WrigleyField 22

And 29th in points is actually worse than last year. 17.9 ppg is a full FG less than last year. And not having a reliable QB is not an argument to excuse him running the ball the 4th fewest times. Sure it is, he thinks passing moves the ball better, and he'd be right, regardless of the QB. It would seem to me that being 4th from the bottom in rushing ratio would have more of a relevant causative relationship with total yards, rather than scores. So the 4th in rushing ratio isn't necessarily a bad thing, and it's certainly not apparently related to their issues with scoring. They just had a bunch of turnovers in the red zone. Haven't found the stat for TO specifically, but they have a higher red zone scoring % this year then last (by TD%) so I'm not sure that TOs are the reason.

If I had to guess, the improvement in yards is in large part to the D actually being able to get off the field this year. Last years O was definitely better.

Hoosier! Gotta give some credit to the OL, especially with Long missing a ton and Sitton also missing time. But none of the other backs have close to the same numbers. So, Howard is clearly making the biggest difference. Also, shoutout to Cameron Meredith who has solidified his spot in the WR corps when the Bears really needed someone to step up due to White's lack of development. 62 catches, 800+ yards. An outside shot at 70/1,000. I think he's shown upside of a (very) low end #1 WR, which he may hit if he can cure the drops and fumbling. Not enough to make me want to let Jeffery leave, but if the Bears could get Eric Berry and a Kenny Stills for basically the same amount as Jeffery will cost....I'd take that option. Like the idea on the last part. Might want one more Stills level FA still and make White earn the second/third spot. Thompson or Bellamy can stay on as Special Teamers and Braverman or NFL roster fodder as 5th WR.

Could be two buck chuck inside, but really not paying for the wine. It will stay sealed for a long time.

Why do you think Tyrod Taylor has this untapped potential? Hes been in the league a while and will have accrued 30 starts by next week. Not saying he can't improve some, or that hes a bad QB as is, but not one I'd give up assets for. And whether its this year or next, he wont be cheap on the open market.

Also bought one of these for myself and one for my parents from Costco (for much cheaper than listed here) https://www.manoswine.com/mlb-wine/chicago-cubs/chicago-cubs-world-series-champions

Just two ornaments so far, but we're not doing my extended family's full Christmas until New Years which is when I should see at least a couple things.

Nah- losing this game is the reverse spoiler for them.

I am taking more offense to the sentiment that the Bears aren't sold on any QB, or shouldn't be sold on any at #3. If they aren't sold on a QB, then they suck at evaluating football. If they do like Watson best, but know he won't go at 25, then yes they should take him 3-6, because they don't have a pick between 3-6 and 25 where he will likely go. Not getting a good QB is not acceptable. You can't just chalk it up as "oh, the guy we wanted didn't last til our 2nd pick". And trading up to get him requires 2 to tango and the loss of more resources. You can't argue getting value by waiting on a QB and then also advocate losing value by trading up. I don't see the point of stopgapping. Cutler is a stopgap. Pace's Bears gave him a legit shot to be the guy, but basically he would've been gone 2 years ago if not for the money owed to him. And developmental QBs in the 3rd-5th rounds don't exist. Those are the Matt Barkleys and Brian Hoyers of the world. Every once in a while you luck up and get a Russell Wilson, Dak Prescott or a Kirk Cousins (and Wilson and Prescott didn't develop they were just thrown in there and immediately delivered), but those are clearly the exceptions. I actually am not a huge fan of Kizer. I have him as the 3rd QB after Watson and Trubisky. I want Watson (and would take him 3-6), I'd be OK with Trubisky (and be ok with taking him 3-6), and I'd hope for the best with Kizer if the Bears do take him 3-6, but I wouldn't personally take him that high. I know it's not the end of the world if the Bears don't get any of the 3, but it sure as hell seems like a continuation of the current world where the QB is simply not good enough. I agree I dont see the point of giving up resources (other than money) for a stopgap. I'll understand if they decide to just walk away from Cutler, but not to turn around and give up picks for another stopgap. Re: the draft. The rate of failure is awful up and down the draft, but it does pretty much fizzle out completely after the 4th. The bottom line is they have to start putting themselves in the game. I am not dismissing a first round QB and/or a 3rd/4th round development guy. So they do have to maintain some truth to their board, but I do agree that waiting around for the perfect QB prospect is not a viable option either. If I had to guess a QB the Bears would take its Kizer. Seems like he has the biggest ceiling and thats been Paces MO. That said, his high picks have also graded out pretty strong in the football character department. So I think the combine process will be important (not for the athletic testing), and if he has Kizer and Watson graded with a similar ceiling, but sees more drive out of one, that may make the determination. And while I'm fine with them grading Watson as top 10 and taking him there (even if signs point to him being available later) I'd be annoyed if they had the same grade as everyone else and jumped that early. Not that we'd ever really know if that was the case.

