BearFan PHX

I understand that logic, but there are some scenarios, like what if they really want a coach like Johnson, and he says he will only take the job if you bring in his guy? Then i think Poles could be let go. ANd since you dont know which coach you want yet, and which Gm they might want, they could be keeping Poles around until they know those things, and cut him loose after that. So while I agree if they were going to fire him for his performance in and of itself, they might have done it already, or in the next week, if they fire him to make room for a new guy, they might still hold on to him until the new guy is chosen and we hear who he wants?

Here's an interesting article that recounts some quotes from Kevin Byard's interview with Dan Weiderer about head coaches. Byard played for Vrabel in Tenessee, and Eberflus in Chicago. https://www.sportsmockery.com/chicago-bears/kevin-byard-went-all-in-on-why-matt-eberflus-was-a-terrible-head-coach/

it's because i worry that it will be more than a few games, and whoever we have to fill in, being not starter caliber, will get Caleb killed. We totally agree that Jenkins is a good player when he's healthy. The question is what do you really have when he isn't playing, and what future cohesion can you really create? And what players do you pass over because you have Jenkins penciled in there? It's not a big disagreement, more one of strategy than analysis of how he is as a player. I think we agree on that. I just think we are better off getting a replacement for him that we can count on, and moving forward. Like I said, if you can get a rookie behind him that's an eventual starter level talent, then I am a lot less nervous about it. But I would be OK playing rookies if they are good enough too. They'll make mistakes, but they'll learn too. Like Wright his first year. Also, if we get a better OL coach, that will hopefully make all of this look better no matter who is in there (within reason of course!)

Ok, so a reporter asked our OC about that play, and he confirmed that Odunze should not have throttled down, and it wasn't Caleb's fault. Also on the all 22, you can see Odunze stop running at the exact moment Caleb releases the ball, so no way Caleb could have seen he was going to do that ahead of time. Our OC confirms that Odunze should have worked up to the second window, and Caleb read it the way he was supposed to. And you can see that had Odunze kept running full speed, he would have been deeper and the ball would have been lower (since it has a ballistic path) and not as far out in front of Odunze - it would have been a dime. Now Im not mad at Odunze either - this is advanced stuff, and he and Caleb need to build rhythm together, but the fault was on Odunze, not Caleb as per our OC himself. But the way I saw it at the time is confirmed here.

we have so many holes that salary cap space is gonna get eaten up pretty fast - I see some thoughts we might sign Chase Young for example. And we need 4 players on the OL (in my opinion) or at least 3?

yes to both.

well if we have a high draft pick at LG, and the idea is for him to push Jenkins and take his job, that's totally cool. The only problem is then you have to pay Jenkins, because Im pretty sure someone will. And I dont want to pay Jenkins if Im hoping he will be depth by week 5? I dont question Jenkins ability when hes on the field. It's his availability that I worry about of course.

for sure, and if you have a LG that is starter quality, then you dont pay Jenkins except as depth. Thats why I say Jenkins should be a backup. Someone else will pay him start money though, and it shouldnt be us. So I agree that a half price Jenkins is a bargain in the abstract, in practice I think you either think of him as a starter, which is a mistake, or you pay him like a backup, which Im fine with, as long as you have a different starter at LG? If the bargain Jenkins seduces us into not having a pedigreed starter at LG, or at least a high pick rookie, then I think its a mistake and you end up with a hole at LG for half the season.

I cant disagree more. In a couple years no one will be saying that Caleb wasnt the best QB in this draft.

that makes money sense, but it also gives some false sense of security that weve filled a hole? If you want him as a backup, thats cool, but if youre kind of penciling him in as a half starter, witht he idea that it wont cost us if hes injured again, then i wonder if you havent failed to bring someone in as a starter in his place?

on paper I agree. I hope it is so in reality.

we agree on this, and this is why i think Xs and Os are only a part of it, and why I like Vrabel. IF we get Johnson, I sure hope he is up to this part of it. Maybe he is. I cant say he isnt, but its a gamble, just as Vrabel finding an OC who can develop Caleb is a gamble too. Either way we gotta cross our fingers a bit.

