gflore34

It'll be interesting and hopefully, fun to see what'll happen in the passing game once Claypool gets phased in and Brown phased out. I don't expect the pass blocking issues to go away so, how much the passing game improves will be limited by that factor. Just don't want to see Fields having to target Brown or Pettis anymore in situations such as yesterday. They've proven to both have hands of stone, would like to see what Harry can do. Think he can block just as well as Brown.

Viking and Dolphins are kind of the same team meh defense, big time offenses capable of winning shootouts in the regular season, will get destroyed in the playoffs.

I beginning to wonder if Rodgers is hurting more than the Packers, or he have led the NFL to believe. Don't get me wrong I'm thoroughly enjoying his demise but, he's moving, looking like a hurt old man, something I've not seen before.

especially with those first couple games where the stats were complete ass Both playing behind shoddy pass blocking with a terrible group of receivers. Although, with the addition of Claypool and activation of Harry, the Bears receiver room has suddenly improved. The big differentiator is Justin can move whereas, Rodgers is not quite as mobile anymore.

Yea if they manage to stay outside of the top 10, a lot more things end up in play. But unless they are top 5, they kind of just need to plug every hole in FA like they don't know what will be there in the draft, because they really won't know. So whoever they use their 1st on will just be a bonus at that point. Major holes entering the offseason WR3 RB2 C (or G depending how they feel about Patrick/Whitehair) OT (with Borom and Jones competing for the other) DE1 (they actually have okay depth, but need a major talent here) DTx2 (only Jones under contract) LBx2 Not every one of those is gonna be a $10M free agent, but if they can get solid vets at those 9 spots (which could include some resigning), the draft becomes wide open to just add star potential wherever. Ideally: WR3- Draft, first 3 rounds RB2- Draft, end of day 2 at best, early day 3 more likely (really like this RB draft class) C/G- I think Patrick is probably back. Write off this season as injured, give him a shot at C next year. I'd draft a guard top 3 rounds as well as bringing in a cheap (not as cheap as Schofield types) depth piece T- Sign a guy, give him a lot of money. I like Elgton Jenkins. He could play G or T, and allow you to just draft the best guy you can, but if you get a true OT, it's fine. LT, RT, whatever. Get a good blocker. DE- I'd probably use a top 90 pick here. Doesn't make a ton of sense to spend big money here. They just got rid of 2 big money DEs. I'd be fine with getting rid of Muhammad and spending 7-8M/year over his 5Mil or whatever, but I'd draft a guy here for sure. Fix DT, WR, and OL this offseason and I think you can go into 2023 with DE as a 1st round target, as it would hopefully be the biggest need at that point. DT- spend BIG on a FA. Daron Payne obvious target. They were willing to spend big this year on a DT, no reason they shouldn't be willing to again. I actually kind of like Armon Watts, so I wouldn't mind bringing him back. I'd probably spend on a 2nd DT, a big body guy. I saw the Cowboys run D numbers w/ Jonathan Hankins on the field vs. off, and he's a huge difference maker in the run game. Perfect fit to replace Pennel, who is bad. LB- Probably gotta draft a guy. I really like what I've seen from Sanborn and Weatherford, but that was preseason. Ideally, they'd be strong backups and special teamers. Morrow is fine. If not him, there are a million like him. Also, gonna have to draft a guy. If you find one you REALLY like, maybe take in top 3 rounds. If not, 4th is fine. Depends on what you do at DE. IF you keep Muhammad, gotta go DE early. IF you upgrade Muhammad, but don't splurge for a big money guy, then maybe move LB up. Intrigued here because Flus seems to really know LBs, so if he takes one earlier than I'd hope, I'll assume he's a stud. Many of us are writing similar approaches to Bears' offseason - OL, DL - FA and draft, WR, RB, LB - draft, appears logical, it's obvious, makes sense. I have to think Poles' approach is going in line with many of our thoughts. Got off to rocky start and it's still early but, it's starting to hint that the Bears may have hit on the Poles hire and by extension Eberflus, etc.

Is the NFL FA signing period before or after the draft, or is there no signing timeframe?

I think the Bears know that as well, that's why Montgomery was not traded. If Herbert could have managed some sort of competency at pass blocking there's no doubt, Montgomery would have been dealt.

If the pick is top 5, it's going to be one of Carter, Anderson or Murphy otherwise, if they manage to stay in the 10-15 range, I think Johnston might be in play.

I really think one of Boutte (LSU), Addison (USC) or Smith-Njigba (OSU) will be available when the Bears pick in the 2nd.

Never put much stock into ESPN' opinions of the Bears, believe there's far better analysis and opinion in or on a multitude of places. Just for shits and giggles I wonder how ESPN' would grade on a trade of Claypool to the Packers? A to the infinity? I'll bet it chaps their collective asses that there' signs of Fields actually being good and the answer for the Bears while their beloved Rodgers and the Packers are beginning to show signs of vulnerability. Signs of the slow decent into mediocrity maybe, even, badness for the Packers.

I'd gladly trade that win for a one vs. the Packers, one where Fields goes off and the Bears win something like 46 - 43 on FG with time expiring.

