BearFan PHX

I think Leno was terrible. I didnt want him here last year either.

If that is the case, he should have just put his 2nd string head down and destroyed all the 2nd string competition in front of him until everyone saw the talent he thinks he has. We dont really know WHAT it is. My guess is he's having a problem with alcohol. The coaches are telling him to flat out stop drinking, and he is saying that its OK to have a couple beers. And the idea that he wont buy in fully over something so insignificant is making them question his heart, or that he is an alcoholic who will be worse later on. That's my GUESS. I base it only on some discussions about cutting back the beer consumption he made a few months back. Again, it's just a guess, same as the other ones here. We may never get to know what actually happened. I like the theory that they are shopping him to tell him the best offer they got was a 6th (and his agent can look around too) and maybe that wakes him up to the idea that he isnt untouchable and has to earn his spot like everyone else. Seems like whatever the issue, it includes some disrespect for the coaching staff. They never thought he fit their system anyway, so I dont think he will last too long.

Let's Go Velus! There is a ton of opportunity in this WR room, go get it!

if we get good play from the 3T position, that will increase our wins substantially. The main reason I predict about 6 wins is the WRs and the middle of the DL. If the 3T performs better than Im expecting, that will make a big difference.

If Poles thinks he is a 4 year future stud for us, then sure. But to take a flyer just to fill out this year's roster is a mistake that Poles has been avoiding all summer. Especially if the cost is Quinn. Id rather get draft picks for Quinn if we are going to trade him, or a proven known player that you want to ride with for the next four years. I think that improving this year's roster at the expense of better long term choices that would be available next year is a Pace kind of move. Im glad Poles isnt thinking win now. If this group of players does win, then GREAT, but i think we will have a real team next year, and this will be a growing year.

absolutely. even those of us predicting 5 or 6 wins arent saying that everything is going to suck. Instead, I think that we will see a lot of growth at certain positions, especially for Fields! I also think we will be weak up the middle on the defensive line, and short handed at WR. I dont think our team will look like inept bottom 5 teams. I think we will have strengths and holes. And that is definitely something we can build on!

I think we will see flashes from some position groups, and be stymied by dropped passes and a lack of interior pass rush. That will put us in a great position going in to the offseason with a bunch of proven pieces, and some holes to fill with draft picks and cap room to fill them. Please dont misunderstand my prediction with my hope. I will be rooting for the Bears to win every game. I would love to see it.

Right, youd love to see Jenkins take the job from Reiff halfway through the season. And if not, then you know what you have going into the offseason.

Im not really predicting failure so much as saying that if this year is bad, next year will be much better, and not to blame the current staff for what is really holdover issues from the last one. Call it optimism

I think it's good to have optimism, and i do see positive changes already in the culture, but i think if this team does only put up 5 wins it's important that we realize this is year zero due to Pace and Nagy, and next year after a full draft and with cap space will be year one.

Youre right it's ballsy. But at the same time, Poles has a list, and while multiple people remain available on that list, you can afford to wait. For all we know he wanted Fisher and he was never able to get that deal done, and had Reiff as an insurance policy. Or maybe he had Reiff targeted all along, and as long as Fisher was still around, he felt he could afford to play chicken with Fisher as insurance. Whatever it was, he didnt crumble early, and played out his thread. Good for him! and us!

well they never say "oh we are pretty close" because then youre leaving possible money on the table. Its always no freakin way until its yes.

amen

PFF cant be used as a comparison tool. They are random at best. Of course that's not Schofield's fault either. It just means nothing either way.

totally

yup. his heart wasnt in it.

I was thinking exactly this, especially in the Red Zone.

ESPN says a lot of stuff that makes no sense.

Bears football is the football of the future. Thats because we are always saying "next year" LOL

yup I think thats about the shape of it.

Honestly there are a lot of good people on this board, and better Bears discussions than anywhere else with a minimum of meat-head-ery

Hey Pix, I know you have been having issues for a while now. I just wanted to say I hope things get better for you. Youve been a good guy for as long as ive known ya, and thats gotta be 10 or 15 years now? More?

Im hearing that no one is offering much for him. I dont think its because he isnt good, but instead because they think the Bears are under pressure to trade him, so they think they can steal him cheap? I think given some time, the offers will increase, and if we play well early, and he looks good, then they get a lot richer by the end of September.

didnt stand in his way at least. Poles is running the team now, for better or worse lol

yes, there is a tidbit of actual information there. good analysis.