I totally see it the same way, Grizz. I worry Poles isnt the brains, but Cunningham is? But when adam said he gets "smartest guy int he room" vibes he didnt mean that Poles IS the smartest guy, but that he acts like he is, so that he doesnt have to follow the conventional wisdom that Jason so aptly just described, and thinks he can out-think everyone with moves that are too cute. I think we are all agreeing

of course I hope youre right

Happy New Year to all I hope 2025 is great for all of us. My daughter is getting married on the 4th, so 2025 will start out great for me! Hope you and your families have a great year too. And the Bears too!

and he definitely understands how important a good OL is. His whole offense is based off their running game. They do amazing things in the passing game, but it's because the defense has to respect the run, and that is because their OL is dominant.

I have been pleased to see some of that fire on the sidelines too. If we grab him, his upside is obvious, I just truly hope he can unite the team and instill desire.

that's gonna be amazing. Looking forward to what you find. Maybe count the number of times they are and arent? Also keep in mind progressions, and open throwing lanes. I suspect you'll find a decent number of plays where Caleb had options, and a bunch more where he didnt. But what a great project.

Here's an article by Erik Lambert. Unless we think he is completely lying (as some do) he quotes Ernest Jones IV directly. He played LB against Caleb in the opening game, and again after he was traded to Seattle. He says (unless Lambert is totally lying) "he is going to be special" and "From the first game until now he's way better. Way better." and he also said "Decision making... he's starting to get more comfortable. There's a lot going on right now down low with his O-Line. He's making a lot of plays with his feet. Once they are able to get him protected, man, he can make all the throws. when he gets out of the pocket, he's dangerous" Everyone has an opinion of course. And some of them are wrong I'll go with the professional that has to play against him, and scout his film. Especially when it confirms what I see with my own eyes. Caleb surely has growing to do, but he is going to be special. I just hope we can put a team around him, and a staff that knows what they are doing, in terms of building a culture and schemes both. https://www.sportsmockery.com/chicago-bears/nfl-defender-cant-believe-how-much-caleb-williams-improved/

It's hard to separate bad coaching from bad OL play - they are so interwoven. Like Mongo says for example, if you give the right help, chips etc, then the player isnt on an island, and of course we have seen very poor play by the players, but at the same time players that were terrible on the OL for us have gone on to play well for other teams. The great thing about football is it is such a team sport. Every player and coach affects every other. One thing is clear - our team and culture are in ruins. We need someone to come in here and reform our team, before we even look at Xs and Os, and when we do come to scheme, we need to use players to help eachother so we can be successful as a team. I think you can lay 20% of this on Caleb, but the other 80% is shared by the rest of the players and coaches alike.

and theyre likely to keep him. the McCaskeys are still finding ways to destroy their grandfathers excellent dream.

I'll take it. That's fair. You can even give him 20%, he certainly needs to continue to grow and develop. Hopefully the next coach can do that for him.

you did, and it's logical. No head coach will come here knowing the GM could be fired and the next one may have a different vision. Then again, some head coaching candidates may wish to bring their own guy in, or suggest him? I suppose that's the fire him scenario, but it might not happen until after the coach is chosen. But one way or another, once we have our head coach, there must be a GM whose contract aligns or exceeds that of the new head coach for sure. Anything else would be... Bearish. Ugh. No decent head coaching candidate would put up with that.

Hard to know if those sacks show that Caleb is a super stud doing all that with no protection, or a result of his holding the ball too long. Just like it's hard to know if all those passing yards are Williams making something out of nothing, or working against big zones because we are down multiple scores early in the game. By my eye, he's a winner and will develop into a true stud for us. That's my bet.

Ian Rappaport reports that Mike Vrabel's contract as consultant to the browns has ended, so he is free to speak to any NFL team without running afoul of tampering rules. We should at least talk to him!