AZ54

Hell no. Ride 'til I die. Bear Down!

Something is clearly wrong with this offense. Our defense is still playing well for the most part but missing some key players in the last few games does make a big difference. Billings being out the rest of the season with known depth issue on the defensive front is going to be a problem. Above all it is the offense issues that bother me the most. Shane Waldron seems to have played favorites and coddled to egos. He might not be a bad OC but he's also not a leader of men (sorry to borrow that phrase). When mistakes are made own it yourself and hold others accountable. Caleb Williams can't figure out how to consistently take the quick reads although he has done that at times with good success. He seems to favor Keenan Allen on critical downs. As talented as he is, he is also lost in his emotions and pouty on the sidelines. Keenan Allen and DJ Moore seem to hate each other. I remember reporters asking them how it was going to work out with so many mouths to feed. Now we know. Keenan Allen is too slow to get open in the NFL. He has some quickness in his cuts and his route running but against man coverage he's an easy cover. He still has value against zone coverages but there is no reason to consider signing him next year. DJ Moore seems to be banged up and it's slowing him down and affecting his game. When he's not struggling to move he's struggling to get his emotions in check. If he can't be a leader then see the next line... Rome Odunze was often not been running routes correctly, or at least not in the same manner Caleb is reading things. That's gotten better in recent games. He is the one WR who can consistently get open and IMO he should be getting more snaps than Allen, just make him the starter and feed him. He also threatens teams deep and forces some safety coverage his direction, more than Moore can right now. Does Waldron have the leadership needed to bench a guy in Allen who used to be one of the elites in the NFL? Cole Kmet. Use him and that includes Caleb who too often is not taking the easy reads with Kmet, or he's going that direction too late. Get him back in the game. Gerald Everett .... seems mostly useless. We should have kept Brendan Bates. Poles... he catered to Waldron with Homer, Everett, and brought in Keenan Allen. It all seemed to make sense coming into the season. The mix has been bad. He also helped hire Waldron. He also signed a cancer in Davis, who if he were the leader we intended to have on the interior we'd be in a much better spot. Oline... we have depth better than last year but not to the practice squad level. We're relying on players like Borom and Kramer (at LG) which is just a really bad place to be. None of that helps Caleb who is not a quick read QB. It killed us in the last game. I'm not an expert but it seems to me we've lost the ability to call screens, outside running plays with pulling players was also very limited or poorly executed.

Unless he needs that cap space and roster spot.

Lots of hand wringing over the coaches. I’m far more concerned Williams is a mental midget like Trubisky was and plays worse the brighter the lights are. FWIW Jayden Daniel’s didn’t impress me either as he looked lost on most of his drop backs too. Now in fairness I did miss about 1/2 the game off and on throughout the broadcast. Finding a good coach is easier than finding a good QB.

https://www.windycitygridiron.com/2024/10/26/24280287/bears-roster-moves-jacob-martin-and-travis-homer-activated-from-injured-reserve-tarvarius-moore

https://www.windycitygridiron.com/2024/10/25/24279514/jayden-daniels-caleb-williams-bill-belichick The problem with this static look at a passing chart is that it's not showing the trend lines. Early on I'd say this would work against Calen. After the last two games I'd love the Wash safeties to do what Ryan Clark says and stick between the numbers and play downhill. Caleb is doing a very good job reading the safeties.

I agree with playing Sanborn more if Daniels is out. If Daniels is in he's fast and you need more speed to spy on him.

It seems the most obvious roster changes would be bringing some players back from IR like Bates and Homer.

Roster spots have opened up but for who?

There was some f'n fire in there.

Elite NB we keep him but yes they are a concern. I suspect that’s true for any smaller player filling a hybrid LB CB role. Brisker is easier to replace in this defense as proven last week. That’s not to say he was as good as Brisker rather just that the scheme can survive with lesser talent at safety.

The balance here IMO is really the money. How much financial and roster commitment is reasonable for the downside risk vs. the upside risk? I don't think anybody would argue against giving Tev $3mil/yr. I think everyone would argue against giving him $15mil/yr. What I usually do not grasp well enough is market value.

I've reached the age where I know if everyone agrees with me then I know I'm likely the one who is wrong, and they're just going to enjoy watching me step in it.

You must mean Jonathan Allen who is on IR.