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If Braxton looked this good against the Buffalo starters on Friday, like he did in the game against the 2nd stringers on Sunday, then I agree with all of this. If he is playing himself into the job, then the battle for swing tackle is important, but Im not too worried about it. I still need to see more to be completely sold. I also wonder whether Trapilo is really out of the LT competition. I know everyone is saying that, and it's probably true, but I wouldnt be shocked if Trapilo was back in the mix this week IF Braxton was uneven on Friday. It's become a narrative that Trapilo is out, and maybe he is. But I can imagine a world where they had Trapilo at the RT spot for this week, to light fires everywhere. If he's the swing tackle, then he still needs reps at LT too. If he's #3 to Benedet then he's fallen a long way in a short time. I havent really heard too much either way about Friday, so I dunno. But if Braxton looked as good as he did in the game in the scrimmages, then that's a really good sign, and maybe the competition is ending in Braxton's favor. I dont know, but the coaches do. And i think they'll do the right thing. But something tells me it may not be over yet either.

Loved this one, always good to see the all 22 - and I learned something too - the skip step on purpose for dropback footwork, and how the skip step can be an option depending on the read. It came up several times. I might have thought it was a mistake or nerves by Caleb, but clearly it's a thing. Cool.

exactly. all we have are indicators, and proof of concept. we'll see how it all holds up against Minnesota, but there is a lot to be happy about coming out of this past weekend I am sure youll agree. There is a way to go, but it looks like we have the right guys to get there. Im not gonna crown anyone until we see it on the field in September, but there are obvious reasons for optimism. I appreciate your pumping the brakes a little here, and I totally agree. But still - this looks like it might be fun.

Totally agree. The coaching is easy to see now. And Caleb isn't wearing a wristband with plays on it, so I understand it took a while in camp to digest. Its hard to evaluate OL and such agaisnt second stringers, but evaluating making reads and getting the ball out in rhythm is valid no matter who is on defense. The offense looked organized, disciplined and crisp. SO good to see. As to the screen pass he grounded, I also said "good job" out loud even though I was watching it alone. Caleb is clearly maturing, Johnson is clearly the right guy to be our coach - all of that is obvious now. The rest we will take as it comes.

Im not gonna go through every snap again this week, but I did rewatch the 1st quarter, and every rep Braxton had was a good rep. I know he was facing 2nd stringers, so especially when it comes to bull rush, it doesnt prove anything, but a bad rep WOULD prove something, and he didnt have any, so that says something too. If Roushar unlocks Jones in a way he never did before then I am happy to be wrong about him. I've been basing my feelings about the player he's been in the past. I really hope this continues against higher level competition, of course. I am glad the coaches saw him against Buffalo's first string - we didnt get to see that, but they did, so they will know. And, like Kmet, I've always said if they play at a new higher level I havent seen before, then that changes everything. It's hard to project that, but if you see it, then you see it. Im not ready to crown anyone yet LOL but I am glad to see Jones playing well of course. Im a little surprised at what's happened to Trapilo this week, I wonder if it was just a week, or he is truly off of the LT competition for now. I know what the sportswriters have said, but I guess this coming week will say more. All to say, cautiously optimistic about Braxton, I cant say anything bad about his reps this week.

it looked like we have an actual running scheme too, instead of the usual pile of bodies and a HB trying to push through it - there were holes, assignments - it was like... professional football? Amagadje looking good on the run block for Wheelers second TD with about 9:40 minutes left in the 4th. great zone concept - double team and theh he got to the second level. All in all the entire game screamed good coaching.

and I know it was the 2nd team Bills defense, but Braxton looked greatly improved too.

Monanagi got injured on Friday - hopefully nothing big.

Shit, hate to see Smith go down. Is that his knee? Crap!

right, another good coaching point.

No matter who is out there, it looks crisp - that says a lot of good about Ben Johnson. Havent seen a Bears offense look in rhythm like this in a long long time.

It's really nice to see an actual running scheme. looks like we are going to be able to run the ball for the first time in a while. Burden is looking the part too. Nice.

and Hightower is supposed to be all that. Hed better get them focused.

I think I'd give Caleb an A but not an A+ great effort, and the big important things all looked great. His accuracy was a little off, a couple of the big catches were high, and he still pats the ball before he throws. But the ball did come out fast, in rhythm, seems like his eyes were in the right place and he was making reads in tempo. GREAT sign, I give him him an A

OMG Kevin Warren is such a camera hog.

yes Trapilo is 75 playing RT, and Benedet is 79 at LT

I wish our starters had been going against Buffalos starters. I mean fast reads are fast reads no matter whos out there, but Id have liked to see the OL against the 1st team d line for sure.

Trapilo in at RT, Benedet at LT, with the 2nd string now

Caleb might have thrown it a little short, Im not sure. Not saying he did, just need to see it again myself.

Dunno why Odunze missed the 3rd down catch - maybe it was Caleb, tape will tell, but I do like how fast the ball is coming out.

kick coverage sucked again. need to get that fixed, but the offense and defense look good and fired up too. love the in-rhythm passes by Caleb.

no kidding, and at least so far, Braxton looked really good. Its amazing how just getting under center opens up the middle of the field.

GREAT first drive, and while I wasnt only looking at him, Jones seemed to be very strong that set. Nice.

We say the floor is Braxton, but it's not Braxton's best year, it's Braxton right now, after injury and looking weaker. Maybe as he heals he plays stronger than ever - then that would be the new floor, and a good one. My point is our floor right now (as of last game) aint good at all. Theyve had a week, so now tonight they get another chance to define themselves and show production. We also get to see the starting interior players for the first time, not to mention Caleb and the rest. Very excited to see what progress weve made and what the starters look like. I hope we come out looking prepared and crisp.

This is what I think too. Wright will be fine, but I hope he will be dominant.