Alaskan Grizzly

I’ll be in the area coming up in a few weeks. Visiting daughter in Northern Cali. But possibly taking a road trip to Tempe to check out ASU for younger kid. Hoping for good weather. This post courtesy of Angel’s Envy. ?

Source? According to the link below, all these guys were the “first overall pick at QB” since 1967. Of the 20 listed not even 50% are what I would consider “elite”. https://www.nfl.com/photos/qbs-drafted-no-1-overall-in-modern-era-power-rankings-0ap3000000501596#e2fc2dd6-66fc-4f6a-859e-9a3f15edd565

Because I’m curious, of the current NFL rosters who do you consider “elite”? And are all “10” still playing?

I didn't take that at all. He was saying that there was immense pressure on Fields most of the game and the oline was unable to protect him from that constant pressure. And then commented on how difficult it is (for any QB) to throw the ball to where they think the receiver is in the face of that pressure. They quoted Justin saying as much when he said he didn't want to "guess" where the receivers were when he couldn't see them. Warner said that Cleveland's defense (currently ranked #1 overall) makes it difficult for many QBs to succeed. As far as "taking it (the running) away from him" how do you mean? My "eye test" tells me of several of the designed (or even scrambling) plays for running, Justin has gained yards ... and some cases 1st downs more often than he hasn't. The sacks we're seeing, especially against Cleveland, were a result of a collapsing pocket around him.

I'm not questioning whether they exist or are authentic...just who they are. Was one of them recently fired Raiders GM Dave Ziegler? Or maybe former Chargers GM Tom Telesco? The fact they "remain anonymous" should tell you something. Another of my "favorite" Fields detractors is former GM Mike Tannenbaum. The same yutz who drafted players like Mark "Butt Fumble" Sanchez in the first round. I don't lend a lot of creedence to "experts" that don't show consistent success in the job they are paid to do. Like how I can't believe Mel Kiper is still in business as a "Draft Expert". At any rate...I digress. If a player, past or present, comments on a player and uses their own name and likeness, then we should probably pay attention.

Who were these '7 GMs'? Did they answer on "condition of anonymity"? DJ Moore was (once again) asked about Justin Fields and reiterated what he said last week.

I'm wondering when Justin would be more valuable to another team? At the end of this season or next year (if) when the Bears draft another QB to compete against him? (If they choose the path you suggest? Of which I am in agreement with by the way).

Then "who" replaces Fields? And what circumstance makes that pick the next (first?) generational QB the Bears have needed all this time? So far history shows the Bears can't and won't get it right... Jimmy G was the 9'ers QB in 2019 and they went 13-3 that year and in 2021 (the year before Purdy was drafted) they went 10-7 with Garoppolo and Lance as the QBs.

I think given the right circumstances 'yes' he could help us win a Super Bowl. Do you believe if Brock Purdy played for anyone else he'd be where he is right now? Yes he hasn't won a Super Bowl but something tells me he could (and may) for the team he's playing for right now. Kaepernick was able get to a Super Bowl with a coach like Harbaugh and nearly won it after putting up 302 yards in the air (1 TD / 1 INT) and another 62 yards rushing with another TD. I only used Harbaugh as an example and am with you on the Warren relationship concern. Especially with the most recent scandal hanging over his (Harbaugh's) head I agree we probably won't see him Chicago anytime soon.

Except for the 2020 Super Bowl.

But...what about the games where he had a 21 point lead (Denver), a 26-14 lead against Detroit in their first meeting or even yesterday? An argument could be made that his "heroics" or 'domination' are what kept the Bears in those games too, even though they were losses. The observations you make of not juking when he should've, or put his hand down to gain that extra yard are ticky-tack superhero expectations when failing players like Mooney and Tonyan aren't catching passes, the coach isn't going for a FG to get points and the O-line looks like a sieve should all equally account (if not more) for the disastrous fall we saw yesterday.

