AZ54

I saw that. It’s very interesting because it seems to be based on comfort with how well Fields is playing. I think there are other factors such as Kramer being the likely starter at center. From Flus’ perspective he’s seen enough of what Fields can do against the Colts defense that nothing more will be learned. At least not enough as compared to the downside risk of injury if a protection call is messed up.

Went for the INT and collided with Pittman. He was all shook up but no obvious injury.

Quietly Roschon got snaps with the 1st team yesterday.

This is a really good breakdown of the two rookie DTs. Dexter gets added to the very small list of men I've seen lift a 300lb offensive lineman up in the air with just one arm. There are a lot of positives about Dexter in this game for run defense. He's got a lot of room to grow as a pass rusher but he'll learn. Pickens had a few good plays too and he can play strong too. Football Scout squeezed in a couple clips of Travis Bell and you can see just how quick he is.

Searching for Mongo in the crowd...

There just might not be a better way to teach a big strong man like Dexter how to get lower and maintain leverage.

I know next to nothing about the Colts and their roster. I was scanning their depth chart and we'll get to see a few good matchups. With 2 days of practice plus a game the players will all know each other well. We have a sense of our roster now, how do they matchup? At the top of the list everyone has been talking about Buckner against our OGs and Pittman Jr. against the CBs. They have a few players I had interest in during recent drafts who I'm curious about: LT Bernard Raimann, WR Alec Pierce, WR Josh Downs. Any other good or interesting matchups?

The metaphor is good even if the material science isn't. Although there is a cautionary aspect to it as well because soft iron is only going to yield soft iron. Hanging out with lazy people produces more lazy people. It's important to find the right person or people to work with, or role model. Offense practicing against a poor defense is not going to improve.

The Trubisky comp for yards is valid as a floor especially with a 17 game schedule. The number one thing all of the best offenses have is big plays. Without the talent for that you are left dinking and dunking your way down the field. Even Mahomes in his breakout 2nd season would have a big game but there'd be 3 or 4 WR screens or short crossing routes that would go for 30/40/50 yards. So he threw for 400yds but almost half were on 4 simple plays w/ a ton of YAC. Those type of plays also tend to put a defense on its heels and play safer which can open up more easy underneath. We have the players to get those big plays.

I don't know even know where this came from since everyone on the planet uses a grind stone to sharpen iron (or steel) because the sharpening material must be harder. But this is football not engineering so whatever gets them out of stupid questions from journalists is fine by me.

That's a pretty good first effort by Carter. Like they always say it's best when nobody notices them and he was quiet.

With Breece Hall recovering from a knee injury I understand why the Jets signed Cook. He can carry the load early while Hall ramps up. Elliot...you don't need to pay that much for the second part of a two back system. At least Cook still played well last year. Elliot is a shell of what he used to be.

It doesn't appear we pay $2.7mil... "The Bears are now responsible for Walker’s contract year, though that checks in at just $895K." https://www.profootballrumors.com/chicago-bears-news-rumors

This headline was not on my bingo card. In fact I don't know if the Bears Oline has ever had such a good start in the first preseason game. https://bearswire.usatoday.com/2023/08/14/bears-offensive-line-impressive-preseason-performance-against-titans-pff-grade/

Listening to Flus today it appears Roschon has moved up to #2 on the depth chart. I don’t think that’s firm yet but it sounded as if he’s going to get a good shot at keeping it this week.

Unfortunately his competition has similar issues with fumbles and drops: Pettis and Scott.

Robinson is the third best DE. He’s not going anywhere especially when you consider he’s still ascending. Green seems like a guy nobody would miss because I can’t think of anyone mentioning his name all through camp nor in the last game. He may offer more versatility inside like Walker does. That could mean keeping 4 DTs and 5 DEs. Especially if they feel ok with Travis Bell on the practice squad.

Belichick is way off his game.

https://www.profootballrumors.com/2023/08/ravens-sign-db-deandre-houston-carson

I agree. It’s a very long off-season. Anyone who has played any sport knows things don’t feel right after a 6 month break.

The coaches have to be pleased with how well Carter played at RG. He played well enough that he will likely be the backup going forward and not Patrick. That relegates Patrick to backup OC but then how did Kramer perform? Leatherwood reportedly did well at LG. I'm not sure about Kramer's performance. I realize the value in having a backup OC who can also slide out to OG but since he's joined the Bears Patrick has mostly been injured. Nor has he played well. I think he might be on the bubble now. If we're keeping 8 OL then they'd have to see if Carter can handle LG.... something to watch for in upcoming practices.

If Fields' would have aligned his feet with his screen pass to DJ Moore I'd be more optimistic. Regardless the talent around him is much better and that alone will make a positive impact on his comp%. Slow snaps from Whitehair don't help. It's like a little lob pass back to the QB so Fields has to wait for it. OTOH that's a lot easier to handle and less likely to blow past the QB.

Swift did a short breakdown on Dexter but it's nice because you get to see Gipson, Pickens, and DRob on various plays. Aside from looking for the individual splash play the one thing that stood out was the consistent push up the middle to compress the pocket. We didn't have that last year. This has to hold up against starting level players but this is a good start for the two rookies in their first NFL game action.

A few folks showed up today with film breakdowns. The Football Scout had the All-22 view just for the first team offense and I think that's the best way to watch what happens. Not bad at all for first contact with another team. Carter looks good, definitely missed one assignment that led to no-gain play but otherwise he belongs on the field. Last year Braxton Jones had a bad habit of opening up his hips to far to pass rushers. You'll see him do that here but he does two quick kick steps and recovers. Ideally he should avoid getting into that position but last year when he got that far out of position he couldn't recover and gave up the pressure on Fields. Darnell Wright appeared to be in control of his blocks.

It's really hard to make much of anything preseason for QBs. How they respond under pressure does matter and is definitely something that carries into the season. Also being in sync with receivers on the routes. PJ Walker had no clue. Justin at least looked like he knows the offense but it's all such a small snapshot.