Week 5: Bears at Raiders in London (noon on Fox)

[jersey cubs fan]

Yeah Daniels and Whitehair both look worse at supposedly their more natural positions.

 

The longer the offense looks incompetent, the more is on Nagy. The OL changes. The sitting in preseason. The offensive minded coach with an innovative offense should be getting more out of this unit for sure.

 

I'm hoping their declining play has something to do with Kyle Long being an empty jersey and the two tackles being completely replaceable. This team needs a big upgrade at a tackle spot sooner rather than later, which would go a long way toward taking the pressure off the inside guys.

 

I wonder what the odds are of Alex Bars coming off the practice squad after the bye week, presumably replacing Long.

[Chocolate Milk]

 

Something's wrong with Roquan and I don't think we can assume he'll be fine. The coaching staff has said he's been acting weird for weeks and now we finally saw it in the game. If Roquan is still acting unlike himself these next two weeks, I think you have to go back to Kwiatkowski until Roquan gets himself figured out.

Here is a somewhat hot take: Are we sure Roquan is an impact player? Because I haven't really seen much evidence that he is.

 

He was fantastic early in the season, in on everything. But he's also an inside linebacker, so the level of impact isn't the same as some edge rusher extraordinaire.

He made a couple of plays in the first series against the Packers.

 

I'm not a big PFF guy, but they had him graded out terribly for the first three games of the season. Prior to the Vikings game he had a 48 grade, which is pretty horrific (Mitch was 47.2). Last year they had him as decidedly average. The beat guys were penciling this guy in as an all-pro this offseason. I don't see it.

[Chocolate Milk]

I wonder what the odds are of Alex Bars coming off the practice squad after the bye week, presumably replacing Long.

 

From Brad Biggs postgame column below - might be some smoke here.

 

When the Bears made roster cuts from 90 to 53 on the first weekend in September, none of the undrafted rookies made it through. That doesn’t mean the club will not have some productive players emerge from the crop of prospects signed following the draft. In fact, a couple of players are pushing for a chance to contribute at some point, and the organization’s motivation to keep them is worth noting.

 

The Bears have hope for the future of Notre Dame offensive lineman Alex Bars and were happy he decided to stay put earlier in the week when the Patriots offered him a spot on their 53-man roster.

 

Yes, that’s right, Bars made the choice to stick on the Bears’ practice squad over signing to be on the roster of the defending Super Bowl champions. Practice squad players are considered free agents, so they’re clear to sign with another franchise at any point. Bars could have walked out of Halas Hall and headed straight for New England. But after some consideration, he decided to remain where he is.

 

“I don’t know if I want to speak on any of that,” Bars told me when I asked him about the situation.

 

Typically, players who decline an offer to join a 53-man roster of another team in order to remain on a practice squad elsewhere get a pay raise that convinces them to stay put. That is precisely what happened here. The Bears gave Bars a raise that would be commensurate with what he would earn on the Patriots’ 53-man roster. Bears bumped Bars from the practice-squad minimum salary of $136,000 ($8,000 per week) to the rookie minimum of $495,000. That’s good for Bars, who would have been drafted coming out of Notre Dame if it weren’t for a torn ACL he suffered in September 2018. The Bears liked him enough to guarantee him $40,000 after the draft, so the club already had a small investment in him.

“I am getting better every week,” Bars said. “I am getting stronger and going against the best defense in the league helps. Being able to do that and getting all of that work in the weight room has helped. I’m just working to get as strong as possible. You see these guys here and you’re trying to emulate their strength and their ability to play. So, just trying to do that.”

 

Playing for Harry Hiestand, the offensive line coach he had at Notre Dame until his senior year when Hiestand was back with the Bears, likely played a role in Bars deciding to stay. An offer to join the defending Super Bowl champions had to be tempting, though, and Patriots offensive line coach Dante Scarnecchia is considered one of the best at his craft.

