Chicago Bears preseason

[Hairyducked Idiot]

Zero interest.  I don't like trading for old players, and I don't like trading draft capital for the privilege of giving guys their free agent contracts.

[Hairyducked Idiot]

9 hours ago, UMFan83 said:

Eh maybe.  I saw the move as a last ditch effort to find some way for him to add value.  The running back room is deep with Swift, Herbert and Roshon locks (though a surprise Herbert trade or cut wouldn't stun me), Homer probably in a good position to make it due to his ST contributions.  Teams carry what 4-5 RBs?  And possibly Blasingame in that number as a FB.  Ian Wheeler has also legitimately looked really solid as well, but the Bears can probably sneak him onto the practice squad. 

As for WR you have Moore, Allen, Rome, Scott as locks leaving 2 spots for other guys like Pettis, Collin Johnson, Nsimba Webster, DeAndre Carter (another ST guy) and Velus.

I do think he'll find a way to make the roster considering his versatility as a WR/RB and return guy.  But it wouldn't shock me if he was the odd man out in a roster crunch. 

We carried 6 WR, 4 RB and 1 FB on the opening roster last season.

Even assuming perfect health, Jones just has to beat out one of Pettis, Collin Johnson or Horner.

I don't like him, I didn't like the pick when it was made on day 1, but I can't say with a straight face that he's clearly worse than those guys.

[gflore34]

1 hour ago, Hairyducked Idiot said:

We carried 6 WR, 4 RB and 1 FB on the opening roster last season.

Even assuming perfect health, Jones just has to beat out one of Pettis, Collin Johnson or Horner.

I don't like him, I didn't like the pick when it was made on day 1, but I can't say with a straight face that he's clearly worse than those guys.

Pettis and Jones both have terrible hands, I'd like to see both dumped in favor Collin Johnson.

[NorthsideAvenger]

4 hours ago, Hairyducked Idiot said:

Zero interest.  I don't like trading for old players, and I don't like trading draft capital for the privilege of giving guys their free agent contracts.

I agree. If the Bears were a Judon (or even Riddick) away from a Super Bowl run, I'd go for it, but they are not. 

[David]

 

watch this if you would like to see endless praise being heaped upon a bears qb by noted fields hater shady mccoy and an ex-packer, among others.

[Hairyducked Idiot]

10 hours ago, BigSlick said:

I hate to say it but I'm not finding a lot compelling in these first two episodes of Hard Knocks? What I appreciate the most about it is seeing more of our draft picks and Caleb in particular, but other than that, it feels lacking in anything for me to really hold onto. I don't have a ton of experience with Hard Knocks so I'm assuming this is how it usually goes but I thought there'd be a bit more into the fringier players, more fleshed out storylines about what they're working on, challenges, etc. But still, as a hype machine for this season, its working fine enough. 

Anyway, my only two cents is I really hope Velus doesn't make the team because one of his biggest issues is one of the most damaging qualities a player can have: He can't hold onto the damn ball. 

I'm watching it because I'm in full hyperfixation mode, but it isn't crazy appealing to me. I'm just not into seeing the personal side of athletes. The film breakdowns are way more fascinating to me.

Plus it's just so inauthentic.  You follow people around for a week and you get enough footage to tell any story that you want.  Film a guy making a play, film his coaches talking to him, film him messing up a play.  Depending on the order you the show the clips and the music you play over them, you can give the impression that he's either triumphantly ascending or it's all falling apart.  Nobody knows what's really happening.

Literally their entire schtick is getting you emotionally attached to obvious cut bait so it's more impactful when they do, in fact, get cut. I wouldn't mind a smidge more media literacy from the general population so I don't have to hear about how the guy who is gonna be a doctor or the eagle underwear guy should be making the team 

[Tryptamine]

I've never watched any episode of Hard Knocks because #1, I wouldn't get any enjoyment out of seeing guys dreams dying on camera and #2, knowing more about athletes as people usually seems to not go very well as far as me liking them more.

[David]

Honestly don't care at all about the coverage of the fringe guys (blah blah blah robot yada yada...I will say it is a little bit sad watching Austin Reed's parents so into his performance when it means so little, but of course they are). 

I just like the behind the scenes stuff of the guys who matter.  I'm a sucker for that stuff.  Even like that Caleb meeting about the refs, or DJ's "I like football!" or DJ telling Terrel Bernard to shut up after he yelled at Caleb that he should go out of bounds (when he knocked him down).  Plus the NFL Films stuff is just so beautifully shot.

The guys on this team, for the most part, also are really likeable good guys (as far as we can know, at least), so the stuff like seeing DJ with his family is fun too.

