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Everything posted by AZ54
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Mitch just didn't put in the work to fix his throwing mechanics and couldn't or wouldn't learn how to read defenses. If he liked seeing that Josh Allen was allowed to freelance more than he was and mistook that as a reason to keep doing what he'd always done then he was sadly mistaken. So far in his career he's earned $36 million.
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Maybe but 3,4, and 5 all seems like the same issue that just manifests into a different bad results. 1, 6 seem like similar issues with arm/hand use. Granted it's likely different for pass pro vs. run blocking but this is also a ZBS so I have to think engaging with defensive players on the move has some similarities even if the target area might be different. He has already admitted he's learned a ton about how much his arms can help him and every press conference he brings it up as something he's prioritizing. Doesn't guarantee a result but admitting or accepting what is wrong is the first step to fixing it. 2 could be a problem but during his private workouts with the team they were happy with his movement skills and his RAS score 8.44 indicates he has some decent athleticism. I think this is a correctable issue but at NFL game speed it could easily take him a full year to get acclimated. https://ras.football/ras-information/?PlayerID=21105. Reiff in contrast had a RAS of 5.91. Since I'm at the site FWIW Borom RAS 8.65 but as compared to OG. Jenkins a 9.73. 8 and 9 outside setting against pass rush could simply be how he was coached to play the position. Coaches/scouts should know that answer from his interview or workout sessions. 7 platform instability. could be fixed with strength training and coaching or it could be endemic to how he plays. For whatever reason some big men just never get it. My guess is the bold items are the biggest risks this year if we have to rely on him, followed by his hand usage. Building strength doesn't happen overnight especially for a rookie and all the life changes they go through with the draft process, moving to a new city, new job, etc. Learning to use leverage means getting rid of years of bad physical habits if it happens at all. OTs like Julien Davenport have been around for years but still play like they're wearing cement shoes.
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I remember that during the draft process. Given the tight-lipped organization Poles and Eberflus have run so far I find it odd they would be leaking to NFL Network about trade talks. The leak could be from his agent but you'd think he/she would be smart enough to know you don't want to try to trade damaged goods (meaning keep your mouth shut). Or it could be other teams that are interested but wanted to reduce his trade value. You listen to Braxton Jones' press conference and all you hear is praise for the coaches. I think he's being sincere because he's learning, he knows how much more he has to learn, and most importantly he appreciates the opportunity in front of him. He mentioned the "things you hear" but deftly stayed away from directly talking about Jenkins' issue. At this point it seems Jenkins' injury is a bruised ego.
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"I have been really impressed with this kid. For a 5th round pick, he seems like he is pretty well centered. Does this sound like a 5th round rookie:" I have been impressed by his maturity since his first press conference. We had to wait and see how that turns into performance on the field but it now appears he's a fast learner. He has a long way to go but the right mentality and approach to getting there.
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Not everyone. I was good with drafting Jenkins, even pleasantly surprised by the move to replace Leno. I had no issue with holding Leno accountable for his poor performance in the same manner I did for Gould before he left. Gould at least admitted it after working to regain his form and then landing on his feet in SF. Pace went all-in to save his job and it didn't work. The bottom line for me is that Pace and Nagy had to fail for us to arrive where we are today. I'm sure some may still want to burn off some fuel about why they had to fail for so long. Regardless, keeping Leno around wasn't going to change anything even if we had a couple less sacks or a few more first downs. Now the new staff moves much quicker on accountability. They won't wait a year or two. It's easy to do when you're new and these aren't "your guys" so we'll see if that holds up in years 3 and 4.
