BearFan PHX

So I cant disagree with what we have all seen, but I would like to put it into perspective. Things are changing, and the team is growing. If we need to be a 70 out of 100 to win, we used to be a 20, and now we are a 50. The wins we have were somewhat lucky, yes, but we were there to fall into them, and that is growth. Today Fields had better tempo and was getting through his reads faster. It didnt end up in completions, but it was growth. Yes, I have serious questions about him too, and we may well be drafting a QB in the first round, but Fields is not out of time yet, and if he keeps progressing, he may be a very different player at the end of this season. We all see the intangibles, the first downs he gets running etc, and on the long pass today you see his downfield accuracy. He has the tools, but he isnt seeing it all yet. Maybe he never will. But maybe he will. In the meanwhile, the team is playing harder now than they have in years. The defense and the offensive line are building an identity. They are not as consistent as we'd like to see, but the effect of the new culture is clearly evident. I think what we can say here, is what we said before we got excited that the Bears might show up early this season. The Bears dont have the roster yet to reliably beat the decent teams. We could have beaten the Giants today, but it wouldn't have made us a good team. We arent. But we are building the foundation of something here. Im not ready to throw any of our coaches under the bus, including Getsy and his play calling. Theyre trying to make a gourmet meal with leftovers. I think we can forgive them for not having the full playbook open at this point. So yeah, we are going to win 5 - 8 games this year. This is what we thought going in to this season. The fact that we are disappointed is almost proof of the growth we've had. We looked like the light was going to come on - there was hope. That hope comes from the increase in quality weve seen. We are frustrated that they cant take that next ztep and become winners. But we didnt even used to be just a step away. Put another way - if you could add 3 more good players at whatever position you choose, would you think this team was a 9 win team? If so, you see how far weve come too. Now to the meat of it - youd say "well one of them would have to be a QB" and that's also what we knew going into this season - that this was Justin Field's chance to grow, and either ascend to the long term guy, or be finished here. And we are still on that. And Im going to agree, it isnt looking very good for Justin. But he has the rest of this season to learn how to see the field, and you gotta admit, the rest of the team around him is starting to show some areas of strength. Bottom line: Were on the right path. We have the right coaches. Thanks to Pace, this is year zero, not one. And Justin Fields is under the microscope and has not yet taken the reigns. If doesn't, then the Poles era really begins.

he's out with an injury, and nowhere near losing his starting position when he is available.

I said earlier, if we win this game, and we certainly can, we will set the record as the worst ever NFL team to go 3-1 lol That doesnt mean we will be terrible at the end of the year either. But right now, we deserve our rankings. A breakout game (or two) for the offense would go a long way in dispelling that.

true, and for all the growth weve seen on the line so far, they still dont even have the preferred starting 5 out there yet. When Patrick is at OC they might be even better.

Eberflus is the real deal. When the roster is right, we will be a team to watch out for. I cant say who will be on that roster yet, but i dont think these guys are the kind to screw around with someone that isnt working out.

Im still a BIG David Montgomery believer. I think he is a stud. And that doesnt mean that Herbert isnt a stud in the making too - just need to see more of it.

It might be a mistake, or it might be a "touchdown - checkdown" order of reads from the coaching staff, which if so, are probably a good idea, but he needs to process them more quickly.

yup, we agree. thats the basis of my hope. Right now Fields is trash, but can he overcome the issues? Time will tell.

Yes, looking at that film and analysis it wasnt as bad as i thought. This is gonna be a bumpy year - lets hope at the end we have a real QB

I agree. We are moving people, and it's very early in the development of the line. Patrick's not even at center yet. Id like to see better pass protection too, but I see they are growing, so I look forward to more growth.

If the Bears win on Sunday, which is entirely possible, they will just have to beat the Vikings the next week to set the record for the worst ever NFL team to go 4-1.

almost. the only thing that matters is EVALUATION of Fields. I do not charge this coaching staff with turning Fields into a stud. I charge them with the task of EITHER turning him into a stud OR cutting ties quickly and then acquiring a stud at QB. THAT QB, either Fields kept OR the new one has to be a stud for this administration to successful. If Fields is a bust (and Im not saying we are there YET) then that is on Pace, and not Poles. Where we go from here is.

Oh i didnt mean to trade him now, I mean if he doesnt improve, during the offseason, we could probably still get something for him.

This will be a good year to thoroughly evaluate every position on the roster, including Fields. And that is as it should be. It does not look like he sees the field very well. He has all the physical tools, but he needs to either learn to do it better, or we will take a QB in the first round of the draft. We could probably get some draft picks for Fields too. Im not giving up on Fields yet, but he has to take the job this year and make it his. He hasnt done that yet.

Roquan will play himself into shap[e and make the WOW plays, but i dont see us being the team that invests so heavily in him. Both because of his attitude, and because of his position. The question now is whether we want him on the tag next year, and until he gets in gear, that's probably a no. Roquan has really screwed himself in ways an agent would have told him not to.

Show me the Mooney.

I mean making positive plays. Youre right I could have chosen a better word! But these guys need to make plays!

I think the coaches know that Mooney and Kmet need to be more involved, and that we need to keep a good rhythm going with Montgomery, and they need to get Fields more completions. I hope they also see that Roquan, Gordon and Brisker need to be more involved too. I hope they also see the DTs are getting pushed around. It's not too late to fix these things, but they need to see them. Last few coaches didnt, I expect these guys will, but we will have to see it on the field of course.

I agree, but part of why we couldnt stop them is that our defense was gassed because our offense wasnt making any first downs, or eating any clock. And that goes back to abandoning Montgomery. I also think it should be said that Roquan looks fat and slow right now, let's hope he plays himself into shape.

the shotgun run on 4th and goal was stupid, but abandoning Montgomery in the middle of the game was why we lost today.

Bears defense is gassed, I dont know why we got away from Montgomery after the first TD drive. Last week, we stayed with the run even when it wasnt working. The price is a tired defense, and all the gashing runs up the middle. Now with a turnover, the Bears are down two scores, so if they can get another turnover, or score on some long drives to rest the D, that conditioning thing has a chance.

right. however good we manage to be this year, we will be significantly improved next year. This is year 0, but damn if they arent already looking like they want to win now.

hahaha GO Adam!

well said, I think youre right. 27+ to have a shot at winning.

I think one of the best things I've heard from Eberflus so far is the idea that the Bears win and lose on their own, it doesnt matter who the opponent is. And also that they out work people so they have an advantage in the 4th quarter. If he can keep this team believing that, we could do quite well.