Pixote

Top 5 as a pass rusher off the edge? No, IMO. Although he is just entering his prime. However, I feel if you take everything into consideration ((Sacks, Hits, Pressures, TFL, Run Defense, Locker room presence, Durability (only missing 6 games in 4 yrs due to a broken jaw), etc...)) he could be a top 5. We knew he'd be an expensive player to extend. No way we could allow him to leave after this year after giving up a 2nd round pick. Eventually we have to pay blue chip players if we ever want to assemble a lineup that not only looks good on paper, but produces on the field.

My wish is that Fields "EARNS" the role of starting QB for the foreseeable future. I hope he rocks when he returns to the lineup. That said, if indeed he is our future, I don't want to see him have to learn another offensive system. If Flus goes, then the entire coaching staff exits, then a new offense playbook is implemented. I don't want to go there.

I had to chuckle when, in an interview, JJ claimed to be the best CB in the NFL therefore deserved to be paid accordingly. I agree with you killa... 13-15 per would be in line, anything more, not a chance in hell.

Not one to follow FSB closely (usually just ND games or a top 10 on occasion) does anyone know of a blue chip 3T that the Bears should target in the 2024 draft??

I was surprised when TheAthletic.com website came out with their new top 50 Draft Board. Here are the top 10 slots listed by Dane Brugler: (the top 3 surprised me in the order they were listed, #4 a TE? Really? Is he that good?) 1 - Drake Maye QB North Carolina 2 - Marvin Harrison Jr. WR Ohio State 3- Caleb Williams QB USC 4- Brock Bowers TE Georgia 5- Olu Fashanu OT Penn State 6- Joe Alt OT Notre Dame 7- Dallas Turner Edge Alabama 8- Keon Coleman WR Florida State 9- Laiatu Latu Edge UCLA 10- JC Latham OT Alabama

If I had to guess, the first "resignation" was actually forced, as a result of an ongoing investigation that cannot be revealed until resolved, and this second may be related to the DC's departure. I don't see how either Poles or Flus can be blamed for this. It's not like they hired their staff off the street. They were veteran coaches, well respected, who held positions with other teams before joining the Bears.

Packers just traded their CB Rasul Douglas to the Bills. Douglas has 10 interceptions in 36 starts, but didn't garner squat in a trade. Bills get Douglas and and a 5th rd pick, Green Bay gets a 3rd round pick. I can't see any team giving the Bears more for JJ than GB got for Douglas. No way do we give him away for that type of return unless Poles is positive he will walk in FA with no compensation (we never get comp picks).

Respectfully Disagree, I am thrilled he chose Monte Sweat over Chase Young. I was concerned over Young's injury history and lack of production after his stellar rookie season. Now, all of a sudden, it's the last year of his contract and he finds it best to trade street clothes for a uniform. Sweat is also, IMHO, a better fit for our defense. From Bearswire.usatoday:

My guess is Poles didn't want to pay a guy who spends so much time on the sidelines in street clothes a 4 year contract worth over 100 million, with big $$$ guaranteed, which is what I suspect Chase will be looking for. If we were SB contenders this year, I'd be pissed off for passing on him. However, under the circumstances, I'd prefer to wait and not do another "Claypool" mistake.

I think I read the Edge DL is weak in he 2004 draft. Or am I mistaken? We definitely need to upgrade our edge rushers, but would prefer not to trade but draft.

I got a subscription to "The Athletic" website. IMO, it is fantastic. Great articles on the Bears, but also any team for NFL, NHL, or MLB. I found it when doing a Google search for game previews, but when I began reading the article it said I needed to sign up, which at first pissed me off, but then found out as an introductory offer all I had to pay was one dollar a month for the first year. One hellava deal! Like I said, outstanding coverage of the Bears. The one article I enjoyed the most today was talking about our HC 'Flus. Before I read it I was all for firing him. Now, if this team shows improvement the rest of the way, I have changed my mind. I like what I read. TheAthletic.com has given me permission to give FIVE - 30 Guess Passes. If interested just let me know, the first forum members who speak up (assuming there are at least five interested) will get a free 30 day access to the site. (You will need to send me a private message via the forum with an email address to use to register you with The Athletic for the give-a-way.) I doubt that it will allow you to have access to this link without being a member or having a guest pass, but I will post the link the the story about: How Matt Eberflus guided the Bears through early adversity: ‘No quit in anybody’ I hope the link works as I thought it was a very interesting story. (If nothing else, if you go to the site, maybe they will offer you the same 1$/month deal I got.)

