All Activity

I completely disagree. You must play the best player, period. That's football 101. Everyone is building for a Superbowl, so that analogy just doesn't fit. And We are currently ranked fourth in our division, so every win counts just to make it one rung higher to a wildcard. Having a ready player waiting in the wings is not a bad thing. The eagles had a young Cam Jurgens sitting behind an old Jason Kelce. Some could argue that Jurgens made the OL better. I know he was damn good in the Superbowl, plus he was all pro. He was a second rounder just like Trapillo. I also think Kelce was a fifth rounder like Braxton. Howie Roseman is showing the league how it's done. Maybe Poles is catching on and drafting them before you need them.

No, it's Zacheaus and Duverney as of now. They are clearly showing Scott the door. Now, I'm not saying they'll get more reps in games than Burden. But those dudes will get the start if of one of the first stringers go down. Once Burden gets his reps in, he should push one aside. Love the depth at the position. Back to OL. Many believe Trapillo will win the LT spot due to his draft status. We need to remember that he was moved to RT in college because he struggled at LT. Yes, that was early in his college career and he never moved back, so we don't know if he would've excelled there or not. He's gonna get a good long look Sunday and I can't wait to observe. I personally think Braxton should be the day one starter if 100! It's the safest choice.

I wouldn't be surprised if Braxton doesn't play this week.

How do you know that BJ will go with a rookie changing positions over a 3 yr starter? Its just mine and your opinion. I go by what BJ said that every position was open competition and best man wins. If Jones does win the competition and I am not saying he will, BJ will play Jones. Every year there are injuries and Ozzy will get playing time. Jones has missed games the last two years. Ozzy will get to show his stuff.

Agree with all that, but in one interview BJ did mention about not having to sharing practice tape, so that is why I brought it up.

I agree, the scrimmages are very important. But I think it's less about protecting tape and secrets, and more about putting your players in scripted and controlled situations to see what you need to see, avoid exposing them to injury on reps that arent worth it. You get what you need to get, rather than hoping it comes up in a game. And you dont need to risk players on any extra plays. I wouldnt be shocked to see the #1s out there in the game for one series, and i wouldnt be shocked if they dont play at all either. We'll see how Johnson wants to play it, but I wouldnt expect a quarter or a half from the #1s when as you say the scrimmages are already so valuable.

how do you know that? i contend that if Jones is slightly better than Trapilo he will still play Trapilo so that Trapilo grows and the line gets experience going forward into the future. They're building toward a Superbowl, and so every decision has to be in line with that. Not winning one more game this year, and then starting over next year. That's poor strategy. And ask yourself, who would be better by week 6 if you start them each from week 1? What if Jones is a little better now, but by midseason you think Trapilo will grow into a better option if he plays? I think that's how football teams look at this stuff, especially when it comes to rookies who can change their level of ability quickly from green to getting it in a few games. Weve all seen it before, playing the green rookie with upside over the known vet who might be better right now. Now if Trapilo is terrible, or Jones is amazing, then all bets are off. But if they are at all close, Trapilo gets the job.

I think the play between both teams we practice with will go a long way on determining who starts. I read where the Bears dont have to share practice tape but all teams have access to the preseason games.

He will play the best player at each position, If its Jones, he wont care about whether he will be here next year. BJ doesnt have a (I drafted him bias). Its who performs better now. He has praised Ozzy, so that may give a hint on who is ahead but it will be the preseason play that dictates that.

Thats an interesting battle. We know what Braxton is and isnt, but you gotta test Trpilo under fire to see if he can handle it. I feel like this is Trapilos job to win or lose on his own merit, I dont imagine Jones coming out radically different than he's been and playing himself into a new contract. I mean just the fact that Poles has spent a 3rd rounder and then a 2nd rounder on the position the last two years should tell us what they think of Braxton's future. If Trapilo cant handle the upper tier of NFL Edge rushers, then maybe Jones gets the job, but if Trapilo shows anything at all, it's his job. Jones is almost certainly gone by next year, so even if Jones edges Trapilo out by a little, it'll still be Trapilo's job - and he will grow and gain chemistry with the other guys going into the future.

