AZ54

That's a very interesting read.

I'm sure he still wants too much control and I prefer the new organization we have.

I just watched the entire press conference and figure it's worth a new thread. Poles: For such a young man he carries himself well but he's definitely aware of how big this moment is. Whereas Eberflus is more like ... yep I've been working on this for a long time. I was surprised Poles called Matt Nagy and asked him his thoughts on the Bears and also what Nagy would have done differently. Not sure what to make of that but at a minimum it takes class and some earned respect from Nagy, to do that. I had to take a moment to collect my thoughts after he said he likes his football players fast and violent can't wait to see how that translates into our new safeties. While athleticism was emphasized I get the feeling being a football player first and foremost is the foundation for his scouting philosophy. He is much more build through the draft vs. FA. He'll use FA of course but didn't even hint at being a balance of the two, and when he does the evaluation has to match valuation. He doesn't sound like the type of GM to go all-in on a Superbowl season like the Rams preferring instead to build a roster capable of long term success. In other words, he'd rather throw more darts at winning it all. I believe he was looking directly at Jason when he said this (paraphrasing but not much): Getting explosive plays on offense starts with having a strong effective Oline. Eberflus: Impressed by how he is more focused on the process of finding the right staff versus just getting things moving forward. In short, even if it takes a bit longer as long as he hires the right people he'll get the right results. There is always pressure to get everyone on board right away and as they said get after the Senior Bowl and other scouting. He's staying with the process. He will not be acting DC and said being HC is too important for him to worry about calling plays. That was refreshing to hear. He too wants speed and hustle to the ball on the defense, so, as expected, we're heading back to the Lovie 2/Marinelli philosophy of hustle to the ball at all times. I'm good with that. Practices focus on techniques to get turnovers. He too wants violent players but he's extremely focused on having no penalties. What I get from him and Poles is they want players who like to be physical and aren't afraid of contact. He's got to love Roquan Smith and David Montgomery....these are his type of players and I'm good with that. I doubt he'll get past 30s of film on Eddie Jackson. We're definitely transitioning to 4-3 base and it starts now...no hesitation. Really like the fact he'll be actively involved in designing the offensive scheme and game planning. He'll be bringing his perspective on the other team's defense, what they want to do, how they hide it, what their tells are, and how we can best attack it. I think this perspective is going to help Justin Fields tremendously. It should also help Getsy on game day as he sees how things evolve on the field but since he is new to play calling I expect it will take him some time to build base knowledge. For the first time in years I think we'll have a coaching staff that can and will make adjustments at half time.

I could be wrong but I don't think we see this too often where an entire defensive (or offensive) coaching staff follows their former coordinator to a new team unless they all got fired. https://www.windycitygridiron.com/2022/1/28/22907415/report-chicago-bears-matt-eberflus-3-indianapolis-colts-assistant-coaches-williams-rowe-borgonzi

Makes sense. Still we have money upfront do get a mid-range deal done like that and then work on Roquan's extension after Jun 1st. Also, isn't there some flexibility with cap space before some deadline at which point your top 53 has to be under the cap?

I'd gladly give up Eddie Jackson if we could make that happen. I don't see us having the space or will to commit that much to sign Adams as it limits how much else the new GM can do. With Getsy on board we can't rule this out as it likely keeps Adams in a comfort zone with the offense. Denver could be another option for him but they have a good WR corps and scanning their FA list they have some big gaps to fill starting at QB. For us the top losses are ARob and Hicks. We have to decide what to do with Roquan but they have a similar situation with Bradley Chubb. Updated: Jun 2nd is going to be a big day in Chicago. Post June 1st cuts and cap space made available: Goldman $8.8 mil, scheme change, poor performance, and Tonga Foles $3mil (either he or Dalton stays as our backup because cap savings are similar for each and we aren't going to find any cheaper or better at $3mil, plus having a veteran for Fields is a good thing and these guys both did that last year). Can't see anyone trading for either, Foles gets us $500k more cap space vs. Dalton Jimmy Graham: $3.5mil. no comment needed (Whitehair: $8mil if they want it but I expect him to stay as the veteran while we bring Borom and Jenkins up to speed.) Eddie Jackson: $6.1mil. Zero chance he fits Eberflus' ethos Trevathan: $3.3mil Cohen: $4.0 mil. Never returned from knee injury he's done. Tayshaun Gipson: $500k. It ain't much but neither was he when he was on the field Total: $29.2mil. That number looks great but we have to replace a few of these players: Goldman needs to be replaced by someone who fits the new scheme and can be productive. That's at least $5 mil. My vote is Hicks if he'll take a reasonable 2yr deal for a part time role, and add a draft pick. Net $3.8 mil Foles: no replacement Net $3 mil Graham: Horsted. $600k. Net $2.9 mil Jackson was full time starter. While it won't be hard to replace his production that will come with at least a mid-level contract of around $3-5mil. Net $2 mil Trevathan: I'd bring back Ogletree for at least one more year. Vet min type deal if he'll take it, or more maybe small roster bonus for making the 53. He'll also get vet contract reduced cap hit which helps but figure $1mil in cap hit. Net $2.3 mil Cohen: We'll no doubt work to re-sign Grant but that's likely similar to his last deal at $2 mil. Net $2 mil Gipson: Going to put one of our current backups or draft pick here so call it $1 mil. Net -$500k After replacement players Net Cap Space for 2022: $15.5 mil According to Spotrac Adams new contract is likely to be $25.8 mil/yr. I can't see us going that route and to be honest I'm not even sure he's worth it. Jaylon Johnson had his number in the first half and they had to move/scheme Adams around to get him open. Looking further at FA WRs Godwin is expected to sign for $18 mil/yr, Mike Williams $16.7 mil/yr and so both are feasible. However, the WR I'm targeting is DJ Chark who is expected to get $12 mil/yr. If our new OC is what we're told he won't mind taking a young WR like Chark and improving his skills. Plus Chark is fast and that fits Fields' skillset. I liked what I saw out of Dazz, at least he's athletic enough to know he can play in the NFL. Our WR corps: Chark, Mooney, Newsome, Grant, ROOKIE they can bring back Byrd and Goodwin for camp among others.

