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NO NO NO. Youre making strawmen up and then arguing with your fake assumptions. I have ZERO problem with you disagreeing with me, or having opinions that i think are wrong. Thats FINE thats what this board is FOR. But you literally told us "Time to jump on board instead of still questioning everything." - like our questioning was a problem. Dont turn this around into our having a problem with you having an opinion - its the opposite. You tell me im pessimistic by nature, that i just want to crap on players. You do it ALL the time. Have your opinion, Ill have mine, that makes the world go around. But stop telling us that we cant express concern about players on this team - this isnt a pep club. Its a bunch of fans, who as far as I can tell all LOVE the Bears, and spend a HUGE amount of time on them. So if we want to say that a player should be traded, or whatever, then thats OK. We dont need to get in line and be good little fans, I dont know where that crap comes from, but its ridiculous. And also, for the millionth time. I am not saying Kmet should be traded now. Did you read that? You continue to put words in my mouth. Im NOT saying he should be traded now. I AM saying that he is on the bubble, and he needs to show something or he will be gone next year, or possibly at the trade deadline. But mostly, your overly rosy viewpoint, the one where for years you keep telling us that what we have on the team is good enough is getting tired. Obviously Poles didnt agree. He didnt think "hey weve got to give Jenkins another chance" like you did. He didnt think "hey lets roll another year with Fields" like you did. He didnt think "Bates will be good at center this year, we dont need another player" like you did. He didnt think "Kmet is one of the top TEs int he league so we dont need to draft one high" like you did. He didn't think "Caleb holds the ball too long and shouldnt be a number one pick" like you did. And Eberflus didnt "just need another year" like you thought. I appreciate the optimism, but at some point, your homer fan's obsession with thinking everyone on the roster just needs another chance is ridiculous. Of course you are entitled to your opinion - but not your shaming us for not sharing it. We are entitled to our opinions too, and over the past few years, our track record is a LOT better than yours. We have been SO bad for SO long, we have every right to be cynical, and make projections about our players. And the funny thing is, I'm NOT a pessimist. I'm extremely excited about this season. I think our roster is better than it's been in many years. I think Caleb is going to be the best QB in Bears history. And I think we are opening a window to contend for a SB. So this nonsense that keeps coming from you about how we need to think differently, or hold our tongues, adjust our psychological perspectives or whatever the hell it is is unwelcome and inappropriate. At some point, after youve been wrong SO many times, maybe have the humility to realize that some other people on this board might know what they are talking about?

As soon as we drafted Loveland, you have suggested Kmet will be traded. I disagree with that opinion. My opinions are never absolute . It is just what you are reading into my words. I try to guess what the Bears are doing and trading Kmet makes no sense so I say it like its not going to happen and you keep saying (but it could). Of course it is an option but why would they do that? Colston isnt even on the field yet, he could get injuried after he gets back, he could take time to adjust to the NFL. Until BJs offense is up an running there is no way to guess what it will look like. They are not upside down on the Cap, so they are not trading a proven NFL player before or mid season. Next year is a whole set of different circumstances and he may not finish his contract here but that isnt even in their thought process right now. For some reason, if I dont agree with you, you say things like (insulting a member of your family) because I double down on my opinion (just like you) . I showed reasons that this year is different as most say (same old Bears). I am not putting a gun to anyone's head and saying you have to believe what I do. Its okay to have a different opinion. When double down on (they could trade him) I double down on thier not, Why is being optimistic (weird)? (This from the guy who was one of the last to give up on Fields - who didnt want Caleb? ) this comment has nothing to do with this conversation but of course you always take it somewhere else . When we dont trade Kmet, I wont be bringing up how you were wrong about that because IDC

this board? LOL

Soldier field?

You act like we insulted a member of your family when we criticize the players. Like their feelings are hurt, and you need to defend them. Then you just tried to tell us all that "Time to jump on board instead of still questioning everything." so - no. This from the guy who was one of the last to give up on Fields - who didnt want Caleb? We are gonna question whatever we want to. We are gonna say things are good or bad. We are gonna wonder how this experiment is gonna work. All of us are optimistic about all of this too, which makes these reactions of yours even weirder. Also, you dont know whats fantasy and what isnt. You dont know who the Bears will trade or not. You say these things like they are absolute truths, and yet over and over when you and I have disagreed, I have ended up being right. At some point, you should at least respect my right to hold an opposing view, since youve been wrong so many times. I think I've earned that. Remember a few months ago when you told us that there would be no more than 2 new faces on the OL? You constantly want to tell us that people already on the roster are great, and just need another chance. "Theres no way the Bears..." how the hell do YOU know?! "Poles would never..." uh huh. So yes you are entitled to your opinion, but youre wrong all the time, so maybe lecturing us on whether we can say negative things is kinda cringey at this point? Stay in your lane!

Talking about someone getting traded is just fantasy and not about hurting someones feelings, unless you're refering to yours because the Bears arent going to do that. FF starts in September. Criticizing a team is normal dialuoge, who said it was being disloyal? Looking at a glass half full is also part of fandom.

I've been a Bears fan since 1965. Misery has been my friend to many years. I get the animosity. This year IS different. Ben Johnson-DA-( top position coaches) Caleb Williams (now if you think he could be a bust)? ?-Thumey-Dalman-Jackson-Wright (can anyone say this is not huge upgrades)? Weapons DJ -Rome-Burden-Kmet-Loveland-Swift-Monogai (anyone disagree this is not a big upgrade) Defense had a very good defensive backfield,. above average LBers,.DT added Jarrett, Turner, a healthy Billings, and an improved Dexter DE added Odayingbo, Booker came in 15 lbs heavier, a healthy Sweat. An above average Carlos Santos and Tory Taylor Last year we were about to be 5-2 and a player's brainfart doomed us to a sinking ship with a dysfunctional coach. We should have won 8-9 games but the football Gods abandoned us. If this doesnt look different to you then meet my exfriend MISERY

yup. hopefully Kevin Warren is a buffer that keeps them out of most decisions. I still want to know if Poles chose to keep Flus last year, or if he was told he couldnt fire him with 3 years left on his deal by said owners.

