BearFan PHX

The Bears have been constituted as an outside zone blocking line, and we had lighter more agile athletes. Ben Johnson ran all kinds of schemes in Detroit, and outside zone was only one of them. I think he likes bigger bodies. And I agree about the weight room and the strength and conditioning coach. We have been like a resort of a football team. So let me ask a question that will not be popular at this moment. Poles was an OL, but we didnt make them lift, and we didn't demand the "HITS" principles from anyone. If Poles had been a WR, I might understand, but since he played a position where discipline and effort are so central - how did he let the culture get to where it was?! it's not a good sign. Can we win with this staff if Poles serves them and their vision well? Sure. But I dont see Poles providing any leadership back in the other direction to the coaches.

I totally agree about free agents. there are so many misses. I was just thinking more about the last thing you said, that you would prefer not to roll with the guys from last year, and through the draft is better if you pick the right guys. And i guess we only have so many draft picks each year plays into the analysis too. So yeah, now im not surprised

Assuming we can make it work under the cap, which it looks like we should (getting a bargain because CLE paid the guaranteed money) Id be all for it. I also expect IOL players to be signed in free agency, although we should also be drafting some as well.

Im surprised to hear you say this. I would have guessed that you were a "replace everyone" kind of guy as it relates to this position room right now. I dont necessarily disagree about Shelton, but i do think bringing Jenkins back is a mistake. He's just too injured, and i think he gives a false sense of security that the position is addressed. Now if it's a really friendly deal, and youre expecting a rookie to replace him by like week 6 or something, then I understand it. I did just write about filling holes short term pre draft, but i worry about relying on him too much?

What an extraordinary life she had. Of course my thoughts go out to her family and loved ones, as with any passing. That is the private family stuff, because these are real people living actual lives, so all respect to them. Out here, in the sports world, talk will inevitably turn to the effect on the team. I cant pretend that I have liked the McCaskeys as owners. I know it's a matter of "Careful what you wish for" in terms of new ownership. We seem to just now be putting pieces together, and a new owner might want to rip that apart and put his stamp on things. That would be terrible right now. But eventually, with the right owner, things could get even better for our franchise, so I look forward to that.

smart stuff

The Packers center is available too. And we have all been watching this long enough to know that you NEVER go into the draft with "holes" you always bring in free agents so you dont have to reach at a position. When we brought in Glennon for example, everyone thought it was a mistake because he wasnt that good, but the plan was for Trubisky to take the starting position from him. When we brought in Dalton, same thing. Some fans thought they were serious contenders to start, especially because of the money we paid them, but it is often true that you bring in free agents, only to draft their replacements soon after. So yes, I expect lots of free agents before the draft to fill every "need" position. Many will be backup quality, or borderline journeyman starter types, and not big money guys, but we wont go into the draft bare. We never do. So I expect those signings, and I also think we should evaluate those guys (in some cases) as depth and contingency guys, rather than swing and miss guys when they dont work out. It gives you the flexibility to go BPA at least somewhat, so you dont have to reach to fill holes. And doubly so if we are trading down on draft day.

If he only costs a first and a future 2nd, id do that deal easily. We could spend that first on an edge rusher this year anyway.

true, but if someone is offering 3 firsts, they arent going to trade him to us for a single first and a third for example, no matter how much Garrett hates it. If on the other hand, he has a clause, and they NEED to trade or cut him for cap reasons, and he wants to play in Chicago, that would be different. Im not saying any of this will happen, just saying that youre right about CLE not wanting to look bad, but only within reason?

Yes, that's the right way to value a future pick for sure. and the plot thickens! I wonder if Garrett has a clause where he has to approve where he's being traded to. I would imagine that he does. And if your analysis is correct (and it seems right to me) then better for CLE to get something rather than nothing, so who knows what draft picks it might take to get Garrett if he wants to come here. I'm obviously engaging in that wishful fan thinking, but it is the season

re: the Jimmy Johnson chart - use this one instead - it's more modern and made to fit the last 20 years of actual trades. its much closer to how the teams value the picks, because it is mathematically derived from all the trades over that period of time. https://www.drafttek.com/NFL-Trade-Value-Chart-Rich-Hill.asp

without knowing any specific players yet to target, a trade down this year seems like a good idea in general.

there will be times we will get burned by being aggressive too, and most likely we will blame the players for getting beaten, but I agree that i find it so much more appealing to fight than to play it safe in a constant zone. Now, of course there is a time and place for zones too. if the offense knows it's gonna be man before the snap, they will beat us. But the same goes for knowing we will be in zone too. I'm excited to attack on both sides of the ball. I also agree there will be a learning curve, so we will need to be patient. High risk brings high reward, but it also brings times you lose, and as you said, we will lose more at first until we get used to it. As for Byard, I agree we will need veteran leadership. I had heard that another big name free agent safety will be available, and it is possible we could get rid of Byard, and bring that guy in instead (I forget his name) but either way your point remains - veteran leadership at the safety position.

