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Honestly, in my lifetime, I can't remember a team with a better, deeper collective group of receivers than this team with: Moore, Odunze, Burden, Zaccheaus, Loveland, Kmet, and Swift. The best that I can remember for the Bears was 2014 with Marshall, Jeffery, Bennett, and Forte who all 4 of them had over 100 targets. I asked some different AI's to give me a list of the best Receiving Corps in NFL history. The 1999 Rams were considered the best, and I can understand that at the top end, the Bears do not compete with Bruce, Holt, and Faulk, but from Receiving option #4-#7, I think the Bears have the edge. Isaac Bruce (WR): A second-round pick in 1994, Bruce was a Hall of Famer with impeccable route-running and hands. In 1999, he amassed 1,165 receiving yards and 12 touchdowns. Torry Holt (WR): The sixth overall pick in the 1999 NFL Draft, Holt was an immediate-impact rookie who would go on to have a borderline Hall of Fame career. Marshall Faulk (RB): A first-round pick (second overall) in 1994, the Hall of Fame running back was a revolutionary pass-catcher out of the backfield, leading the team with 87 receptions for 1,048 yards and 5 touchdowns in 1999. Az-Zahir Hakim (WR): A fourth-round pick in 1998, Hakim was a speedy and dangerous slot receiver. Ricky Proehl (WR): A third-round pick in 1990, Proehl was a savvy veteran who provided crucial depth and clutch plays. Roland Williams (TE): A fourth-round pick in 1998, Williams was a solid contributor at the tight end position. Jeff Robinson (TE): A fourth-round pick in 1993, he provided additional depth at tight end Here were some other teams the AI spit out. I honestly think that this group can be amongst these teams in the next year or two: 2004 Indianapolis Colts: Featuring the Hall of Fame duo of Marvin Harrison (1st round, 19th overall) and Reggie Wayne (1st round, 30th overall), complemented by Brandon Stokley, tight ends Dallas Clark (1st round, 24th overall) and Marcus Pollard, and running back Edgerrin James (1st round, 4th overall). This group had three receivers surpass 1,000 yards and 10 touchdowns in the same season. 1998 Minnesota Vikings: This offense was headlined by two Hall of Fame wide receivers, Cris Carter (4th round, supplemental draft) and rookie sensation Randy Moss (1st round, 21st overall), along with veteran Jake Reed. Their top targets also included tight end Andrew Glover and running back Robert Smith. 2013 Denver Broncos: Peyton Manning's record-breaking season was fueled by a deep group of receivers including Demaryius Thomas (1st round, 22nd overall), Eric Decker (3rd round), Wes Welker, and tight end Julius Thomas (4th round), with running back Knowshon Moreno (1st round, 12th overall) also a significant receiving threat. 2011 Green Bay Packers: Aaron Rodgers had an MVP season throwing to a talented and deep group that included Greg Jennings (2nd round), Jordy Nelson (2nd round), Donald Driver (7th round), James Jones (3rd round), Randall Cobb (2nd round), and tight end Jermichael Finley (3rd round).

I love the buy-in. From the interviews, you can really see that there is a difference. Compared to the other younger Offensive-minded HCs, McVay is probably the only one I would take over Johnson. Shanahan always chokes, LaFleur is solid but I feel like he has already peaked, and McDaniel gives me young Trestman vibes.

Kyle is dinged up and RJ hasnt practiced for a couple of weeks. Should we trade for Brian Robinson Jr? Or is Wheeler good enough to get us thru the season? I suspect if has to do with when RJ is down.

As much as no one has leaped ahead to grab the starting job, we clearly have more depth than last year. It is already a win Not having Borom on the team anymore. The scheme and Caleb getting the ball out on time, makes it harder to sack him. Everything is headed in the right direction.

I think BJ just wants to see a progression with Caleb. The fact its going to be a 16 day stretch before the first game has to be part of the reason.

Thayer said maybe two series. I think he gets inside info...

Theo Benedict was interviewed today, such a bright young talent that really gets it. He had to start fresh with the new coaching bc there was no tape on him. He knows and understands what is asked and is making adjustments and that progress has shown enough that he is now LT1/2 - competing to be 1. Some intersting comments: Thuney has really helped him with sharing his knowledge (hands,feet, and keep you head up). He said Ozzy Trapilo is a 50 year old mind trapped in a 20 year body. Him and Kiran are draft/rookie brothers.

