Bearstalk

Wow. http://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/24045670/ranking-nfl-best-worst-offensive-arsenals-weapons-2018

In the draft I preferred Edmunds over Smith but after watching this video on Smith's background I understand better why we went in this direction. If we consider the on-the-field abilities relatively equal, even if Edmunds and Smith are different types of players, then the leadership qualities and work ethic Smith has will put him in position to become the new leader of our defense. https://www.chicagobears.com/video/meet-the-rookies-roquan-smith

https://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2018/06/12/tarik-cohen-buys-new-gym-equipment-for-school-hit-by-tornado/

There is a maturity to this young man I didn't expect to see so early in his career. I like it. Focus on the task at hand. https://bearswire.usatoday.com/2018/06/07/mitchell-trubisky-no-longer-uses-social-media-its-just-a-distraction/

There isn't a chance in hell that Zack Miller plays a single down this year. He may never play again, period. But the Bears signed him to a league minimum one year deal. A classy move on the Bears' part to help a player who gave them everything he had when healthy. I'd love to see him fulfill his dream of returning to the game, but have serious doubts it will be physically possible after that type of injury. Article on NFL.com: TE Zack Miller Signs One Year Deal

View this from the perspective of our personnel. Robinson is easily the equal of Jeffrey, except he's better. Shaheen matches their TE at least in terms of athletic ability, and of course we have Burton. Defense's have to respect Howard on the run option at the snap. Then see the play design with quick hitting routes and imagine Anthony Miller with his quickness making those inside or outside breaks. Topping it off is Trubisky's quick and accurate release. We've seen how well Foles can execute this. If he makes the right reads these plays will be hard to defend. The video includes film of the Vikings defense trying to figure out what the Eagles were doing. …

According to Fangio there may be some depth on our roster. I've somewhat written off our depth at safety but there is a glimmer of hope there that Bush finally knows where he should be going. RRH has buiked up over 290lbs and it sounds like he's much more comfortable inside. We'll see when the pads come in next month. Between RRH and Bullard I think we'll be ok at DE even if replacing Unrein isn't a high bar. https://chicago.suntimes.com/sports/talking-points-five-things-learned-from-bears-defensive-coaches/

I wouldn't expect less from Howard in terms of work ethic. A player in such a physically demanding position as starting RB doesn't stay on the field like Howard has in 2 years without the training effort behind the scenes. Last year he worked on improving his receiving ability and this year he's even more focused on it. He doesn't need to be elite as a receiver, just effective enough that he drags coverage with him early on the route. With that he'll have a big impact on the offense's ability to disguise plays and get some chunk plays, including those where Howard catches the ball and makes the first defender miss. What I especially like is the RB coach taking…

I'm curious to see how he plays this season after the change in workout strategy. As I've said before this is his first offseason in an NFL training program and it should help him quite a bit. He moved fairly well for a big guy last year but a bit more quickness in his cuts would certainly be beneficial. https://chicago.suntimes.com/sports/what-does-bears-coach-matt-nagy-have-in-store-for-te-adam-shaheen/ When the Bears designed their offseason training plan for Shaheen, their goal wasn’t to increase his power or strength — ‘‘I was pretty damn physical last year,’’ he said — but to make him more fluid, mobile and flexible. Part of the Bears’ focus was t…

Last year LA had a high drafted QB, a good defense(ranked 12th) They added a high profile offensive mind in Sean McVay. They added John Sullivan and Andrew Whitworth on the Oline. They added Robert Woods,/WR in FA, and drafted Cooper Kupp/WR, Josh Reynolds/WR, Gerald Everett/TE in the draft. They had left over from a 4-12 season, Todd Gurley and Travon Austin. They added Sammy Watkins by trade and ended up being the the tenth ranked offense in the league last year. Goff had 3804 yards, 28 TDs, 7 ints. and rushed for 51 yards on on 28 carries. Gurley rushed for 1305 yards-13 tds. Receiving stats Todd Gurley 64-788-6 …

I'm old school and I love the special teams aspect of football. It provides some of the most exciting plays each year whether it is kickoff and punt returns, to even FG at the closing seconds of the game. Fans are fixated on these moments. Even a missed extra point these days, since they moved it back to the 15yd line, can change the emotions of the game. How many here remember the FG block in the Bears - Packers game after Walter Payton passed away? If you are not familiar with him, Rick Gosselin does some outstanding analysis and reporting on the game. Summary of Bears players on the list: http://www.chicagobears.com/news/article-1/Sayers-Hester-am…

“Their challenge will be their passing game,” he said. “That’s where they were deficient last year."

While our offense is in it's infancy learning an entirely new playbook, along with numerous new players getting to know each other, the D looks to take another step forward. There aren't many things ever worth noting at this point in the offseason except that this offense is ...different. Consistency on offense will take quite a bit of time but the big play potential already has our defense taking notice. https://chicago.suntimes.com/sports/why-bears-d-is-rallying-around-qb-mitch-trubisky-i-want-to-win-a-championship/ Amukamara... “They’re throwing a lot of different looks at us, and that’s just Nagy’s offense,” he said. “If I was a receiver I would love …

The only thing I know for sure is it doesn't make the Lions look good about not doing their homework on him. Doesn't mean they shouldn't have hired him, but it appears they did not know from what I've read.

A great analysis of the NFL schedules over at SharpFootballAnalysis.com. Bears have 17th toughest schedule but have the 4th easiest in terms of opposing defenses. This bodes well for our offense, it should really explode this year. Expect some high scoring games. Like the Panthers, the Bears’ offense might be able to capitalize on its early (Week 5) bye. Chicago has the NFL’s second-softest schedule through Week 10. They play five bottom-five teams during that span, although they are favored in just three of those games because the Bears are also viewed as a bottom-five team. Note that Chicago plays the NFL’s fourth-softest schedule of opposing defenses, includin…

I just read where there are 58 players at rookie mini camp. The more bodies the better, that is how you find diamonds in the rough. With that many I would say they sign a couple of try out players to regular camp.

Bears trade up and get a highly productive WR. This has Nagy written all over it. Smith was for Fangio, Daniels was for Hiestand, and Miller was for Nagy. The Bears traded #105 (4th rounder) and next year's 2nd for #51. Based on how they value draft picks where next year's are worth one round less, we won the trade (in terms of value).

Pretty good listen. https://247sports.com/nfl/chicago-bears/Article/Bear-Report-Podcast-Chicago-Bears-Post-Draft-Edition-117977014

Now that the draft is complete and the Bears have added a handful of playmakers this offseason, there still are a few voids I thought may be been addressed but have not. I suspect they may keep a close eye on the players cut/waivers and maybe bring in more UDFA's. If not filled this season, it will be priorities for next. OT - Unless Morgan plays OT, it seems we are light going into camp here. This position will be thinner at years end also because Massie's contract will expire. I thought it might be a position they filled in the draft this year and was watching for Tyrell Crosby. As of now, this has to be in consideration for the 1st RD pick in 2019. Taylor Lew…

Saw this on Chicagobears.com. Nicely done Coach Nagy. http://m.chicagobears.com/news/article-1/Nagy-sending-message-with-motivational-art/87a6d6e3-1632-44a8-ba6e-fa64a734852d