Alaskan Grizzly

When you watch Fields play it’s like having the same feeling you got when Hester was back to receive a KO or Punt return. He may not make it to the endzone every time but he sure does make it exciting. Pair that with the grit and leadership quality we’ve seen both when he’s been injured and insists on playing. Or when a player has a tantrum (Claypool) and he’s there to calm him down and reassure us they’ll work together in the off-season to be better. These are intangibles you can’t get from a lot of these young players (take Zach Wilson or Max Jones for example). How do we know any of these “can’t miss QBs” coming up for the draft won’t be another Wilson, Jones or Lance. If the Bears were to consider trading away a guy like Fields, regardless of the return they’d get, would be a fool’s errand. He’s on a rookie contract, needs more tools around him and has one hell of ceiling to get to yet.

I don't completely believe in Philly's offense against SFs defense. And oddly enough Purdy hasn't proven he can't handle anyone in the NFL yet. Edge goes to SF because of the coaches and a guy named Gould (in my estimation). SF by at least three and probably because of last minute heroics of Gould. And Cincy has a QB walking towards legendary status in Burrow. Where Mahomes, who is legendary already, is dinged up. A lot of what he does relies on his mobility and that will be affected. I think it will be similar to when the Chiefs lost to TB in the Super bowl and KC's oline was all dinged up(?) Mahomes looked every bit the human in that game. And I keep hearing that Cincy has beat KC three times in the last 12 months. Can't see them not getting a fourth win. Cincy by at least 7.

Yep. 49ers setting example with former Dir. of Player Personnel Ron Carthon going to Tennessee to take over GM duties.

Meanwhile, Ian Cunningham has turned down the AZ GM job. Understand he turned down another opportunity as GM to stay with the Bears. I for one think this is great news.

Thanks guys (AZ54 too) for the explanation. Helps somewhat .

Like Brock Purdy? Although he played in the E/W Shrine game and not the Senior Bowl.

Ah, then what was/is Akiem Hicks considered? I see his draft info listed him as a DE but TB has him currently listed as a DT and he sure did spend a lot of time disrupting the backfield when he played in Chicago.

Admittedly I'm not one who completely understands the "3 tech" concept and understand that Jones is not one of those guys. But with what we know about him, wouldn't he be a good option as a rotational player alongside a true 3T?

I remember us talking early on about Poles attempting to make a 'splash' with DT Larry Ogunjobi (who eventually failed his physical) but had to quickly pivot to Justin Jones. It was mentioned that Pace probably would've had stuck it out and tried everything to get Ogunjobi. Poles did not. For what its worth, here's what each player accumulated stats-wise this season: Ogunjobi: 43 ttkls, 20 solo, 1.5 sacks (in 16 games) Jones: 45 ttkls, 21 solo, 3 sacks (in 17 games). Jones increased his total number of tackles by 11 the previous year and duplicated his number of sacks (3) from the year prior. Ogunjobi got the same number of total tackles from the previous year but dropped from 7 sacks that year to his 1.5 this last year.

Speaking of Justin. Evidently he sent a gift of gratitude to all the oline. This from Tev Jenkins’ Twitter:

And just like that the remaining QBs in the playoffs have all been in the league for 7 years or less (Dak Prescott being the most senior). 6 of them are 1st round picks (Prescott 2016, Mahomes, 2017, Allen 2018, Jones 2019, Burrow 2020 and Lawrence 2021). One was drafted in the 2nd round (Hurts - 2020) and one was drafted dead last this year (Purdy = "Mr Irrelevant" 2022).

And to add insult to injury, so far the only home team to have lost at home (to include Jax). Save the SF game all the playoff games so far have been pretty decent. All four of the NFC North teams are now sitting on the couch together watching the rest of the playoffs. And if you ask me, the Bears and Detroit are in the best position going forward.

I get a whole Carson Wentz vibe from this Levis character. They have eerily similar stats (collegiately) and came from general obscurity to become draft darlings. (If Mel Kiper likes him, that ain’t a guarantee). The one (perhaps BIG) difference between the two is Levis played in the SEC his final two years. But if another team likes him as ‘their guy’, all the better for the Bears.

Another factor to consider is Doug Pedersen. Last year under Meyer the team was a train wreck. You can tell this team is much more organized and better run with Pedersen in the lead. They even mentioned that yesterday during the game on how much better Lawrence looks just in one year. Having been a QB himself (in the NFL) helps that growth. Also having been in the playoffs and winning the Super Bowl adds to your level of confidence. Lawrence showed some serious moxy yesterday. Didn’t Pedersen get himself sideways with Eagles’ management for wanting to start Hurts when he did?

Ha! He and Fields have some familiarity with one another (great hire by the way). https://www.cbssports.com/college-football/news/led-by-ohio-state-qb-justin-fields-big-ten-players-petition-to-reinstate-the-2020-football-season/

Collegiately speaking, Fields was better than Peyton Manning in some categories. Fields: 428/618 68.4% 5,701 yds 9.2 Y.A 67 TD 9 INTs with 178.8 passing efficiency and a college championship appearance (two if you count he was on the 2018 Georgia team) Manning: 863/1381 62.5% 11,201 yds 8.3 Y.A 89 TDs 33 INTs with 147.1 passing efficiency and no college championship (although he is credited with helping Tennessee make the following year).

At the end of the day, the Ravens aren't projected to make it far into the playoffs this year. Jackson has missed 16 consecutive practices and doesn't appear anywhere near ready to play. And there's talk he may not be back next year, due in large part to how much money Baltimore has (or doesn't have). I read somewhere they may have already used the Tag on him (last year) and the holdout would indicate the team is in for a long offseason with him negotiating-wise.

I'm seeing similar talk about a scenario with the Colts involving DeForest Buckner. Of the two, this seems more better.

Out of curiosity, wonder how ESB got a contract so quick? I assume it was for another 1 year deal? Was going to compare him to N'Keal Harry and forgot that Harry was a mid-season trade (For a 7th pick) and I believe at the end of his rookie contract(?) so needs a different prism to view his potential future contributions. But dang I hope they keep Harry.

I would have said that I feel this is where Ian Cunningham will be a huge asset going into the new year. BUT, it appears the word is out that he’s a young ‘up and comer’ in the league. Reading elsewhere he’s linked to at least 2-3 potential GM jobs.

And I should add, as much a supporter of Lovie as I am, I think the game has passed him by. Sorta like how Fox suddenly appeared to be in over his head. Lovie might be a good consultant, especially for this version of defense we have now but that’s about it. Id love more than anything to see Vic Fangio back but he’s more a 3-4 defense than this. Heard rumors GB maybe looking at him for DC.

I like this one from earlier today.

Aha. We find ourselves once again on polar opposites on how the Lovie tenure went down. You know he did ‘take your advice’ and draft (or “suggested”as you insinuate) two o-linemen in the first round during his time (Carimi and Williams) but they both flopped. At any rate, there’s little doubt no other Bears HC has been able to duplicate what Lovie did, so far. And for what it’s worth Urlacher thought Lovie getting fired was BS and that Phil Emery was “weird”.

And to top things off, Detroit knocks the Pack out of the playoffs! Lol!!!

I caught a Tweet this morning that said Virginia McCaskey turns 100 today. Apparently she is the first NFL owner ever to do that. Happy birthday Virginia.