AZ54

Rome played 5 games with a stress fracture in his foot. Then tried to come back early for the Packers game.

Early on this season he said pass rush doesn’t come from the edge it comes up the middle. I’ll assume bigger DEs that can do both run support and compress the pocket so there is no QB escape path.

His concussion injury was nearly as serious as they come. It took an immense amount of courage for him to get back on the field. It has impacted how he plays the game. I think even the rest of the league will look at him as a one year FA. however it shakes out this defense needs one more really good downhill player among the back 7. Kyle Gordon can be that guy on one side. Can add an impact LB or S will help to generate more negative plays.

I think the writing has been on the wall since training camp when they took routes off DJ and started having him take handoffs.

I expect the team will keep his prognosis quiet until after the draft. It’s the biggest leverage we have to keep teams guessing.

Maybe but there is not as much room to trade back and still get similar value when you start at 25.

He’s not very good against speed. Verse is a pure power rusher so that’s why they made that move.

He wasn’t very good against the Packers. I wish he had played like he did today all year long. It’s time for younger players.

Billings so he can make tackles 8 yards off the LOS? No we don't need that. If there is a stud safety there in Rd 2 I'm ok taking him there but logic says go DT/DE early.

Great year, far exceeded expectations.

Thanks for the prayers, she's doing great these days.

You ain't ready. 40 years ago on a Sun morning my friend called me and said he had an extra ticket for the Bears vs. Rams playoff game. To this day I don't know why that ticket became available last minute but I'm pretty sure it's because it was very cold. I was cold the entire game but there were still two dudes behind us with no shirt on. Last May we visited the city and north shore lakefront. I have a photo of my entire family with my wife in full length winter jacket, hood up, while Chicagoans walked around us in shorts and a t-shirt. Then there's the football aspect because everything is different with a football when it's that cold. That can play against us too so we'll see but there is no doubt our player are more prepared for it.

Maybe but Brisker should have put him down hard instead he hit him with his purse.

I had no idea this was a thing around the NFL. Brings back fond memories of Da Coach on roller skates. I wanted a leader of men and we’ve got one. https://bearswire.usatoday.com/story/sports/nfl/bears/2026/01/16/bears-ben-johnson-painted-villain-matt-lafleur-sean-mcvay/88216707007/

Looking at the above video and reflecting back on the entire season: from the start Ben said he was putting it all on Caleb’s plate and it showed up in that playoff game. It’s amazing how much information Caleb has had to process. It’s also easy to see why he struggled so much early on in the season. Also why at times he just went into Caleb mode.

I’ve been watching film studies for a few years now. This is the best one. He focuses on the chess match and play calling back and forth between Ben Johnson and Jeff Hafley. You’ll see how Caleb is picking things up between series too which means he’s getting coached and listening. I’ve seen Caleb’s miraculous throw to Rome dozens of times now. Now I know if he just read it right that throw never happens. What’s more in the same scenario on the last drive he reads the same play and coverage correctly for a big gain. https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=Jo2qDBxWFUo&pp=ygUeRmlsbSB3YXRjaGVycyBwYWNrZXJzIHZzIGJlYXJz

We also wanted Grady for his leadership. While I’m not familiar with Puna I can say that Grady career history of hustling on all plays and leading in the locker room is a part of why this team doesn’t quit.

Anything that reminds them of their playoff failure is ok by me.

True but their Dline is tough against both. No reason to run through a brick wall. I think we see more outside runs as well as some quick WR screens. Both of our TEs are good enough to block DEs and seal the edge for off tackle runs. Then pull one of the big boys around to pave the way.

We have a Jared Verse problem. He being the one with the best Bull Rush in the NFL. Fortunately he’s not fast and bendy which gives Theo more problems but it’s still a big concern for me.

Rodgers is bad and so is that Steelers offense. Houston’s defensive front is the real deal. In effect we chose Montez Sweat over Danielle Hunter…bummer.

It’s not that he said it, it’s that he meant it. Now when we get a defense that can play with that attitude to pair up with this offense it’ll be glorious.

You summed up what I’ve been thinking for a few weeks. Everyone wants the efficient 5yd passes, me too. Caleb is thinking I’m just gonna go get 15 or 20. The thing is that unlike our past QBs he can do it. He has the play caller for it too! Like a great home run hitter you simply don’t care if his first two swings were strikes, or incomplete, because the odds are still so high on the third attempt. At the end of the day the goal is to put points on the board not collect first downs.

https://www.nfl.com/news/ben-johnson-bears-packers-rivalry-wild-card-win-i-dont-like-that-team

I hope for the best with Ozzy. One thing I learned this past weekend is Ozzy >> Will Campbell.