raw

I wanted to stay put and hope for Samuel Cosmi. Last I looked he was the highest rated rookie OL in football per PFF. I loved Jenkins as a prospect, but I felt the Bears needed more of a guy who could play LT instead of a RT. I loved the player, hated the trade up even at the time. Ironically though, Jenkins was going to be handed the LT position in Chicago and Cosmi is at RT for WFT. Cosmi also went 1 pick before the Bears original pick to Washington. If the Bears had stayed put and the draft still unfolded the way it did (Bears started a run of 6 OTs in 15 picks), I would have LOVED Terrace Marshall in the 2nd and Spencer Brown in the 3rd. If Cosmi's not still the top rookie OT, then I'm pretty sure it's Brown who's been pretty good for Buffalo so far. Would have been a killer draft and still possible to get Borom, Herbert, and Tonga. I don't care about the side thing in Jenkins but in hindsight got too caught up bein excited about a guy I liked as a possible pick at 20. Seemed like a steal, but yea there were multiple options, either at Tackle or elsewhere (I know you glossed over the Humphrey suggestion, but Mustipher probably is the weakest part of this line) Creed Humphrey was a guy worthy of a 1st round pick as well, who would have been a steal in the 2nd. But he was never a realistic pick for the Bears. They didn't bring in a vet to compete with Mustipher in the offseason. They surely weren't going to give him competition (or replace him) with a rookie, no matter how highly regarded. They tried drafting a young C 4 years ago and Daniels had to be moved to guard in less than 1/2 a season because he couldn't handle certain things at the position right away. There's no way they were going to risk that happening again with another young C.

I wanted to stay put and hope for Samuel Cosmi. Last I looked he was the highest rated rookie OL in football per PFF. I loved Jenkins as a prospect, but I felt the Bears needed more of a guy who could play LT instead of a RT. I loved the player, hated the trade up even at the time. Ironically though, Jenkins was going to be handed the LT position in Chicago and Cosmi is at RT for WFT. Cosmi also went 1 pick before the Bears original pick to Washington. If the Bears had stayed put and the draft still unfolded the way it did (Bears started a run of 6 OTs in 15 picks), I would have LOVED Terrace Marshall in the 2nd and Spencer Brown in the 3rd. If Cosmi's not still the top rookie OT, then I'm pretty sure it's Brown who's been pretty good for Buffalo so far. Would have been a killer draft and still possible to get Borom, Herbert, and Tonga.

My God.

I think the Bears are trying the quick passing game. The problem is the extent of their quick passing game is to have all the WRs run 5 yards, turn and stop. Stop routes don't work to Fields' strengths as he doesn't anticipate throws well. He's not a guy that's going to have the ball out before a WR comes out of his break. He's a "see it open, throw it" type of QB (Cutler was too FWIW). So, the coaching staff is doing him no favors. Also, the Bears haven't executed or maybe even attempted a screen pass since the long Cohen TD in 2018. Isn't that supposedly the best way to slow down a pass rush? I think they attempted one screen to Herbert against the Pack that he dropped. You're right. It also wouldn't have been successful. But yeah, every other team seems to be able to do basic stuff like this.

I think people in protocol due to close contract can get out of it with 2 negative tests. Unless it's a situation where test was on Saturday, results weren't known till after the game Sunday, and it's 7 days from test? I would assume no symptoms and previously vaccinated can get him back by Sunday with a couple negative tests late in the week. Yes. For a vaccinated player/coach pretty sure it's 5 days from the test. If he has no symptoms, he can test negative Saturday and Sunday morning and be good to coach the game. If unvaccinated, it would be 10 days minimum. I'm pretty sure I read in camp that 100% of all coaching staffs league-wide are vaccinated. Those who aren't were already fired.

I think the Bears are trying the quick passing game. The problem is the extent of their quick passing game is to have all the WRs run 5 yards, turn and stop. Stop routes don't work to Fields' strengths as he doesn't anticipate throws well. He's not a guy that's going to have the ball out before a WR comes out of his break. He's a "see it open, throw it" type of QB (Cutler was too FWIW). So, the coaching staff is doing him no favors. Also, the Bears haven't executed or maybe even attempted a screen pass since the long Cohen TD in 2018. Isn't that supposedly the best way to slow down a pass rush?

Already an interesting storyline for this upcoming Sunday..... May get a glimpse into life with an interim head coach. Matt Nagy has the Covid. I would assume he's vaccinated, so he may be able to be cleared in time for this game if he shows no symptoms. For those counting that is: Damien Williams, Caleb Johnson, Robert Quinn, Jimmy Graham, Elijah Wilkinson, and now Matt Nagy who have gotten Covid in the last 2 weeks. Had Goldman, Ifedi and a couple linemen with it earlier this year. So, this probably isn't the last we've heard from the virus this week.

