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He could also tweet something like "2021 Bears, we are back baby" but he doesnt. The negative press doesnt help him, so why hasnt he? I thought it was dumb when he opted out last year. The idea that a team will pay top dollar for his next contract is slipping as a result of all of this. Pace has to be assuming he will replace him rather than sign him to another deal. Letting that go on, no matter what eventually happens is a strong sign that the story is true, and Goldman isn't sure what he wants right now.

good analysis

Ah what Im saying is that Lance feels a lot like the Trubisky situation. A lot of upside, not much production or playing time. Last time, it was the Bears trading up for Trubisky, and SF staying patient. We learned that wasnt a great idea, nad now it is SF doing what we did. Not saying Lance will end up like Trubisky, but the parallels are interesting.

He may excel, and he may bust, but at this point it feels a lot like the Trubisky reach, which also at this point was unknown. Lance will flip his own coin, he won't be tied to Trubisky's, but it's kind of like betting before you know what the next card is gonna be. I think Fields was a much safer choice, and Lance is all potential without the performance. Maybe San Fran really did want to trade up for Trubisky, and Pace beat them to it. Now Pace has learned, and SF is still reaching at #2. Interesting how it all works out.

Miller has skills, but his replacement is already on the team too. They might keep him, they might not. He's definitely on the bubble.

agree, and agree. good thinking re: Lucas and Shelly.

I agree with all this, and doubly so, because as you know, my assessment of Leno was even less than yours. So from my point of view, your point here is all the stronger.

One interesting thought, if Moses preferred the Jets becasue he felt he had a better chance to start, then he and his agent are both agreeing that there is a good chance that Jenkins is going to turn out to be starter quality...

Well you know I think that Leno was far below average despite whatever PFF may have said. But that's old news, and happily, we dont have to debate it anymore. I think the points about the inexperience at LT and QB are well said too. I guess i should have said we look to have the pieces to develop into a scary offense, and surely I agree it is unlikely to be complete right out of the gate. As to the low cap number, it's because of so many rookie deals. if you start a second round pick at LT on their rookie deal, your OL cap number is gonna be low! I still think Nagy's play calling is as important a part of this as any other link in the chain now though. He has challenges, yes, every team does, but he has weapons and options now.

I totally agree with you. I think Montgomery is a really good back with vision and a desire to finish his runs. he reminds me of Raymont Harris in that way. THe run blocking was atrocious for him, and frankly the rhythm of the running playcalling was awful too. With decent blocking, Montgomery is a Pro Bowl player. William IS a solid #2. Probably the best in the league. He is starter quality. Cohen and Herbert provide speed matchup problems too. There is every reason to think that we have the pieces to have a really scary offense. We will know after this year with complete certainty whether Nagy is the guy or not. Most coaches dont get this extra year and such a stocked roster to do that either. We are either going to be really good, or very angry. I am going to predict we will be very good.

It's only confusing if you think that Leno is near the level of Moses. If you think Leno was garbage, then there is no confusion with cutting him and then looking for depth at LT. Also they saved a bunch of salary cap room cutting Leno, and I bet Moses was cheaper than what they would have had to pay Leno as just some insurance. Also, adam may be right, he probably didnt want to sign somewhere where he would either be a backup, or thew writing was on the wall that he would be demoted during the season.

you're right - there are a lot of pieces and a lot of reason for hope. I think it all depends on how they gel, and what kind of identity they establish. I think it's really hard to predict an outcome, since they could fail to gel like some Yankees teams have, perhaps missing a pass rush, and with bad playcalling from Nagy, or they could find themselves and dominate and make a Super Bowl run. Of course, you're probably right to be between those extremes, but there is more chaos in the predicted outcome this year due to potential, but also newness and past examples of coaching mistakes. I'd fell better about the defense if I wasn't worried about Quinn and Mack. I could be more confident of what's going on in the secondary if I knew we had a dominant pass rush. And we might. When he's good Mack is one of the best in the league, let's hope that happens again this year. So from 6-11 to a Super bowl run, are all possible outcomes for this team. It means there is a lot of hope for the future, and a lot to root for. This will be a fun season for sure. Justin Fields makes all the difference.

I totally agree. The reason I've been suspicious about the defense is only because the offense looks stocked. Not proven (yet) but stocked.

no Im sure its awful, and the team that digs down deeper gets an advantage. Sort of like why the navy seals attack at night.

I agree that a retractable roof will make a better fan experience in December, but it hurts my heart to think of it. I want the bears to always have that winter advantage. I think tradition sort of demands that it be an open air stadium. Or if they want to use it for more than football, fine a retractable roof, but they should leave it open for football. That's Bear football.

no doubt, we have some team speed on offense for sure. We also have a pretty good double TE set, and a punishing back in Montgomery, and with any luck, some new road graders on the OL. Someone ought to be able to call plays to make this offense work. This is Nagy's best opportunity to show what he's got. If he can only produce mediocrity with them, then he should be gone. Maybe Pace would stay. If on the other hand, Nagy can turn this into a really potent modern offense that gets a lot of production and praise, then maybe we will all be saying that it was Mitch's fault alone. And then that looks good for Nagy and less good for Pace. Of course all of this is oversimplified, but it's how fans and writers tend to see things, so it will become real messaging, even if levels of nuance are lost. This is a big season for us. I really want to see Fields lighting it up to all these different weapons. Lets go!

hahahaha

I totally agree. The only thing that i would be against is a closed stadium. To me the Bears need to play in the elements. Other than that, as long as they are somewhere near Chicago, Im good.

agree. they will be the chicago bears just as the jets are the new york jets, they even play in a different state, and so do the giants.

Adam, thank you for that. that makes his absence even more perplexing then. I assumed he was out of shape because it was the most benign explanation and fit a former pattern. If that wasnt it, I wonder what the heck it was. And then they signed Mike Pennell today, so they must have wanted insurance too after knowing what's up. Hmmmm.

Seems like NT Mike Pennel has signed a one year deal. Given that Goldman was a no show, this is probably insurance and depth. But it definitely says that the Bears weren't thrilled with Goldman's absence, and need options. https://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2021/06/17/bears-agree-to-terms-with-mike-pennel-on-a-one-year-deal/

I agree with that mewntality from Khyris' point of view for sure. And I hope that Goldman comes back with a fire in his belly. But I think this isnt a good sign overall, and puts replacing him on to Pace's radar for next year. Not that GOldman cant play himself out of that position, he can, and i hope he does. But this is not a good look for a guy who held out for COVID last year.

I totally agree. We havent had the chance to be dominant in a long time.

Hearing more good stuff about Desai. Let's hope he brings back the Fangio type aggressiveness.

I agree, but he had problems with his offseason weight and conditioning before, that was said to be a drawback about him as a rookie, and I hope he is taking it seriously.