Pixote

The only thing we are missing on D is more pressure on the quarterback. Sweat cannot be expected to be a one-man show. What happens if he gets injured? We need to bring in a vet to add to the mix to secure a top 5 D.

Thanks! There was also a mention of 2 on the OL. Does anyone know who?

When they mentioned that Caleb had a rough day, they also said he was missing two WRs and two OLs. Now, I know it isn't unusual for players to miss OTAs. However, I was hoping for a solid turnout. The WRs need to continue developing chemistry with Caleb, and the OL needs to mesh as a unit with a new center yet to be named. Does anyone know who skipped the OTA and the reasons for their absence?

Thanks for the heads-up! I was going to check it out, but now I realize that his credibility is shot to hell. It's not worth a second of my time.

I agree with you guys. Keeping Flus was the right move. We expect Williams to be a future GOAT. I say future because he has a lot to learn. The transition from NCAA to NFL isn't easy nor a given. What we need to see this year are two things. Continued development into the powerhouse franchise QB we have all been waiting for. That is obvious. But in the process, he has to win over the team. Leadership skills. Can he motivate his teammates to match his intensity, maximize their skill sets, and become winners? I say this because the same can be said for Flus. Coaches are no different from players. The transition from an NFL DC to the head coach of a storied franchise isn't easy or given. While he develops as a head coach, he must also rely on his leadership skills. Taking a team that was (I hate to say it) garbage and bottom feeder and keeping the players motivated through a long rebuild takes unique skills. That he has already proven capable of.

You certainly should be proud. The young man not only turned his life around but is also making a significant difference in the lives of young athletes through his program. I never knew biracial kids dealt with identity issues. I had a biracial friend in HS. I wonder if he had the same problems.

What I find hard to understand is that they'd confess to this! Let's look at it this way. A GM brings in a veteran QB to mentor his new Rookie QB. A very important position. The Rookie QB screws up by allowing himself to be distracted by his phone while the veteran QB is providing instruction. (We don't know what the issue was. Playing a game? Received a text message from a hot babe, his wife, or both, LOL. Or maybe a family emergency? Doesn't matter.) Instead of explaining the importance of paying attention, the veteran scolds him, saying he is now on his own and abandons the rookie. If I were the GM, I would cut the Veteran and bring in another mentor for my rookie QB. Yes, I'd be disappointed the rookie was distracted (we still do not know for sure why), but the Veteran failed the rookie and the team. If this 'rumor' is true, we failed Fields in more ways than play calling, OL, and depth at skill positions. We gave him an asshole for a mentor.

Yes, and with the escalating QB salaries, it will be for more than 100M per year.

I believe this story will prove to be as questionable as all of the wild rumors about Caleb leading up to the draft.

I'd love to have him against an easier opponent. I say easier because of the old saying, On any given Sunday. You never know from one year to the next, or from one week to the next, what to expect. Washington's pass defense gave up the most yards (4627) and TDs (39) of any team in 2023. With them (I assume) starting Daniels at QB, bring him to Chicago for a reunion of the top 2 QBs drafted. Ooops, I just realized we play them in an away game. LOL - Still, let them open the season in Washington.

I have been to so many training camps for the Bears, going back to the dog days in Plattville. I can promise you this is nothing special. In fact, I bet every QB on our roster could execute that drill without a miss-step. Now, what you should be excited about is the blurb I read on several sites, (the quote below from nbcsportschicago.com). It tells me that Caleb and Rome are already developing the "mental connection" in day one of rookie camp that legendary QB/WR teammates had to help them have HOF careers. Manning/Harrison. Montana/Rice. Unitas/Berry. Now Williams/Odunze. Yes, we have a lot to look forward to:

Is that a serious question? All the NFL is trying to do is to return the excitement of the KO return to the game in a fashion that will still reduce injuries from high impact tackles. Simple as that. Special teams play has been a part of the game since 1869 when the first college football game took place. Good teams excel in all three phases of the game, Defense, Offense, and Special Teams. A TD scored on a KO return, Punt return, trick play, etc... is earned through out executing the opponent. The key word is "earned." If they win because they out maneuvered the opposition, they earned the victory. No one gave it to them.

I don't want to watch a flag football game, a game without chaos. Everything scripted and predictable. I want on side kicks, announced and unannounced. The Statue of Liberty, the flea flicker, the end around, a double reverse, a returner like Hester electrifying the crowd, I want the unexpected because football is supposed to be chaotic by its very nature. 99% of the game is controlled chaos. The 1% of the plays that make the highlight reels, the unexpected chaos, is the cherry on top of the sundae. The new KO rules will bring the KO returns back into the game. We will no longer have to watch the ball bounce out of the end zone for a touchback. Can you imagine how we would have been deprived of the fun we had watching Hester return KOs? If he had played after the NFL screwed up the KO rules, he would have been a so-so WR and probably cut from the team. He wouldn't be inducted into the HOF. We wouldn't have the fond memories. He created chaos. We loved it.

DJ also has two kids, one less than a year old, the other a three year old. I'm sure he needs time to spend with them before veterans report.

I'd argue there is nothing 'fluke' about a KO landing in the 'zone' and returned 80-99 yards for a TD. If that be the case, were the TDs scored on KO returns before the NFL screwed the fans with their 'safety' changes all flukes? I'm thrilled with the new KO rules, and am anxious to see how the NFL implements it in preseason, changes that will be made to fine-tune it, and the final version when we kick off the season. KOs had become totally boring. Time to go get a drink or, get rid of one in the BR. Gone were the days when I got excited over seeing a KO return. This change is welcome by me!

I'd say Homer and Jones are both in jeopardy. Scott will hopefully prove to be the WR we expected when we were excited about him last preseason as a possible sleeper. Maybe with the new WR room, he can get help reaching his true potential.

I also just read that the reason for his signing was primarily as a KR specialist. I saw on social media (X) that he signed a 3 year deal for 2.830,000 (which seems pretty damn good for a UDFA). It didn't mention a signing bonus, not to say there wasn't one. https://x.com/HBCUSports1/status/1787959598877729275

Sorry, misunderstood. It is odd 3 year deal. I thought most UDFA are 1 year prove it deals. Must think highly of him.

You could be correct, I found several sources saying he is a Bear. Here is a link below to an article on WindyCityGridiron: Bear Bones: Interview with Bears UDFA Ian Wheeler If you do a "Google" search, you will find videos and articles.

Excellent! Great article. A very detailed account of the process used in evaluating Williams.

I am so saddened to hear about the loss of your Mother. I know your family has faced multiple challenges this year. My thoughts are with you and your loved ones. Please take care and stay safe.

Thanks. I appreciate everyone's kind response. I must admit, I'm embarrassed I shared this with everyone. It wasn't my intention. Sometimes, I vent openly only because it seems to help the healing process, rather than keeping it to myself. Living alone, it is usually just me and four walls that hear my complaints. LOL A playoff run by the Bears would certainly be a welcome distraction!

However, I hope I am wrong, but I believe I read Shelton led the NFL Centers in QB pressures given up last year. So, if I am correct, the floor for Shelton is very low. I have more faith in Bates. It's obvious to me that there is something he likes about Bates. He was the very first FA he went after when hired and revisited again after he lost out the first time. He must feel there is something there that we are missing.

I hope he wasn't. I love the idea of players hanging out and enjoying an evening together. Bonding. On and off the field. So important. I want it to be something they themselves organized without management being involved.

Thanks. When you raise your children, you never imagine attending their funeral. I'm sincerely sorry to hear you have also experienced this unimaginable nightmare. Take Care!