Pixote

PUNTER! We cannot forget our conversation at the end of last season when we all realized we needed a better punter. Our punter sucked! LOL I am crossing my fingers (and toes ?) that Poles brings in a new Punter for 2024. 2024 NFL Draft – Punter Rankings

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 advantage of this new set of rules. I'm anxious to see it in place. Kickoffs were once exciting. Then they made them totally blahh! (Thank God we enjoyed Hester's exciting returns before they screwed around with the kidkoff rules.) This might actually force me to watch kickoffs again instead of using it as a bathroom break. LOL

I am expecting an announcement that we will be on Hard Knocks. I see where it will not be a single team but an entire division this year. So, will the NFC North be the featured division? As much as fans enjoy seeing their team behind the scenes, it must be a distraction as they prepare for the season. The Bears were on this year's short list of teams before they decided to include all teams from 1 of 8 divisions.

Yeah, I have to agree, but hey, it the return of football. LOL Generally, we only learn who we "think" will make the team as backups or practice squad. Starters rarely play much, for a good reason. I'm always praying we can make it opening day w/o major injuries.

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

This is one thing we can finally agree on. ?

Expressing my concern about Caleb's maturity because he curled up in a fetal position, wearing his uniform, and sitting in his mother's lap crying like a baby is legit. However, I suspect his father had a word with him afterward. Hopefully he will not disgrace the Bear's by acting so childish once drafted. Yes, it is fine to show emotions on the sideline, but that went way beyond the norm expected from a pro athlete. BUT I STILL WANT THE BEARS TO DRAFT CALEB! How often do I have to say it? I know you can read. Yes, I checked them all out. Williams, Maye, Daniels, McCaffery, etc., trying to find an alternative so that we could not only draft a franchise QB but trade down to #2 to do so while cashing in on a boatload of picks. Unfortunately, I could not find any substitute that made me feel comfortable giving up a chance to draft Caleb at #1. So I repeat for the umpteenth time: I want the Bears to draft Caleb. Now, you also didn't read this: I asked a legitimate question, and you blew me off, accusing me of trying to defame Caleb. NONSENSE! Harbaugh legitimately believes in McCaffery. So IF HE HAD BEEN HIRED AS OUR HC, would he have traded the pick to Washington to get the extra picks and then selected McCaffery at #2 to be the replacement for Fields? It's a legitimate "What if" question I proposed. I believe he would have. I'm sure you do not. I'd be interested in the opinions of others.

I'm just quoting Harbaugh. I think we should draft Williams as long as Poles finds everything in order. I think the visit next week will be the closure needed. So you can stop trying to make this ME. Read the article. He is stating (does he really mean it?) that McCarthy is the best QB prospect in the draft. READ THE ARTICLE! It is not me trying to dis Caleb!

In the article linked below, Harbaugh really promotes McCarthy as the top quarterback in the class, even above Williams. Sure, he would have reason to promote McCarthy. It would benefit his Chargers to see as many QBs drafted before their selection. Obviously he will not be interested in drafting a QB. However, he was even promoting McCarty off air to one of our forum members in attendance at the combine. He REALLY does believe McCarthy is the #1 QB in the draft. So my question is: If we had hired Harbaugh as our HC, replacing Flus, would we be drafting J.J. McCarthy as our QB instead of Caleb Williams? Jim Harbaugh Interview Article on NFL.com

???

I think it is just the logistics that have him missing NC Pro Day. LSU is on 3/27. Then NC on 3/28. That would be a mighty quick turnaround, especially if he wants to wine and dine, Daniels, like he did Caleb after his workout.

On a positive note, LOL This quote (made by Poles) in an article on NFL.com was a very positive sign:

Rogers is a scum bag. We all know that. It has nothing to do with this. a) I want a QB who can help us win a Super Bowl. Check. No issues there. b) I also want a QB to show maturity. To represent our franchise on and off the field with the dignity and respect it deserves. I'm hoping Caleb can do both. If he can, I'm all in!