When they get into the irrelevant dudes is when I mostly tune out.

[Hairyducked Idiot]

Obviously we don't know for sure what's true or not with rumors, but the rumors are that the bears put together a competitive offer for judon.

I'm not in love with how loose we are getting with trading draft capital for veteran players.

2nds for claypool and sweat, fourth for Allen, fifth for bates.  Now possibly an edge rusher.  

 

I don't think it will matter a ton in the long run because 1) the Panthers trade gave him a ton of runway to work with and 2) Caleb Williams' development is more impactful long-term than every other trade and signing we make combined.  But I don't think it's best practices.

[minnesotacubsfan]

58 minutes ago, David said:

Honestly don't care at all about the coverage of the fringe guys (blah blah blah robot yada yada...I will say it is a little bit sad watching Austin Reed's parents so into his performance when it means so little, but of course they are). 

I just like the behind the scenes stuff of the guys who matter.  I'm a sucker for that stuff.  Even like that Caleb meeting about the refs, or DJ's "I like football!" or DJ telling Terrel Bernard to shut up after he yelled at Caleb that he should go out of bounds (when he knocked him down).  Plus the NFL Films stuff is just so beautifully shot.

The guys on this team, for the most part, also are really likeable good guys (as far as we can know, at least), so the stuff like seeing DJ with his family is fun too.

When they get into the irrelevant dudes is when I mostly tune out.

I feel like they cover the fringe guys just for drama purposes; it brings the NFL experience to something a lot closer to being something people can relate to. I actually enjoy it to some extent as long as it shows the characters around the team. If it was all X's and O's and the stars, I feel like it would be pretty dry

[David]

An old friend chimes in

 

Edited August 15, 2024 by David

[Hairyducked Idiot]

5 hours ago, Tryptamine said:

I've never watched any episode of Hard Knocks because #1, I wouldn't get any enjoyment out of seeing guys dreams dying on camera and #2, knowing more about athletes as people usually seems to not go very well as far as me liking them more.

I'm a misery porn fiend and the cut scenes are always so disappointing. Everybody is so chill and professional.

[Hairyducked Idiot]

The first throw gives us such a great view of his footwork and balance. It's as good as I've ever seen from a rookie.  He looks like a tightly coiled spring that could snap off a throw at any moment. Which he is, the release on that throw is so clean and quick.  Combine that with excellent velocity and there's just no chance for defenders to break on the ball (oh, and the placement is perfect too, because why not).

Then the third one shows you that he doesn't even need that base.  Still backpedaling in his drop? Doesn't matter, he saw something he liked on the slant and the ball is gone.  Again, with velocity and placement.

I have only been this all-in on a prospect once in my entire life, and that was Mark Prior (who got tinstaapped, of course).  Not Kane and Toews, not Corey Patterson, not Bryant.

It's incredibly possible that I'm getting caught up in the hype and I'll end up looking stupid in a few weeks when live NFL defenses give it their all against him, but gun to my head right now and promise me he's healthy for 17 games? I'm 100% expecting 4000+ yards immediately.
 

[UMFan83]

Yeah he wasn't perfect today but from the accounts I've read he had his way with the Bengals defense today.  I am getting beyond hyped.

[David]

 

[Tryptamine]

1 hour ago, UMFan83 said:

Yeah he wasn't perfect today but from the accounts I've read he had his way with the Bengals defense today.  I am getting beyond hyped.

From what I read he got picked on his first throw then after that was good. Apparently the Bear's D picked Burrow 3 times and Jaylon completely shut Tee Higgins down.

[Derwood]

Our D-Backs were getting a little handsy with those receivers

[David]

 

Edited August 16, 2024 by David

[David]

 

[gflore34]

10 hours ago, UMFan83 said:

Yeah he wasn't perfect today but from the accounts I've read he had his way with the Bengals defense today.  I am getting beyond hyped.

I'd settle for a real NFL offense, I know it's a low bar, I think it's possible.

[Wilson A2000]

Should Caleb play against the Bengals second stringers? I say yes.

[Wilson A2000]

On 8/14/2024 at 7:58 PM, Hairyducked Idiot said:

Zero interest.  I don't like trading for old players, and I don't like trading draft capital for the privilege of giving guys their free agent contracts.

Agreed. Bears aren’t one player away from a deep playoff run either.

[Tim]

5 minutes ago, Wilson A2000 said:

Agreed. Bears aren’t one player away from a deep playoff run either.

They may already have the personnel for it!  😃

[WrigleyField 22]

Windows are a myth

[David]

49 minutes ago, Wilson A2000 said:

Should Caleb play against the Bengals second stringers? I say yes.

He is