DABEARSDABOMB

I'll also caveat that I think this is a really good class of coaching candidates, when I think of 3 really good fits on the retreat circuit (Vrabel, McCarthy, and Kingsbury), one older hall of fame coach (Pete Caroll) and than you have the bright OC's (Ben Johnson, Joe Brady, Bucs OC) and you have a really dynamic DC (Aaron Glenn). There are obviously other names I'm not listing - but that is a pretty good pool of candidates in my eyes.

This isn't going to happen. It just won't. Too many candidates out there that are with playoff teams. If you wait 5 weeks, fine thats a risk. But waiting another 1-2 weeks is really only going to put Vrabel at risk (in my mind). Now if they think Vrabel is their #1 - than they need to move fast. Now could a team settle and grab a guy like Kafka early - sure, but I don't think that impacts the Bears and when you look at past hiring cycles, there is ZERO correlation between the team that swings first in the hiring circle vs. the team that swings last.

If I could trade a 3rd rounder for Quentin from Colts to solve some interior problems maybe that makes things a bit more interesting in terms of going pass rusher first.

Was thinking same thing. He looks like a difference maker and could be there at 10.

Yeah that is why I have no major issue with them having a big list as long as they are focused and smart on how they are doing it. Because the new rules basically prevent teams from hiring for another 1-2 weeks or so.

Marcus Freeman is one name that intrigues me a ton. No way bears would spend the money and it would be a huge risk but regardless of what happens these final few minutes, Freeman is a special coach who I think would work at both levels (College & NFL).

One thing to note - if Johnson is their preferred / target candidate, the reality is they can't hire him for a while anyway, so if that is the case (or its someone else on a playoff team), than they aren't losing a ton of ground by having all of these other interviews, but may be gaining traction around other intelligence for coordinator positions and / or just gaining far broader knowledge on varying view points across the league. The one piece Poles/Warren are going to have to be smart about - is if they really like Vrabel or Pete, and most notably Vrabel, than that is the one scenario where they may have to cut the process short and reach an accelerated conclusion as they obviously run significant risk to a New England jumping on that. Otherwise I think all other teams the general expectation is this will play out and I suspect no other team will hire anyone in the next week.

They are interviewing Iowa State's head coach Matt Campbell. So they certainly are looking deeper than they further have. I have heard only great things about Campbell on a sidebar. I now wonder if we hear the name Nick Saban pop up or Marcus Freeman as well. We know David Shaw (former Standford coach) is also going to get an interview (my guess is he could be a theortical OC as well under say Vrabel or a different defensive minded HC). But Shaw was a hot name for a long time too and did a ton in Stanford (which is NOT an easy place to win).

The only risk is if the wait for him they lose out on another candidate. I don’t think Johnson will be gone in next week but Vrabel might be. But I think McCarthy is a legit plan B if they don’t like their plan A’s (Johnson / Vrabel / Pete).

Rodger’s had his mechanics rebuilt by McCarthy so I think he deserves some credit for his work with Rodger’s.

Its this - I think they focus on people who interview like a Corporate executive and don't focus on the right things that matter. I don't mind if you are interviewing these people for a purpose and have a "real" list which is say 3-5 people and the others are more of a "intelligence" list. This could be - we want to gather intel on views they had on x or y, or learn something specific and or even just get some early insights around how they might fit on a potential staff in a non HC role. But if you are legitimately looking at all of them and going to go off best interview than you are really throwing out tons of track record and realness for who put in the best prep for an interview (especially when some of these people are in the middle of prepping for playoffs, etc). Its why Pete, McCarthy, Vrabel are super high on my list - all would be good gets. Issues and risks with all of them - but they are people who move us forward as an org in my mind. Johnson or Brady or Bucs OC are guys who have risk but could be awesome too.

He is probably the safest hire of all the coaches. He's worked with 3 high level QB's and played a huge part in 2 of theirs success (huge part of Rodgers & Dak had his best years under Mike). He's won a superbowl - made the playoffs a ton - high winning percentage. Yes - he has some issues that maybe keep him from being great, but its not like Jerry is the best in the world either. Bottom line - they could do a lot worse. McCarthy has a good floor and I'd feel pretty good about Caleb's development...maybe in 4 years you need to move on from Mike to someone who can take them to next level -but I think Mike would put Caleb and the rest of the team on a pretty good path forward. I also think he's pretty good at bringing on good assistants. By the way - Poles press conference today. I don't know how to describe it - but he gives me absolutely zero confidence. None. In fact I have negative confidence in his ability at this point.

McCarthy is a proven good coach. Talking to him and getting his view points is a no brainer. Is he great…no, but he is good and you should speak with him.

Having good coaching is huge as you make your adjustment in the league. Williams if he is elite should overcome it anyway but young QBs get ruined all the time. Look no further than what happened to Baker and Sam Darnold and how they were turned around. Two former elite talents who are playing at a very high level right now (Baker for a 2nd consecutive year).

So I overheard a conversation yesterday with someone with connections to Keenan Allen. He’s gone - going back to Rams or Chargers. Loves Caleb - hated being away from west coast.

It’s why I think Poles is a loser…he hasn’t gotten the little things right either. Bad usage of draft capital in later rounds and with trades and just wasted picks. Too many luxury picks like two punters, Velus, the trades of picks for guys who don’t produce (Bates, Claypool, some other olinemen, Taylor from Seattle). A bust like Davis I could get - but given coaches warned him and he ignored - he gets no pass for that. Poles only plus is he got good value for the number one pick. Any GM could have done that - that wasn’t hard and involved no skill. When it comes to real moves he has shit the bed on all the little things including putting bad oline around Fields (and a year plus with shitty skill position talent) and than doing same with Caleb (from oline). And even getting Keenan - Mooney was in-house and impacted by Fields but he is crushing it in Atlanta. Look at Poles quotes at what went wrong - he was watching the camp and couldn’t see it. It’s not like this year Flus got shittier with the small details - Poles doesn’t know what to recognize. He is just as much a part of the problem.

I’m not convinced - I think Warren isn’t putting up with this. I don’t know that Warren will do any better, but I’m willing to give him a shot.

Happy new year to the best Bear fans on planet - may 25 bring great joy to you and yours and to our Bears!!!

I hope Caleb goes off and we get some luck and are able to move up a few spots in the draft!

This. He thinks he is better than he is and thus doesn’t bring the right edge. I don’t think he has what it takes to be a great gym, probably not even a good one.

It was a touchdown if Rome didn’t sit in the zone. Was a total dime.

He may be 1 year younger but Pete is the healthier and more energetic of the 2. Not even close - not that Bill B isn’t energetic himself. But Pete hasn’t aged in 20 years.

He’s flashed special a ton this season - he has to keep watching film and learn to speed up his tempo when defense calls it but he has also shown flashes where he can get it out quick. I think we will see a ton of growth from him over the offseason.

I don’t know whether I should like it or not. But I loved his quotes on how he coached his coordinators etc. The guy is a flat out great head coach…but he is old so I totally get that. You would want to pair him with an up and coming stud who can learn under Pete and take over ideally (and who wouldn’t jump because he knew he had a job in the waiting).

I would hire Pete before I hired Bill. Pete is the youngest and most energetic 73 year old you will find in the world. He also I think has stayed more modern and can connect with players and build the right culture - I don’t know that Bill Bs style works in this era.