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So obviously, the Suns have to be championship favorites. I still think Boston/Milwaukee have a shot to win it all if either comes out of the East, but the Suns have gone to West finals game 7 or NBA finals the last 2 years. But the interesting team to me is Brooklyn. Am I crazy or do they still have a pretty decent team? They are 5th in the East and it'll be interesting to see if they can hold on to a playoff spot. I'd imagine they'll at least get into the play-in. But this isn't a terrible squad G- Dinwiddie (17.7 ppg, 40.5% 3pt), Ben Simmons (he rebounds and passes and stuff) G- Cam Thomas (best player in NBA history the last week, 42.7% 3pt for season), Seth Curry (46% 3pt) F- Mikal Bridges (17.2 ppg, 38.7% 3pt), Joe Harris (40.6% 3pt), Cam Johnson (14 ppg, 45.5% 3pt) F- Finney-Smith (9 ppg, 35.5% 3pt), Royce O'Neal (9, 4, 4, 40% 3pt), Jae Crowder (imagine he's traded again?, 9 ppg, 35% 3pt) C- Nic Claxton (13ppg, 9 rebs)

The Bulls situation Jordan came in the league to was just as bad as the Cavs situation LeBron came in to.

I've stopped weighing in on the GOAT debate. My opinion, even if correct, is biased. A huge chunk of the people chiming in either weren't around for most or all of MJ's career or are old enough that MJ was more of their generation so they remember it fondly. I supposed I would be in the age range of someone qualified to comment as the Bulls dynasty years were basically my teens and the LeBron years were my 20s and 30s, but being a Bulls fan gives me bias. I honestly don't mind people calling Jordan and LeBron 1 and 1a. I think Jordan was better but if you get into those arguments there are numerous statistics and things you can point out that can make either side look better. All I know is that even LeBron was gawking when MJ showed up at the ASG last year for the 50 greatest players thing. Jordan's mere presence freezes everyone in the room in a way that no other past or present NBA player has. He carries himself like he knows he's the GOAT and doesn't care what you think (though surely he does care). Does that alone make him the greatest? Not at all of course. But I do think it keeps him in the conversation with LeBron for the rest of his life at least. That ASG thing last year is when the debate officially ended for me. Granted, like you, I am completely biased as a Bulls fan who was a teenager thru the double 3-peat. But that night, they announced the greatest players of all time, calling them out 1-by-1. The last player called out was Michael Jordan. Which in and of itself doesn't mean much. But the fact that Jordan was the last player out, got the biggest cheer from fans and players alike, and throw in the fact that LeBron was wearing a Jordan brand logo on his all star jersey and it was in Cleveland! LeBron's home town where he brought the only major sports title in the modern history of the city and Cleveland was the place where Jordan took his greatest to GOAT level by sticking a dagger in all those fans' hearts.

While this is true, the dictator coach stuff is also true. I doubt it will be a problem either way. Payton has won, is a big name, and will have the respect of Russ and the rest of the time. But he is Parcells 2.0.

Ciara or whatever her name is? I think he means Jesus. Russ is obnoxiously religious.

Is Payton's personality at all like Parcells'? I believe he coached under Bill when he was the Dallas HC, I wonder if he has any of the "dictator" type personality that Parcells had (use your own best work to describe him, that's the first thing that came to mind) 100% yes.

Yeah, I think I'm the opposite of UK. I think Anderson is the better prospect of the 2, but I almost prefer Carter based on how good this DE class is. Like just completely get a dominant potential interior w/ Payne and Carter. DE, you can hit in the 2nd (or 1st pick of the 3rd) and I like quite a few players there. Might not get a true stud, but if you do everything else right, you can go into 2024 and get a top edge rusher then and the guy you pick this year is a solid starter or depth. Plus, they should be adding a DE in free agency as well. Yea, 2006 Bears did it with Tommie and a bunch of good/decent ends, no true super hero Yep, and it's more or less the same scheme as Lovie's in 2006. Plus, Eberflus followed a similar pattern in Indianapolis as well. Spent big on getting his 3T, then filled DE with decent 5-8 sack upside guys and swings on Day 2 picks. A little disturbing that the Colts seemed, for the most part, to be pretty mediocre at picking DEs. None of their draft picks under Flus really even lived up to the 2nd or 3rd round picks used on them.

