adam

What is so weird is this is the same guy who held out to get a provision put in his contract so he wouldn't lose money if suspended for "leading with the helmet". I know mental health issues can be very random, but to go from a guy who is so adamant about one thing to just falling off the cliff is alarming, especially since there never seemed to be a hint of issues in his life before this. Normally there are signs, even if subtle. Not that it matters to anyone, but I still feel this is somehow related to the throwback uniform, and he has issues with the team promoting it, and is probably dreading the fact that this is going to come up again in a few short weeks. I could be completely wrong on this but the timing of the initial incident was too coincidental for me. If they shut him down for the season before that game or for that game, then it has to somehow be related, which is extremely unfortunate. In a macro view, I am wondering how all of this is affecting other players. Like if someone is having a bad day at work, it seems to affect those around them. I wonder if this is somehow related to the offensive struggles and defensive drop-off as well, even indirectly.

One glaring weakness in Trubisky's game is the lack of rushes. He has played in 5 games (4 full) and has 5 rushes for 21 yards. Chase Daniel has 6 rushes. Mike Davis has 9. He had 7 rushes for 32 yards against GB last year in one game. In his first 5 full games, he had 25 carries for 164 yards and 1 TD. He needs to run the ball. For QBR purposes, Trubisky has -0.9 running which is on par with Cousins, Keenum, and Winston. His overall QBR is 34.2 (50.0 is average QB). Last year Mitch had a QBR of 71.0, 3rd to only Mahomes and Brees. His Run QBR was a 22.1. Last year his passing was 43.1, this year it's down to 2.4. Dating back to last season, he has 9 straight regular season games with 251 yards or less. That is the longest streak under 300 since he started his career with 9 straight under 300. So he has never gone 10 straight games without a 300 yard game. Talk about overdue. His last game with more than 251 was when he had 355 against Detroit last year, however the 2 games before that was 135 and 220. So 1 game in his last 12 with more than 251 yards. Ouch. The only positive difference is turnovers. He doesn't have a fumble lost yet, and only has 2 INTs in 160 attempts. Daniel has 2 INTs in 60. We just need a guy that gives us 250 passing yards a game, 30 on the ground and gets at least 2 TDs a game with an INT maybe every other game. That's it, right now, he is nowhere near that. For me, he doesn't have to throw for 400 yards a game, but he definitely needs 250. I don't think that is asking for a lot.

The Chargers are 2-5, and are in worse shape than the Bears somehow. Keenan Allen DNP on Thursday due to a hamstring injury. McManis is the only Bear listed on report. Derwin James, like Hicks is out. This is a great game to get the running game going as the Chargers are 21st against the run. All of the Chargers losses (5) have been by a TD or less. I have very little faith in this team, but based on what I have seen from the news conferences and media interviews, the team finally seems to be pissed off. Hopefully, they take it out on the Chargers this week. I am predicting a dominant performance with a defensive TD. Bears roll 27-13

Yeah, something is not right. Trevathan also talked how they swapped him and Smith, so Smith is now backside LB and not the Mike. So Roquan doesn't even have to call anything anymore.

Check out the press conferences and locker room conversations the media had with the players and Nagy today: https://www.chicagobears.com/video/trubisky-we-all-know-what-we-re-capable-of Some things that stood out: 1. The players held an all-players meeting (first of it's kind under Nagy). Trubisky seemed pretty genuine and frustrated. He also hears the noise (media, fans, etc). Hopefully, that is something he can use for motivation going forward. He liked playing the underdog and no one believes in us thing last year. 2. Trubisky said "I am trying to be a pass-first guy" - this might be the most telling statement of the day. So he is clearly forcing himself not to run (against his instincts). If this is coming from the coaches, that is a mistake. Just let the kid play, clean up the footwork and see what happens. Don't completely neuter half his game, look at what Jackson is doing. It is ok to be a running QB. 3. Trevathan had an interesting comment about Smith, "he (Smith) is trying to figure it out a little bit right now". When asked about what he had to figure out, Danny stated that he was playing the "Mike" and Smith was now playing the "backside". So this makes a lot of sense from a performance perspective, Smith was out of position for a lot of plays because he was literally in a different position. I wonder if this was sort of a demotion for the whole missed game thing. If it was tied to the jersey, we will find out next month if Smith ends up with some phantom injury for the Dallas game. If it wasn't a demotion (for any reason), then why make that switch? If mental health related, are they trying to lessen the load on him mentally? A very fascinating circumstance, and whatever it is, I hope Smith can overcome it personally and professionally.

I am not writing them off yet, but it's close. My problem is what have you seen in the last year and a half that would tell you that MT is going to change? He literally is the exact same QB he was from last year. The difference is teams have figured him out completely and Nagy has become so predictable, it's sickening. Can we just stop with all the Cohen runs? Those have been the biggest killer. Patterson has at least been somewhat effective on jet sweeps. However, Cohen is is 20 for 47 yards this year with a long of 9 yards. I don't see the same player I saw last year. He has 29 receptions for 147 yards. Let's not make him the focus of the offense. I would not bench ARob. If he is open go to him, if not MT has to learn to go somewhere else.

