ASHKUM BEAR

You can draft nothing but QBs hoping to strike gold, but I think there are deeper issues other than who we have under center. *Kyle Long was not right from the beginning. I wonder if when he ripped the helmet off in practice and swung it at a teammate, did that teammate injure him which caused that rage? He was supposed to be an above average starter this year, something happened like a ruptured back because his movement was stiff and slow. *James Daniel's was moved to Center, basically the QB of the oline and calling protections. With little preseason experience, the line had trouble picking up assignments and pressure increased on the QB. Timing and progressions were sped or eliminated. *Trey Burton was not healthy and he has some issues with trust. Remember, he is a human and the Bears are a job. Saying this, I think he checked out after last year when he had an injury and the team possibly tried to push him into playing when he felt he shouldn't. You can read into his lower effort. *Akeem Hicks - He is the center piece to the defense. He was before Mack and is making the entire unit less effective with his absence. *Bilal Nichols - another starter who's impact was missed. RRH is also solid, but missing the talent and rotation took its toll. *Roquan Smith - something happened to him. We may never find out, but it took a few games out if him. I doubt it was a jersey, but maybe something in the lines of Burton. *Mitch Trubisky-we can lay all the blame in him. But now has the Nagy 202 offense, a line that wasn't prepared, healthy, and cannot give protection/time. No run game to loosen the D and keep them confused and honest. An offense that has caused 20+ penalties so far, that's about 4 each game that took away plays and made the situations harder. Until I see the rest of the team and coaches playing flawless, I am not giving up on the QB. He has had worse thrown at him to overcome this year and sure he and the team are struggling. I know he has made mistakes and is not without blame. But if we a scrapping players, I can name off 3/4 of this team that might as well go with him.

Sure he has a chance, but all you hear is how everyone has given up on him. I do not think Nagy or Pace will give up on him until his contract expires. So it will be a roller coaster the rest of this year and next.

Crap, yes the former Washington coach.

What's next? Find a simpleton that runs and plays D? Watching Indy makes me think we chose the wrong GM, Ballard was highly praised and has some Bear blood. We thought outside of the box and when you cannot even perform in a box, you look foolish. Pace needs to put a foot down on Nagy, let him know the stove is warming up the seat.

The thing about QBs, if it was easy to find and groom, every team would have two on their roster. If the Bears took Mahomes and the Chiefs took Trubisky, would the cards be flipped? If I were Pace and Nagy, I would reach out to John Gruden to be OC. Give him the keys to Trubisky. I was leary of Helfrich when he was brought in, but do you ever hear about him? I know Nagy is the real OC and Helfrich brings some college game design, but bring in an NFL guy. Gruden has had some success with young QBs.

Maybe it is in the WWF scripts for this to happen. Have all the wheels fall off a team that gave us such high hopes to crush us to near death. Then the team fights back and overcomes the obstacles and in the end wins in triumph.

I am sure the team is handling this with Smith's best interests. If he needs/wants to be IR'd that should be open. Sometimes staying in routine is best too.

I remember the Bears avoiding the run last year too, I gave the excuse that they were getting repetitions in on the passing game because it was so complicated. This is all on the play caller and putting the players in position to succeed. They need more balance to keep defenses guessing.

When Nagys approach worked, like last year, he was a genius or coach of the year. Now wheels are falling off and no one can pin point what it is and blame is landing everywhere. I think Nagy handing the play calling over would be a good start. Let him concentrate on managing the whole system and making sure coaches and players are all on the same page. They need to mix the game up because it is predictable and people are paid to figure out tendencies. This team is young and you fall on what you know which now the other team does too. How long would it take to implement is the question.

He was playing pissed off too at the end. I was like, who are these guys? Where did they come from?

Then I read that Nagy said those final drives didn't matter because it was garbage time. He should have just ran the ball 3 times and punted if that was his thinking. I hope he doesn't lose the players because it is starting to feel that way.

What are your thoughts of MT and the teams final two or three series against the Saints? They seemed to click better with a sense of urgency and they produced. I know the Saints were in a prevent D more so, but maybe they learned something in those moments. I wish they came out like that instead of waiting until they were humiliated at home.

When playing pissed off, they actually look like an offense. Sad it took until it was a landslide to unleash that emotion and the playbook.

The Bears may not have a star at TE, but looking at the league the cupboard is bare, and production has been mediocre. Besides Travis Kelce, Hooper, or maybe Zach Ertz, has any TE been producing consistently? There has been a rash of injuries at the position too. This might be why the Bears have 7 TEs on the roster and practice squad. This makes me wonder if Pace has recieved any phone calls inquiring on the cost for one. Would a 4th or 5th for Shaheen be a good move or a 6th or 7th for Braunecker? Or holding on to these players be more beneficial?

Did you know Davis bought the Bears entire team jackets to wear in London? Sounds like a guy trying to butter up some support because he knows the probability.

I am a no to trading for any RB. I am not opposed to drafting another next year. I think Davis can be replaced with a cheaper contract and I'd even cut him before week 10 to gain a pick to justify it. The need a strong run block to allow our backs space to get past the LOS

Nice, and for the record, Pace wanted to trade up for Mariota. There's nothing we ca do but hope he develops.

Say we lose the next two games, would it be wise to trade Mack for multiple 1st rd picks and recoup what was lost , plus some? Asking for a friend.

It seems like a gimme to cut Davis. Hell, we went with Mizzel late last year. Nagy dont even like to run, so might as well. Bring up Nall and get him the ball in the flats. The Bears need to their highly paid players to show up or get some youth who can. The oline should be above average if not top 10. Change blocking schemes so be it.

Chase looked good before a team could prep for him. The NFL is tough, people are paid well to exploit any weaknesses. I think all our QBs have been exposed. I really liked Watson, thought he'd be the next Russell Wilson, but injury would have been a negative thought. Mahomes was a wild card, liked he had professional athlete family. Mitch was a one year wonder at NC, but he has traits to grow. Just having a hard time seeing it since we haven't had a chance to experience it.

Just goes to show the deficiency of the team. A little of Long not being the same, Leno maybe a little lazy, and Daniel's learning the ropes. If Long and Leno were strong points, we can live a little waiting in Daniel's. If we can revive the line with IR-ing Long, maybe we can salvage the season. Have to have a strong run game whether you do it with screens and short passes or actually can pound the ball. Montgomery doesn't go down first contact, he gets the space he can be our guy.

Kwit showed he can play. Not sure if someone will look at him to start, but he can be a diamond in the right system.

How the Bears could look. Yes, heavy on OT because they could use 2 in the mix soon. 2- Prince Tega Wanogho OT Auburn 2- Jared Pickney TE Vanderbilt 4- Zach Robertson OT Arz St 5- Charle Snowden OLB Virg 5-Jalen Elliott S Norte Dame 6-Damon Armette CB Ohio St 6-Riley Neal QB Vanderbilt 6-Liam Eichenberg OT Notre Dame 7- Aaron Patrick OLB/DE Kentucky

Moving ahead is not going to be easy. With our scheduled FA losses, we should net some nice comp picks, but those come in play the following draft. I think they should have cut Davis and gone cheaper, they drafted Montgomery for a reason. With him, we lost a 4th rd comp pick that will be needed. As much as I would love to keep RRH, he might command a high end contract. It might be worth getting Bar into the mix early, Cowerd I would hold back so we can cheapen his deal. Shelly needs to make some progress as well as get Iggy going because I forecast Skrine as a one year holdover and Trevathan will most likely be a casualty. The Bears need to step up, or this might be a blow it up and start over situation and I dont think any of us can handle another one of those.