 

Bars probably sees an opportunity on the horizon. Right guard Kyle Long returned to start against the Raiders after sitting out the week before with a hip injury. He’s been banged up and will likely benefit from the bye week. The Bears gave Long a pay reduction before the season, so he’s year-to-year at this point. Backup Ted Larsen is on a one-year deal, and Rashaad Coward is a developmental player. It could be Bars finds himself with a shot at competing for the right guard job in the spring. There is a lot of football to be played before then, however, and if there’s a need, perhaps the Bears will promote Bars to their 53-man roster at some point.

[Wilson A2000]

His regression? He’s having just as good of a year as last year. Even with a great defense, you can’t be unhappy if your backup goes .500.

You can be unhappy when you waste that much cap space on a completely incompetent veteran when a dime a dozen guy would do the same thing.

 

Daniel has not regressed, he was never good, and should not be on the team.

 

Daniels, my bad. Agree with the regression there. As far as Daniel, a 90s rating is fine for a backup. Who could be a better backup at this point?

[jersey cubs fan]

His regression? He’s having just as good of a year as last year. Even with a great defense, you can’t be unhappy if your backup goes .500.

You can be unhappy when you waste that much cap space on a completely incompetent veteran when a dime a dozen guy would do the same thing.

 

Daniel has not regressed, he was never good, and should not be on the team.

 

Daniels, my bad. Agree with the regression there. As far as Daniel, a 90s rating is fine for a backup. Who could be a better backup at this point?

It's not about getting a better player but rather better utilizing that wasted cap space. What's the point of spending that much on a garbage backup?

[UMFan83]

You can be unhappy when you waste that much cap space on a completely incompetent veteran when a dime a dozen guy would do the same thing.

 

Daniel has not regressed, he was never good, and should not be on the team.

 

Daniels, my bad. Agree with the regression there. As far as Daniel, a 90s rating is fine for a backup. Who could be a better backup at this point?

It's not about getting a better player but rather better utilizing that wasted cap space. What's the point of spending that much on a garbage backup?

 

The Bears will tell you something about leadership and knowing the offense, etc. But if he's going to suck when he plays, sign him as a coach.

[David]

and if you think he's that valuable in a mentorship role then why the hell not just hire him as a coach and let someone else play in these spots so whatever the hell he makes isn't cap money

 

edit - well yeah, that^

[Wilson A2000]

You can be unhappy when you waste that much cap space on a completely incompetent veteran when a dime a dozen guy would do the same thing.

 

Daniel has not regressed, he was never good, and should not be on the team.

 

Daniels, my bad. Agree with the regression there. As far as Daniel, a 90s rating is fine for a backup. Who could be a better backup at this point?

It's not about getting a better player but rather better utilizing that wasted cap space. What's the point of spending that much on a garbage backup?

 

I don’t know if a garbage backup is going to keep you afloat for a few games

[David]

 

Daniels, my bad. Agree with the regression there. As far as Daniel, a 90s rating is fine for a backup. Who could be a better backup at this point?

It's not about getting a better player but rather better utilizing that wasted cap space. What's the point of spending that much on a garbage backup?

 

I don’t know if a garbage backup is going to keep you afloat for a few games

 

how is that a response to that

[Proven Veteran]

 

Daniels, my bad. Agree with the regression there. As far as Daniel, a 90s rating is fine for a backup. Who could be a better backup at this point?

It's not about getting a better player but rather better utilizing that wasted cap space. What's the point of spending that much on a garbage backup?

 

I don’t know if a garbage backup is going to keep you afloat for a few games

There are multiple 6th round or UDFA players doing better than Chase this season.

[jersey cubs fan]

 

Daniels, my bad. Agree with the regression there. As far as Daniel, a 90s rating is fine for a backup. Who could be a better backup at this point?

It's not about getting a better player but rather better utilizing that wasted cap space. What's the point of spending that much on a garbage backup?

 

I don’t know if a garbage backup is going to keep you afloat for a few games

Chase Daniel did.

[UMFan83]

Here is a somewhat hot take: Are we sure Roquan is an impact player? Because I haven't really seen much evidence that he is.

 

He was fantastic early in the season, in on everything. But he's also an inside linebacker, so the level of impact isn't the same as some edge rusher extraordinaire.

