madlithuanian

I don't think he's expensive. I believe he's still on his rookie contract that looks like it runs out next year. (All that said, I don't expect him to last past his rookie contract.) https://overthecap.com/player/jonathan-bullard/4785/ Current Contract Year Age Base Salary (Guaranteed) Bonuses Cap Number Cap % Dead Money & Cap Savings Cut (pre-June 1) Cut (post-June 1) Trade (pre-June 1) Trade (post-June 1) Restructure Extension Prorated Roster Workout Other 2016 23 $450,000 $206,630 $0 $0 $0 $656,630 0.4% 2017 24 $599,000 $206,630 $0 $0 $0 $805,630 0.5% 2018 25 $718,000 $206,630 $0 $0 $0 $924,630 0.5% $413,260 $511,370 2019 26 $820,000 $206,630 $0 $0 $0 $1,026,630 0.5% $206,630 $820,000 Total $2,587,000 $826,520 $0 $0 $0 $3,413,520

Sure, depth helps...but it's not like our D doesn't have some depth. We have Nichols, RRH, Kwit, Irving, Lynch... To spell Mack and Hicks for a number of downs, those aren't bad options. No back-up will really play up to the level of the starter. But, you've got to rest these guys. Agreed on Fitts and Irving...they should be out there. If just for a few plays just to feel them out.

Agreed. Semes like our D is gassed. I don't think Fangio's rotation is remotely good. Hicks is in on too many plays. So is a gimpy Mack. Mack should sit until it's 3rd down and they need a pass rush at maximum. The S/T's have been atrocious since Toub left. Cunningham looks like Keith Traylor running. Can we get a better return man? Dang. The punt block sucked. But it rarely happens.

Agreed. At least, compared to the last number of seasons...this is entertaining. We see positives. I expect growing pains all year. But, I can honestly say, that I feel we will be competitive in every game. We couldn't say that for a while.

Bellamy should not see the offensive field at all unless it is only due to injury or needing a breather. If so, no pass should go his way ever. Same for Sims. I don't care which WR is supposed to be so and so's back up...bad things happen when the ball is thrown towards Bellamy, Sims and Braunacher. No more.

Doubly so...

The coaching staff is still learning. I imagine as the weather cools down, Howard will heat up.

I rejoice in their woes!

He gets this season and more than likely all of next. Unless it's somehow off the rails.

Great takes and thank you for being a great 12th man!

Cheers!

We are all victims of horrifically run years in the past. So, many can have an inclination to micro-manage and see so many issues and problems w/o seeing the big picture. I'm guilty of it for sure. That said, I really just wanted to take a step back and count our blessings as a Bears fan. Besides our storied history, great city, and rabid fan-base...what we are seeing now with this team I think it truly special. 1. We have a HC that's got potential. And he's up-front and honest with the media and fans. He's likable. He's surrounded himself with some good assistants too. Especially on the OL. 2. We have a DC that is excellent. Fangio has provided this team with consistency on the D side of the ball. He's got pedigree and has made the most out of what we've had for years. 3. THE D!!! Holy Halas Batman! This D had gone from a top ten...to arguably the best in the league! And we're not even up to speed yet! The preseason was non-existent and (maybe) our 2 best players weren't around for camp. Roquan and Mack have added so much. And they appear a little gassed late in the games. But, I think they are getting better each week. Oddly, the bye week might be a blessing being early. The D-Line is on time! Goldman is playing the nose so well! Hicks is a beast! And RRH & Lynch look solid. The LB corps is arguable the best we've had since 85. Even the 200's only really had Url and Briggs. Hunter was solid, but not Mack, Floyd, Trevathan and Smith! This is a group so fun to watch! The secondary is still our weakest link, but the front 7 make their job easier. Fuller's had some errors, but it's 2 games. Amos and Jackson have also had errors... But I think those errors will start turning into positives soon. They simply need more time on the field. 4. The positive turnover on O. A-Rob, Burton, Gabriel. All positive upgrades from the last...decade? 5. Tried and true on the O. Jordan Howard is the man. He's not been asked of much yet. But I think that'll start the change. Additionally, the OL is solid. Kyle is healthy and Whitehair is doing better than last season . Yes, we still need to upgrade a bit. But the guys we have, plus Daniels down the road should be more than acceptable. 6. The potential of Tru. We can all poo-poo last season with no coaching or WR help...or the last 2 games . We've seen flashes. Not spic flashes. But solid flashes. We've also seen some rookie mistakes. Our wagon is hitched to this horse. So, comparing to Watson, Mahomes, or anyt-one including Joe Montana is kind of irrelevant. He's our future. At minimum for 2 more seasons. At max, for a decade! I hope it's the latter. Experts and many here said growing pains and the roller coaster ride is expected for this season with the new game plan and that he's simply not had all that many starts in college or pro. We need to give this time. Be upset when he messes up. Be happy when he excels. But, enjoy the ride. It'll be bumpy. But, I have a feeling, after about week 8, we will see what Nagy and other feel they have in him. Tru is very likable and I can't help rooting for the guy. This is a project. 7. MACK! Yeah, I already mentioned him in item 3...but...MACK! Seriously. Wow. The Chicago LB tradition continues! This guy's impact is just astronomical! That said, this season, it doesn't push us tot he SB. But it sure as hell pushes us into legit contention for a wild card. Vegas has us barely at 7 wins before he came around. I think he's worth 2 more wins. We go 9-7. There's potential for more...or less. But, imagine that D with another year under Fangio's system w/ an acclimated Roquan on top of it? And probably some new blood as well. 8. Expectations raised. As mentioned, Mack increases expectation. But it doesn't swing it into the stratosphere. We should be better. But, we must temper that with knowledge that the O will take some time. Between new play calling, Tru's grooming, and all else...it'll take some time. The difference is that we have an amazing team to watch every down, every game, every week! This is fun again! I'm going to the Tampa game in 2 weeks, and couldn't be more excited! Let's go Bears!