I believe the Chiefs are also playing their starters. Maybe its a trend with the new shortened preseason.

and Caleb had 1,500 Passing Yards, 9 TD, 0 INT, in 6 Division games.

It all may be too much too little too late. He could easily sign a contract and lazy out like Nate Davis. It's up to Braxton.

Multiple other things Thayer said was that Braxton is looking stronger as time goes and that he really needs to concentrate to sink his hips properly. He also and said that Braxton has a footwork issue at times, when deciding which way the defender is going to try to defeat him. Lastly, he said Braxton needs to really hit leg day in the gym and sky's the limit, because he has seen him do everything he had critiqued him for. The tools are there, he just needs to lock in and work in the off-season.

Johnson said starters will play some, so I assume at least one drive for offensive starters. I like how Johnson ramped this up.

If Braxton looked this good against the Buffalo starters on Friday, like he did in the game against the 2nd stringers on Sunday, then I agree with all of this. If he is playing himself into the job, then the battle for swing tackle is important, but Im not too worried about it. I still need to see more to be completely sold. I also wonder whether Trapilo is really out of the LT competition. I know everyone is saying that, and it's probably true, but I wouldnt be shocked if Trapilo was back in the mix this week IF Braxton was uneven on Friday. It's become a narrative that Trapilo is out, and maybe he is. But I can imagine a world where they had Trapilo at the RT spot for this week, to light fires everywhere. If he's the swing tackle, then he still needs reps at LT too. If he's #3 to Benedet then he's fallen a long way in a short time. I havent really heard too much either way about Friday, so I dunno. But if Braxton looked as good as he did in the game in the scrimmages, then that's a really good sign, and maybe the competition is ending in Braxton's favor. I dont know, but the coaches do. And i think they'll do the right thing. But something tells me it may not be over yet either.

BJ has a good record against both Minny and GB. I think he will know how to attack them.

I just think BJ was trying to light a fire under Wright. As far as Ozzy he will become the swing T. How many games did our Ts miss last year? The better depth we have the better our team is . Wright contract is up in 26 so having Ozzy sit for two years wont hurt anything. We could trade him next year and let Ozzy take over or just have good depth as we win.

Ha, I was going to post let the Darnell Wright rumors begin but figured I would get backlash. Only downfall is wen won't get a 1st let alone a top 10.

Listening to Thayer today, he said the LT battle is between Braxton and Benedet. It's basically Braxton's job to lose. It also looks like Benedet is gonna make the 53. He truly believes Trapilo is a classic right tackle for now, stating that you just can't flip a switch and change sides. It takes time. He also noted Trapilo looks good at right. Carmen even brought up, that it might be best to light a fire in Wright, as next year they'll have to decide on his fifth year option.

BJ announced that starters will play this week. Probably a couple of series.

OZ has exceeded my expectations. When was the last time we could say we have 4 good WRs? Two good TEs plus Swift andMonangai out of the backfield. We have a toughest schedule but realistically how are the Packers DBs going to cover that group?

Crazy part is he has to beat out Olamide Zaccheaus who looked great. He will get his opportunities but might be starved with the talent we have to feed.

Some crazy stats from Sunday Night: - The Bears had 83 offensive plays (10 possessions), compared to the Bills 42 (9 possessions) - EPA/Play - Bears were at 0.369 while the Bills were -0.471, and that includes the kneel downs at the end. - First Downs - 30 - 12 - Passing First Downs - 18 - 5

Burden playing against CB3 or CB4s is gonna be crazy.

Open WRs now allows Caleb to react to what he sees and he doesn't have to think about it. Keep a rythum to the offense. A lot more open plays in the middle of the field in his line of sight.

Loved this one, always good to see the all 22 - and I learned something too - the skip step on purpose for dropback footwork, and how the skip step can be an option depending on the read. It came up several times. I might have thought it was a mistake or nerves by Caleb, but clearly it's a thing. Cool.

I was driving home today and randomly was thinking the same thing - was nice to see guys legitimately open where every pass doesn’t have to be absolutely perfect. You got to have those tight window throws and ability to throw guys open - but it also helps when you have throws and guys open and various levels because the scheme and talent allow them to get open.