adam

The one thing about these mobile QBs, is when they fake like they are going to throw, then run. Once they do that once and the defensive player gets fooled, then they are fair game after that. I just don't like the extra steps, hits to the head or diving at the knees. Those need to be taken out of the game.

I don't about top 5 defense, let alone top 3. I would say more like top 15, and we played like a top 10 unit last week. According to FBO we are 16th in defense efficiency: http://www.footballoutsiders.com/stats/teamdef We are 2nd to last in opponent's field position, where they average the 30 yard line to start. This is part of the problem and made worse by the early season turnovers. If we can cut down on turnovers, we can flip the script on the field position problem.

I don't see Fuller in the same light as Jeffery. Fuller has disappointed most of his rookie contract and has only really came on this year (after his 5th year option was not picked up). Now even if we picked up his 5th year option, if he performed like this all year, I am sure we would extend him at the end of the year anyway. Right now he is playing like a #1 CB, which based on the current deals for guys around his age, will get him a contract between $9-10 million a year. His current cap hit is around $3mil, so that would be a considerable raise. If he continues to play at this level, you have to extend him, and I wouldn't mind even doing it in this season (before he can become a FA).

I know this would be conspiracy theory talk, but do you think Whitehair would purposely play like that so they move him to Guard or Tackle? How does someone play so good one year and then seems like a player that has never snapped the ball before the next year? Seems odd. Just a thought.

That's all I am asking, not a full wholesale change in philosophy. Just mix in a few more passes, with a few deep balls, and it will soften things up a lot. Then once they start stacking the box again you take advantage over the top. We have yet to do that.

1. The defense was borderline dominant, led by Hicks, Fuller, and Amos. Jackson, Trevathan, and Callahan also had great games. Literally, the only knock on the defense was Jones, who seemed lost for a bunch of plays (which is somewhat understandable considering his play time). Defense looked much better with Trevathan back. Amos' play is going to make us forget we have Demps. If he can keep it up, we all of a sudden have a great Safety duo in Amos and Jackson. There is not much more you can say about Hicks other than the dude comes to play and earns his check every game. Love it. Floyd was not as visible this game, but does seem to get held on every play. Fuller is playing at a Pro Bowl level and this game might have been his best in quite awhile. 2. On offense, we truly have a unique pair at RB in Howard and Cohen. Howard is now 5th in the NFL in rushing and there is over 100 yards between him and 6th place. Cohen had a decent game but did lose a fumble and only averaged 2.3 a carry. I would like to see him in some more space. Kendall Wright had the huge 3rd down catch in OT, but no receiver caught more than 2 passes. Trubisky threw a bunch of balls away (6 I believe), so he really was 8 for 10 on passes he actually attempted to complete. Even with his mobility, he was still sacked 4 times, once causing a fumble on a backside Safety blitz that was not picked up. The O-Line was ok in run blocking, but horrible in pass blocking. The Tight Ends who were left in to block, Sims and Miller were shredded on the outside. Sims did catch that nice TD pass on the blown coverage, but he was horrible at pass blocking (for a blocking TE). It seemed like the OT's were outmatched again and Long was too worried about headbutting a guy instead of getting back to the line during a no-huddle situation. The dude needs to channel his anger into his performance (that almost cost us the game). 3. The Special Teams, boy were they in rare form today. They really missed McManis. Hard to believe we won a game where we allowed a Kickoff and Punt Return for TD's. On the Kickoff, why would all 11 guys fail to touch the ball carrier with no whistle being blown? If you were not in the immediate area, you wouldn't even know the play was over, so why stop playing? Then on the punt return, they go to max protect due to the block attempt, so why is O'Donnell even kicking to the returner? Kick a 40 yarder straight out of bounds. Then to add to the misery, O'Donnell shanks a 28 yard punt in OT which gave the Ravens starting field position at their own 40. All they needed was about 25 yards and they would've won the game. Between Barth and O'Donnell we really need to look at upgrading our kickers this offseason. 4. Coaching - This is such a hard thing to measure, but there are a few parts of the game where you can see coaching in action, when there is a need for clock management, after halftime (adjustments), and with some bone headed mistakes. Every game it seems like we have at least one or two bone headed plays (Cohen's muffed punt, Cooper's dance before TD, etc). This game was no different, we had the failure of the entire special teams to touch the player that was on the ground, and Howard running out of bounds which gave Baltimore the ball back with time to win it. The defense really stepped up, so it looks like Fangio is finally getting buy in from the guys and they are getting more comfortable in his scheme. On offense, it seems like Loggains is either neutering the game plan because of Trubisky, because of the lack of weapons on the outside, or he is just bad at game plans (which is entirely possible), which leads into the last one: 5. Game plan - Outside of Howard's long run and a few heroic throws by Trubisky, I have no idea what Loggains is trying to do other than be completely predictable. We ran the ball 50 times with RB's and most of those runs were against 8 guys in the box, and I counted a few plays with 10. When the Bears go big with 2x TEs, then motion the receiver who stops at the end of the line, you literally have 22 players within the hashes and 5 yards of the LOS. Just simple math is going to tell you there will be very little room to run. Outside of Howard's big run the Bears averaged 2.9 YPC. When I look at the all-22, I don't understand what Loggains is trying to do with the routes. There are routes where one defender can cover two guys, the routes are the same length, or run players into coverage. It is baffling. I know hindsight is 20/20 and it is easy to be an armchair GM/Coach, but there was a reason Loggains was only an OC for one year in TEN. The only thing I can think of is the Bears are purposely playing this way, so they are not giving teams tape for later in the year or next year. Sounds crazy, but teams are known to do things to "mess with the analytics". Who knows, we may come out guns a blazing next week and we will all look back at how amazing Loggains is at mixing up the game plans. Either way, I don't want to be Debbie Downer, because a win is a win. The defense played great, Howard is a beast, and Trubisky seems to be gaining confidence. Imagine what he could've done if he started from Week 1! If we can clean up the special teams and get some better play calling on offense, I think this team will be very competitive going forward. Last note, I still find it odd to see Glennon out there as a Captain, sending him out for the OT coin toss, then to have the Ref ask Hicks for the call after he asked Glennon (either he couldn't hear him or didn't want him to fumble the call). I know it is a nice gesture on the Bears part, but send Miller or some other vet out there from offense if you are not going to send Trubisky out there. Go Bears!

