Chicago Bears offseason

[WrigleyField 22]

Random side note, but do the Bears have the least WR-personality WR group in the league?

[BigSlick]

I was gonna say - there's a distinct chance that DJ gets fewer balls thrown his way this year than last, especially if Keenan Allen is at full speed and Odunze is everything he's cracked up to be. He doesn't seem to be upset about it at all. (There's also the chance that the sheer volume of pass attempts goes up that it doesn't matter) 

Which I love. 

 

Edited April 30, 2024 by BigSlick

[David]

I think Kmet is going to lose the most targets.

[NorthsideAvenger]

1 hour ago, WrigleyField 22 said:

Random side note, but do the Bears have the least WR-personality WR group in the league?

Does not matter as long as they are productive. 

[David]

3 minutes ago, NorthsideAvenger said:

Does not matter as long as they are productive. 

It does matter and it's good.  They all appear to be high character guys who don't stir horsefeathers up, and I'm sure that's (at least to some extent) intentional.  It sure would seem that way from the way this FO has talked about players since they came in.

Edited April 30, 2024 by David

[David]

 

Edited May 1, 2024 by David

[David]

This was very good.

[jumbo]

On 4/29/2024 at 12:34 PM, Tryptamine said:

He's going to be at least solid. I do expect a ton of fumbles in year 1 and a decent amount of picks though. Whether or not Caleb is going to go from merely average to elite is if he learns to take what's available and learns that hero ball does not work in the NFL. There's nothing wrong with checking down.

The podcast link above aluded to it, the idea that he is ready to play in structure. This should be the #1 coaching point, just watch what happens when you get it to these skill guys. Be like Rodgers and just put it on them, then watch them turn it into more yards. Eventually you play off of those plays and add wrinkles/counters.

I hope the OLine looks better with someone being on time. Kyles' point really hit home for me that the players around Fields looked worse because of him. The OLine will certiainly blow plays now and then, but not to the extent that it happened for Fields. Caleb making quicker decisions, throwing with anticipation and also having more confidence in his guys getting open and being where they're supposed to be will be it's own upgrade to the OL. 

[Tryptamine]

I know fantasy football doesn't mean much in regards to the actual game, but man ESPN really doesn't think much of Chicago's offense for fantasy purposes.

D'andre Swift comes in at 25th amongst RBs(highest rank 20/lowest rank 33)

DJ Moore comes in at 15th amongst WRs (10/21)

Keenan Allen comes in at 32nd (27/40)

Rome Odunze comes in at 38th (25/52)

Cole Kmet comes in at 15th for TE (13/18)

Geald Everett comes in at 29th (26/42)

Caleb Williams comes in at 13th for QBs (11/21)

[David]

37 minutes ago, Tryptamine said:

I know fantasy football doesn't mean much in regards to the actual game, but man ESPN really doesn't think much of Chicago's offense for fantasy purposes.

D'andre Swift comes in at 25th amongst RBs(highest rank 20/lowest rank 33)

DJ Moore comes in at 15th amongst WRs (10/21)

Keenan Allen comes in at 32nd (27/40)

Rome Odunze comes in at 38th (25/52)

Cole Kmet comes in at 15th for TE (13/18)

Geald Everett comes in at 29th (26/42)

Caleb Williams comes in at 13th for QBs (11/21)

Too many places for the ball to go, and Caleb is a rookie QB, so they'll always be in "show me" mode about that.

This won't be DJ Moore getting force fed the ball by a QB who struggles getting through his reads and throwing on time.  He was a fantasy monster last year.

Edited May 1, 2024 by David

[David]

Wild seeing the Bears talked about this way...

 

 

[David]

Also, Poles was on McAfee today

 

Edited May 1, 2024 by David

[Brian707]

Just start the season tomorrow lol. I can't wait.

[UMFan83]

29 minutes ago, David said:

Too many places for the ball to go, and Caleb is a rookie QB, so they'll always be in "show me" mode about that.