To play devil's advocate, we saw this approach under Trestman. Best offense the Bears have had and a historically bad defense ruined the season. The Bears have a ways to go to get to a 20ppg, 5 y/p defense after losing Roquan. Quinn isn't a big factor, but Smith was....and they already needed pretty much everything else on the front 7. But yeah, I don't care about a crippled defense in a rebuilding season. But they are going to have to put significant resources into that side of the ball this offseason as well. Not just on the offensive side. I understand that and, I think Poles will address the defense with the draft and FA but, as you said, who cares about a crippled defense in a rebuilding season.

Listening to the score in the background and boy, are they still hung up on defense. "This game worries me, the Dolphins have sooooooo may weapons, no Roquan Smith cripples the defense", blah, blah, blah, they just don't get it, today's NFL is all about offense. Even the last few Super Bowl winners allowed 20+ points/game and 5+ yards/play - outscore the opposition, build an offense, score, score, score. Moreover, an exciting loss is entertaining and helps the draft position to possibly facilitate the D line so they can talk more defense. The only one who gets it, and it pains me to write it, is Bernstein. This and, they talk about the White Sox way too horsefeathering much.

Yesterday Poles said there was plenty of transparency and discussions with the coaching staff prior to the transactions. Think Eberflus said something to the effect of - "I'll fix the defense just get Justin a guy who catch the horsefeathering ball, you know, someone an NFL defense might actually take seriously..."?

And then it will be soul crushing when he horsefeathers it up and we miss the playoff again next season. It may take more than one draft and FA class to get a playoff qualifying roster, doesn't mean we cannot expect significant improvement on both side of the ball in 2023.

Also nice that Fields will have half a season to work with this group. I'd say that alone is worth the difference in values between the 2 second round picks. So Mooney, Claypool, Harry, St. Brown, Pringle and VJJ is certainly starting to shape up the receiver room. I'm guessing when Pringle comes back, Pettis will be a goner. St. Brown, Pringle and VJJ are all easily replaceable next year if they wish to add more depth here. As been previously stated this move is an affirmation that Fields has shown enough, and it is awesome. Think I saw something about Pringle returning to practice this week, believe, we've at most, two more games with Pettis as a Bear. Poles will still probably pick a WR on day 2, press conference yesterday, mentioned surrounding Justin with as many weapons as possible.

I now wish the Smith/Claypool trades happened a week ago so Chase could be up to speed for this one. The Dolphins pass D is atrocious. 275 yards per game with a 100 QB rating against. Just allowed 300 yards to Goff. Allowed 300 to Lamar running the same offense Fields has in the last 2. The Dolphins haven't rushed the passer very well either. Chubb will help with that, but not sure how much this week. Assuming he doesn't get 50-60 reps, the Bears may be able to protect Fields much better than they have the last few weeks. They've faced some of the best pass rushes in the last 3-4 games. If ever there was a game where Justin throws 35 times..... Was just glancing at some of their box scores how the hell they did beat the Bills? The Bills had 400+ yards of offense, had 40+ minutes TOP, must have been TO's.

Scoring points is not going to be problem for the Bears in this game, keeping the Dolphins from scoring 40+ is going to be dicey. That's OK I'd much rather watch the Bears light up the score board and lose 42 - 35. Way more fun than some meddling losing a 16 - 9 game.

Really does help the receivers' room, 2023 WR FA class is weak, with this acquisition Poles can nab Anderson, Carter or Murphy in the first, sign another DL. Then go WR, OL in after the first round or, something along these lines.

B, B-. Claypool has the talent to be a teams #1 and that is a huge hole in our roster. This also means taking a stud DT in the 1st round is also now possible, and there will still be plenty of interior line help at the later 2nd round pick I'd assign a probability of almost 1 (almost surely) that with a top five pick we're looking at Anderson, Murphy or Carter as the Bears' first pick in the 2023 draft.

Even better, the lower of the #2's.

Just posted this in the Week 8 thread. whichever thread works. LFG! But can he hold onto a pass that hits him in the hands in the end zone? Is he a big improvement over Pettis and Brown? Yes. Works for me.

No, it's the coach's best option now, but it's a pretty sorry excuse for it to be also. Like this shouldn't be their ideal offense in 2023 and beyond. But Poles wanted to tank, so they're here for remainder of 2022. I don't believe it will be, come 2023, there's probably going to be a larger infusion of help for Justin. Still think we'll see QB runs worked in but, the passing game is going to significantly improve.

Maybe, I'm interpreting this incorrectly but, I don't understand the animus towards the Bears running the ball or some glorified version of the Wing T formation, etc. remarks from the media, etc. Currently, its putting Fields is the best position to succeed, is that not what good coaches are supposed to do? Did horsefeathering Matt Nagy even remotely attempt to do that for Fields?

Doesn't necessarily have to be across the board either, just think how much difference another receiver who can actually catch the ball and a competent pass blocker at, say C, would have made this season. One WR and one OL then start dumping the rest into the absolutely terrible DL. I wouldn't be opposed to a 2nd WR/OL though. I've got some hope for Harry, he's young, he's big, has good hands, could be one the receivers who can make the contested 50/50 catch that Justin needs.