AZ54

I never realized his brother was a coach on the Bears. He will have a lot of insight into the locker room and talent on the roster when he gets his interview.

Key played much better in this game against Alabama, which I had not yet seen. He shows a little bit of everything you'd like to see in an OLB.

No player intrigues me more than Key. He seems like a perfect fit for us. I believe he was primarily used up on the LOS most of his career whereas Floyd was moved all over the place from MLB/WLB/OLB/DE. Every time I watch his games he just doesn't beat anyone straight up. His sacks seem to be more coverage or when the QB is flushed his direction. The player who impressed me last night was the OLB from Oklahoma: Okoronkwo He moved well around the field and even in coverage. I should add that I watched Key's games from earlier in the season. Reportedly he was playing better in the last part of the season and Draftbreakdown should have those games broken down soon especially the bowl game.

Last year at this time Jabril Peppers was a consensus top 5 pick. He ended up going #25 overall. I'll wait for things to settle because they will change a lot and I still think Key's value falls toward mid-to-late 1st Rd with Davenport taking his place as top 15 prospect. He still has the physical skills so can't rule out someone taking him based on potential. Davenport displays a physical side to his game that you never see from Key. That's also a part of what is missing from Landry who is not good at all in run defense, even in college he gets washed out of a lot of plays. It's hard to see Landry as much more than a 3rd down specialist as an OLB in our scheme. https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/draft/news/20...-nfl-potential/ Calvin Ridley will certainly go in the 1st Rd because there is a lack of WR talent in this draft and he's the best option IMO, although some teams may prefer the SMU receiver. Connor Williams will move up a lot if he's healthy, and that appears to be the case right now. Orlando Brown is hard for me to place because his size makes him more effective than perhaps his skills do. He doesn't move that well, but I've read several reports of scouts saying he moves well enough to get the job done with his long arms.

The fact McDaniels is rumored to be at the top of our list is likely a typical Pace smokescreen. We all know he does not tip his hand on big decisions. I think that's good maybe it will make someone move quicker to sign McDaniels leaving our real target still available.

Meet John DeFilippo as he explains plays in the red zone.

I agree, no way would I want McDaniels as HC. I think the interview of Fangio for HC is a way for Pace to keep him around, and show him a little respect. Maybe he will impress but that would be an interesting interview to see who he wants here as OC.

Yes, I'm ok keeping Fangio. Chubb steps into the exact same spot Pernell McPhee held. He is a McPhee style player with his power but has more speed and agility. As you know we don't always line up in a 3-4 front depending on the situation. I actually like the scheme flexibility we'd have with Chubb. If we were to do those 3-man rushes on 3rd and very long that Fangio likes to do then lineup Chubb, RRH, and Bullard and let everyone else drop into coverage. It's not just his ability that I like, he has a very high energy level on the field and hustles after the ball at all times. In the highlights below (at 7:40 mark) he forces a fumble on a tackle 15 yards downfield. He played LB before they moved him to DE and he has enough athleticism to drop into coverage at times.

Yes, headed to Arizona!

Arden Key isn't worth that high of a pick either. Given the list I chose Connor Williams. Really should have Bradley Chubb on this list. He'd be my pick although Marcus Davenport has me intrigued right now. I agree with the thoughts that we should draft a pass rusher early, especially now that we're in the 8th spot, and pick up a good OT prospect in Rd 2. WR has to be handled in FA and later in the draft. One thing we are seeing with Trubisky: If he is given time in the pocket he is accurate enough to hit WRs even in tight coverage on intermediate routes down field.

What may matter most in all this is that 4 teams ahead of us need QBs.

We draft 8th overall, and I'm not sure on the whole SOS but might be as high as 37th overall (5th pick 2nd Rd). That's if they fully swap the SOS order in Rd 2 of the 5-win teams. https://www.sbnation.com/2017/12/31/1683175...picks-selection

Here we are at the end of the 2017 road. I believe Pace is staying and there are now rumors that he's going to get a contract extension soon to sync his deal with that of a new HC. There's been too many rumors circling over Fox to think he'll be staying. The question I have now is who stays? I think we have many good coaches on the staff and I'd like to see some of them retained. Fangio is at the top of my list, I like Donatell too. I'll be curious to see if Pace fires Fox but hangs onto some of the coaches so the new HC can interview them to see if there is a mutual desire to keep them around. I believe their contracts run through Feb/March.

Arians shot that down. He's had health issues but if that is the problem he'll be retiring not looking for another job. So far it looks like he'll be back. The question is what will they do at QB if Palmer retires.

We're not that far behind the Vikings. There are some obvious issues with Oline but watching Grasu, Compton, and Sowell deal with the Vikings front is going to make anyone say we need upgrades. Put Sitton and Long back on the field and add someone who can pass protect better at RT and we're competitive with that front. Even with Massie we're far better in the run game than what we saw today from Sowell. Callahan can play better than he did today, at least in the first half. If he turns his head with the receiver he has at least one INT, maybe two. Why the officials can't call all the holding their DBs were doing but found every little thing against us is...well let's just say the NFL officiating is becoming more like the NBA where calls don't match what actually happens. If you don't think they were concerned about winning this game then why would they put Xavier Rhodes back on the field after he was injured? Missing Shaheen and of course Miller really hurt Trubisky with their LBs only worried about who was in the backfield. If Daniel Brown was on the field I never saw him. It felt like a concerted effort was being made to let backup players get more snaps today. I saw a lot of Crevon LeBlanc, Cooper, and early in the game we got a lot of Bullard, RRH, and Jenkins. RRH is going to be a good player for us, he finished with 3 tackles and 1 sack today. Bullard looked good too in spots showing some of that burst to alter plays. Of course on offense everyone playing was backup already except Howard, Simms, Leno, and Whitehair. Trubisky struggled to find any open receivers all game and he had a really bad decision on that pass out of the endzone when he gave up the safety. OTOH he made some outstanding throws into very tight windows (all he had to work with most of the game) with pressure in his face. He's got some good things to build off of heading into the offseason. I'm looking forward to the offseason. Hat tip to the special teams coach for an outstanding PR call that led to our first TD.