Obviously Anderson is a terrific prospect, but it's also supposed a deep DE class, with plenty of early round talent. No saying how Poles will grade Anderson or Carter next to the other DL who will be available. But yea, if they stay at 1 or 2 to ensure their top choice, I won't be upset. I'd love to pickup that extra 2024 FRP, but theres no guarantee such opportunities will even present themselves. Yeah, I think I'm the opposite of UK. I think Anderson is the better prospect of the 2, but I almost prefer Carter based on how good this DE class is. Like just completely get a dominant potential interior w/ Payne and Carter. DE, you can hit in the 2nd (or 1st pick of the 3rd) and I like quite a few players there. Might not get a true stud, but if you do everything else right, you can go into 2024 and get a top edge rusher then and the guy you pick this year is a solid starter or depth. Plus, they should be adding a DE in free agency as well.

Yeah, it's really tough to think about what happens if the Bears do trade down beyond the 4th pick. I think we all assume they like Carter and/or Anderson, but maybe they don't. And maybe if they do, they may have other prospects who they think are close. But if you trade all the way to 9, you might lose the other top DEs (Murphy, Wilson). It may be too early for WR, though maybe Johnston runs a 4.35 and is high pointing the crap out of the ball in workouts. It may be too early for OL, especially if they are dead set on Braxton Jones at LT. Or if they think Skoronski is more of a guard and they fill holes on the OL in free agency. Maybe they take a top CB, but I think most of us would hate a top pick used on CB 2 years in a row when they have bigger needs.

Or not. #-o Such a promising season down the drain. Well, actually.....

I think Indy has to trade up. They risk getting the 4th best QB if they sit still. Houston is taking a QB. Bears are trading down with someone. AZ could trade down also if they are offered a crazy package for the 3rd pick and the last of the top 3 QB prospects. I think the Indy pick is one of the best picks the Bears can get. They have a chance to get the best player in the draft this year and next year as I think the Colts will have a tough year. If I'm Poles, I try to get as much out of Indy as I can. If AZ doesn't trade down and takes the guy the Bears covet, they can then consider dropping back again to the team that wants that last top QB prospect. In other words, I feel like the Bears will be in another great spot to trade back a second time (or even a third time if they swapped with Houston, although highly unlikely). Yeah, Colts are an ideal trade partner. It makes so much sense. Division foe that needs a QB is sitting at 2. Years of vet QBs who haven't worked out. Likely going with an offensive coach (thinking Eagles OC gets the job, hence why no hire yet). They really need an identity as a franchise. And they have had good luck (pun intended) with drafting QBs at #1. Plus from the Bears perspective, they could be top 10 bad again next year. Also, as you said, if the Bears really like Carter and/or Anderson it gives them a shot to get either with a trade back. That being said, I think Carolina has close to the same level of desperation. Even down to a division foe potentially getting the QB they want as Tampa and Atlanta could trade up as well (NO has no 1st). Less obvious path to their division foe getting their guy, but also less obvious path to actually sit still and get their guy than the Colts. And if moving down from 1 to 9, you're talking potentially getting an absolute mint for the pick. Poles said he wants value, and if he's not sold on the top guys in this draft, this could be a more desirable trade.

