Bearstalk

Now that we've all had some time to research/obsess about the draft, I always like to get feedback on guys people really like or really don't like. It can be for the Bears specifically or just in general. Who's the late round guy you are pounding the table for? Who's on your bust list? Can we have a thread that doesn't devolve into a Caleb Williams cat fight? These are all questions I want answers to. MY GUYS: - Brian Thomas, WR, LSU - I've said it before, but he looks like George Pickens if Pickens could get separation. - Jamari Thrash, WR, Louisville - I like that he can play both inside and outside, isn't afraid to go over the middle, has speed, and…

It was announced on NFL.com that 13 players have accepted invitations to attend the draft. An impressive list: Table inside Article Name College Position Terrion Arnold Alabama Cornerback Jayden Daniels LSU Quarterback Marvin Harrison Jr. Ohio State Wide receiver J.C. Latham Alabama Offensive tackle Laiatu Latu UCLA Edge rusher Drake Maye North Carolina Quarterback …

Caleb Williams write-up:

I'm thinking, without looking up individual arm lengths, that Poles favors longer armed prospects and wanted to have a discussion or thoughts on how he's choosing his prospects. Last year, we had a OT and several DL come through his draft process and I wanted to predict which Line prospects are Poles dudes. This year, the only OC prospects, that I can tell you off the top of my head with longer that 33" arms is PSU's center. JCP has average length and the other top two C prospects have below average length. Who recalls the arm length on Poles line targets? IIRC, we brought Wright in for a visit correct. Did we draft anybody that we didn't visit?

Daniels was the best QB in college last year. He played in a pro style offense and is a great running option . I'm not sure who has the most upside on the QBs but he is the most ready to start in the NFL. Caleb is always popping out of the pocket and playing hero ball. Holds the ball to long. Didn't play as well against better opponents. Daniels was in the SEC. I'm going to keep looking at tape to,see who stands out more than the other.

On looking at our current roster, who are the blue chip players? Here's my list.... Wright, Jenkins, Kmet, Moore, Allen, Williams, Sweat, Dexter, Stevenson, Johnson, Gordon and Brisker. I'm counting twelve. Polian says 14. We are getting close. If we hit at nine, it's 13 possibly. Maybe 14 will develop under the radar. IMO, 13 is a shock. Very cool future for our team...

I am thinking of selling this. It's 52 years old. Anyone know the value? 24x36

Yeah, I call him Lord Poles for fun, but truly believe he is going to make us a winner. IMO, he is the best we've had since Jim Finks. Below, is an excerpt from an article from The Atlantic I found to be outstanding. It tells the whole Justin story, without mentioning Justin at all. The whole article is great. Poles went on to say that every individual has his own timeline, and some players have to be allowed time to develop to “work through some things.” “But when it goes too far and too long, your locker room knows,” he said. “I always keep that in my mind. If I’m gonna ask those guys to take ownership of a bad game, a dropped pass, a missed assignment, I …

Just looked at this, and after all the wheeling and dealing, the Bears have a pretty strong amount of draft capital for next year - all their picks except their 7th, plus Carolina's 2nd, Miami's 6th, and the pick from Pittsburgh that's either a 6th or (possibly) a 4th. What's even more interesting is that the Bears have very few starters who are free agents next year - besides Keenan Allan, their only other free agent starter is Teven Jenkins, unless Coleman Shelton wins the C job or you count Khari Blasingame. Really, there aren't even many depth FAs of note - Khalil Herbert is no longer the starter and has Roschon Johnson probably pushing him on the roster. Larry Bor…

Just looking at the team pre-draft by position groups, it is hard to see how this team won't be better this year. Here is what I am thinking: QB - Right now a downgrade with only Bagent and Rypien, but should be an upgrade in the passing game and a dip in the running game production post-draft. RB - This group basically went from Foreman to Swift, and Roschon in his 2nd year. That is a clear upgrade and should negate any loss to the rushing game from the QB position. TE - The addition of Everett makes this a clear upgrade. TE3 needs to be a blocking TE. WR - Adding Allen and subtracting Mooney is like a double positive here. I don't think WR3 is a huge need wit…

Lots of rumors out there connecting him to the Bears. Anyone reading anything that suggests it’s more than just internet speculation?

I was just reading the new kickoff rules for the 2024 season. At first glance, it is quite a change. However, I think it will accomplish the goal of making kickoffs once again a vital part of special teams instead of an afterthought. Here is a link to the story (and new rules) on NFL.com. (What do you guys think about the new rules?) NFL owners pass new hybrid kickoff rule at Annual League Meeting In summary, if the kickoff lands between the goal line and the twenty-yard line, it must be returned. However, the alignment of the players and the point of release are totally different. Special teams will have to spend a lot of time getting ready to take advanta…

Bears bring in their WR2 for a 4th rounder. Welcome Keenen Allen

Thursday, August 1 @ 8 pm Eastern, 7 pm Central. YES! Football returns! They announced the Bears and Texans will open the 2024 preseason on a Thursday Night Prime Time Game. YES! YES! YES! Bears, Texans to kick off 2024 NFL preseason in Hall of Fame Game

With them participating in hall of fame game - they can start training camp early. I don't know if that means we have more practices than other teams or if it is just you start earlier and have more off days. I'm presuming more practices - which hopefully is a good thing (presuming they manage player health etc). The actual extra pre-season game, meaningless to me - but probably cool for Bears to be there given Mongo getting into the Hall.

OK, the combine is over, and some pro days have occurred. Who are you picking, and why, as the next QB for the Chicago Bears?

Reports are he is one of their primary focuses (vs. Saquon). I know the name is less sexy but this would be a really good get. He's still young and he's a really good football player. With rookie QB, Bears can afford to splurge a bit at RB (and it saves them from having to use another draft pick on the position in a draft where they don't have a ton of picks).

It is amazing how the media is handling MHJ literally skipping all public workouts but when Williams skipped working out at the combine, it was the biggest news for weeks. I bet this will be a growing trend and the norm in years to come. The top guy in each position group has more to lose than to gain by doing any of these workouts, and possibly get injured.

I’m in the UK, and cannot find anywhere to watch William’s work out, other than it’s being shown later on NFL Network. Is anyone seen the work out? Is there any chance that Rice is available in the 3rd round and would anyone take him. If he’s 70% of, Jerry, he must be work taking.

The Bears are still weak at WR3, Edge2, and need at least another rotational piece at DT with the loss of Jones. For upgrades, Center is the most obvious spot not listed. So priority seems to be WR/Edge, then DT, then Center. If they stand pat, they have #9, #75, and #122 to address those spots. They have talked about a big drop off in talent in this draft (due to players staying in school due to NIL), so there are fewer mid level players available. I assume that is why Poles has not been shy to dump draft picks later in the draft. What would you rather see the Bears do (not what you think they will do) with the draft picks? Do you think it is better to get a …