scarey

Surprising that Illinois was able to get Edey into foul trouble. Not an easy task, and I'll have to look at the game closer to see if there was something specific they were able to do to force him into bad situations. While it's concerning to see only 10 points from Edey, I think I'm happier to see TKR fill up the stat sheet instead. He, Gillis, and Jones were great tonight. Purdue destroyed Illinois on the boards. That to me was the major difference in this game.

Personally, I think there meatballs will quickly jump in the new QB bandwagon. There will be there random one offs who will pop up from time to time when the new QB faulters even slightly, but it will be no different than the holdover Mitch fan boys.

If my post lead anybody to believe I'm advocating for selecting him 1st overall, than let me set the record straight. The MHJ option is inclusive of a trade down.

I think we need to see how the pre-draft buzz builds up the value of guys like Daniels and McCarthy. If the draft order shakes out as it stands for the current top 3, the Bears are in an excellent position to dictate a huge overpay on a trade down. The value from for either Williams or Maye is going to be extremely tempting by comparison, and I won't be surprised if New England or Washington dish out a future first plus more to put themselves in position to draft their guy. It's why, more than anything, I think it's important that the Bears take Fields 5th year option and then take bids from everybody even if it's up until the draft. Either you hold on to Fields and trade him later if you have to, or you get blown away by a trade offer for either Fields or the 1st overall pick. To me, cashing in a trade for Fields for anything less than a 2nd rounder is a mistake that takes away the option for somebody to make you a ridiculous offer for the 1st overall pick.

There seems to be a sentiment that you either fall into two camps: 1. I believe in Justin Fields 2. I think Williams/Maye will be better for the team long term I'd like to enter the third option: 3. I don't want to miss out on MHJs HOF career in Chicago for a rookie QB that the Bears probably ruin anyway

Is that your qualification for the Bears? Or any team?

The way players have been responding to the media the last few weeks (especially to the questions directed to them about the 4th down blitz in the Vikings game), locker room heat does seem to be there.

I also think this sets up the best potential draft order for a huge trade by the Bears with two teams behind them that also want QBs.

I honestly don't know how much stock to put into that report. We all are aware of the stinginess of Bears ownership, but I have a hard time thinking that even if Eberflus was retained, that Getsy returns. That means they would need to convince a new DC and OC to step into a position that may only have a 1 year window. That's essentially committing to two poor candidates filling those vacancies. On top of that, the disjointed organization narrative is out there. Whether they want to believe in it or not, Warren, Poles, and ownership know that perception is out there. If they are committed to sticking with Fields for at least another year, I guess I understand sticking with Flus. If their plan is to bring in a rookie and possible change head coaches next year, I think their setting themselves up for a whole lot of criticism. Lastly, the report does say "strong finish" was the qualifier. I don't know that simply two wins is enough to clear that bar. None of us know the source on this report or what context any statement was made. I wouldn't be surprised if this ends up being just a throwaway comment that was turned into clickbait by the end of the season I kinda feel bad for Flus because 8 wins absolutely meets most people's expectations prior to the start of the season for this team. I just think he's the victim of circumstance that dictates a change at head coach.

Only reason it should be is if the Bears are offered an overwhelming deal for either Fields or the #1 pick. Otherwise, it only benefits them to wait as long as possible. If the Bears take Williams, there is still going to be teams that didn't sort out their QB room by the time the draft closes out. Those teams will still be desperate to deal for a Fields caliber QB.

Are you picking fights with Laurence Holmes on Twitter?

Do you think game plans had anything to do with this?

The problem is I don't trust Braxton Jones and Nate Davis in pass protection, and Jenkins is injured too often. I want the Bears to actually invest legitimately in the offensive line.