I agree on the message. We haven’t been talking about the battles at backup. Even our two starting LBs don’t know who is MLB who is WLB. I think that one is because Allen is just going to rotate them throughout a game or maybe week to week depending on opponent. We have 3 players competing for CB2. There is a 4th CB who’s Ben Johnson singled out as playing well too. RB2? At the bottom of the roster does JP Richardson have a shot? Tysheem Johnson? This is the week we start to sort that out.

We have the LB, battle for 3rd vs 4th wideout, Lt, 2nd corner plus depth. But I think it is more the message and tone but also the way he reinforces the standard.

It’s great to see him pushing players. However there just aren’t that many jobs up for grabs among our starters. LT and CB2. There’s a ton of competition for the backup roles almost everywhere on our roster.

Right, plus they can watch Braxton game one play against Miami's best. Trapilo has and can use the time. As all rookies can.

totally agree, and I think thats why the order here is purposefully not making any real comment on who is winning or losing the camp battles. I mean no way Monanagi is behind Homer. The league makes them put out a depth chart, and so they did, but i think they did it in a way that tells everyone "none of this is necessarily real"

BJ said before camp started no one is a starter, you have to earn it. Starters from last year are equal as everyone in his eyes. Even this week BJ said it wasnt official.

all true, but I dont think that depth chart will stay that way long - I really think it's more a matter of having to provide one before the preseason game, and less about communicating anything about what the coaches plan to do opening day. Its SO tantilizing because we all want answers to those questions, and here is something that looks like a fact - but I dont think it really is. I need to see it myself anyway to have an actual opinion on the depth chart, and unfortunately I dont think the preseason is going to give us that. as for Trapilo and Burden, it's all good that we disagree, since it's just a gut instinct anyway at this point. I don't have any real info. Maybe if I saw the players I'd be all in on Jones? I have no idea. But I do know that Jones is in the last year of his deal, and Trapilo is in the first year of his rookie deal, and consistency on the OL is really important, so that tells me Trapilo has the edge if they're close. But I havent seen them play this year, so maybe Id have a strong opinion for one or the other if I had. Stinger said some beat writer said they purposely put the rookies behind for this initial depth chart. Cool. That may be another way of what you're saying too - that they have to keep growing to earn it. In any case, no matter who wins these battles, I dont think this depth chart means anything real? EDIT - and to your point about Burden, I assume you have JP Richardson as one of the ones ahead of Burden, but he is listed as "other" behind Burden. At WR, the 1st stringers are Moore and Odunze The 2nd stringers are Zaccheaus and Duverney The 3rd stringers are Burden and Boykin And then Richardson, Scott, Toure, Alexander, Jackson and Walker are "other" At RB, 1st string is Swift 2nd string is Johnson 3rd string is Homer and Wheeler, Monangai and Hankins are "other" So I dont think this depth chart is a real report on what the coaches are thinking right now. And that makes sense. The competition is still going on, so why praise and punish the competitors? Instead they come up with a generalized "rookies not named Loveland are put down on the list for now" rule. It's not a glimpse into how people are doing, it's just some BS, and we are SO hungry for info (myself included) that we look to it, but i dont think its got any real info.

I'll disagree on both. The are two guys killing in camp above Burden. Burden will continue to rise though, when he gets up to speed. Braxton Jones is the incumbent and must be clearly beaten. That has not happened as of yet.

I saw a quote that BJ said starting jobs and positions are going to be heavily weighted by these upcoming joint practice. Way he said it kind of just continues with how he sets the tone that practice matters and details matters and message he sent on an off day was - you better show up with your best against Miami cause I’m making decisions on this stuff.

What encourges me is BJ always played well against the Viking D. He scored 31 points in both games against that defense last year. In 2023 scored 30 points each game. 24 and 34 his first year as the OC in 2022.

Ben said he made the depth chart with input from the coaches. He also don't put a lot of stock into it.

That sounds right. There is no way Burden is so far back, and i think Trapilo is ahead of Jones, but thats just a gut feeling.

Im not sure until we see preseason games they actually will hear who is the leading canadate to start at LT, they are dividing the first team reps. With Kiran hurt, Im sure it takes him out of that competition.

One of the beat writers said that the rookies were intentional listed out of starters roles to create position competion. Loveland was the only listed starter because Kmet was hurt. I seen a CHGO post that said Cole's injury was not serious and avoided a long term injury. Has anyone seen anything about that?

I don't think deception is in play. I believe Braxton is winning the job. Would make for a great trade in season if Trapillo develops.