All Activity

Play action is the number one way to slow a pass rush. The defenders can't go until they determine the runner doesn't have the ball. It also allows the offensive lineman to initiate immediate contact. It's where Goff made his money last year. It also plays to the strengths of the right side and our 12 personnel mismatch. Don't get me started if we develop a read option package. That would an immediate advantage, as it was not something Goff could do.

There's a difference between bad and mediocre. BJ is setting a high bar and that's a good thing but until I see the finish product, I'm going to wait until I paint it a problem. Braxton last year was by an NFL standard, an average LT. Lots of teams are unsettled at this time with their OL.

there are lots of things you can do to help a bad LT, but it limits your playbook and therefore Calebs growth as well. If the LT is a problem, its not OK, its a big problem. And this is why I was saying we needed to draft a LT early.

Wright wasn't good at LT in college, like Trapilo. I don't know of many comps of RT's in college who became good LT's in the NFL. Wright is a mediocre RT as it is now. It'd be crazy to think he'd do a better job on the other side. If they were going to mess with the rotation, moving Thuney to LT would make more sense because he's done it before. Personally, I think there are no good options. They're going to have to accept being bad at LT for the season and hope Ben Johnson can scheme around it. They also better hope it's the only position on the line that is a liability or they are in much deeper trouble.

Theo has 32" arms, I see him eventually moving inside. Ozzy has been slow out of the snap, I think that can be coached. Darnell gets tired bc he came to town out of shape. Braxton lost strength from injury but had issues before with anchoring a bull rush. The coaches are pushing these young OTs to the edge, you don't hear a peep about the interior. It's a process we haven't seen and hopefully none of them jump and take the fight to improve. We need to start next week with more clarity.

Even if we dont solve the LT issue, there is one way to overcome it. Quick throws, running the ball. In the Miami game, Jones blew a block and the guy had a clear path to the QB, we threw a TD pass on that play.

Highly doubt it. I've been writing before, but I'd actually put money on Braxton and Darnell. Coaches are literally trying to light a fire. Almost begging...

Yeah, right now I was looking at the night of the 31st (SUN), 1st (MON), 2nd (TUE), to see what works best for the most GMs. Once we get a majority, I will lock in that date, probably around 7pm CST.

Thanks, I sent the invite to Scott.

Definitely. I remember saying a couple of weeks ago that if the LT is average, it's not a bad thing. As far as pass rushers are concerned, they say you gotta have three. We think we have two in Sweat and Dayo. It would be great to see an interior guy step up or Booker. They've talked about sliding Dayo and Dexter over a spot in passing downs. Booker could flourish in that.

When we get ready to pick a draft date, I have a live draft on Sept 3rd, also Chad does on that day too.

If Booker has 8 sacks this year, Im sure eveyone think that's a win. I think more important for anyone playing on that side is constant pressure, that will be a key on Sweat and the DTs creating chaos. In the two team practices we have 8 ints. Cosidering Gordon and JJ arent playing, that's great news as far as depth for the DB room. I dont think our questions on the DE spot and LT competition is going to be all out failures. I think BJ has raised the bar on the expected play at those positions. We have enough talent at other positions to absorb average play at those spots.

BJ expects better than he is getting from anyone. Is he wanting perfection? When you hear stories of other players playing well, you have no idea of the context of those statements. Does that look great compared to their competition? Like AZ said, lets see how they play week to week. It appears to be the problem for everyone not getting set quick enough to make their blocks. Can someone change that in two weeks? Average play is the floor (Braxton), so at least BJ expects better. We have 4 shots at the golden ring.

If they are considering playing Ozzy over Wright, that means they dont like what Wright is doing. No way they flip him. The new coaches dont look at where someone is drafted, just how they are playing at their spot. No one has grabbed their attention playing LT, so its choosing the least amount of mistakes. It appears they are giving Theo every chance to win the LT job. I would say Jones inconsistant play has him on his way out. They appear to not like the tape on Ozzy , he took no LT reps in practice yesterday. Could Theo be the LT and Ozzy the RT to start the season? That guess is as good as any.

It's like they are tearing Braxton down to the studs, while simultaneously telling the young guys to go take it.

yeah, we are a good Edge away from having a real D line. If Booker really emerges, we should be dangerous on D.

thats good of the coaches, and bad that a player hasnt forced them to name him.

I dunno. Giving Trapilo reps at RT is good for a baseline, so you know how he'd be if you need it. It also should motivate him. Trapilo's college film looks "boring" it's consistent and never looks dramatic. He kind of just does his job without fanfare. Maybe the Bears want to see a meaner streak in him. Nothings decided yet, but someone needs to step up and take the job. I hate the idea that someone just gets chosen without having served notice.

If the light is turning on for Booker this defensive front could be a good one. I think Dayo has also been challenged to make more plays because in the last week he’s been more aggressive in his pass rush and getting home. He has non existent the first half of camp.

I think the biggest worry I have is if Wright ends up being mediocre. Jones was a late pick - Wright was a high pick. Let’s see these tackles step up. I also want to see what sort of dude Trapillo can be on right side - pretty clear he isn’t there yet on left side and the real risk is that might always be the case.

Yes and frustrating but these coaches refuse to just hand it to someone.

No don’t create two problems.

Y’all have a lot of confidence in preseason reporting. I’d have been good with Josh Simmons but I do wonder about those work ethic questions and how that would fit into Ben’s culture. Ersery too could have helped. We’ll see how it shakes out by week 8. i watched Bears reports and we had a lot of good plays against the Bills. I watched Bills reports and they were happy because they had a lot of good plays against the Bears. The one player that caught their eye as a problem: Rome.