Robinson would make a TON of sense to trade, but haven't even heard whispers about him even being available. He's not productive right now. He's clearly disgruntled and his effort appears lacking from my eyes (which could be wrong obviously). Of course, part of the issue is he has a big cap hit and can't negotiate a new deal as a franchise tagged player. But I do wonder if the Bears could get a young WR and a 3rd or 4th for him. Maybe the Rams would be willing to give up Van Jefferson and a 4th to make a big SB run. Maybe the Jets would trade Denzel Mims and a 3rd for the chance to lure Robinson there long-term after the season. Maybe the Ravens (who made midseason trades the last couple years) would take an experienced WR for Devin Duvernay and a 4th. I don't think the rest of those guys are tradeable.

See here's what I don't like about this. Everybody pressured Nagy into playing Fields. Nagy told everyone he wasn't ready. But clearly the pressure from outside and above influenced his decision to start Fields. You can't now say he should sit Fields because he's not ready. Will a bad coach crush him more than getting benched for poor performance after 5 games? Essentially, we made our bed and now we have to lie in it. It’s a tough call no doubt. But Dalton‘s injury also influenced this decision. I think you can sit Fields back down and have it not be for poor performance in the sense that the organization feels he’s not good enough. I think it can be done in a way that is less damaging to his future than continuing to send him out there right now. I don't know how distinguishing the reason why he's getting benched would matter. Fields isn't stupid, he knows he's not playing well. He knows if they bench him, it will be because of his performance.

See here's what I don't like about this. Everybody pressured Nagy into playing Fields. Nagy told everyone he wasn't ready. But clearly the pressure from outside and above influenced his decision to start Fields. You can't now say he should sit Fields because he's not ready. Will a bad coach crush him more than getting benched for poor performance after 5 games? Essentially, we made our bed and now we have to lie in it.

The narrative will be that Nagy should be fired, just like it was against the Packers, Rams, and Browns. But IDK what a coach is supposed to do in a game like this. The Bears are moving the pocket, they are max protecting at times, they changed the personnel at RT, they are running the ball, they are throwing the ball down the field trying to do everything to help Fields out.....he's just playing like crap, against the same defense that made Patrick Mahomes look like crap and provided the blueprint that has been used this year to stop him. The Raiders and Bengals wins now look very good. The Bears are showing that they are not a team that can hang with elite contenders like Tampa, GB, a healthy Browns team, and LAR. We already knew that. But they have 2 more games against the NFL's elite. They have a decent chance to win every other game on their schedule. They won't, but as Denny Green said, "they are who we thought they were". They're a mediocre team dependent on a good defense that can win them games against other mediocre teams.

For those scoring at home, 4 TDs in this half for Tom Brady. 3 passing TDs for the Bears this year.

James Daniels has a huge ass.

Mostly solid coverage. Johnson got beat on the deep one, but anything other than a perfect throw and he breaks it up.

It may not be the best idea to have your 4th RT, who knew he was starting an hour ago, block a good edge rusher 1 on 1 on an obvious passing down. How many more horsefeathering times you gotta see it?

Decision was fine. Robinson was wide open. He threw it too far and behind him. ARob going toward sideline, Fields left the ball at the numbers.

I mean, even under the circumstance where Nagy gives up the playcalling, am I really supposed to buy in that Lazor is going to be the guy for the offense? I'm really skeptical Nagy can recruit a top offensive mind to run the ship because who's gonna really buy in that it's theirs to control? So you either need to bring in someone capable of fixing the offense themselves, or it's a D/ST coach and they can at least offer control of the offense to a strong OC candidate. Not wanting to switch coaches on a young QB is the only reason to keep Nagy, but not a good enough one. Fields hasn't exactly looked like he's mastered this offense, and it hasn't been geared to his strengths. And even with Nagy not calling plays, this is still one of the 3 worst offensive teams in the league. That's just not acceptable. Probably have to go with an offensive guy as the next coach. The thing about a defensive coach w/ a strong OC is that when those strong OCs have a good showing, other teams want them as a head coach. So, you essentially have to find a strong OC with strong assistants coming along with him, who are capable of taking over if the OC gets a HC job. The best guy for that was Brandon Staley, who came from the Fangio defense and had ties to the McVay offense.

Vuc is not a bad defender. He’s a slow defender and when playing with wings who can’t get over screens, a liability to your pick and roll defense. But he positions himself well, uses his body well, and alters shots without fouling. He’s also a solid defensive rebounder. I was discussing this with some friends last night...How is Coby going to get playing time? Who is giving up minutes? TBJ is the only guy I’d maybe like to see reduced minutes from. Maybe you can rest DD more and insert Coby in with the new bench mob to provide the instant offense. Yeah TBJ and Ayo will probably be the odd men out (they are kind of splitting a role now). But it should be short term as they showcase Coby for a trade for another big.

It's really hard to say what they will do with some guys because it should be a new GM. But if Pace manages to survive, I'd bet on the OL being status quo on the interior. He'll re-sign Daniels and probably won't pencil Mustipher in on the bench. He spent 5 years ignoring the line, can't see him doubling up on big moves there. Plus it's hard to say what a new coach would envision on the OL. The Bears have kind of built a power blocking group but maybe the next coach wants a quick, athletic OL.

