AZ54

Gene Chamberlain put together a really good summary of our roster depth. This is not a by-position analysis, he focus on the bottom third of the roster where you get your special teams players. This is one aspect of what Poles did this offseason that is easily overlooked but I think this might become a strength of this team. https://www.si.com/nfl/bears/news/supporting-bears-cast-looking-stronger

And you will see which players get the big contracts with their team.

Despite my optimism for his improvement in the system, for me Fields' performance remains the top question heading into the season. I can find 4th/5th WRs, RBs, and even backup swing OTs in any offseason. It's more challenging to find good pass rushers but that still pales in comparison to finding a top 10 QB.

Edmunds fits our system better than Smith and his centerfield range gives the safeties a bit more comfort to watch the outside closer.

I think Swift is reaching a bit here, at least in terms of using the word "breakout". I think it might be reasonable to expect Gipson to return to his previous level of play but 7 sacks would hardly make him a breakout player. There is some validity to his argument about the number of double teams affecting him. He's definitely not someone with the talent to overcome that, few are. Mostly that double team rate ~25% implies just how poor everyone else was on that front last year. We saw in 2021 that Gipson wore down as his snap count increased. I didn't see anything different in 2022. I think with our new additions in Walker and Green Gipson slides back into a smaller role that fits him better. Keep him fresh and we should see a few more sacks and pressures in 2023. Aside from that we absolutely will have better pressure up the middle this year with Billings, Dexter, and Pickens. That should also allow Gipson to take advantage on a few plays where the QB has to move around the pocket. One thing I did get out of this chart.... Danielle Hunter hardly seems like a player worth trading for. Based on this data we should have gone after Leonard Floyd. We didn't and we've remained quiet in personnel moves after minicamp. I'm not saying we won't add someone but they clearly feel no sense of urgency to do so. I think that's a good sign that we're better off at Edge than we might think. Perhaps some combination of Terrell Lewis, DomRob, and Gipson looked better this offseason, or all 3. I have similar concerns with depth at OT and so far it's been quiet there too. We're just 3 weeks away from training camp starting. Ideally if you sign someone I tend to think you'd want them to move and get settled in town and at least have time to get some familiarity with the playbook before camp starts.

https://www.windycitygridiron.com/2023/6/30/23780311/chicago-bears-chase-claypool-working-with-the-mini-monsters-in-london-england-paris-france

In that context it makes more sense to me.

We've all had that somewhere someway. You're a standup guy and I'm sure you handled it all properly. Not by standing up at a podium and finger pointing. That's the message I want the young Bears players to hear at these seminars. How do you handle things professionally when they go wrong? So they're not talking to the media post-game and telling them "I had 63 good plays and all you want to talk about is the one mistake I made?"

I get tired of listening to these players, many who are multi-millionaires, complain about how hard their job is and if they make one mistake out of 64 plays it ruins their game and reputation. If I make one mistake out of 64 or just one out of hundreds of attempts at my job I cost my company millions or even tens of millions of dollars. I'm just one of tens of millions of ordinary people with jobs like that. True professionals understand there is a standard they have to meet, they know exactly what that standard is, and they accept it as a condition for holding that job. Why these guys need to hear how hard their job is, and "woe is us" for being in this difficult position, is beyond me. It's the standard. Man up and own it. Tillman's speech to the rookies was much better in that he said to never think that way. (paraphrasing...). Just focus on what must be done on every play in all situations, and what you need to do in advance to be prepared to get it done.

Interesting stuff. Especially about dealing with coaches you don't like. Not even sure what to think about that because it's a topic that easily cuts both ways. When you look at someone like Jenkins, or Leatherwood, or any of these young NFL players still relying on what they were able to do (i.e. got away with) in college because of their superior physical talent. Was that the message Jenkins needed to hear last year when he was struggling? OTOH not all coaches are good at their jobs, and players and their talent don't fit all schemes.

You draw a lot from one photo of a guy who decided to do some modeling. Maybe he was also in Paris to help Fields with his football camp? Does this mean he's doing nothing to rehab? I don't know how you draw that conclusion from this. Mahomes is not doing rehab but he's also enjoying his time off before a 6mo block of work with few days off. https://www.tmz.com/2023/06/26/patrick-mahomes-plays-camera-man-for-brittany-during-bikini-photo-shoot/

Soft tissue injury leaves a lot of room for interpretation.

Claypool only missed the last week + of workouts. A couple OTAs and then minicamp, otherwise he was there.

Some good analysis by Robert Schmitz.

To further followup on Detroits 1st Rd LB selection I just came across this... https://www.profootballrumors.com/2023/06/nfc-north-rumors-campbell-bears-addison-cook

Detroit is well represented in this list.

Putting up prayers for our extended Bears family here for Pix and Bill. Hope both of you get well soon. Pix, about all we know from OTAs and minicamp is that for the first time in years our offense didn't look inept and we didn't get the usual "it's a work in progress" crap from the coaches and players. That doesn't mean it's all perfect either but we are clearly entering training camp starting from a much higher platform than usual. The defense still has the same question mark at DE but Poles hasn't moved or done anything desperate. I'm starting to think he feels we just might have enough to get the job done. Not great, just adequate enough that it's not worth giving up significant future draft capital to try to improve it.

Always fun to watch those highlights.

This definitely makes me feel optimistic that we'll see a legit NFL offense this year. https://www.si.com/nfl/bears/news/bears-coaches-see-more-advanced-offense

It's summer and quiet while everyone is away but Dan Durkin put together a good breakdown of what DJ Moore brings to the table.

I have to admit I agree Velus is on the roster bubble. On one hand that’s bad for last years 3 Rd pick. On the other hand this WR corps has come along far faster and far better than I ever thought possible at the time Velus was drafted. If it comes down to Pettis or Velus I’m keeping Velus. He’s better with the ball in his hands and their hands are about equal. Period is the better route runner but I prefer Velus on jet sweeps and drag routes.

Are we keeping 5 or 6? I’d say 6 stick around. I think they will stick with Velus as primary returner this year and see what else they can get out of him. Tyler Scott is getting reps at PR and maybe KR. He may end up the primary competition for Pettis in terms of getting snaps. There is no need to duplicate talent so one of them ends up on practice squad. Barring injury that is likely stonePettis. Which means ESB makes the 53.

Good summary of what was seen from the rookies in OTAs and Minicamp. There were a lot of good first impressions which bodes well since we'll be relying on many of them to contribute early. https://www.si.com/nfl/bears/news/what-bears-rookies-showed-in-offseason-work

Listen to his press conference from yesterday. He outlines what he’s been doing to improve his body and avoid those injuries.

Tev getting some praise