ASHKUM BEAR

Glad Williams is connecting with Scott early and developing that rapport, because they will have splash plays and then Scott will be what he is. But those splash plays will be game changers putting points up and can help the Bears achieve that spot we know is reachable.

Poles was ahead of the curve building the Bears DB room.

The Chicago Bears rookies, report to training camp next week, July 16. Veterans follow on July 19. This is were the pen and paper dreams unfold into reality and the real excitement begins. There is still some offseason business that needs to be finished by next week, like signing Caleb and Rome, so expect that to be the buzzer to welcome the fans of the start. There will be battles for positions won and lost. A player or two will emerge unexpectedly and some new names mixed in as they get looks at the roster. What will you be watching for as this new era begins?

This could be the Randoloh DT we signed UDFA. He was product in a 4-3 then the Illini switched to a 3-4 and his production fell. If he becomes a rotational player, that is a huge find for this scouting department.

Attached is a little write up on the Bears udfa addition DT Randolph. Looks like he could be a hidden gem because of a scheme change for the Illini last season. https://www.sportsmockery.com/chicago-bears/chicago-bears-reportedly-went-to-extreme-lengths-to-nab-undrafted-rookie/

Higgens will for sure be gone next year. If Caleb grows into what we hope, I believe the Bears resources will start going to the trenches, which I assume will be strong on the draft side which helps keep the cap down. I would take a team friendly extension with Keenan over Higgens since he seems like a great fit for this year and next while Odunze grows into a force. Scott/Jones need to take a leap in production and eventually win the #3 spot since I don't see the Bears investing in WR draft wise early for a few years.

The new kick off rule allows teams use two deep. Poles mentioned in an interview, that once it was announced, he put together a "special" team just to learn what they will need to be ready and excel at it. I am guessing they will have a handful of players to put in those duties.

Looks like this cost the Falcons a 5th round pick next year. Eagles have been cleared.

WR/KR/PR - another body to compete with Velus Jones and Dante Pettis in return/WR duties. They may use 2 deep in the KR, so having a few bodies that can is going to be necessary. I won't say it means the guys we have are not showing progress but having bodies here when you can will help make the team better.

As for Keenan Allen, it is going to come down to how Tyler Scott and Velus Jones do. I read somewhere that they plan to get Jones involved even more because they know he has game changing athleticism and it's a do or die year. If one or both take a step, they can part from Allen and who knows, maybe sign/trade for him late 2025 if they need a vet to get then over the top.

I think Stevenson will improve and become a great CB, but JJ is the shutdown man. There's a reason his ints were low, but the more TS shows up, teams will have to throw at both, giving them both more opportunities to get takeaways or PDs.

All we read or watch now is the offense learning/Installing a new system with a rookie QB. They will be slow and behind a defense that has been under the same system for a couple years now. Like you said, if Caleb can show he can make the right calls, be quick with his reads and place the ball in his windows, he will be fine. The nice thing about having a good veteran defense is they will help make him better and they have told us that is what they are doing.

He did throw a nice ball to Odunze, who beat Stevenson (a starter). I don't think anyone expected him to walk in and carve up a starting D day one, he has to experience the higher level to learn and adjust. They should be full squad this week with mandatory ota'a starting.

I think Flus can succeed because the offense should put up points while him calling the D will dominate. His downfall would be due to injuries imo.

I watched it and love the chemistry of Poles and Cunningham. Hope they stick together because Cunningham sure seems to be the rock to keep Poles grounded. As for Waldron, you might need to dig deeper on him from Seattle's viewpoint. They seem happy he is gone and really like his replacement, Ryan Grubb, who is more demandi. Waldron should be an upgrade for us and won't be restricted by Carrol any longer, so he needs to first prove he can produce with an offense that looks loaded on paper.

Leno jr is still rated in that 32ish zone too, but he's been in the league a long time now. Trent Williams and Pat Maholmes is the goal.

Yannick, Ogbah, or Calais Campbell please! Most likely sometime after June cuts a move will happen.

But the Bears did draft an OT who can challenge or replace the LT. Like QB, you want your LT to be top 5 and not hovering average in rankings. Braxton has be a great addition for a 5th round pick and has value, like Leno Jr was for a 7th rd pick. He now needs to take that next step having a rookie with some better attributes behind him.

The Bears were all in Odunze, they even had odds at each pick for him to be at 9. They were willing to trade up, losing a 1st or 2nd rounder for him. They were all in on DE Booker too. They were ready to trade a future 4th and 6th and got him for only the 4th.

As close as Flus and Poles are, it will take a meltdown. Poles has now put together a near all star caliber team of coaches and players, so the excuses have shifted from being on him(GM) to HC to get the team to execute. For me, if he doesn't take easy points (FG) early and goes for a 1st down or TD, it puts him on notice. Do it a couple times and the team finishes average can be enough to find a new HC that understands that you have to take the given points unless you are already blown out.

Keenan Allen, it was his wife's bday and also a daughters I think. I am not too worried about him missing the OTA. He and all the players have been in house doing the off season workouts. Rome Odunze - he has a hamstring and missed the practice. Gervon Dexter - not sure what his reason was, but Flus is impressed with his work all offseason “I noticed the body composition first,” Eberflus said. “[Dexter] was really good. He changed his body in the time he was off. He’s quicker, leaner.”

Poles said he is a multiplier, just like Keenan Allen. It would be great if they can get Allen to do an extension to basically set a 2 year window. If Byard can get Gordan, Stevenson, and Brisker to that higher level and Coach Washington and Montez Sweat can get the Dline elevated, I believe we will see a dominant team. We get to play the team whose door we need to break down, SF to be the NFCs best as long as we take care of the division.

I loved listening to new FS Byard. He is adding wrinkles to the D and was asked if this was asked by Flus to add. He said, no, this is my experience. This was about getting the DBs to better disguise coverages to confuse offenses. The D told Caleb they want him to be good and this is where it happens. Caleb showed his mental toughness by not getting flustered. The team is hungry and there to be great.

And this is one of the reasons why Poles invested heavy in DB. This is now a passing league and having the depth and talent to be 6 or 7 deep and not miss a beat counters teams that are 3, 4, or 6 deep with receiving talent. Detroit dipped into this philosophy by taking 2 CBs in the draft, trading for Carlton Davis, signing Amik Robertson, Khalil Dorsey, Kendall Vildor.

How many "lucky" coincidences can there be before you question lol. I mean look, they even drew Jacksonville for their 1st of back to back travel games. If it was Jax 2nd game, they would have the advantage of being acclimated to the travel time adjustment.