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As I said in the training camp thread: "Signs were already pointing toward Borom starting at RT but we'll see if that holds. Eberflus has already said he wants to keep 8 Oline so it's possible Jenkins ends up the odd man out at the end of camp and gets traded." I'd certainly like to see Jenkins fight for a job instead of pouting. I'd love to see his run blocking ability on the field but whatever is going on behind the scenes it just blew up. I was kinda discounting the whole maturity issues rumor but no longer. Oddly we're in the reverse situation of N'Keal Harry and the Patriots except Poles and Eberflus aren't going to wait nearly as long. Again, new sheriff in town and I guarantee this rumor has everyone's attention in the locker room. I'll add to the uneducated guesses based on my statement at the top. If we're only keeping 8 Oline and if Jenkins is headed toward being a backup that means he needs to demonstrate some versatility. He may have balked about taking snaps inside at RG, and also about being the "extra" lineman in limited packages. Reiff can play both sides. Jones is LT only. Borom can play both sides. What else are we gonna do with the 4th OT? Putting aside Jenkins issues, I still don't think the team would be shopping him if they really needed him even as a backup. I think this means they feel pretty good about Jones and Borom and likely two other Olineman. Reiff is the LT starter but gives added flexibility for RT, and then you have Schofield who can also slide out to RT if needed. They may also like what Mustipher and Carter are doing inside (guessing since Carter had some reps with the 1s). So then who are the top 8 Oline? 1. Reiff LT/RT 2. Schofield RG/RT 3. Whitehair LG/C 4. Patrick C/RG 5. Borom LT/RT 6. Mustipher RG/C backup each 7. Jones LT. 8. ????? (in terms of talent options are Jenkins, Carter, Shonn Coleman 5th yr, Zach Thomas, Pig Simmons, Eiselen, Kramer). I know Delance, and Davenport are out there too. I can't see them keeping a backup C who can't flex out to OG so Kramer is likely practice squad material. Watch how they line up tomorrow. In that list, besides Jenkins, there has to be a couple guys they like enough to be comfortable with them battling for the 8th spot. Otherwise keeping Jenkins necessitates having 9 Oline on the 53 but are you going to do that with a guy who isn't bought into your program? We're not going to be able to put Jenkins on the practice squad because someone would pick him up. The last 3 roster spots go to players who exude the culture and are willing to do whatever they can to help the team win, not to someone who needs a babysitter. What happens if we can't get decent value out of the trade? Either Jenkins has his teachable moment (nobody really values him) and decides to work hard (RT/RG) to earn a roster spot. Or we're SOL. I'd venture that Poles will keep him around as long as possible because there is always a team in need of OT help at cutdowns due to injuries. He'd likely get better value from someone who didn't want to take the risk of Jenkins becoming a FA. Deadlines bring clarity to your cost/benefit analysis especially if your GM or HC job is on the line. You'll pay more to try to keep your job. Like Harry did for the last year, if Jenkins first trade pitch doesn't work out he'd likely shut up and toe the line enough to help build his trade value during the preseason.
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He needs to stack the DB and push further inside so there is more room for the over the shoulder throw. All things he can learn. On the other hand, Kyler Gordon was right there, kept Velus wide on the sideline as he should be doing, and forced that throw into a very tight window. These two rookies have been going at it early and often in camp so far and think these battles will only heat up.
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Everybody mentions it at the start of camp each day. Signs were already pointing toward Borom starting at RT but we'll see if that holds. Eberflus has already said he wants to keep 8 Oline so it's possible Jenkins ends up the odd man out at the end of camp and gets traded. I don't think Jones is going anywhere and likely won't make it to the practice squad. Borom and Reiff, can play both LT/RT and Schofield can also backup RT. If everyone is healthy we don't need another backup OT. Jenkins has to either win the RT job or show he can move inside and perform well enough there to at least be a backup OG/OT. We're only 4 days into a 35 day process and we haven't even had 1 practice in pads.
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The rookie Center is making the most of his opportunity. His size isn't an issue if he can use it to his advantage and play lower with leverage. Of course he's got to have the strength for that as well which is how Kreutz excelled. It'll be interesting to see what he does with this opportunity. Mustipher doesn't appear to have a lock on RG and now Schofield is getting reps with the 1s and so is Carter. With those changes Mustipher moved to C with the 2s. Kreutz has been promoting Mustipher at C all offseason but now with his son's friend taking the lead at C I wonder what Kreutz will say/do next. https://www.si.com/nfl/bears/news/doug-kramer-the-center-of-attention-at-bears-camp
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Based on that poor highlight I don't want him. I realize there's more than that but still he's not exactly shifty enough to break free from the DB and can't accelerate past him either. We might as well see what we get with Harry and ESB for a much lower cost.
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I'm talking about his 3rd year and even then Mitch was still being babied. I can't remember anyone coming out of camp saying anything positive about him, in fact it was all red flags which proved correct as soon as the season started.
