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OUCH

If Swift keeps playing like he did this week, it's easy to say we keep him. But I've never seen him look like that before, so let's see what the rest of the season looks like. It is possible, that because Braxton Jones was not a good run blocker on the edge, we were running power gap, and Swift doesnt fit that as well. He doesnt seem to have the vision you need for that. But as soon as Benedet got in there, now the blocking assignments change, and we see Benedet and Wright out on the edge moving people, and Swift looks like a different player. It's such a team game - what looks like Swift's fault might be the scheme, which in turn might be the limitation of an OT which in turn causes the coach to call different plays. Wild to see Swift look So different. Let's hope it continues.

Right. And more than rah rah and feelings, or tough statements in press conferences, THIS is what creating a culture means - its all about accountability.

The fact Ozzy replaced Wright mid game and the offense looked better had to provide some motivation. Wright is already starting to think about his next contract so that motivation will carry into this offseason.

My son had the emergency surgery for torsion. The intense pain is real and so is the risk. When Reporter asked why a groin injury would need hospitalization Ben just said it was personal in nature. Immediately the torsion possibility came to mind. Once again kudos to the Bears for doing the right thing and making sure DJ was alright. Kudos to my son for giving me two awesome grandkids.

Wanting to revisit this. First do I think Swift should be cut after the season? Don’t know - more on that in a minute. Second, as you mentioned he’s more effective as an open field runner and much more dangerous in the zone-scheme offense. Especially the outside zone variety. Johnson gained some points from me after he adjusted his offensive game plan over the bye. He even admitted as much before the bye when he said the running games lack was not solely Swift's fault . He saw the problem and made it right. He coached to Swifts strengths like a good coach will do. Now he just needs to get Williams on the same page and this might actually turn into something. About whether Swift should stay on the team after this season? Depends on how well he does the rest of the season. The nice thing about properly executed zone offenses is that you can pretty much plug and play many RBs into the role and make them a 1,000 yard rusher. See Kyle Shannahan and especially his dad before him. For me I see a lot of Forte in Swifts style of run. Especially his effectiveness at catching from out of the backfield.

My buddy had a testicle hit up into his pelvic cavity. They had to pop it out through his colon...🤯

The speculation is torsion. Id go get the checked out too. Grok: Testicular torsion is a serious condition involving twisted blood flow to the testicle, causing severe pain and potentially requiring emergency surgery to avoid tissue damage or loss. However, official updates on DJ Moore describe his injury as a day-to-day groin issue, with no mention of torsion.

Something I forgot to say on the week 6 thread. Johnson not only replaced Braxton Jones, he sent a loud and clear message to Darnell Wright by doing so. (And anyone else on the team, for that matter) We don't care. We will replace you with a UDFA if you don't do your job. We don't Fn care and I love it.

I would say also he knows the team very well having been in NO for several years.

I agree, other than one bad game, he just isnt getting the targets. Caleb seems to favor Odunze when under pressure where many times either TE is open. Like you said they are still growing the offense. Before LaPorta got there, because of injuries the TE position wasnt effected, hence they traded Hockenson. Hockenson missed 15 games due to injuries' his last two years in Detroit. He had two yrs left on his contract of which probably would have been given in his 4th year. They choose to draft a new TE than resign Hock so they traded him. If they are not going to incorporate the TE more into the offense then I think we could see Kmet being traded next year or redoing his contract. He is a team captain so the team values him. Because they are still inventing the offense, I dont see them making that decision this year.

Mongo would know more but a hospital stay for a groin injury seems odd.

But Ben Johnson wanted his LaPorta and made the personnel decision, right? I think you have to give this offense time to develop. They finally showed a running game which who knows if it was a fluke. As for Poles and the Bears draft picks, lets see how this team starts looking once functioning. They are barely winning games and still making foolish mistakes.

I would be very curious to know what percentage of teams that have won 4 games in a row at some point during their season go on to make the playoffs? We know starting 4-0 correlates to about an 83% chance. My guess is that it's maybe slightly lower than that, but probably not by much. Bears really need to stretch this thing to 4 with a win against the Saints this week. I have pretty good feelings about the this matchup. I know the Saints have looked better than their record so far, but you have to figure Dennis Allen wants to get his revenge, and you know Caleb will be fired up to go against Rattler. This could be their best game of the season. If there were ever a time to pad those offensive stats, it would be now.

I thought it was a kidney, or lower back / side issue, but I dont know for sure. Thats just what it looked like after he got hit to me. EDIT: Heard Ben Johnson speak about it - and it is in fact a groin ASHKUM you were right.

of course I agree. He needs to work on some footwork issues, and that is a big part of the accuracy issues too. There are other parts to it too, but yeah youre right he needs to be more accurate, and more consistent in general. And youre also right that it's all about his potential - we can all see it now clearly. Will he reach it? Obviously it has to be proven ont he field before we can say yes, but I think he couldn't have a better situation now, and I see growth every week too, so it's a pretty safe bet he will get a lot better. But, he still has to walk that path before it's real. This is the year to gain consistency. That's probably the biggest goal overall for this season for the team - for Caleb to grow into a consistent and really good pocket QB.

He's got to improve his accuracy. He is lucky to have so few interceptions. If he improves his accuracy, I see a brilliant future for him. If not, he'll never reach his full potential.

Not sure if this was noted, but DJ Moore did not travel home with the team. He spent the night in DC at the hospital. He was injured in the 1st half, played the rest of the game, and decided to get medical attention. That makes sense why he looked out of it on the sideline. Looks like it was a groin injury or testicular torsion. Hopefully a quick recovery or something that he can play through.

Who could not be inspired!?

he is VERY safe with the ball. I truly think we have a top 5 QB in the making here. He's showing all the traits he had pre-draft, and he's learning the things he needed to learn. He's not done by any stretch, but you can see the progress, and I know Ben Johnson knows what to do with him too.

Yeah, it was called in another game, I am looking for the game. Literally the same exact situation, yet the defense was called with a penalty just by touching the LS before his head came up. Found it: Penalty on Miami, DL went in the gap between the LS and OG, but because his head was still down, it was a penalty. (9:30) C.Dicker 58 yard field goal is GOOD, NULLIFIED by Penalty, Center-R.Lovato, Holder-J.Scott. PENALTY on MIA-M.Butler, Unnecessary Roughness, 15 yards, enforced at MIA 40 - No Play.

https://youtube.com/shorts/YF3nhRgEHOA?si=o_c8d3WPuaCtuEU3

I watched the replay several times and it looked like he shot the gap, which is legal. It's pretty gray area that I don't fully understand. I'm gonna dig into it. Here it is. In the NFL, a long snapper is considered a "defenseless player" during field goals and extra points and cannot be contacted in the head or neck area while his head is down. The defensive team also has specific formation restrictions to protect the snapper. However, unlike college football, the NFL does not provide a mandatory time delay before the long snapper can be engaged.

At 3-2, here is where they stand on offense and defense, it looks like without the turnovers, this team is probably 1-4. The defense needs to improve quickly: Offense - 10th PPG, 14th YPG, 15th YPP, 7th 3D%, 9th Sacks Defense - 27th PPG, 27th YPG, 32nd YPP, 2nd INT, 27th Sacks

The rule states: "It is illegal to make contact with the long snapper while their head is down immediately following the snap. Contact can occur after the snap is complete and the snapper has lifted their head." If you see the screengrab, he just released the ball and hasn't had a chance to even move his helmet and Payne is already on his back. It actually happened on the GW Kick too.