The argument (I won't say it's convincing, because I don't think you can be convinced) is it makes a lot of sense if somebody makes a bonkers trade offer and Poles feels that [the additions he can make with that haul] + [Justin Fields] is a better opportunity than Caleb Williams. I think it is extremely likely that whoever picks 1 and 2 are going to pick Williams and Maye. These next two weeks are important in that regard. If it ends up being Washington and New England at 2 and 3 and one of those teams feels strongly enough about one of those two to make a major offer to move up, I think Fields is a good enough QB with Moore, Harrison, and Kmet as his top three targets. Is he going to be an All-Pro? Probably not, but I wouldn't have thought Brock Purdy to be an All-Pro either. Sadly, the consequence of winning (which I don't regret) has put us out of a position to grab one of the top left tackles with our pick without moving up. For this reason, I'm not as eager to trade away #1. But, I do worry that Williams gets drafted as a Bear at 1, he gets crushed the next two seasons behind this O-Line and is on the express bus to Bustville. At the same time, not drafting an elite LT also sets the Bears 1-2 years back with Fields and no hope for a developing stud QB in my eyes. I guess what I'm REALLY saying here is, I feel getting a stud LT is more important than anything else the Bears could do this season.

I don't think he's arguing against that. The point is, the Rams drafted him and he didn't take off there. The lions took him as almost a throw-in and he's turned his career around. If the Bears draft Williams and his career ends up the same, I don't think it benefits the Bears. Especially if Williams gets a similar treatment to what Fields appears to be getting (ran out of town in 3 years of mediocre QB play).

I'm not sure if you're agreeing with me or not. Are you saying the "first round QB" plan consistently fails? Or the "don't pick a first round QB" plan fails? Because.... you just showed me 3 first round Bears QB picks here and 1 we traded for...

Do we have to evaluate everything strictly from the QB perspective? I know we constantly hear about the opportunity of drafting a generational talented QB at 1, or Fields blossoming into a perennial Probowl QB. I get that QB is the most important position by far. However... isn't there something to be said about the opportunity to draft a generational WR and a top notch LT? I know that nobody is a sure thing, but I think there's a missed opportunity if the Bears don't draft Harrison Jr. too. If they do draft Harrison, draft a LT (less likely after the win), I think it's easier to fit a middle of the road starting QB into that situation. We're seeing the Geno Smiths, Baker Mayfields, and even Joe Flaccos of the league having some success. There may be something to be said about the realistic possibility that those guys win a Superbowl, but I think we get caught up in the idea of MUST have a superstar at QB. Why not build that foundation? Heck, given the Bears history, it might be the better choice.

This is the truly frustrating component.

I know I'm going to sound like a massive Fields apologist and I honestly don't care. That offensive game plan was dogshit. Does Getsy not understand that other teams can scout them and coach their defense to blow up the WR screen? All game, Minnesota had their edge set wide to jump the swing pass, then contain Fields. They were doing the Vikings a favor repeatedly running those. Their DBs were aggressively defending it, and this isn't the first game we've seen that. Furthermore, when the defense sets their line wide, why are you not running off tackle? You have two offensive tackles that excel at the run, why are you not using your strength to play against their defensive game plan? Getsy confuses the hell out of me. He has had games with great plans like the Broncos and Commanders games. Then he pulls a game like this.

Which is exactly why that interception wasn't on Fields. He has not had a good game, but anybody acting like he's the problem on that play is just lazily signing blame at this point. That int just now though...

When FDU gets blown out in this game, am I supposed to feel better that they just had a fluky game-of-their-lives against Purdue? Or worse because it's just more proof that Purdue should have easily won that game?

I was wondering this throughout the Big Ten Tournament. I don't get it.

Edey scored 21 points doing that. Essentially, they double and triple teamed Edey and allowed everybody else to shoot wide open shots. Not-Edey shot 29% (19% from three) and turned the ball over 16 times, so they lost.

I honestly feel this way right now. But then everybody brings up Virginia's struggles, then their Championship. Also, assuming Edey isn't crazy enough to try to go to the NBA(And the transfer portal doesn't hit too hard), Purdue probably returns their whole roster except for David Jenkins. We're talking their top 7 guys in minutes played returning. Hopefully after time has passed you can at least take solace in the fact that Purdue won the regular season and conference tournament championship. But I totally get it if this completely ruins those accomplishments. I was talking with some Michigan fans after the game about whether you’d rather miss the tourney or be a 1 seed and lose to a 16. I think I’d rather actually miss the tourney of those scenarios I agree. This feels much worse than the times Purdue has been on the sideline.

This is a bunch of crap. Keep telling yourself that It is a bunch of crap. You're providing nothing of substance here. You're just saying his system can't handle pressure... I'm all about criticizing Purdue, Painter, the Big Ten, etc... especially tonight. But give me something to work with here.