Davante Adams kind of beat him pretty solidly on Sunday. Not a ton of catches, but a couple big plays. But IIRC, they had to move him to the slot, in a position that Johnson isn't used to playing, in order to have success. Johnson shut him down on the outside whenever Adams was lined up there. Slot corner is a major need for this team. Vildor might be better in the slot than the boundary, but Shelley & the rest are pretty underwhelming. Let's see what their other major needs are now/this offseason: LT Jenkins insurance RT Starter or Borom insurance RG if Daniels not resigned C upgrade on Mustipher (maybe not major) WR to replace ARob WR to fill out balance of roster after Mooney TE to replace Graham (resign James maybe) SS if Gipson not resigned It feels like there is still so much work to do to this roster, and next draft will be 2, 3, 5, 5, 6 (I don't think we'll be getting any comp picks based on all the needs and not much in the way of attractive FA leaving) Cap space for all the above is going to be tight, even with a cost controlled rookie contract QB and LT (and maybe RT) Not really worried about TE and SS. Graham is a non-factor now, no need to really replace him. I'm fine with re-signing James and throwing Horstead out there more. Maybe add another body late in the draft or a cheap vet FA if you need a 4th, but I don't think they do. SS, they need to get rid of Gipson. Bush is on IR, but DHC should get a long look as a starter this week with Gipson out. If he shows well, I wouldn't give Gipson the job back. But the Bears have been just fine on defense with replacement level SS play. And that's with Jackson no longer being an elite player (though he is still really good in coverage, which is overshadowed by his abysmal tackling). Maybe one of those 5ths like Amos was. Another cheap vet. DHC and Bush can be re-signed as usual for cheap. On OL, I feel like 1 really good player could go a long way. I love Daniels, and while he'll be a rare 24-year old FA, I don't think he'll ever be "really good". Whitehair won't ever be really good, just solid. You'd hope 1 of Jenkins or Borom is really good, and I'd give both a shot to show they aren't as soon as they are healthy. But Mustipher is bad. You can get away with Musty if you have a really good RG next to him. Or you get a really good C and bump Musty back to the bench. The problem is I don't think you can get "really good" and re-sign Daniels. And there's a lot of good guards in this FA class. You can get another Peters/Ifedi/Wilkinson at any point during the offseason. They'd be wise to use one of the 5 picks on the OL too just to keep the talent flowing. Nickel is a huge need, but is typically filled cheaply. Lot of interesting CBs in this draft, including guys that can play the slot. You can get cheap production at nickel on Day 3 of the draft (like they did with Callahan), but maybe best guy available with that 3rd rounder and move Vildor to NCB if you have to. Sure they'll bring in vets as well. WR will be interesting to me. The only guys under contract next year are Mooney and the practice squad guys (Newsome, Coulter, Adams, Webster). Robinson certainly won't be back and I'd wish they'd dangle him over the next 10 days to a contender. But I think the Bears should focus on WRs that get separation, which fits Fields' strengths. They went for speed this year with Goodwin, Byrd, and the never used Perriman, but they are just fast. They need fast guys that can actually run routes and separate from defenders. I'd look at guys like Cooks, Will Fuller, maybe Gallup (probably can't afford Courtland Sutton but he'd be ideal). Then they probably have to spend that 2nd on a WR. After that, gotta hope a PS guy (or 2) steps up.

Yeah, that's the good part. 22 yards per catch is the bad part. 32 and 47 yard catches allowed along with a DPI call (albeit weak). Did hold him out of the endzone as well. Wasn't trying to knock Johnson. Adams beats everybody, and it took taking Johnson into the slot, where he's not comfortable, to only beat Johnson a couple times. Adams is the best route runner in the sport, correct? Nah. I still think Diggs and a couple others are up there. Best over 6'? Probably

Davante Adams kind of beat him pretty solidly on Sunday. Not a ton of catches, but a couple big plays. But IIRC, they had to move him to the slot, in a position that Johnson isn't used to playing, in order to have success. Johnson shut him down on the outside whenever Adams was lined up there. All I know is that in his last 29 games, Davante has had 5 or less targets and 4 or less receptions in only 1 other game. He's a target and reception hog and we held him to 4 catches on 5 targets. Yeah, that's the good part. 22 yards per catch is the bad part. 32 and 47 yard catches allowed along with a DPI call (albeit weak). Did hold him out of the endzone as well. Wasn't trying to knock Johnson. Adams beats everybody, and it took taking Johnson into the slot, where he's not comfortable, to only beat Johnson a couple times.

TBH he was pretty invisible. But also have to remember he's still getting back into shape due to his injury, and this is the 2nd game he has played with most of these guys. I only watched the 2nd half and I didn't even notice him on the floor until the end for defense. Don't think he played many minutes.

Davante Adams kind of beat him pretty solidly on Sunday. Not a ton of catches, but a couple big plays. But IIRC, they had to move him to the slot, in a position that Johnson isn't used to playing, in order to have success. Johnson shut him down on the outside whenever Adams was lined up there.

I don't hate a young franchise building block publicly hating on his bad head coach.