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Can't dismiss the terrible route spacing Waldron deployed. QB school ripped them apart all year long. Ben has talked about grilling him in play action when he turns his head around to let it rip, but I doubt he'll ever be a sub 3 second TTT passer. Hope Ozzy takes the next steps to solidify LT.

Interesting. I was just thinking they've been going on long enough that I can't remember when they started. I assume the emphasis put on them has grown as the preseason schedule has shortened and practice limitations of the CBA have grown.

Well this has easily been the most enjoyable stretch I've had as a Pacers fan. At this point I really do expect them to make the comeback almost every time. This stretch of late 4th qtr blitzes and Haliburton game tying/winners is like a team-wide Linsanity run, but better.

Haha yup - that was me.

https://www.chicagobears.com/video/scouting-the-future-inside-the-bears-2025-draft-1920-football-drive

Went to the race for the 1st time in 11 years. Overcast all day so weather was blah, unfortunate what happened to Hunter-Reay. Pits with 29 laps to go as the leader and car stalls out in the pit, doesn't even finish the race - brutal. Coincidentally to me, the last race I went to in 2014, he won.

I think Rcal is pretty accurate there. Perhaps they would have even tried a small trade-up over the Pats if Burden wasn't also on the board. I imagine they had pretty high % sim chances of their RB's falling to them in the 2nd and the 4th but that's how the draft goes, and they pivoted, which I liked what they did in the 2nd and not so much the 4th. Their offensive weapons have been upgraded in a serious way (in theory a better blocking LaPorta and a Deebo/Percy Harvin type), and it now feels like they have the skill guys necessary to run a dynamic Ben Johnson offense. I can understand people not being all that excited about Shemar Turner, but he can play edge in a Dennis Allen defense if they wanted him to, there's real upside to him and his versatility. But OL always gets drafted high, so I liked the value with the Trapilo pick, and I think it's being underestimated overall. Poles is a big 10 yard split threshold guy for o-line, and a 6'8" giant meeting that is rare, and his pass blocking could become elite. There is question marks/projection, but they are finally building a real NFL offensive line room that doesn't crater with injuries, as other NFL teams can seemingly do while the Bears never can. There's always more work to do, of course.

Think its mainly the RB consternation and the significant trade backs missing out on the best of the rest edge prospects. Are the Bears that comfortable with those rooms or did they truly get sniped multiple times? Even now in the 7th round guys like Damien Martinez and Brashard Smith are going right in front of the Bears. Just to mix things up, a LB barely anyone knew of in round 4. Day 3 felt like it just fizzled out, but it's day 3 and they're trait-based gambles/projects for the most part. Overall, I like the draft as a whole and the players they brought in. Again, absolutely love the Loveland pick, and with Ben I think Burden can become an amazing weapon, vertically and with YAC. Think he'll be a how did he fall that far type of guy in not too long. With that trade back, they get a Rob Havenstein like Goliath OT and an explosive player on the d-line who lined up everywhere (played edge well before moving inside).

I like that they essentially recouped their 4th from the Thuney deal. Not so much anything else.

This all works because of Ben Johnson. That's what makes it fun. Imagine Flus and Waldron taking these guys. Burden is fascinating - I assumed they wouldn't invest this high with their slot receiver and they immediately did just that. Then they made their investment into the trenches. Trapilo was a top 30 and huge, good athlete Rob Havenstein comp so no surprise there. Shemar Turner was a little surprising, seems like he's a bit of a head-case, so they went a little psycho on the d-line, with 2 of their top 30 guys in Omar Norman-Lott and Andrew Mukaba going immediately after to close out the 2nd round. They're clearly high on him. Would be nice to know their choice at RB finally, still a lot of good options. Wonder if Ben Johnson goes full psycho and takes Brashard Smith.

I know, my 1st thought as well. He's an absolute thumper too and gave me some Bob Sander's vibes. He's got elite instincts as a processor/ballhawk and is a picture perfect successor to Byard. Versatile enough to play single high centerfielder and to play man in the slot with Kyler Gordon level run fits.

I would be very happy with either of those scenarios. It's also well known they're big fans of Andrew Mukaba.

I absolutely adore the Loveland pick. This is Ben Johnson's 1st pick as a Bear and he's perfect for the run/pass game marriage. Still believe they want a burner at WR too (Kyle Williams), but probably don't want to pay that high 2nd round price now after investing in Loveland. My guess is Kaleb Johnson is their pick at RB.

Makes sense and hopefully he can make it the whole year (duh). Has it been mentioned anywhere what # of innings they're shooting for?

The Banks surge is strong right now and they just had a private workout with him. My official prediction at this point is no trade down opportunity presents itself, the usual suspects are off the board and Kelvin Banks or Josh Conerly Jr. is the pick at 10.