Absolutely. I hope the Bears are successful, but year after year they are terrible with a new excuse every year. The one common denominator is the owners.

Right, cuz even when it's going well, thats what sports talk is all about. Criticizing a team, or it's members isn't disloyalty - it's just normal guys talking sports. Somehow we've gotten to where talking about someone possibly getting traded or that they should be cut evokes a response like we've hurt someone's feelings. Like they need defending?

Disagree. With the Bears, it’s ALWAYS time to question everything. Until they can prove the organization isn’t a perpetual clusterf**k, everything must be questioned.

exactly. and while most teams have a run scheme they use, Johnson says he likes to use them all. that puts a lot on the Ol to understand their assignments, and a lot of the coaches to teach it. i love it.

Yea, the standard is either inside out or outside in, depending on the coverage call. Sometimes it's all right/left shoulder, again, depending on the call. They key is understanding the play call and executing. Run blocking is actually more complex. Sort of like a symphony with it's timing...

Absolutely. Learning WHO to block and the blocking "rules" for the offense is extremely important, and something we've seen lacking in our team for a long time. PFF used to give Leno a good grade when he double teamed someone with the left guard, and that person was well blocked. They did not include in their analysis that Leno was supposed to block a different guy that came totally free and wrecked the backfield. You gotta know who you're supposed to block. That's tougher in a zone blocking scheme, and it's tough when the defense plays games like stunts and delayed blitzes. I have a lot of faith in Johnson and Roushar to get that right. I think they are good teachers. And this is the time of year for it!

There is the part about learning the cadence with the starting QB. Learning the blocking calls with the starting center. Learning how to partner with Thuney on combo blocks. those are just subtleties that breed familiarity and allow a player to be more focused on his opponent versus thinking too much about his assignment. I don’t think the battle is over by any means. I think it was the Oline coach who said they wanted to find a way to get Kirans confidence back. This is likely the first step in that process and they’ll see how he responds. Reporters also said Kirian was late off the snap several times on day one. Just something to watch for as the off-season moves on.

amen. I also think it's noteworthy that the Bears are drafting players who may be trouble and need guidance - that's a new thing for us. And it seems like Johnson has the balls to lead players like this. I think all in all it's a very good sign.

What does this even mean on a discussion board?!

When he goes from one of the top WRs to a lackluster last year it is fair to question his work ethic, ,maturity, and his love of football. With all the off season investigation they do to vent a prospect, I trust that is it not a problem going forward. George Pickens was a good WR but considered a head case. I think the team choose carefully when they drafted him.

Back to Luther Burden. I've read several articles lately that talk about why he fell to the second round. One article claims that he was consistently last in line to take reps on practice. Another said that he is pouty and/or mopey and coaches and other players had to help get his head straight. I'm not sure if it's boredom, maturity or physiological. Here's to hoping that a pro environment eliminates all doubt.

these days are about learning the playbook, making connections with other players and communication between coaches and players. You can see how they move, understanding the process and mental reps. When pads go on, then the dirty works goes in play but this is a valuable part of the process also.

He has yet to address this, he is not going around pushing this book. His dad is and the media are. Any talk of not wanting to not play for the Bears was very early in the process and when he met Poles at Hallas Hall, he bought into playing here. This is a nonstory because he doesnt feel that way now. This is media blowing everything up. Him watching tape by himself is taken to mean he didnt have any coaching which is not true. Good QBs do that all the time. The writer is pushing certain narratives to sell the book. Now the coaching was bad but it doesnt mean they didnt try to help him.

It remains to be seen what good play calling effect has on our OL. If the ball is coming out quicker, the OL will look much better. We upgraded the talent and I think overlooked, is the leadership that Thuney-Dalman bring to the overall performance of the offense. We question everything because of the history of this team but I think we are underestimating what this will look like as a whole. We have more weapons, coaching that has completely changed the outcome. Time to jump on board instead of still questioning everything.

There is a lot of data on Johnson, it just depends on how you want to skin the cat. The obvious thing is it will be basically impossible to be worse than last year, and just based on normal trends, the Bears should see a 12-15% bump in all offensive statistical categories (Yardage, scoring, EPA/P, etc), if not more. I am thinking closer to 20% because the 2024 Bears were really bad. Johnson has the 2nd highest Success Rate for a play caller since 2020 at 43.38%, behind Monken, but Monken got a lot of that from Lamar's scrambles. Either way, the Bears are going to be ahead of the sticks. We are so used to playing from behind the sticks. This will feel weird. For Scoring%, the Lions are 2nd in the NFL in scoring rate over the last 3 seasons at 45.1%, only 0.3% behind BUF. CHI has been a raw 10% lower, or close to a 25% difference. Last year DET was 51.6%, which was the highest rate going back to 2020. So combined, no team has been more efficient moving the ball AND scoring over the last few years than Johnson's offense. Another wild one is that Goff got better under Johnson than he was with McVay. McVay needed Stafford. Goff went up over 6% on comp% and 5% on catchable ball rate, and a whole bunch of raw stats increased (TDs up, INTs down, QB Rating up).