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I gave up trusting the national media and their football analysts a very long time ago. There are a few exceptions of course but overall I tend to learn more right here about the Bears and even the NFL. The one thing I sense right now from fan reports is that, comparatively speaking, Justin Fields in this training camp is way ahead of what Trubisky was doing at his last training camp. Typically at this point of camp I'm suffering through 2 (or more) weeks of "it's early and the defense is expected to be ahead of the offense". This year we get:
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2 days in a row the rookie Kramer got to step in a C with the 1s. Mustipher got some snaps with the 1s at C later in practice. Long way to go in this battle and you'd expect the guy who can play 2 positions has the edge for the final roster.
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The fact remains that isn’t leading from the front like he said he wants to do. I listened to his press conference he didn’t own up to loafing. Part of being a leader is admitting when you are wrong and taking ownership to make sure it doesn’t happen again. This will be his last year with us. When the coaches put him on punt returns on the first day that was a message to him that he isn’t that valuable.
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When Patrick left the field injured it was interesting to see him replaced by the rookie Kramer. This doesn't mean Mustipher isn't an option at C if he makes the final roster but any sentiment (from Olin Kreutz) that Mustipher will slide over to be the starting C seems like wishful thinking. N'Keal Harry had a couple drops today. After catching marshmallows from Mac Jones for a year I can forgive him for a little bit while he adjusts to a ball with a lot more velocity on it. There's chatter about the nice catch from Fields to Mooney deep in the middle of the field. For me the best part of that play was Fields sensing the pressure coming from his right side and sliding left in the pocket to buy enough time to release that pass...and he released that pass without resetting his feet. That kind of movement around the pocket is not something I recall last year. It's still early and with no pads there isn't much of a pass rush per se.
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We don't have any depth on this roster. Who do we have behind Kmet, Mooney, or any starting Olineman?
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Maybe, he had 3 INTs. https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/B/BurrJo01/gamelog/2021/
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Definitely thinking way too far ahead but let's ask it this way... after all these decades of hope, do you think there is one Bear fan on the planet who would not be willing to pay top dollar for one of the NFLs best QBs? Whether or not Fields attains that status is up to him.
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Maybe this is the CBA change the reporter was talking about?
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In one of the press conference questions a reporter mentioned that this "hold-in" was becoming more common since the recent changes in the CBA, and asked Flus if that is what Roquan was doing? I have no clue what they were talking about because if there were something official like that where a player could attend practices but not participate if they chose then it seems they would just say it upfront. Maybe someone else knows more on that.
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More of this please... FWIW Kmet appears to be running and cutting quicker than last year. I don't know if the new staff had him loose weight but he looks more fluid out there on the few routes I've seen.
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Looks like no Teven Jenkins at practice today.
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This is actually a plus move for Braxton Jones' development. We didn't have anyone on the roster with good LT experience for Jones to learn from. He was just competing with Borom with both learning on the fly. Reiff has limitations in pass protection but at least now Jones can see how it's done while also getting some pointers on pre-snap tips to help him come up to speed. Jones himself said he had to learn a pre-snap process to be mentally prepared for each play. Then there are the "tells" from DEs and what they plan to do. I'm looking forward to this weekend when we get feedback from fans attending practices this weekend. I saw somewhere that Velus "broke Kyler Gordon's ankles" on a cut in the endzone. It's day 1 of camp and whatnot so that in itself isn't a big deal but Jones said he's learned more about how to get in/out of his cuts and was focusing on that during the break. If he's showing consistency with his cuts then with his deep speed he'll be difficult to cover even if his route tree is limited. Can our new WR coach, Tyke Tolbert, help N'Keal Harry in the same manner? https://www.nbcsports.com/chicago/bears/bears-training-camp-observations-what-we-learned-day-1 "Elsewhere on Day 1, Velus Jones Jr. beat Kyler Gordon one-on-one in the red zone with a slick, out-breaking move that allowed the rookie receiver to break wide open for a touchdown."
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All I'm going to say is we beat that team last year and they didn't look that great during that game. They also lost to the Jets and Browns (2x). They got it together at the end of the season beating the Ravens and Chiefs helping them get into the playoffs. How many people had them in the Superbowl after the Wk 8 loss to the Jets, followed by a Wk 9 loss to Cleveland? If the expectation is that we are up/down like that I'd say yes but getting hot like that at the end of the season to compete deep into the playoffs...nah.
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I'd say it's as expected with Reiff manning the LT spot competing with Jones. I still think they see who has the edge (sorry for the pun) and the other one gets kicked inside to RG to see what they can they do.