ASHKUM BEAR

"But they took a guy with like shoulder surgeries" I love the pick and think they got a special player. Week 1, if he starts, will have Ridley or Jones as a matchup. It doesn't get much tougher than those two, so a good test.

Nice piece on him. Makes it seem the Bears D will be in a much better position. With everyone healthy and Quinn>Floyd, Gipson>Dix, it helps this Johnson>Prince. The Bears could be a top 5-6 team if they take a Raven/Titan approach on O. So simple to see but Nagy be damned if he isn't the mad scientist.

This is cloudy to understand. So they have a 53 man roster, a 12 man practice squad and a 2 man "tweener". The 2 tweeners are protected from poaching and actually dress game day. It seems like they can change who they have in this tweener role and they get paid extra while in it. Now we need to see if they are protected at the cutdown deadline from poaching. That makes an huge difference and if so, they might, even though doubtful, stash Mooney. I do see Mooney slated #2 Z behind Ginn. Patterson a Z at WR also may snatch a RB spot. If one if those tweeners has to be an Olineman, then Hambright seems fitting. He is OT/G versatile. The other, maybe they protect Shelly if he can even go to the PS.

They will wait until this season is over before they think about it. He has not shown enough consistency otherwise they would have just picked up the 5th yr option. Basically they are done with him. If he proves them wrong, the Bears have 2 franchise tags (years 21 & 22) to insure they can keep him if a new deal cannot be worked.

I no way want to see them lose Mooney. Just saying if there is a way to stash him they might. Look at Ridley who's draft status is even higher than Mooney, which experts said he could have been rd 2-3 talent. He was active for 5 games only. He played behind Miller, so it was hard to get in. Late round WR rookies rarely get action. If the Bears part way with Wims depends on FA addition Trevor Davis and if they feel better having him backing up Robinson. X (LWR) Robinson, Wims, (Davis) Y (Slot) Miller, Ridley Z (RWR) Ginn, Mooney, (Patterson) Since Patterson is a ST ace and a joker (WR/RB), they keep him even though his value at WR is low. He may see more snaps at RB as mentioned in another thread. Also, they have 2 additional roster spots. It helps on making tough decisions which will include keeping a CB like Shelly who may be on the bubble.

If they go that route, wouldn't that kind of open a spot at WR? Montgomery, Patterson, Cohen, Nall/Peirce. Robinson X. Miller Y. Ginn Z Wims. X. Ridley Y. Mooney Z

It's just my hunch they will stash him. Maybe they use one of the extra roster spots, practice squad, or a vague camp injury. We know rookie WRs rarely dress game day, so he is an extra unless they end up cutting Ginn after preseason. Use Ginn to that point.

I'm glad it is an option, or was. Not sure what the CBA makes it. I hope he does it, overcomes the odds. It will be worth it just for the story and I am sure he may appreciate the push that made him.

I hope they don't give up on Wims before he even hits year 3. He is next man up behind the X Robinson right now. Miller is going to play the slot with Patterson backing him. Ginn plays Z with Ridley behind him. With the Bears most likely running more two TE sets, the slot will be out more. Miller might line up at Z occasionally in those sets. To be honest, I would not be surprised to see Mooney redshirted/PS.

I wouldn't, make him earn it. It might cost the Bears more if he lights it up, but it is the safer bet. If he fails, they can do a lot with that 24.8 million. The Bears can target another QB in the draft, which will probably cost them a future 1st plus some to move up.

I like the Bears inside oline depth. I think Hambright makes a case for himself too. He started in 3 different schemes/systems from juco, OKL, and then Colorado. He can play pretty much any position except C too. If they can establish the RG position early on and then shuffle the remaining pcs after, they could have Massie/Leno pressing with the leftovers (Ifedi, Spriggs, Cowherd, Bars, Hambright, Simmons) knocking on their door. Oline coach Castillo like his players aggressive, little different approach, so it will be interesting battle. Next year they can shed Massie and Leno and use their cap savings to extend Ifedi and Spriggs if they earn their spot. They will also have high draft picks to address a spot along the oline.

And if they would give team a bone, it would be Dallas. I've noticed that with home Prime Time games. The NFL sure likes to promote their new stadium.

Since they have Bush, Gipson, and Lucas signed, I think the Denmak/Vildor converting can be set to the side until we see some practice reels. Denmark is a heck of an athlete, hard to say if he can make anything out of it. His build reminds me of a Sherman CB or maybe the do all Patterson WR/CB. He will most likely spend another year on the PS, but needs to show something this preseason.

I think they have nailed the speed WR position down for now. Ginn can teach Mooney some lessons while at it too because it will take him time to earn his place to even dress. All Ginn needs to do is catch a few bombs to establish that threat. Nice to see a need filled for now and later.

I don't know much about him, but he is a veteran with starting experience. I found a bleacher report article that ranked him 9 out of all the FS for 2017. Said he improved vastly by the way JAX used him. Instead of a traditional FS, he played more as a slot defender and seen his tackles increase. Since the Bears didn't find a traditional SS and the team played with HHCD last season, maybe they figure Gipson, who was ranked better than HHCD, can do a better job. One thing, they won't have to change scheme too much from last year.

Could be, it will depend on how much he is looking for. They do need to draft another prospect mid draft hopefully next draft.

I think with Paces one year deals given to Ifedi, Spriggs, Burns etc, he is hoping to convert on one or more of those also.

How about an ILB also? I see Mingo listed there, so maybe not a huge need but a possibility.

The Bears can break Kmet in as the Y as he learns the ropes. Not that he cannot play the U/H, because he did at Notre Dame. If he plays strictly a Y, you can compare him to Witten/Rudolph. If Graham moves on in a year, Kmet can move to the U/H and become a Ertz/Kelce. He is versatile, but no reason to sit Graham for the rookie because Graham is not a great Y.

It really goes back to the end of the Lovie era. His players were old, high priced, and departing. Emery came in to rebuild, which he really didnt draft bad, I'd even say better than Pace. Since the cupboard was bare and they both had failure both in FA and the draft, players never finished out their contracts or weren't worthy of resigning. It took a while, but I think Pace finally gets it. At least partially. Why? Because he is signing more players to one year prove it deals and players that were cut. Those can be quick comp picks, kinda cheating the system if you think about it. Now if he can nail more sure 1st or 2nd round picks, he may become a keeper. Next draft will be the test if he needs a QB and OT. At least the draft looks rich at OT.

Two of those losses, SD and OAK, could or should have been wins. Just a few tweeks and they can be back on track.

Greg Gabrial was on the 670 this evening breaking down the Bears draft. He thinks that Kmet will be a good one, reminds him of a bigger, faster, and better Zach Ertz. This year he sees him playing the Y more while Graham does what hes best at playing the U. He also said Johnson will plug right in opposite of Fuller.

Besides Taylor Gabriel as a comparison, I recall Isaac Bruce and Torry Holt were both smaller. Maybe 6' compared to 5'10" but they were both around 180.

Actually they brought in Safety Jordan Lucas, but need a solid addition to challenge Bush.