Obviously Poles' job is safe for a while. And it's too late to change him even if we didn't think so, so all that is a given. But he focused on the OL last year, and laid an egg, and he kept Eberflus, which was also a terrible move. I'm not sold on him being our best option, but I also fully agree it is way too late to do anything about it. Hopefully, with the help of a superior staff giving input on players our drafts will be much better. If he is easy to work with, and the staff get the players they want, then poles will look very good and I'll be happy. Having a strong GM with vision is best, but if you have a strong coach who wants input into decisions, and makes good ones, then having a team player at GM who is competent and gets things done works really well too. He may not have that golden eye, but if the coaching staff does, then that's a very workable shape too.

Im JUST starting my investigations of draftable players, and I know Im late to the party, and without having seen much at ALL yet, I put on some Will Campbell highlights, and damn he is a beast.

yeah you can see they are setting up mentoring situations, and building a bench for when people leave. This is how you end up with a "coaching tree" Youthful enthusiasm and energy blended with wise experience in the same position group is a good recipe.

So we have hired a new DL coach. Hes apparently had success with DLs everywhere hes gone. He teaches an attacking style, and was Jacksonville's DL coach last year, where he coached Travon Walker to a career high 10.5 sacks. Jacksonville's DC Ryan Neilson, was Dennis Allen's DL coach at New Orleans. I like pairing him with 69 year old Bill Johnson who is a defensive assistant, and was also a DL coach under Dennis Allen in New Orleans.

no, that's right for sure. I just meant maybe a few months ago, or when we hired Johnson, maybe he had someone better in mind. We just put together a first class coaching staff, and I wonder if Poles is at their level is all.

If we can afford it, having Miles Garrett is a no brainer for any team. It seems the salary cap is very friendly for us. The question is what it would cost in draft capital. 3 firsts is a hard no for me. Even 2 firsts is probably more than I'd want to pay. One first is easy, because as Ashkum says, we might well spend that first this year on an edge anyway, so that's easy. Someone will pay more draft capital than we can probably afford, so I dont see him being a Bear, but if there was some way to get him, it would be a MAJOR step toward a superbowl victory (or more than one!).

Yeah thats totally fair. The trade cost for the picks is a big problem. But his salary cap space is tiny. I dont see how he can want a new deal when he just got one and is good thru 2027? And he would elevate this defense to top 5 immediately. EDIT: Looking again, it might be closer to $20M a year, depending on how "prorated options" work, I dont really understand them. But worst case scenario it's like $16M this year, and $20M each the next 2. Im not saying Im for it, because we absolutely need the OL revamped first 100%. But if we somehow got that done with free agency, then maybe it's a possibility? FWIW Adam Schefter mentioned us as a likely landing spot for Garrett...

FWIW its not a ton of cap space, hes under contract thru 2027 for $8 million a year, because most of his contract was signing bonus.

sure sounds like it, and even without this data point, wed be fools not to

From what I read he sounds like a great hire. But then again, I read a lot about Eberflus too LOL But yeah, until i hear otherwise, Im on board, and he will absolutely be a step up from Morgan. THAT I know.

I suppose it makes sense, but with all these bold moves, Im wondering if there is a better option out there?

youre probably right, but then again, no roster in the NFL is ever complete, and if Dennis Allen and Ben Johnson believe that Miles Garrett is the piece to make this a championship defense, then you have to consider it. All in context of course that you HAVE to replace most of the OL from last year. If that can be done with free agents, and remaining draft picks, Id roll with Swift etc another year to add Garrett. But yeah, until we can protect Caleb, nothing else can matter. Maybe we can do both. All that said, I assume we will pass on Garrett, but if Johnson and Allen say yes, Im all for it.