Ha! My how time changes everything! lol and I couldn’t agree with you more. I saw I don’t know how many times Jones being pushed backwards at the snap of the ball right into Justin as he was about to throw. A couple of times it messed up the trajectory of the pass. We saw the same thing the week before against Detroit. Jones is not a starting LT. For a guy who ‘has to learn to play as a pocket passer’ I’d argue Justin first needs a pocket to work from.

Tell me unequivocally who the Bears will draft that will play better than Justin has been. Stop using the ‘I can’t predict the future’ smoke cover and provide some stats like Adam does or support your opposing viewpoint with some numbers. Who in this upcoming draft class has a better WINNING record than does Justin at the same point in his career? What are you seeing from the play of Williams, Maye or any of the ‘top tier’ QBs that makes you sure they can do it? And if they can’t, why are we going to draft them knowing they too could/would fail? And if you qualify it with ‘well Flus and Getsy’ will be gone so they new guy will have a better chance because of it’, then I’d counter with ‘what’s to say Justin couldn’t of given the same circumstances’? “What if” (for example) they hire Harbaugh and he decides he can make it work for Justin with the caveat he’d want them to draft McCarthy as his potential heir apparent? Harbaugh knew he could make it work for Krapernick and he did…Justin is unquestionably more talented. And Harbaugh couldn’t beat him in college.

Matt Ryan had a similar dream when he played in the Super Bowl in 2017. So did Justin this year against Denver and Detroit (game 1).

I would agree to some of this. There's no question that the coaching came into question in all three but Justin not being able to put it away...not so much.

I laugh to myself when I come to read our collective reactions here and other places that Bears fans reside. Last week we were all elated, talking about making the playoff, maybe Eberflus isn’t such a bad coach and maybe Justin is figuring it out. Then after we lose like we did yesterday, it’s back to the drawing board (aka ‘burn it all down’) draft a QB with the first pick and flush half the players and coaches. I admit my frustration gets the best of me too and hesitate on reactive response because had I done this 24 hours ago it would’ve been a whole different response. At any rate, if you consider some of the things you mentioned; Tonyans flub, Mooney’s play (or lack thereof), Flus’ questionable call about not going for a FG at the end of the half and a few other things were really not as bad as we feel we are. As you said, this was against the #1 ranked defense (at home) and despite some key flubs by some of our offensive players, we had them on the ropes. We just couldn’t close out. Three times it’s happened this year and oddly all for different reasons.

Yeah that’s the kinda thing that makes you wonder whether Flus stays as HC. Dumb.

FWIW Hurts has fumbled 8 times this year and lost 5. Justin had 7 fumbles and lost 4. What’s also interesting is that Hurts has been sacked 33 times and Justin 32 times. I think it safe to assume Hurts can get a team to the Super Bowl. ?

Yea he does. Thanks to Montez! ?

I think I’ve figured out what the problem is. The Bears need to get rid of anything former GB. Except maybe Lewis. I swear they’re purposefully sabotaging the Bears offensive efforts.

If you keep him for the fifth year and pay it’ll be just north of $23 million for that year ($32 million if he makes the Pro Bowl). The first figure puts him about 19th-20th in QB salary (between Love and Jimmy G). And about 16th for option 2. https://www.spotrac.com/nfl/rankings/2023/quarterback/average/ Because I’m not smart about contract stuff, why would they have to commit to 2 years and a hit of $30 milllion if they stick with him for year five?

DJ had an ankle issue pop up this week. In an seperate interview with Kay Adams he said he’d play this weekend. Worth monitoring.

I’d say comparing their collegiate careers would be a huge factor. Where Williams has a Heisman and three postseason appearances (1-2 in those games and none in 2023) Fields has six playoff and conference championship appearances and a winning record against the SEC. If the roles were reversed, it would be a whole different discussion.

I miss Vic Fangio a little less.

Was just going to say, if the Bears make the playoffs you’ll get your wish to analyze how he does against better competition. ??