BearFan PHX

When Gordon changes teams, Rappaport will get the scoop. And from other players with the same management too.

I think Caleb is going to lead us to more than 1

I dont think fast LBs are the equivalent of nickel. I understand the point about hiding the deficit at nickleback with three fast LBs, but I dont think that really works. When you need nickel, you need nickel. One related question might be were we in nickel MORE often last year because we were hiding a deficiency at speed at LB? That might be more likely, so maybe we will play less than 75% Nickel (last year), but not because we are hiding the deficit at NB, but because we ARENT hiding a speed deficit at LB? And probably not a big effect, DA plays Nickel about 70% of the time across his career. NFL average is 60% in nickel, so maybe there is some room for this adjustment. But probably only from 75% to 70% or something like that if at all?

great example! wasnt that a great day? I really dont like the packers.

I've been having a gut feeling of the same for a while now. Yuck. To have that much talent and not want it is a shame.

it also depends on the position. OL need to work together to gain cohesion, especially in zone blocking schemes where they have to know what the next guy is going to do too. But a Pass Rusher can just be told "tee off and get the QB" and a few rules about when he has the edge contain. RBs are pretty fungible too, whereas a safety might need to understand the scheme a little more thoroughly?

yes! just a cramp, and Odunze seems fine too. Cant wait for the season to start already.

Swift and Odunze apparently left practice early today with injuries. Swift was holding his side, and left with trainers, for Odunze it was his right leg, and he wanted to stay in bu tthe trainers took him out, so he's probably fine? No word on how serious Swift is yet, so I wouldnt jump to any conclusions just yet either.

The PR on this aint great, and the Bears could say something but they choose not to which is a big sign. I mean i dont know anything about whats goin gon, but if you believe in the Bears, then it doesnt look good on Gordon. At the same time the talent is undeniable. If he comes back and plays well, i suspect we will trade him and he could well have a resurgence on another team, which is fine as long as we get something good in trade for him. It's too bad, because he is so good when he plays, but I dont think its so easy to earn Ben Johnson's trust after all of this. Kyler has to get back on the field and ball out no matter which scenario it ends up being. If not, he's out of the NFL pretty fast, and then, dude, no one is gonna care about your podcast. He's made enough money that he never has to work again, maybe he has Nate Davis vibes. i dunno. But the team is moving on without him whatever it is, and no matter how good he is - and he IS - it doesnt matter if youre not on the field. It's baffling, frustrating, and obnoxious.

For sure. And that portends well.

Yeah tomorrow there will be some movement. Coby Bryant has to go to the IR too, dont know why he hasnt already, not sure the advantage. Roschon is still not safe, we will see who goes on waivers. I expect we'll pick up a 6th WR too. But for today, here's the depth chart. Green players are new this year, so you can see all the turnover. Oh and Im not saying JVDB is a "starter" its just how I put it on the sheet. Call it a 53 man roster and a rough depth chart.

agree with both

absolutely. add a real pass rush to this team, and we are true SB contenders. And I think we might be SB bound this year too, but it's not a lock or anything. Add a real pass rush, and we would be on the short list of teams to beat.

I dont think its a sure thing that Jaylon Johnson is gonna stay around thru 2027. Hes a pretty good player, but hes being paid more than hes worth I think. At least since his injury last season when he got on the field he wasnt great. If he plays lights out this year, which I believe he is capable of and has before his injury, then we will keep and feature him. But hes got to be out there. He cant be injured, and hes got to regain his prior form I also agree that DE is super important, and we dont have a real difference maker there. Kyler Gordon isnt long for this team either. CB1, NB1, DE1 & DT are a big part of the identity of a defense, so thats why I guess the word overhaul came to mind. But youre right overhaul is the wrong word. We already have some potential guys in Mohammad, Van Der Berg, Booker and if they all ascend then its just a couple major pieces - CB1 and DE1, but if we need another guy at CB or NB, DT then its more of an overhaul. And I guess i was thinking of the DL mostly. I am worried about our pass rush this year, and i think the back 7 will play better with some threats up front, and those are probably mostly coming next year (I HOPE! Are you listening Poles? LOL) But youre right we have a lot of good emerging pieces! Dillion Theineman is just getting started and hes for real. Coby Bryant is injured but hes for real. Devin Bush is probably a key piece going forward. But the D line is a lot on the come. Montez Sweat isnt irreplaceable. And unless Van Der Berg is the superhero steal that he just might be, we're awfully thin at difference making on the interior too. I think we're like 3rd highest cap space allotted to our defense in the league. Most of that comes off the books next year, and guys like Odeyngbo and Jarrett will need replacing with better/cheaper alternatives. Gervon Dexter is probably gone after next year too. So thats why an "overhaul" (or half of one anyway) Lets say these are the pieces you you need for a defense, the rest being ok to be filled by journeymen? impact DE (need) good DE impact DT (need) impact LB one great CB (need?) one good CB (need?) one good or great NB (need) impact S one good S so we have a core of 4 or 5 of the 9 must haves?

Well it did make some sense when i wrote it, and I hope so, but today im reading both were injured, so I guess not. I have high hopes for this season, but it feels like the real defensive overhaul will be next year.