With half the guys under 6' it looks like one too.

More like Club Dud. It is part of a culture thing and Belichick has earned the respect to act any way he wants. I don't think many younger/newer coaches would get away with the things he does (not that they're wrong). Also, I don't know if the Club Dub thing was meant to be a permanent thing until the Bears started winning so much last year. If they alternated wins and losses every other game and ended at 7-9 or 8-8, I don't think Club Dub would've lasted. Like now, if we beat LAC, it may come back, but if we lose two, then win one, I doubt Club Dub is there anymore. The beat writers were even talking about it now that you would need a pretty decisive victory to even consider it again. It would look pretty silly for a 6-10 team to celebrate when they win 6 games in 4 months.

Either way, he looked, hitched, hesitated and got sacked. This is exactly what he does on every play. He either throws to first read, or hesitates and the play is over. Once his head snapped to the left and he saw nothing there, even if he can't see Gabriel, he has to look for Miller and make the throw instantly. He is just slow to process and react. Shouldn't we see at least some improvement here? It's not like he magically figures this out overnight because there are so many other things going on (bad feet, bad hips, bad presnap reads, zero touch, poor deep ball accuracy). If you knew what you knew now, does Trubisky even get drafted?

I did not see this until this morning, the exact same play broken down on Twitter:

Monty was getting mauled by like 4 defenders. Where are all the damn blockers? I feel for that kid. Instead of not going to him again. Nagy should've gone right back to him 2-3 more times.

Without any risk of a running game or just Cohen running laterally, the defense can play all their non-rushing defenders within a range of 3-15yds which is the time it takes for their first rusher to pressure Trubisky. So without a good pocket/protection, there are very few places to go with the ball. I have seen teams rush 3 and drop 8, and still get pressure. If you are only sending 3-4 guys into routes, how the hell are you supposed to find an opening when every receiver is literally bracketed two to one? The way Trubisky was moving his feet, he was super concerned about taking a hit or landing on his left shoulder. I know on one of the sacks he landed on his throwing shoulder, so he was clearly avoiding the contact.

This is actually a great play design by Nagy. Monty might've had a decent run as long as he beat Jordan to the hole. If not, Miller and Gabriel were both open for at least 5-7 yards, they could easily turn and dive for 2 yards. It's crazy how every play looks like this for the most part. I can't imagine why Trubisky locks onto ARob so soon, was it an out route that he didn't run? The video looks worse, Trubisky literally snaps his neck towards ARob, so I was thinking maybe a fake, then he does this half-ass hitch/pump fake. However, right then he has to throw it to someone, and he hesitates, sees Jordan and the play is done. He doesn't even have the common sense to throw it away. He has to know he has two receivers to his right, where he can easily pitch it and it won't be intentional grounding. I would love to hear what he was thinking on this play. High School QBs understand this concept. I see it every Friday night. How can our Franchise QB not understand this?

Oh yeah, even worse, who was drafted before 2 HOFers at the same position where the team traded up for the dud? It will be known as "The Trubisky".

Ok, early in the 2nd quarter, the Bears have 1st and 10 on the Saints 24. #1. The Bears send Gabriel in motion and no one follows. Trubisky fakes handoff/RPO to Montgomery and immediately looks towards ARob. Massie blocks inside and Jordan is unblocked on the edge (play design?). Coward/Massie double team DT, Whitehair/Daniels double the other. Monty looks to be running between those two, but doesn't get the ball. #2. Trubisky still staring down ARob, Jordan stops to ensure Montgomery doesn't have ball, both Miller and Gabriel open. Gabriel has to be in Trubisky's field of view. #3. Trubisky hitches (horrible form) like he going to throw it to ARob who doesn't seem to be expecting pass. Gabriel and Miller both wide open. Miller is seen waving his arms. Jordan now locked in on Trubisky. #4. Trubisky's eyes now on Jordan, still can't see Gabriel or Miller who still have no one near them. #5. Trubisky's indecision has allowed Jordan to close to him. All Trubisky has to do is throw the ball away or at this point towards Miller who is still motioning for the ball. It's a safe throw because as long as he doesn't airmail it, no one is within 5 yards of Miller. Montgomery is now past the LOS too. If you watch Coward through these pics, he comes off his first block (#3) and is blocking at the 2nd level (#4), and finishing it well down the field. Since it was not a run, it might've been a penalty though Coward sure thought it was going to be a run up the gut. Trubisky is sacked making it a 2nd and 18. Trubisky has two more passes, one complete to ARob for 4 yards making it 3rd and 14 and then incomplete on 3rd down. The Bears settle for a FG. This play highlights Trubisky's ability to read the play, know where the open players are and to adjust or think on his feet. For some reason, he locks into ARob super early and way before it would be possible for him to be open. ARob doesnt even seem to expect the ball until #4 when he is calling for it deep. By then Trubisky's eyes are no longer down field and he can even evade a single rusher to throw the ball away. You can't take a sack there.

That's me at Top Golf. My practice swings are wicked awesome. Then I swing at the ball, miss it, while hurling my club 30 yards on the course.