First, we don't have the guy. I think we will. He is a great-looking prospect, but the card hasn't been turned into the commissioner yet. Second point: I would love to have him as our QB if, after due diligence, Poles decides he is our guy. The next visit to Halas Hall will be extremely important in that regard. It's about time we got a QB who will lead us to multiple Super Bowls. Now, your closing statement. Who, then, do you think is entitled? The definition of entitled: It sounds like a lot of egocentric GOATS from all sports, including Caleb (although he has yet to prove he is a GOAT). I have no issue with him having a big ego, as long as he realizes he will need to earn the respect of his teammates and fans. There is no entitlement. The bottom line: I do not want to see late-night talk hosts (Kimmel, Colbert, etc.), SNL, and the media spoof Caleb because after losing a game against the Packers, he sought comfort from his mother in the stands. I don't want opposing teams making a fortune off of souvenirs sold when we visit them, such as Caleb's diapers and pacifiers. I want him to be not only become our franchise quarterback but also a mature young man who will represent our beloved Bears on and off the field with dignity and respect. That is what I expect, and feel, as a lifelong fan, I am entitled to.

What the hell has that have to do with this? NOTHING! Players get emotional. I even acknowledged that immediately after my original post on the subject, but I'm not sure you saw the edit before replying. No issue with a player on the sideline showing emotion. Big issue with a player going up into the stands to sit in his mother's lap to cry like a f**king baby. Sorry, but he needs to grow up!

Any being cuddled by mommy?

He didn't cry in his mommy's lap! Yes, players get emotional. But to go into the stands surrounded by fans, sit in your mother's lap, and cry is beyond anything I have ever seen. (I remember seeing something like that when I worked with prepubescent boys playing little league baseball.)

I had heard about Caleb breaking down and crying in his mother's arms in the stadium after losing a game. But now that I saw the video posted today in this thread, it makes me puke. Could you imagine him doing a Lambeau Leap into the stands after a Bears loss and having his mommy cuddle him while he cries, in front of a stadium full of fans, shown on the big screen in the stadium, telecast for millions to see? Talk about wanting to be the face of the franchise. OMG. He's extremely talented. But unlike many of the GOATS PHX tried to compare his brashness with, I don't ever recall any of them acting so immature after a defeat. No, it is not because he is so competitive. All GOATS are competitive. It is because he is IMMATURE! I was totally sold on the guy, now I am totally at a loss. (And let me add, I have no issues with a player getting emotional on the bench, or on the sidelines, after a loss. That is understandable. Going to have mommy hold you while you cry in the stands after a game is off the charts, IMO.)

Last year, I chose Roschon as my sleeper to shine in 2023. I obviously was over-optimistic. However, I still think he is going to be an outstanding RB in the NFL and will eventually take over as a starter for the Bears. I like Herbert, but there is very little trade value there. It's great to have him and Roschon backing up Swift. The three together give us a very good RB combo, one that might rank in the top 5 before the season's end.

My age and old-time values make me a bit of a dinosaur out of place in the Generation Alpha era. Being invited to the NFL Combine, being drafted by an NFL team, or even being signed as a UFA is an honor only a small fraction of aspiring football players can experience. If it were my boy who was given this opportunity, and he tried to buck the system to strut his stuff, I'd encourage him just to shut the f**k up and do as you're told. (Of course, he'd ignore my advice, as usual.)

He could be right, but I swear that I remember other instances where a player refused to do the physical. But I could be wrong. GASP

Poles & Flus are nailing it this off-season.

Unfortunately, there is no guarantee that Allen will be here for more than one year. Let's hope Poles gets him to sign a reasonable extension. He wanted to remain a Charger but left because he would not renegotiate his contract. I can't see him giving us a discount. SO if Allen leaves after this year, we have to work on getting DJ extended, and if that fails, where are we? With such a potentially great WR class, I wouldn't mind seeing us draft 2 to develop.

Sorry, I don't see it. Cringey? Really? Having a fiery coach on the sidelines or giving post-game interviews is entertaining. Ditka was fun, but actually not a very good HC. We should have won more than one SB with that roster. No excuse for a one-and-done. That said, mild-mannered HCs have been very successful. As much as I detest the Cowboys, Landry was a master. Flus kept the team together and motivated during a very difficult rebuild when the roster was stripped down to its foundation and rebuilt over the past two years. It's still a work in progress. The players bought into his HITS system, they bonded as a team, and it takes a true leader, a HC who has the respect of the team, to accomplish that. And yes, it's his first HC gig. He has made mistakes, but it seems like his on-the-job training is progressing at a remarkable rate. The finish of last year's slate of games was quite exciting. I saw growth. I felt hope for the future. So you don't like the guy. Fine. But I am happy they kept a promising 1st timer instead of risking hiring a new HC like Wannstedt, Jauron, Fox, Trestman, or Nagy. Hell, compared to some of our recent HCs, Flus is amazing LOL

I'd love that trade as long as he used the #2 he received from Washington to lock in a quarterback he thinks can take us to the Super Bowl.