BearFan PHX

It's been working for me. Plus I use an ad blocker with my browser. It lest me unblock posts from X, and still block ads. Hope that helps.

Right. He sees problems and then he fixes them. Cant wait to see where he takes us.

It's all narratives. Clearly Caleb is up there already, even as he is making lots of mistakes still. All the recent QBs we've had were nothing like Caleb is right now, imperfect as he is. The reason the word "generational" is thrown around is that we can clearly see that Caleb has LOTS of room for improvement, and yet he's still on pace to shatter the all time best season by a Bears QB. after 2 years, Caleb as a rookie put up the 5th best season, and he is on pace to have the best season as a passer in Bears history. Right now, the Bears offense is 3rd in the league for yards. Our Passing yards is 10th, and our Running yards is 2nd. We are 6th in scoring. And remember those first two weeks where we were awful? They account for 1/4 of those stats too. That's how good Williams and Johnson have been. Some guys are just mediocre. Caleb is amazing and great, but he is still making a lot of mistakes, so he averages out to mediocre. The consistently mediocre player wont get better, but when Caleb becomes more consistent, and makes fewer mistakes, he is going to be elite.

I agree (or not at his current price per AZ's post above, hes got a point), and there's some chance they look at CJGJ as a safety too - because I think his skills set makes a good fit there.

absolutely. And Theo needs to protect Caleb better. He was running around a lot this week, and it was Benedet's fault a lot of the time. Now this is different than Braxton, because no one can say that Benedet has reached his ceiling. He's young, and probably a little over his head right now. I have some patience, but I need to see him improving, or it's gonna be a need in the draft again.

OMG I cant stand McCaskey - he's a huge part of the reason we've been so bad for the last 30 years. That's not aimed in any bad way at anyone posting that, I just can't stand McCaskey.

I think Edmunds is doing MUCH better at the WLB spot than he did as a MLB - and statistically, the WLB always gets a lot of tackles anyway. Looks like they figured out how to unlock him, because he is definitely a physical beast. It's easy to see him physically as a Brian Urlacher, but he does seem more comfortable on the weak side.

LOL yup

all these stats say Williams is doing well - not that he doesnt need to grow, but doing well and growing each week. And yet there is so much hate from the internet and distrust even on this board. I think we are so snake-bit at the QB position that some of us are afraid to believe. But the numbers say it a million different ways, and the play on the field does too. Dont be afraid to love again!

I'm not saying Johnson is better than Ditka or Lovie (not saying he isnt either) but what I am saying is that I don't remember a coach who could so quickly identify issues and then make adjustments. Like the running game before and after the bye week. Johnson knows whats wrong, and he finds ways to fix it. Whether that be with the running game where the fix seems "real" or with resorting to trick plays in the Red Zone. BJ knew we needed touchdowns and not field goals, and he found a way to manufacture them. As for Williams, I freely admit he is not a finished product, not by a longshot. I wont be happy until he is a top 3 QB. But where he is right now, is on time, and he's doing pretty well despite the mistakes and all that. He's on pace for over 4,000 yards now, and he has shown the ability to do what it takes to win games at the end. I agree he needs to do better in the Red Zone for sure. But i also think it's all coming, it just takes time. Im seeing all the indications I need to see to say he is on his way to greatness, but that is not the same thing as already being great.

for sure we need both

Hate to see it - Dayo was good at sealing the edge against the run at least. I hope this puts more pressure on us to trade for someone who can really help us.

right. one thing thats clear about Johnson is he sees the problems, and does things to fix them. we havent had a coach like that here in my memory. Even Ditka oe Lovie, who were great motivators never showed the flexibility in scheme to fix things so purposefully. what a great coach we have now.

right - this is right where he is. The pushed vs coddled thing will prove out after a couple years when those other guys are still learning, and Caleb is fully dimensional. Hes showing examples of getting it, and he needs to increase his consistency.

exactly. if this was the finished product for Caleb, that would be a tremendous disappointment, but I think this is just the beginning and hes already somewhere in the middle of the league as a QB. This season's mission was to increase his consistency, and learn the various tricks defenses will throw at him. We also all kind predicted we'd be on the cusp of the playoffs - and thats where we are too - all on time, but frustrating because I know we all want to see it all together already. Soon!

I met Flacco about three days after he won his superbowl, and spent an afternoon with him on the Letterman show - he was pretty much a jerk. One of the least friendly or kind celebrities (or people) Ive ever met. Your story definitely lines up with that. Huge ego, too cool for everyone around him, not just me! Contrast with meeting Drew Brees, also on Letterman, a couple days after he won his Superbowl, and he was nicer than most anyone youd meet famous or not. Just goes to show... you never know. But he does throw a really pretty ball.

yeah, this is definitely the thing, you were right about that, Id like to see Burden (when hes healthy) get a shot. Youre right Duvernay isnt that good - I was just pointing out the money isnt an issue, it is, as you say, about the roster spot.

I think all of this is spot on.

I totally agree that Duvernay should be better, and I'd also like to see Burden get a try. So we agree on that. But regarding the cap space, I think the league minimum is like $840,000 and only the top so many slots even count, so the least you could pay someone on the cap isnt much less than the $1.3M?

It IS amazing - and we are still so inconsistent - imagine when the discipline kicks in.

Well even the best coaches get beat on some plays! So perfection is impossible. But just this: how long has it been since a coach that didnt give up on the run game? Just that alone rocks.

I think Hightower and a LOT of the roster will get replaced this offseason. That's gonna help special teams a lot too. We are playing to win now of course, and we are playing to develop Caleb too, but we are also evaluating everyone this year, and I dont think Ben Johnson will be shy about replacing players, and fixing the special teams. Looking at you Cairo too.

Johnson gets beat sometimes in a rock paper scissors kind of way, but he doesnt make those unforced errors Flus was famous for.

Dominance! LOL

LOL I mentioned you ONCE after you said something about me, the same post Pix told you not to here. And all I said was "you guys are trying to start something, and Im not gonna take the bait." That was it. It was Ok to say, and Im still not taking the bait All's well, Bears win!