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If you saw Daniel in a park throwing, youd think he was a god. If you put him today, knowing what he knows now, on a college team, he'd be incredibly successful. This is true for almost every backup in the league. The pros are incredibly competitive. the speed of the game is just almost impossible to keep up with. To be successful the ball needs to come out so fast, to the right place, and be delivered with strength and accuracy into tiny windows. Playing NFL QB is so hard that there arent even enough good ones for every team to even have one. There are probably only 5 good ones, and another 5 that could make a case that they should be one of the 5. That's why you pay a guy like Chase, and he's worth it, even at that level of performance, and why you stay with a guy like Trubisky while he learns. If Nagy and Pace think Chase is the right guy, thats good enough for me.

I think Lovie might be available...

good logic

you are right. I dunno if we are ready to do that yet. It'll all come down to pass rush I think. But if we can beat them, then we are as real as any team in the league.

regarding Massie, I think it depends on who is available in free agency, and what Hiestand thinks about it. I wouldnt be surprised if we resigned him, and I wouldnt be surprised if we went with someone else, depending on what is available. The pass protection has been pretty good, but the run blocking hasnt been very good at all.

we wont have draft picks, but we are at that "Add a piece or two with free agency to push you over the top" scenario. wow that happened fast. We have cap money, we will spend some on the OL, whether it's Massie or someone else, there are dollars to fill that position. we might look in the secondary, at another OLB/Pass Rusher, and possibly a running back, although I expect that in the draft, with picks we get from trading howard. if not, then we get the new rb in 2020. The roster is in great shape, and draft picks notwithstanding, we are in great shape for free agency too.

also, this team is markedly better every couple of weeks. by the time we meet the Rams, who knows what we can be. The window is open, and looks to stay open for several years at least. Pace and Nagy are doing a fantastic job, and that goes for getting talent and coaches, putting them into a winning structure, and creating a culture.

agree

Packers traded for Favre and then drafted Rogers, with time to sit and learn from Favre. They don't have a magic crystal ball. I don't think they are going to continue to be good after Rogers is done. Screw em.

I think Howard is an excellent back, and the run blocking has been the culprit. I also agree that for the money Howard will deserve on his second contract, we probably won't keep him, and given that, a trade next year is likely, especially missing draft picks as we are. But the fault here is with the blocking first and foremost.

I'd be OK with it. I gotta say I really trust coach Nagy.

I wonder if, having won 3 of 3 divisional games, and how well Chase played after he got some rhythm, whether Trubisky might sit another week. It might not be a bad idea. Then get him a full week of practice before the Rams?

yup! one of the things that really sticks out to me is that we are scoring 35+ points regularly, even as the offense is inconsistent and immature. When they get their rhythm together it's gonna be really scary. This is awesome.

we used to hope to get some breaks, keep the opponents off the field, limit turnovers etc. nothing since 85 has been about kicking ass, taking initiative and dictating. now we are reaching for that, and its damned good to see.

I can see Chase winning this game for sure.

I agree with everything you guys have written here. I also want to say that I really appreciate the way Nagy is developing Trubisky. All too often, coaches start with a "let's be Trent Dilfer first, and if we can rely on a running game and defense, we can win some games, and then we will grow the QB from there" and all that does is teach your QB to suck. Nagy is allowing Trubisky to be a real live threat at the QB position, even as he isnt ready for it. Hes letting him make mistakes, throw big, and learn how to be a killer. You dont learn that by practicing ballet. You learn by doing. At times I've likened Trubisky to a baby predator. One minute it's making natural movements that look like a real killer, and the next, surprised to trip over his own tail. But we can see he is growing every week, and looking more and more the part. So to the main question here, I think Nagy is working on identity more than most coaches do. I think it's part of what drives his core decisions, and I think he's right too. He's the best coach we've had in a long time, and I am thrilled. Pace has done a very good job too. This is a real good young group with a window that's already open, and will stay open for many years. We are building a team that doesnt just hope to win, but to dominate. We arent fully there yet of course, but you can see it, and everyone is starting to believe.

I found a recent opponent that resembles the Lions in scheme and talent very much, and we played them last week. We kicked their ass. I expect that to happen again

I notice certain constant complainers arent really posting now that we are doing well.

I agree, that if they lose, I can and will be philosophical about it. But I dont even want to think that way, not because Im afraid to jinx it (I truly have no power to alter game outcomes lol) but because this team has earned my expectation that they will win. I dont want another team that limps along to 9-7 and hopes to lose a playoff game. I want an actual dominant team that other teams are afraid of. And so I will begin expecting that from them, because they've earned that from me. I never once felt that way about Lovie's teams, or any team since 1985 really. There were some decent teams shortly after that, but not one like this team is becoming.

I totally agree, if we win it's a huge step, if we lose, all is not lost. It's an opportunity to take another step. We're a year early on the timetable, but honestly, I'm not interested in making pre excuses. Everything weve both said is true, but screw it, I want them to go out and kick the Viking's ass, and make it not even close. I haven't had a hit of true domination since 1985 and I'm jonesing for a fix

we need to beat the Vikings to keep this. If we beat them, we are on track to win the division, and see if we can win a playoff game. If not, then we're hoping for a wild card or something, trying to battle back in. This is a huge game, and we are favored, but we're going to have to take it, and good. I never liked the Lovie Smith team that went to the Super Bowl. I dont want to have the other team make mistakes so we win. I want to TAKE it. I want a team that imposes its will on the opponent. That's where we are headed, and Sunday Night will tell us a lot about this team.

I totally agree. Howard is not going to get 25 carries for 100 yards in this offense. That doesnt mean he doesnt have a role in our offense. Can I imagine Howard preferring to become a free agent and go to a team that runs the ball in a traditional way when his contract is up? Sure I can. But I can also see him sticking around to win a Super Bowl and be able to walk and still bend his knees when he is 50. It all depends on how much of a team player Howard is by instinct. I dont mean the lip service and professionalism you have to "whatever they ask me" because howard has shown plenty of that, so I am not questioning his character. Juat that when the decision is fairly his, what will he choose. Let's wait for the snow. Also, once the offense is working, Howard will be the guy who eats the 4th quarter to preserve a lead.

yes, we are clearly on our way to an amazing offense. we still look like we're totally out of sync, with no real rhythm, and still already coring 28+ a game. when they get it all together and the light comes on for Trubisky, it's gonna be lights out for NFL defenses.

we need OL, a pass rusher, defensive secondary, maybe a kicker? lol we probably take BPA from those positions.

I think after losing two straight, this team is unlikely to look past Buffalo, even if they did beat the Jets. Im not saying we cant come out flat and suck, just that it wont be because of ego.