Great post!

Kudo' Danny! Mack certainly helped, but Danny kicked some a$$!

No thank you. We need help in the secondary, not another WR. Especially one with such a spotty track record.

Seriously... Either pitch it to Burton or run it in!

Agreed! The experiment looks like a fail. That said, ultimately it probably doesn't matter a whole lot in the grand scheme of the season. He got more out of Last Sunday than all of a preseason would have given him. I'm actually kind of looking at game one as preseason for all involved. If we learn, it's worth it. If not, seats will be hot.

100%

Well put...

Spot on Mongo... I really think everyone's day after takes here are pretty accurate. My 3 big takeaways are... 1. There was enough in the 1st half that can give us hope that when it's clicking, we could be really good to excellent. 2. There was enough in the 2nd half that scares me. Playcalling that resembled Fox's. Not running Howard. Tru looking like the moment was too big for him. 3. That D will be amazing. Mack is the real deal and Roquan flashed enough to get me excited. I think the D will hit on all cylinders by week 3, but the O...who knows?

https://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2018/09/07/bears-extend-nose-tackle-eddie-goldmans-deal/

Floyd has proven to be a little too fragile. Pace should make a move to acquire another imp[act OLB.

I think my voted are in...let me know if you don't have them

Relief...

Man, I sadly tend to agree... I suppose some blame lies on Pace for not seeing that there could be some issues by virtue of how he handled looking at UCLA and Georgia when he went into college. Although, that said, I'm not sure if it was a big enough blight. It appears so now, but only given what we are seeing now. Also, was there any way to know who his agents were before the draft? If not, then there's nothing Pace could have done. But if he did know it was CAA...maybe he should have taking the Bosa thing into account. Going forward, I'd sure try to avoid players using CAA barring rare exceptions. I have nothing to base my gut feeling on, but I fear he will not sign and go back into the draft next year. I'm ok with that. S&%^ happens. Pace needs to learn from it next draft. We do save cap room and maybe make a play for Mack and give up 2 firsts. Who knows. All I know, is the D should be better even w/o a guy who sin't officially on our team. Just kind of so disappointing about a guy so highly praised for character and "sure thing" when we drafted him, to something that is far from that as of now. I also have huge concerns that even if we get him to sign, the next contract will be an absolute nightmare. Do we want to invest so much in someone that might not be around in 3 years? Yeah, it's still early and he can still prove himself. But right now, I only root for Bears players. He ain't one.