ASHKUM BEAR

5, 4, 3, 2 ,and that's a wrap. New Year new coaches!

I am growing on Pat Shumur as an option. It didn't matter who his QB was, he made them all look good. He knows the significance of having a good o-line. They made undrafted Adam Thielen and 5th rd Stefon Diggs stars. Running game, solid after losing high draft pick Cook.

Surprised to see the Bears rank first for most negative rush yards. Another sign they still need to improve the offensive line and play calling. With predictable play calling, that may be the main culprit. Clock is ticking for black Monday.

Green Bay should be held accountable for their mistake though. The NFL should penalize a 1st RD pick from them. That may be more damning to them than releasing Rodgers, who would probably re-sign with them if he was forced to be released. They are aging and need more young talent, so taking that pick would be a big blow.

I have heard reports that Peyton is interested in running a team. Not so sure at the GM level, but at the president level. If I was Virginia, I would kick Teddy out and welcome Peyton in. Maybe Peyton wants to take steps to get there which may involve some coaching duties.

I think Freeman is a gone, wish he could stay off the PEDs. As much as I like him, I think we are ok at ILB with Trevathon and Kwitkowski. I hope they re-sign Christian Cheese Jones as he filled in great too. I wouldn't mind seeing them spend a 5th or 6th on another, the guy I like is Azeem Victor from Washington. They say he compares to LeVonte David or Deon Jones.

I'm with you on keeping Sitton. Who knows how Long will return after another surgery. I would also keep Sims, I think the upside is still out there once the o Line gets patched and we find a #1 WR.

Good find AZ. Unless we can draft Chubb, I would prefer to move down and draft an OT in the first. I still like Arden Key, but liked the idea of getting a Carter or Armstrong Jr in the 2nd. Davenport seems intriguing with that length and it would be another great option in the 2nd if he lasts. Our D is stout even with the injuries we endured. It would be great to see it healthy with 2 OLBs that can cover or get after the QB fast. Teams would have trouble knowing where the rush is coming from outside while still trying to contain Hicks and Goldman.

It is a tough call. The Bears didn't trust or wanted to see more from Alshon Jeffrey before committing a long term deal and lost him for nothing. The Bears are now in a similar situation with Fuller. They will either sign him long term or apply the franchise tag. Once the franchise tag is applied, they ought to shop him hard because I would hate to lose two good players for nothing.

They need to get him signed long term. If they don't see eye to eye, then look for the Bears to use a franchise tag on him.

OLB depth chart: Pernell McPhee - 2018 we owe 8 million. 2019 we owe 8.5million. We cut and save 15.5 million Willie Young - 2018 we owe 5.4million. 4.5 million cap savings if cut. Sam Acho - Free Agent Leonard Floyd-2021 free agent. Christian Jones - Free Agent Howard Jones - Free Agent Lamar Houston - Free Agent (still on the hook for 900,000 dead cap in 2018) Depends on how they view McPhee and Willie Young, I'd say we need 2 or 3 OLB's. It doesn't look too promising in FA, so I assume they dig early in the draft for one. OT will also be huge in the draft, but DE could be found in FA or late in the draft. I would assume they target a WR early also.

It would be a Christmas gift if the Broncos, 49ers, and Jets win their last game and we slide into the 6th slot. Even at 8 or 9, there is still a chance we are in position to trade down. Last year the second wave of trades started at pick 10 for Mahomes. I think the only position that will be a must draft for the Bears is OLB, they may not be able to trade down and risk losing out on a top talent. Chubb will be long gone, but Key and Landrey might be there. It will be a fun offseason as we sort out players and scenarios.

Minnesota won't be throwing in the towel with hopes of taking the top seed, so we have that going for us.

Sure would be nice if we didn't trade down and Pace looked like he panicked, but it looks like we have a legit QB in the makings. I liked Watson too and think he will resemble Russell Wilson as time goes on. If Trubisky ends up being Aaron Rodgers or Drew Bees, it works out like you say. Glennon didn't work out, but he played a good locker room role. I don't think the offense we tried to use him in suited him the best.

Notre Dame LT Mike McGlinchy would be ideal. He can step in at RT day one eventually move to LT if Leno flops. If we lose today and end up top 5, it would be great to move down to get him as I see him as a 12-20th rated player since he doesn't look like a sure LT. Otherwise, Chubb OLB would be a great top 5 pick.

He played college ball with Kendall Wright. Wright could be a friend that helps keep him inline.

The sad part is if the Bears went with Ballard instead of Emery, he might have gone with Toub as HC. Chances are Bruce Arians would have won out, but Toub may have stayed as ST coach. The process the Bears went through with Emery, I feel turned some coaches feelings away from the Bears. Time has passed, so hopefully it won't affect Toub, if we pursue him.

I would be happy with Toub, but I don't like our odds to land him. I think he is a Ballard guy and will go to Indy. Pace would really need to work some magic to lure him, imo.

Hicks for sure was. Amos is not a fan favorite with his super first couple years, but he looks like he has it figured out.

I wouldn't mind a ILB 5th or 6th if we accumulate some extra picks. I like what I read on Azeem Victor from Washington, think he is in the mold of today's LBs for run/pass and would like to see the Bears draft him.

He was demoted when we signed Quentin Demps, but came back with a vengence when his window opened. He is becoming a center piece to an up and coming defense and his performance says a lot. It is too bad he didn't make the pro bowl, but his stats say he was deserving. According to the famous well liked PFF site, Amos ranks: 2nd in run defense with a 99.1 grade and 5th in pass coverage with a 89.5 grade. That ranks him #2 overall for all safties. With Jackson and him at S, the Bears have a tandem that can only get better with time.

That is about the same thought I have. He is a team leader and I am sure he would play through the pain but if his body is done, it is what it is. I hope he returns to his old self, but if it keeps breaking down you have to decide if the money is best spent. Same with McPhee, I think it is time to move on. He is a leader but his body can no longer do it.

I do like Kyle Long, but his "Pass Card" is about to run out. One, it was hard to justify using a #1 pick on a Guard, unless he plays at a pro-bowl level, which he has. But more so than not, he has not been effective with the injuries and made some of those pro-bowls off of name recognition. I would give him another year and then decide if the money is being spent the best way.

I wanted Calais Campbell pretty bad during the off season to take that roll. He had a career year in Jax. I wouldn't mind a NT/DE if the value is there after a trade down. If anything, insurance on Goldman. I do think Bullard and RRH can do it, but Unrein should be moved down or out.

With a friendlier contract I am good with it. I don't think we keep McPhee and Young may not make it either. Houston, Floyd, draft pick, and probably Acho will be our 4, unless McPhee/Young look promising in camp.