Watching #21 ranked ND embarrass #10 ranked USC tonight was my first chance to watch Caleb Williams. Everyone is saying he is a generational prospect. He might be. However, from tonight's performance, I wasn't impressed. ND already lost to two ranked teams this year. I'm a big ND fan. They have been paper tigers the last two years against quality teams. This year ND lost to Ohio State, Lost to Louisville, Yet tonight: ND 48 USC 20 Caleb Williams 23-37 199 YDS 1 TD 3 INT, and to be honest, as bad as those stats are, it makes him look better than he actually played.

Per NFL.com "Vikings plan to place WR Justin Jefferson (hamstring) on injured reserve, timeline for return TBD."

"Loved" watching the GB game last night, with Love tossing 3 INTs.

And it looks as if Carolina blew it and drafted the wrong QB, ? The kid drafted 2nd by Houston is having an awesome rookie year.

Fields had the cards stacked against him from the beginning. Bad OCs - not addressing his strengths and horrible play calling Bad WR corps - Not getting open, wrong routes, drops Bad OL - I think last night was the best protection he has had since drafted Against WAS play calling was much improved, DJM was brilliant, and the OL was solid. It proves to me that Justin is a stud if given the support he (and all QBs) needs. If Justin proves me correct and he continues to shine, AND, if Carolina gives us the #1 pick next year, I can't wait to see what Poles can get from a team wanting the #1 QB prospect. The bidding will be fierce and Poles could wind up with a haul that will make history.

So basically we had to practically give him away. LOL At least he will not be wasting one of our roster spots.

I agree. Not the same Mooney we are accustomed to seeing. The only way we sign him is as a WR3. He will probably walk, which is fine. I'm sure Poles won't overpay.

Please Don't Say That!

I would be disappointed in anything less than 9 wins. Surely, after all the improvements Poles has made via draft & FA, we are a .500 team. Add to the mix a relatively favorable schedule, 2023 should be an exciting season to watch. I sure hope so. I'm still rehabbing, wearing a wickedly uncomfortable brace, after fracturing 2 vertebrae. Need something to cheer me up.

My guess is we will not know the starting 5 OL until after teams make their final cuts. I'm sure Poles is watching the waiver wire closely.

I have to mention how much I enjoyed watching the Panthers getting spanked by the Jets. I know it's preseason and not a true barometer of the upcoming season, but to see B. Young go 4/6 for 21 yards, with happy feet (he got hit pretty hard a couple of times behind an OL that reminded me of the Bears' OL last year) was a nice treat after watching the Bears. Let's hope the Panthers continue playing like that so we can see what Poles could get for the first pick of the 2024 draft that is suppose to be a strong QB/WR crop.

Watching a few tapes of YN rushing the QB I couldn't help but notice he gives max effort to strip the QB while tackling him. Love it! Also like the upgrade of our TE room by signing ML. Great blocker, knows our system. Poles is doing an awesome job.

I expect the Bears to make a huge turnaround this year. Worse to first? Probably not. But they are going to be a first class contender. BETCHA! With that in mind, Poles' asst. GM, Ian Cunningham, will have a lot of suitors as a GM. Young, Great Resume, Checks all of the boxes teams will be looking for in a progressive GM. This leads me to bring up the new NFL incentive launched last year. So if I'm correct that would give us 2 additional 3rd round picks for Poles to use in his rebuild.

THX for the best wishes and input about the Bears.