With this likely scheme change and the Goldman question we still have Khyris Tonga for those times we want to go heavy up front. I don't think Tonga will ever have the endurance needed to be a full-time starter but in a rotational role he's a beast especially against short yardage situations. That combination might be exactly why the new GM will prefer the $6.6mil in cap space to sign a FA who's a better fit, or even just Akiem Hicks. Even in his injury limited season Hicks had far more impact plays than Goldman.

Gonna fix this for ya: At that point in Nagy's tenure he should have been fired.

I'm squarely in the frame of mind: Fool me once shame on you, fool me twice shame on me. And the Bears have fooled me far more than twice. I'm very curious who Getsy pulls in to fill out his coaching staff. If he can get some good veteran coaches to follow him then I'll have hope because those guys should know when someone is BSing them. If he starts pulling coaches out of college, or we get the scraps who just need a job after all the other teams got their coaches set, then it's over before it started.

High risk. Not at all what I was expecting.

I understand the concept and the logic behind it. While I'm not totally against this I can confidently state I have zero interest in watching a cover-2 coverage scheme with no pass rush upfront. I'd quietly float that these players are available and if someone were to give me an offer I couldn't refuse I'd take it. I wouldn't be actively shopping them. Otherwise I'm keeping both and i think they are very good fits for what Eberflus wants on D.

For those of us old enough to remember when Ditka joined the Bears as HC that quote is very much along the lines of what he told the players when he arrived.

https://www.windycitygridiron.com/2022/1/29/22908056/report-chicago-bears-philadelphia-eagles-hiring-ian-cunningham-into-front-office-nfl-offseason-2022 Another former Olineman joining the front office?

Eberflus has to have worked with him somewhere. Otherwise I can't see how he'd know the backup to the backup to the play caller (HC) is any good at designing and calling an offense.

I haven't had time to dig into the Cover 2 vs. Cover 3 (Seatlle/NE concepts) transition he made at Indy. I only know that based on this he's definitely not married to scheme and adjusts based on talents of his players.

Seems like this deserves its own thread as we enter the FA and draft season. If this is the direction Eberflus wants to go it's hard to say how much he can implement this offseason. https://www.stampedeblue.com/2020/10/2/21497914/colts-scouting-journal-time-to-stop-calling-the-colts-a-cover-2-defense

How is McVay going to develop a QB when he's in his ear telling him exactly where to throw on each play? Which worked well until defenses figured out McVay's tendencies and they just needed to disguise better, at least until his conversation with QB was cutoff.

Hmm. stay in GB and run the offense with Jordan Love and where your HC is still "the guy" for the offense or go down the road and run the offense with Justin Fields and blaze your own path?

I could see that being how he won the interview: "Under my leadership we're sticking with the Bears long tradition of outstanding defense and occasional offense." I can see George smiling as he recalls all the failed offensive experiments with Martz, Trestman, and now Nagy and saying to himself yeah, that Fox-ball stuff wasn't all that bad.

I'm not giving up my cushy job as a critic where it is much easier to be correct after the coaches are wrong. I wouldn't mind one of those consultant roles but I hear it only pays $15/hr.

Is this your list or some rumor you picked up regarding who Eber (Flussie?) is looking at?

Wishful or not I'd still prefer Desai running the D over Lovie regardless of scheme. One has shown the ability to adapt scheme to take away something from an offense the other just focuses on "better" execution of the same thing over and over. From the article link I posted earlier Eberflus appears to have the same trait of scheming against an offense where he can find an advantage, or to create an advantage. Marinelli I'd be happy with but at 71 he might be past his retirement date. Maybe a younger DC to carry the heavy workload and Marinelli as Dline coach/assistant DC?

Eberflus was the passing game coordinator for 2 years in Dallas. How many times have you seen a LB coach add that responsibility? He has to understand the offensive side of the ball well enough to help build a game plan to attack a defense.

https://www.nwitimes.com/sports/football/professional/what-chicago-bears-see-in-coaching-candidate-matt-eberflus/article_8a457478-2fb4-51b6-af8d-c2d486546dc1.html

No. I’d much Prefer to keep Desai before going back to routinely beaten cover 2.