He made a couple of plays in the first series against the Packers.

 

I'm not a big PFF guy, but they had him graded out terribly for the first three games of the season. Prior to the Vikings game he had a 48 grade, which is pretty horrific (Mitch was 47.2). Last year they had him as decidedly average. The beat guys were penciling this guy in as an all-pro this offseason. I don't see it.

 

He's had some solid picks later in drafts, but Pace's 1st round history is not looking great if Roquan doesn't turn out to be a good pick. Kevin White was a huge bust, Leonard Floyd is solid (I think) but it took awhile to get there and he's not going to be a star, then you have Trubisky who Pace traded up for, followed by Roquan. All top 10 picks.

[Old Style]

I'm still pissed at the running into the kicker and subsequent fake punt. That 2 play sequence almost certainly cost us a win.

[Wilson A2000]

It's not about getting a better player but rather better utilizing that wasted cap space. What's the point of spending that much on a garbage backup?

 

I don’t know if a garbage backup is going to keep you afloat for a few games

There are multiple 6th round or UDFA players doing better than Chase this season.

 

With this line and offensive talent?

[gflore34]

I'm still pissed at the running into the kicker and subsequent fake punt. That 2 play sequence almost certainly cost us a win.

 

 

That, at best, was a questionable flag, looked more to me as if he fell over a player on the ground. Nevertheless, with as awful as the defense was, you still win the game with an average OB. Or, not committing those inane meat-head taunting personal fouls, they did twice.

[Old Style]

I have no problem with the flag. My problem is with the player being anywhere in the vicinity of the punter. There was no need for that. Getting them to punt was the goal there. Then the offense could’ve run some clock and potentially sealed a win.

[minnesotacubsfan]

I have no problem with the flag. My problem is with the player being anywhere in the vicinity of the punter. There was no need for that. Getting them to punt was the goal there. Then the offense could’ve run some clock and potentially sealed a win.

 

watching the Chiefs/Indy game last night there were 3 plays a punter was run into with similar force, 1 flag. It was a questionable foul.

[minnesotacubsfan]

also, Teddy Bridgewater will like;y be avail this offseason. He might be a good replacement if Mitch doesnt rebound

[Old Style]

I have no problem with the flag. My problem is with the player being anywhere in the vicinity of the punter. There was no need for that. Getting them to punt was the goal there. Then the offense could’ve run some clock and potentially sealed a win.

 

watching the Chiefs/Indy game last night there were 3 plays a punter was run into with similar force, 1 flag. It was a questionable foul.

Questionable or not, the dumbass should not have been within fart smelling distance of the punter on that play. Quit blaming the officials. Next thing we know you'll be blaming the loss on the Bears travel itinerary for the week.

[jersey cubs fan]

Quit arguing about could have beens, that game was going to end on a Chase Daniel INT. It was preordained.

[WrigleyField 22]

Quit arguing about could have beens, that game was going to end on a Chase Daniel INT. It was preordained.

Technically it ended on a Chase Daniel sack.

 

Still preordained.

[UMFan83]

I have no problem with the flag. My problem is with the player being anywhere in the vicinity of the punter. There was no need for that. Getting them to punt was the goal there. Then the offense could’ve run some clock and potentially sealed a win.

 

watching the Chiefs/Indy game last night there were 3 plays a punter was run into with similar force, 1 flag. It was a questionable foul.

Questionable or not, the dumbass should not have been within fart smelling distance of the punter on that play. Quit blaming the officials. Next thing we know you'll be blaming the loss on the Bears travel itinerary for the week.

 

I have always had that same thought about punters going for the block on punts that you can't afford to take a penalty on, but at the same time I frequently see guys flying towards the punter on those plays. Meanwhile I can not think of the last time I've seen the Bears block a punt.

[minnesotacubsfan]

Whos blaming the refs for the loss? We lost because we couldn’t sniff out a fake punt

 

 

 

And unbelievably callous attitudes towards jet lag.

[jersey cubs fan]

And unbelievably callous attitudes towards jet lag.

no

[minnesotacubsfan]

Its a horsefeathering killer