Dealing with some insomnia and just thinking out loud a bit. So, I was completely wrong about what the Texans would do. I thought for sure they A) wouldn't hire a 3rd straight black coach or B) a 3rd straight black coach wouldn't accept a job he could get fired from in a year that the organization didn't even try to win. But I didn't take into account DeMeco Ryans being a former Texan player and team leader. I also assumed they wouldn't go with another black QB after the Deshaun Watson debacle, which only left Will Levis as a legit option for them early in the draft. But with Ryans, I don't think they'd shy away from a black QB fearing that he could be a rapist. And Ryans, coincedentally, went to Bama where one of the top QBs went, obviously in Bryce Young. From the rumors, it doesn't really sound like the Colts are big on Bryce Young and may prefer Levis or Stroud. That being said, they don't even have a coach yet, so they don't even know what type of offense they would run. But the Ryans hire could take away the Colts incentive to trade for #1 if they don't feel the Texans would take their guy.

A little short, as I reckon it. Need to add their 2024 2nd or their 2025 1st. Bears might need to toss a 2024 3rd or 4th back in their direction. I'd probably take that trade, TBH. DJ Moore isn't elite, but he's pretty good and good enough that you wouldn't really have to do anything else at the WR position. Moore, Claypool, Mooney, Jones Jr, St. Brown is solid enough that you could be done with that position and would have resources to use elsewhere, though wouldn't hate another small investment here as Claypool would likely walk after 2023. Pretty much a prerequisite for a trade down would be an early 2nd and a 2024 1st. Anything more than that is gravy. And a really good young WR is enough gravy to bite for me.

IDK if you meant RT, but I think Jones is set at LT. I think this regime loves him and he was their handpicked player on the OL. He had no real competition for snaps as a 5th round rookie, I doubt he will be moved after a full season of near adequate play. But I agree in general. I think the 1 big investment would be at DT. They tried to get a 3-tech last year with no money, deep FA class, even more money, arguably biggest need. No brainer. IDK if they'll make a star investment at OL. Those are really the only 2 (Brown, McGlinchey). I don't think Brown is a fit. McGlinchey will have a lot of suitors in the Shanahan tree. So, I think by default they may have to go to the 10M investment level on the OL, maybe even a couple of them. 15M+ DT 10M- OG, OT, WR, maybe 1 wildcard position (RB or CB) 6-9M- DE, maybe a LB Then depth signings everywhere else. While I like Anderson much better than Carter, I like DEs 2-10 MUCH better than DTs 2-5. Ideal would be trade back, get an early 2nd. Get Carter, OL, offensive weapon, and DE with the first 4 picks in top 65. Day 3, add another OL, another offensive weapon, a LB, and a CB

Multiple pick 6's against my Hoosiers last year. I agree on the safety thing, and not because he's white. LOL. I think he seems a little stiff to turn and run, and I think you can take advantage of his ball skills and long speed at FS and letting him just break downhill on the ball. That being said, the Bears are zone heavy, so I think he could be an outside CB in a zone scheme.

Pocic is from Chicago right? I know he went to Illinois. The local tie makes him a possibility, but I've always operated under the assumption they would give Patrick a shot to play the position he was brought in to play last year. Broke his hand in camp, then finally started at C and got hurt like 9 plays into it. That being said, he was a swing type player in GB so it's not an unfamiliar role for him. I prefer Risner. I'm surprised his projected contract is so reasonable per PFF (like 7M AAV). He seems to be a pretty solid guard.

DL and OL hit hard. Can't complain about that. One thing I will say, is it seems like overkill at C. If I'm drafting Schmitz, I'm putting him at C. I understand if he's not ready Day 1 to play C, but I wouldn't play him at LG. I'd let him snap it and leave him there. Of course, you might need to add a LG in that case because Whitehair and Patrick have shown they aren't good enough there. Also, Mustipher seems like overkill. Just don't tender him, because you know all those guys will get hurt in training camp and Mustipher will start all 17 games again. Also, I refuse to believe Moss is a CB. I know he has great speed, but he is white.

