Grasu starts at center and Whitehair shifts to G that seems much worse than last year when Kush/Larson stepped in. Again, it may just be my constant sense of impending doom, but the line just feels thin. Another reason for my concern is the defense stacking up against the run since the WR depth is so poor top to bottom. A one dimensional running game doesn't seem like the recipe for a winning team. I hope I'm wrong and you're right. The pieces are there, I'll give you that.

 

one dimensional running game? they have two distinct type of backs that can share the ball. Whitehair at guard is better than Long at guard and moving Grasu to center isn't different than playing Kush or Larson at guard. i'm not worried.

I thought he meant one dimensional offense relying heavily on running game.

[Guest]

Bullard, Goldman, and Hicks up front with Freeman, Trevathan/Kwit, Floyd, and whoever are going to be vicious.

[Guest]

 

Long may not even start the season. If Grasu starts at center and Whitehair shifts to G that seems much worse than last year when Kush/Larson stepped in. Again, it may just be my constant sense of impending doom, but the line just feels thin. Another reason for my concern is the defense stacking up against the run since the WR depth is so poor top to bottom. A one dimensional running game doesn't seem like the recipe for a winning team. I hope I'm wrong and you're right. The pieces are there, I'll give you that.

 

one dimensional running game? they have two distinct type of backs that can share the ball. Whitehair at guard is better than Long at guard and moving Grasu to center isn't different than playing Kush or Larson at guard. i'm not worried.

I thought he meant one dimensional offense relying heavily on running game.

 

they also have guys that can throw the ball. the line should be fine.

[jumbo]

 

Long may not even start the season. If Grasu starts at center and Whitehair shifts to G that seems much worse than last year when Kush/Larson stepped in. Again, it may just be my constant sense of impending doom, but the line just feels thin. Another reason for my concern is the defense stacking up against the run since the WR depth is so poor top to bottom. A one dimensional running game doesn't seem like the recipe for a winning team. I hope I'm wrong and you're right. The pieces are there, I'll give you that.

 

one dimensional running game? they have two distinct type of backs that can share the ball. Whitehair at guard is better than Long at guard and moving Grasu to center isn't different than playing Kush or Larson at guard. i'm not worried.

I thought he meant one dimensional offense relying heavily on running game.

 

Right

[jersey cubs fan]

 

they also have guys that can throw the ball. the line should be fine.

One guy that can throw, but won't play. And garbage receivers.

[Guest]

also, they had guys stacking the box last year and the running game was good.

[jumbo]

 

one dimensional running game? they have two distinct type of backs that can share the ball. Whitehair at guard is better than Long at guard and moving Grasu to center isn't different than playing Kush or Larson at guard. i'm not worried.

I thought he meant one dimensional offense relying heavily on running game.

 

they also have guys that can throw the ball. the line should be fine.

 

You make fair points. I've just taught myself to exercise caution before I believe in a Bears unit reaching its potential after a couple preseason outings.

[Guest]

 

they also have guys that can throw the ball. the line should be fine.

One guy that can throw, but won't play. And garbage receivers.

 

we'll see if he'll play, it's looking more and more like he'll play. Fox isn't going to sit him if he's the guy that will save his job.

 

and the TE's are a strength now, and I wouldn't say their receivers are garbage. Meredith is good and White is an unknown. They have several slot guys and a dude like Tanner Gentry that could actually contribute. There are guys to throw to. Their line is still a strength both passing and rushing.

[Guest]

I thought he meant one dimensional offense relying heavily on running game.

 

they also have guys that can throw the ball. the line should be fine.

 

You make fair points. I've just taught myself to exercise caution before I believe in a Bears unit reaching its potential after a couple preseason outings.

 

they could all get injured. but if they stay healthy, they will be a huge surprise.

[WrigleyField 22]

 

they also have guys that can throw the ball. the line should be fine.

One guy that can throw, but won't play. And garbage receivers.

 

we'll see if he'll play, it's looking more and more like he'll play. Fox isn't going to sit him if he's the guy that will save his job.

 

and the TE's are a strength now, and I wouldn't say their receivers are garbage. Meredith is good and White is an unknown. They have several slot guys and a dude like Tanner Gentry that could actually contribute. There are guys to throw to. Their line is still a strength both passing and rushing.

TEs a strength? Maybe, but not carry the pass game strength.

[Guest]

One guy that can throw, but won't play. And garbage receivers.

 

we'll see if he'll play, it's looking more and more like he'll play. Fox isn't going to sit him if he's the guy that will save his job.

 

and the TE's are a strength now, and I wouldn't say their receivers are garbage. Meredith is good and White is an unknown. They have several slot guys and a dude like Tanner Gentry that could actually contribute. There are guys to throw to. Their line is still a strength both passing and rushing.

TEs a strength? Maybe, but not carry the pass game strength.

 

doesn't have to carry the passing game. the line needs to protect the QBs and keep holes open for the RBs. that will do wonders for the pass game.

[davell]

I hate saying this, but I expect Glennon to start the season and go 0-4 before Fox makes a change. And what's sadder, is I can see Trubisky going 6-6 or 7-5 the rest of the way, which could keep Fox around.