BearFan PHX

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.

good analysis

Keep in mind, that if I told you you could choose a "Black Box" offense, that looked ridiculously bad, and was completely incoherent, but would routinely score 31 points, no questions asked, youd take it. (you being whoever is reading this) Our defense needs to tackle, cover and rush the passer. Our special teams needs to be operable. But the opffense, as terrible as it truly is is already scoring big. Imagine what theyre gonna be like when they arent spazzing out all over the place.

agree with all of that.

just so im clear, I dont think Trubisky is a top 10 QB right now today, stats or no, but I do think he's headed to being a top 5 QB. Im very glad to see him getting better and have patience this year for him to get the experience he needs to be a killer. He's good enough that we will win games with him right now, but this is not the final product, not even close. and thats a positive statement!

Ratings are helpful, but they dont tell the whole story. Im a realist about Trubisky. I call him a baby predator. Like a kitten that looks truly ferocious one moment, and then trip over her tail the next. This isnt meant as a put down to Trubisky, I truly think all the great NFL QBs went through this phase, and I like Nagy's approach of letting Trubisky play big, fail and learn, rather than trying to manage wins out of a young QB by playing it safe, and therefore failing to develop him into a real predator. So Im high on Trubisky's future, but right now, he shows flashes, but he's not as good as the rating says. The rating doesn't count interceptions that the defense drops. It doesnt count losing composure and chucking the ball up as a prayer. It does say that you could edit a bunch of good plays into a reel and make it look like Trubisky has arrived as a dominant QB, you can do that with the kitten too. But you could also make a reel that makes him look dangerously flummoxed, and deeply flawed. And Trubisky is neither of those things, or he is both. He is being asked to be Tom Brady, and he is falling short. Of course! The question is do you develop him as a bad Brady until he becomes a good one, or try to turn him into Trent Dilfer to win a couple more games? For me, theyre doing it just right. But hes not there yet, hes going to be uneven week in and week out this year. And thats OK. But the rating is just an indication of what he will be when he grows up, and not who he is right now. Because if you hypothetically knew somehow that Trubisky would stay at exactly this level, and not progress, you'd be trying to figure out how to get another QB without a first or second round draft pick in your pocket. Rating or not.

agree, Gase out coached him. We were flat overall as a team. Had some good stuff in the 3rd quarter, and then wilted in the heat. We lost as a team.

I have no problem believing the Eagles are interested in Howard. I totally see why they might think we don't really want him, given how we've used him so far. But Howard is such a great chess piece for the right games in bad weather, against a light fast defense, etc etc. I don't see Nagy letting him go, unless Howard is privately unhappy AND we get some serious draft value for him. I don't see it.

maybe kush is angry and they are hedging their bet on whether he would backup daniels, or as you said, if kush is leaving after this year, then we would need depth, and if you have a slot open on the roster, you look at your options, and pick the best one, even if it isnt a pressing need.

I think yes.

agree 100% - very exciting times for the Bears.

Mack is better than any player on the 85 defense, but in terms of impacting a game, he is probably tied with Butkis. Mack is obviously the superior athlete, but if you compare players from different eras, I think the metric of how they affected the game is the fairest way.

i think when his playing days are over, mack will be an excellent coach

We scored 48 points without even being fully in rhythm yet. We will have ups and downs, but call it proof of concept. We are on our way, and I agree with Mongo about a long window. From roster to staff, Pace has done an amazing job, and as Trubisky matures, we are going to be a real team for a while.

Don't forget Hicks and Jackson!

From players, to staff, to incredible risks going against popular wisdom and sentiment, Pace is absolutely killing it. This is what a GM hired by Ernie Accorsi, rather than the McCaskeys, looks like. To the haters saying it's just the same old thing: you're not paying attention. This is the real deal. Does that mean the Bears will win every super bowl from now on, and every draft pick will be a gem? Nope. Pace isnt the only real GM in the league, and Nagy's not the only real coach in the league either. But a lot of teams have only one of those two, or neither, like we have since 1985. We are now a real team. We will win our share. Unless we hit tremendous injuries, under Pace, we will never be 5-11 again.