If you think one of those guys has a reasonable chance of a Flacco/Ryan type career, you pull the trigger if Garrett/Allen go 1-2. But yea, you definitely don't want to be forcing a QB at the top pick. That said, I think they really need to pick a QB by round 4 (regardless of whatever else they decide about the position). After round 4 is where even finding a serviceable starter all but goes out the window. And I'd even be alright forcing in the 2nd or 3rd round.

They need to take a QB in the first 4 rounds, at minimum, IMO.

If they identify a guy they like, dont mess around, take him at 3 (or 4).

Fivethirtyeight.com just had a good article on this. Cubs had one of the biggest salary spikes ever in a two year period. They compared them with the 97 Marlins.

Also, not surprisingly, no pro bowlers for the Bears. I would think Howard has the best chance to be an alternate replacement once banged up vets withdraw.

Wow. I would have flipped the D and O ratings for sure.

Regression to the mean was always inevitable. Hoyer didn't last long enough for it to happen. Barkley has. Maybe. He wouldn't be my choice for QB over the next 5 years but I think he'd be a solid backup PS anyone know when Alshon Jeffrey's suspension is over? Eh I'd still consider him a backup option, but the Barkley as starter was picking up some steam.

I'm no draft pro but I see a lot of people not enamored with any of the QBs as a top 5-7 pick. Pace says he's a BPA guy and I believe it based on his first 2 drafts. I don't think anyone necessarily believes Barkley is our long term QB but he hasn't necessarily eliminated himself as an Alex Smith type QB that's adequate on a good team but could be upgraded. So if the Bears scouts are in love with a guy in top 5 they'd take him but they aren't going to reach for a 1st round QB if they like another guy better IMO because they feel good enough that Hoyer or Barkley wouldn't be a disaster at QB next year. Of course I'm typing this as he commits turnovers on 4 consecutive possessions. Whoops Regression to the mean was always inevitable. Hoyer didn't last long enough for it to happen. Barkley has.

Jesus, Montgomery is just killing us. Meanwhile Howard doing nothing.

Its equal parts amusing and terrifying to me. It is like a name that only some "coastal elitist" writer who has never been to the deep south would come up with for their over-the-top redneck character. But nope, its a real person. isn't it pretty much the same name as the mass reproducing reality tv guy with the pedo-son? True, Duggar is pretty bad, but its still no Cooter.

Its equal parts amusing and terrifying to me. It is like a name that only some "coastal elitist" writer who has never been to the deep south would come up with for their over-the-top redneck character. But nope, its a real person.

http://fivethirtyeight.com/features/the-nfl-is-botching-kickoff-returns/ I'm surprised they were so good last year, but the Bears really suck at deciding when the return kicks this year (vs taking touchbacks)

I might even consider them at 4 if they don't get a good move down offer, even though both may be RTs. If we can be so bold as to make predictions about Pace after two drafts though, he will pick the higest upside guy available. That could point to a QB, or it could he something unexpected.

Salaries are already huge for the non mega-stars (Lebron, Curry, Durant etc). The low-middle class guys cleaned up this past offseason. A drop in the bucket to the continued raises that are coming.

http://www.si.com/nba/2016/12/14/nbpa-nba-labor-negotiations-cba-deal-lockout-update General NBA talk... Salaries are going to start getting huge. Also introduction of two way contracts for D League players.

Mine hasnt changed since an email I got on March 23; 18,902.