Do you mean 2024 1st? I wouldn't value a 1st round pick 2 years from now very much at all. But if you mean 2024 1st round pick, it's tougher. In general, I'd prefer the proverbial "bird in the hand" that is the current year's pick (high 2nd). But when you compare potential draft classes, next year probably looks better. I'd still take the current year pick, but it's much closer.

I will be royally pissed if we do not sign Payne if he's available. Clear need, young proven stud, lots of space. Guys like him don't hit the market more often than not. Can't afford to punt two offseasons in a row on some absurd value principle. It's not absurd at all. And there will be 30 other teams trying to sign him. It makes no sense to be pissed off if Payne decides to pick Miami over playing over Chicago or something. Just setting yourself up to be disappointed. But yeah, I explained the value thing. I don't think you are clear on what I am saying. Value does not mean, cheap.

I'm the one who said I think they would look for value guys. But yeah, they have to look into Payne if he's on the market. They have the money and the need. My question is if they want to spend what it takes to get a guy like Payne. There will likely be a bidding war and he'll likely reset the non-Donald DT market. If the demand to pay Payne that much isn't there, then I'd expect Poles to pounce. But I don't expect him to reset the market on anyone.

Someone summed it up in the Reddit comments. Fields loves to throw the ball deep and has the exact opposite roster he needs around him to play to his strengths. LOL. The OL can't hold up long enough for him to get the ball down the field effectively. He also threw the fewest number of tight window throws according to Next Gen Stats. So that basically means either guys aren't separating enough or he isn't anticipating well enough....which both are true. The tight window stuff, I don't really care about. If he doesn't want to throw into tight windows too much, then get guys that are better at getting open. But they really gotta protect him going forward. Heavy resources need to go into the OL this offseason. You can survive with Mooney, Claypool and whatever, but you gotta be able to execute a simple 3-5 step drop back passes. yea, their inability to do that gives me hope that Claypool/Mooney/whoever/Kmet can be a good corps in time. its so hard to tell when the dt is 2' from Fields face in less then 2 seconds Yep. Trevor Lawrence threw for 4100+ with Christian Kirk, Zay Jones, Evan Engram and Marvin Jones as his targets. Until this year, Kirk had never had a season as good as Mooney's 2021, Zay never had a season as good as Claypool's first 2 in Pittsburgh, and most of Engram's career was similar to Kmet's 2021. Jones was just a role player for them, which it remains to be seen if the Bears can even duplicate that production from WR3 by adding someone. But I think if you build up the OL to the point where you can allow Fields to throw at even a normal volume, then the Bears can come close to replicating those numbers.

Someone summed it up in the Reddit comments. Fields loves to throw the ball deep and has the exact opposite roster he needs around him to play to his strengths. LOL. The OL can't hold up long enough for him to get the ball down the field effectively. He also threw the fewest number of tight window throws according to Next Gen Stats. So that basically means either guys aren't separating enough or he isn't anticipating well enough....which both are true. The tight window stuff, I don't really care about. If he doesn't want to throw into tight windows too much, then get guys that are better at getting open. But they really gotta protect him going forward. Heavy resources need to go into the OL this offseason. You can survive with Mooney, Claypool and whatever, but you gotta be able to execute a simple 3-5 step drop back passes.

The Sulley tweets and responses here have me dying. LOL. Also, horsefeathers Gabriel. He blocked me years ago for pointing out something he said was wrong. He was on one of his "I did this professionally kick" and said something and I "Well actually'd" him and he blocked me immediately.

Tom Brady retiring again. Seems to be final this time.

Honestly, not familiar with him at all. I'll check him out. Been an interesting journey.... LSU Last Chance U Mizzou Nichols St. UIW Those are the colleges he attended.... 24 yo. Mobile, accuracy is plus, avg. arm strength... Walter Payton athlete of the year. Broke FCS record for TDs. Very good showing at predraft events.. Oh OK. I have actually heard of him. I remember him at LSU and I saw him at Incarnate Word and Nichols the last couple years in the FCS. Watched his playoff game vs. No Dakota State this year.