Compton wasn't that bad when he was on the field earlier in the year. Sowell started rough but his last game was ok. In a way I'm curious to see how both handle this game as it will give us an idea who to bring back.

I don't think that's happening with Gettleman. He reportedly If they draft a rookie QB I think he wants Eli there for a year or two. That makes sense in a lot of ways because Rosen might be the only QB in the draft who could start this year. Darnold for all his talent would benefit from a year and probably two behind Eli. Same goes for Josh Allen or Baker Mayfield. http://abcnews.go.com/Sports/dave-gettlema...ory?id=52060594

That's a lot of money for Adams.

Glennon won't be here. Who are you picking up to be our #2?

After watching film on him I like Davenport a lot. It's a tough choice between him and Connor Williams, who I know you don't like at least not early. I think McGlinchey will fall as we get closer to the draft and since we're more worried about fixing RT than LT he might be there for us in the 2nd Rd. Brian O'Neill is another OT worth watching. He has the athleticism to handle the left side but needs work on his technique. What little I've seen of him he's always grabbing outside the shoulder pads and will get a ton of holding calls in the NFL. He might need a season on the bench. Rankin (I like), Kolton Miller, Jamarco Jones, Orlando Brown, and Tyrell Crosby. IMO there is good depth at OT this draft with around 7-9 prospects getting good press so far. We should be able to grab one in Rd 2.

Fox and Gettleman have been able to talk since Gettleman was not employed in the NFL (no tampering). If Fox is on, or even at the top of, his short list of candidates in NY he already knows about it. Might be why he's been so calm about things the last week or two.

To get those 1yr deals, or even the deals that are effectively 1yr (i.e. Demps), he typically has to overpay players. It drives us crazy but I think he's quite comfortable working in that space knowing he has lots of roster and cap flexibility year after year while he primarily builds through the draft.

I wasn't aware of this... https://chicago.suntimes.com/sports/making-...-for-new-coach/ "OLB Willie Young 2018 cap hit: $5.4 million. Dead money: $900,000. The Bears need pass rushers, but Young (torn triceps) will turn 33 in September. He also no longer has a locker at Halas Hall. That’s not a good sign. The Bears have remained a top-10 defense without him."

Freeman didn't make the list because we all forgot about him. He's definitely gone and will save about $3.5mil cap space. Another possible name to consider is Willie Young. I think we should hold onto Willie but I don't know the extent of his injury (torn tricep) and if there will be any lingering performance issues. Free Agency isn't full of starting quality OLB but Pace could elect to rebuild the depth with younger players. Trent Murphy will be available and he's had 9 sacks this year, but just 3.5 and 2.5 his first two seasons. He might fit Pace's preference to target ascending young players who haven't made their name yet. The Redskins have cap space with $53mil in 2018 but they have a rather expensive QB problem to sort out among other position concerns. http://www.spotrac.com/nfl/free-agents/washington-redskins/

It's all about scheme and what they want. Ferrell is not going to cover anyone on a route. He's a bigger McPhee style player, but not as quick or mobile as Chubb IMO. When you watch an entire game it is clear Chubb never eases up. I'm not that high on Ferrell as an early 1st Rd pick for our defense but he can do what McPhee has done for us when healthy. OTOH Carter has highlights where he's covering TEs and RBs downfield, and chasing down players like Kamara. Plus he can still get pressure on the QB as seen on the Notre Dame game film. He will have to follow the same path as Floyd and need a couple years to really come into his own as a pass rusher. I like him far more than the smaller OLB like Landry who I think will end up more of a 3rd down specialist. Right now nobody knows about Carter. We'll see if that holds up after the combine. I'd love to see him fall to us in Rd 2 but I already saw him being taken around #20 in one mock. That's not how I came across his name. I just searched for OLB who were 6'4 or taller and watched some highlights to see if any could move well. If we trade back a bit then pick an OT Williams, grab Carter in Rd 2, and then a WR or CB with the 2nd/3rd Rd pick we received from the trade (Eq St. Brown). That would be an good draft. If you prefer your OLB bigger and manhandling Olinemen then check out Marcus Davenport. I came across his name from Albert Breer who says several NFL execs say he'll be drafted top 15. He moves very well, not as agile as the smaller Carter but better than Ferrell IMO, perhaps better than Chubb. https://www.si.com/nfl/2017/12/27/2018-nfl-...ds-derwin-james "You might have never heard of the guy I had to keep moving up. I mentioned UTSA edge rusher Marcus Davenport—a 6' 7" freak of a receiver-turned-pass rusher—a few weeks back. I didn’t have him in my early November mock. I put him at the end of the first round in the initial list I put together this time around, and then multiple execs told me he’s not getting out of the Top 15. I wound up putting him at 14, behind only Chubb among rushers, and Davenport clearly has a chance to rise higher."