I would almost rather pursue Josh Gordon who has finally come to grips with his addictions, etc. Bryant was a 4th rounder, suspended for an entire season for his 2nd substance abuse violation and is now complaining about targets on a team with LeVeon Bell and Antonio Brown. I don't know, one more violation and he is gone and we lose whatever we gave up. I guess if it was a 6th or 7th, I guess it wouldn't hurt, but anything more than that might not be worth it. Seems like a ticking time bomb.

After looking at it a few times, he tries to break his fall with his right arm and basically leads all of the tackle into his right shoulder. What does this do for us? We get the Brett Hundley Packers after the Bye. Looking ahead, if we can put together wins against CAR and NO (possible but unlikely), we would go into the bye 4-4 with that game following. Our toughest opponent out of the bye is Philly followed by the Vikings in Week 17.

Oh yeah, Meredith was playing at least at a #2 WR level and at times a #1. He was a great route runner and could catch contested balls. I think he would make a difference if healthy. What the injuries did was expose just how bad Glennon is. I can't imagine what he would've looked like against MIN and BAL defenses.

I don't mind the ground and pound, but event that becomes predictable. Even the commentators were able to determine what the Bears were going to do before the play just based solely on the personnel package and formation. This needs to change. We need to spread them out with more WR's and run from that. Also, more play action from the 2-TE sets. I would also like to see a couple of read option plays and definitely more bootlegs.

With Meredith and White both coming off injury, there is no way you can even count on them for anything (especially White). So I wouldn't even count them. If they make the team and play, great, but I think OT and WR are top priorities. I wouldn't be opposed to signing both a top tier OT and WR in free agency and bring in another set early in the draft.

Howard with a huge carry in OT and then Trubsiky with a crazy pass to Wright (who made another huge catch) which ultimately lead to a GW FG.

Fox needs to be fired after this game. No way he should be coaching in the NFL. We have had zero long drives in the game with a shitty kicker and we win the toss and ask to receive first? Then we go 3 and out and O'Donnell shanks the punt. Game over.

Awesome play by Fuller and Amos. This is Fuller's best game in a long time. This is who we thought he was. Ravens go for it on 4th instead of kicking FG, Pick-6 makes it a 10 point swing. Should be ballgame. Trubisky has attempted 12 passes.

Cohen with a fumble, brutal since the TD. KO Return, and now a turnover. Cohen up the middle scares me every time.

Trubisky with a great play action pass on the move to Sims! 17-3 Bears! Ugly play on special teams. Rainey running kick back trips over his own player, goes to the ground, all the Bears stop, he gets up and runs for a 96 yard KO return. Unbelievable. Play to the whistle! WTF! 17-10 Bears.

Viking drove him into the ground on a questionable late hit. No need for the extra contact after throw as released. I hate Rodgers, but it sucks for the league when stars get hurt.

Goldman and Hicks are dominating. Goldman a huge TFL, then Hicks with a sack. Force another 3 and out. btw, Floyd is held on every play. I can't believe they are not calling it.

I agree on the game plan. Ultra conservative at this point. Trubisky with 8 passes and 2 were throw-aways. I don't like the routes Loggains has receivers running. Kendall Wright has one target.

Conservative game plan to start the game, then a trick play (pitch to Cohen, then pass to Miller for the TD). Defense has looked sharp so far, Trevathan and Fuller have been all over the place. Callahan with a great interception and return that lead to the TD. Completely garbage call against Jones in our red zone that gave Baltimore a automatic 1st Down, complete BS.

Here we go!

Hopefully your joking about Sims. If not, I don't know what 4 receptions for 56 yards in 5 games does for you. He has less receptions than Cunningham and Thompson (who is not even on the team anymore). There is no way you can pay him that much for that production (or lack thereof). Why would Miller be gone, he is literally the only true receiving threat on this team and he is projected for career highs in receptions and yards. I would rather keep him than Sims.

Why not, we are decimated at LB and he knows Fangio's system better than anyone on our team? If anything, he could help some of the other guys with some of the nuances of the system.

Pace is going the boom or bust route on his FA signings. In this case, a complete bust. I still would've rather have seen Pryor signed over Wheaton or Sims.

What a joke, just cut the losses. What is the point of keeping him on the roster at this point? He will have as much impact on IR than he would on the field, none.