This won't be DJ Moore getting force fed the ball by a QB who struggles getting through his reads and throwing on time.  He was a fantasy monster last year.

Yeah the lower ratings almost seem like a hedge for a few reasons:

-New OC, though we have an idea how the offense is going to run

-Rookie QB, even a highly touted one, he could start out slow, he could be CJ Stroud

-3 higher volume receivers on the roster, not sure how that's going to break down in terms of targets

-Waldron likes to use TEs but how will the breakdown be between Kmet and Everett as he is another prominent pass catching TE

-Swift is clear RB1 but the Bears typically like to work in all 3 RBs, and there is uncertainty on how much he'll be used in the pass game with the aforementioned pass catchers.

Just a lot of (good) uncertainty which makes it hard to project fantasy studs

Edited May 1, 2024 by UMFan83

[David]

yeah, i wouldn't concern myself with our fantasy rankings.  they're mid for very good reasons.

but wait, there's more...

 

https://www.nbcsportschicago.com/nfl/what-is-the-best-nfl-wide-receiver-trio-bears-texans-among-the-top-options/559136/

 

Edited May 1, 2024 by David

[David]

 

hook all of this horsefeathers right up to my veins

[BigbadB]

13 hours ago, David said:

 

hook all of this horsefeathers right up to my veins

Somehow, we have to thank Chase Claypool for being a hot pile of garbage, because somehow his inability to be something helped convert the WR room the Bears have now. 

We love you, Lovie Smith! We don't hate you, Chase Claypool! And Ryan Poles? Dude, keep cookin'!

That was an entertaining interview. I'm not sure I'm ready to buy in that Rome is the best receiver on this team, but damn, how exciting to think about it?

[David]

Here's another one from TJ yesterday...

 

 

[David]

 

[We Got The Whole 9]

Pretty much gonna have to switch to Verizon and get free Sunday Ticket. 

[BigbadB]

We should be hearing soon that the Bears will be on this year's Hard Knocks. I know some don't want the extra pressure of media, but I think it will be good tv this year. 

[Brian707]

1 hour ago, BigbadB said:

We should be hearing soon that the Bears will be on this year's Hard Knocks. I know some don't want the extra pressure of media, but I think it will be good tv this year. 

George will blow a gasket lol.

 

Also, looks like schedule release is Thursday. I would guess the Bears will be on SNF or MNF week one. It won't be the Packers but maybe the Lions? Or Washington? Williams vs Daniels?

[Old Style]

2 hours ago, BigbadB said:

We should be hearing soon that the Bears will be on this year's Hard Knocks. I know some don't want the extra pressure of media, but I think it will be good tv this year. 

I’d love it. Then again I’d have to resubscribe to HBO. 

[UMFan83]

2 hours ago, BigbadB said:

We should be hearing soon that the Bears will be on this year's Hard Knocks. I know some don't want the extra pressure of media, but I think it will be good tv this year. 

I haven’t really heard any fans say they don’t want Hard Knocks. 
 

Either way, I have a hard time believing that in one season the NFL is going to make the Bears:

-Play an extra preseason game (HOF game)

-Sacrifice a home game for a game in Europe (meaning that in the era of 9 home games every other season the Bears will have had 9 just once in the first 5 years)

-Appear on Hard Knocks

[David]

2 hours ago, UMFan83 said:

I haven’t really heard any fans say they don’t want Hard Knocks. 
 

Either way, I have a hard time believing that in one season the NFL is going to make the Bears:

-Play an extra preseason game (HOF game)

-Sacrifice a home game for a game in Europe (meaning that in the era of 9 home games every other season the Bears will have had 9 just once in the first 5 years)

-Appear on Hard Knocks

HBO is pushing for it and it's obvious why.  A Bears Hard Knocks would be a home run for them and the alternatives (in terms of teams they can force) are very much not that.

I'm pretty sure it's going to happen, especially with the way it's been talked about lately (and I'm usually the first to throw cold water on HK/Bears speculation when it comes up every year).