Shaheen actually looked serviceable in this game, he had 2 receptions for 24 yards and a 2pt conversion that was actually a great jump ball grab and all hands catch over the defender.

What about someone like Tyrod Taylor? He sort of got the raw deal in Buffalo and now sits behind Rivers in LA. To me, he sort of fits the RPO mold Nagy is looking for. He had a couple of good seasons with a bad Buffalo team a few years ago. I can't imagine the Chargers would be opposed to moving him with him only on a two-year deal (signed thru 2021). 53 TD - 20 INT in his career, a couple of 3,000 Passing/500 Rushing seasons and he just turned 30. A couple of other names, AJ McCarron (HOU), and Cooper Rush (DAL). Both are a little bit older with way less production, but at this point all we need is a taller Chase Daniel.

Week 7 QB Stats: Franchise QB level: Trubisky 251 yards, 2 TD, 0 INT, 86.3 QB Rating Starter: Watson 1 TD, 2 INT, 81.5 QB Rating Career Backup: Mahomes 76 yards, 1 TD Trubisky had the most TD passes of the three (actually had as many as Mahomes and Watson combined), had 0 INTs and the 2nd best passing yards and QB Rating for the week. He also didn't get hurt like the weakling Mahomes. Watson got sacked 3 times, Trubisky only twice, so Watson had 33% more sacks than Trubisky.

Burton has $7.5M in dead cap for 2020, there is no way you can move that. At best you put him on IR for the remainder of this season and hope he recovers and is somewhat useful next year. The earliest you could cut him is 2021.

After seeing QB's fail all over the NFL in the last 40 years (of me watching the sport), it is clear that you have to have a combination of several traits, and that you can overcome one or two, but once you get to 3-4 shortcomings, you normally eventually fail. 1. Arm Strength 2. Accuracy/Touch 3. Vision 4. Pocket-awareness/presence 5. Leadership 6. Decision-Making/Speed 7. Physical Traits Trubisky can't adjust to a dynamic situation on the fly (#6). He doesn't possess the mental speed to process something new and react immediately. He lacks touch (#2) on most of his throws and has poor field vision (#3). Even if a receiver is his 3rd option and the dude is uncovered at the LOS, he should be able to see that opportunity and take advantage of it. When he is pressured, he has the propensity to move laterally instead of up into the pocket (#4). When he moves laterally, he takes away his ability to scramble for yards. I can't comment about his leadership, but I rarely see him talking to teammates on the sidelines when the defense is on the field. To me, he has 4 negative traits, which basically is impossible to overcome. You would hope some of these would improve by Year 3 but if you watched a game in his rookie year and the Saints game, you would think the Saints game was his rookie season. He can improve some of these, but to me, he is cemented at the career backup QB level. He is not an NFL starter and I don't think he will ever get there. Every game he misses 2-3 throws that are inexcusable, he can't hit the side of a barn after 10 yards. Thankfully barns don't move. He still zeroes in on his first read and will throw it to that receiver into triple coverage. He didn't have any INTs, but probably should've had 1 or 2. The last part is with being a natural thrower. It's almost like people who can't dance (like me), I can do the steps but it looks awkward. That's how Trubisky plays QB, he has the arm strength, can throw simple route trees, can run with the ball when needed with above-average speed for a QB, but other than that, what has he ever proven since college? From the collective groan when we traded up one spot to pick him until today, zero has changed. Watson was the pick and Pace blew it and should held accountable.

I was 10 days ahead of you on this Mad: If you watched Jackson only this year, would you call him a home run? At this point, I don't even know if you extend him and pay him Top 5 Safety money. For what? Cohen has tailed off and has become a gimmick player that Nagy uses in the wrong spots. Floyd is a bust for a top 10 pick (who you traded up for). Goldman is the best player Pace drafted. Technically our best players on offense and defense are free agents. Robinson on offense (who is the only one worth a damn) and Mack, Hicks, and Trevathan other than Goldman. You cannot sustain success like that. Last year we took advantage of a last-place schedule, and got lucky on turnovers and defensive TDs. That well is dry.

Lol, this made me laugh. Thanks for that Bill! I would just be concerned if he missed his target or took a sack!

Just blow this thing up, someone has to be held accountable. Fire Pace, Nagy, Heistand, Helfrich, Tabor, someone. You just got beat by a backup QB, RB, and TE at home, and it wasn't even close. I would put Trubisky and Burton on IR, sign Kaepernick and bring up a TE.

Also, why would we give Eddie Jackson top 5 Safety money? The dude has been a complete ghost this season. Zero impact plays thru 6 games. 19 tackles and 2 PD in 6 games? All Pro my butt. Davis has to be cut, we need th draft pick. I would trade or put Burton on IR, something is clearly wrong with him. I would put feelers out for Gabriel and Floyd too. Does the team do any psychological evaluation before signing players? Burton, Parkey, and now Smith all have been off. Smith is playing nowhere near what a top 10 pick should be playing. Trevathan is running circles around him. This season has been such a gut punch. Confirmed that we picked the wrong QB, and gave up way too much draft capital for mediocre players.