Lucky Luciano

agree. it's not just the speed that makes the back. if so you never would have even heard of w. payton. it's all the things combined... balance, strength, desire to go along with the ability as a blocker and receiver.

i just don't see why we would throw any draft picks above the 6th round or pick up another highly paid FA in running backs unless monty wants the moon. the guy can block he can catch he can move the pile he knows the system is in his prime relatively a healthy player with a great work ethic appears to be a locker room asset and doesn't throw anyone under the bus. not a prima donna. with a good offensive line in front of him his yds per carry can only increase. add to that when we don't have 8 in the box because our OL can actually pass block it should increase also. he was part of one of the most productive running attacks in recent bear history. i've said this before... he is a similar RB as walter payton was. not flashy but tough as nails and gets the job done on a team that defenses EXPECT the run. what more do we want from a RB? we have the change of pace quick RB already on the roster to compliment him. we have the cap to pay him so why look for greener grass when we are standing in the meadow?

first... for me it is WAY to early to say poles is any where near a bust. this year we broke this team right down to the bare ground. it needed to be done for once in the last 40 plus years. we have struggled every year trying to plug the individual supposed blue chip player in to make us a contender. this has NOT worked and in reality unless you get really lucky it won't work for any sustained credibility. even if you let this season slide, we are NOT going to contend for a S.B. in 23. there is just to much to do with what poles has been left with. what we should expect is not a super bowl run but see the bricks laid for a solid foundational team going on from 23. that said... if the foundation starts to crumble and we can't see a light at the end of the 23 tunnel then it's time to be concerned about poles. just not yet. second... lets get back to reality on our draft picks and free agents. nearly every player drafted needs a three year window to really evaluate what his potential is going to be going forward. you should see improvements each year, that is a given. but traditionally the second year is the let down for most draft picks because more is expected from them than as rookies. that has been my observation. speaking of rookies, that these players are not performing like pro bowlers at season end is completely understandable. they are going to wear down quicker than seasoned vets. the season is considerably longer (now 17 games compared to 16) than college and the practices and conditioning is or should be more intense also. they are physically and mentally wearing down in the last quarter of an nfl season. what you should be seeing is how much potential is really there for each rookie during the next 3 years and what role he is going to play with the team if he sticks.

exactly. someone should have been on the sideline showing how to counter the stunts they ran multiple times.

to me, special teams have done a very good job all season (exception santos). the coverages have been good with only a few lapses. i really don't have a problem with our ST coach.

unless the wind is 30+ mph steady with upward gusts you make the kick. if nothing else to gain experience in those conditions. plus... to miss an xtra point is ridiculous in any weather conditions. a strong hard kick puts it through.

time to look for a new kicker, possibly round 5-7 unless a really good FA is available. if we were in the hunt for the playoffs, this year he has cost us at least 2-3 games. any field goal under 50 should be automatic. if you can't hit xtra points yer done. this makes 2 out of 3 years with us he has sucked. time to move on.

here is the thing. a great running game that eats up the clock can do a LOT to make you a superbowl contender every year, but... to get to that point you have to have at least a 'good +' passing attack to go with it. if you don't, teams will fill the box and clog up all the running lanes. add to that, if you are playing against a high scoring team with an elite passing attack there is no way you can compensate for this with only a running game. you literally would run out the clock trying to catch up. you have to have the threat of throwing downfield to pull the safeties and corners away from the LOS and make your linebackers hesitate to stay in their lanes to make your running game work. the cowboys with smith had an elite QB with some excellent receivers to go along with it. that running game opened up a lot of passing yards for the cowboys but they still needed a great passing attack to go with it. finally, the nfl is geared up for scoring points so slow witted idiots watching football don't get bored watching a good defensive contest without basketball scores. this will make it harder to stop opponents that DO have an elite passing game.

not stopping the run is what killed any chance the bears had of winning this game. nearly every single run play netted 5 - 10 yards. this opens up a do whatever you want to in their passing game and they did. this has to be fixed next offseason without any reservations. also, not a single first down after the opening drive until the 3rd quarter. your defense which has many issues and didn't help themselves at all was gassed. many people don't see a problem with running the shotgun on inches and goal. i do. this was a silly call that put the final nail in the coffin. if your interior line can't move ahead 6 inches at the snap (qb sneak) it means you have no confidence in them at all. if no qb sneak how bout lining up over center and a power run to either monty or your full back?

the first half did have me concerned somewhat as nothing seemed to come together. the second half was a tale of two cities and it was impressive in the sense that this is a shiny new scheme with new coaches and young players who have never played together. they all banded together to get a win against a supposedly superior team. what was very impressive was that the niners were plain and simple out coached by the bears. 1. the discipline and good coaching was carried over from camp and preseason games. one of the differences being penalties or lack thereof. the talking heads can say whatever they want, the bears outcoached them and it showed on the field and in the final results. when has that happened before? 2. halftime adjustments: this reminded me of packer games where the packers were totally outplayed in the first half only to come back and dominate the second half. cudo's to our OC. i can't even remember the last time this happened. there are going to be a lot of growing pains for the rest of the season but it seems to me we are building a SOLID foundation for this team to build on in the future.

agree. i think this is where it's going to end up. 8 or 9 wins which is A-OK with me.

whatever

my final thoughts on a lock down corner: i watched the best defensive line maybe in the history of the modern NFL in the 80's bears. the only comparison is the steel curtain of the 70's. with that said i watched the dolphins hand the 85 bears their only loss and how i believe marino/shula did it was with the quick outs. this type of passing game you succeed by not giving the pass rushing defense (the 46 at that time) the time to get to the quarterback. no matter how good they are they still physically need that amount of time to do what they do best. the lovie cover 2 is another example of a really good defensive line in traylor, washington, alex brown and ogunleye. add to that probably two HOF linebackers in briggs and urlacher. favre consistently (and even manning in the SB) chewed us up with the quick pass for 5-10 yds negating the heavy pass rush. the way to compensate for this is having at least ONE lock down corner no matter what system your defense is running. the results of a single lock down corner are two fold. 1. it negates the opponents BEST receiver for at least 3-5+ seconds from the snap. this makes their #1 work for a reception downfield where a free safety can add additional help over the top if need be. 2. this opens up your #2 corner to work with linebackers and a strong safety to choke out that quick hit for first downs. he can play on or off the LOS (cover 2) to bump, legally within the 5 yd rule, the receivers or TE's offsetting the timing of the receiver and qb . the results of both make the qb take more time for a receiver to get open. THIS is where your pass rushing specialists shine and change the entire outlook for the game. this is why green bay has "owned" us for over 2 decades. we have seen it time and time again that 5-10 yard sideline pass for EASY completions while our corners/safeties are lining up beyond the first down markers and coming back to make the tackle beyond the sticks. this is why the cost of lock down corners in the past rivaled that of edge rushing defensive ends in scarcity and salary. EDIT: sorry for all the white space mistake

i will agree on the OL being the primary pick along with ONE wr who could be had in the 3rd if necessary. i don't believe two 2nd day receivers is going to help fields out as much as another position will, whether it's protecting him or giving the offense more time on the field. fields best friend should be monty and a great running game along with pass protection at least for this season until he begins to evolve.

i have to disagree. you NEED a GOOD corner that can play man/ bump and run and cover a receiver at the snap off the LOS. otherwise we end up seeing what lovie projected with his cover 2. huge gaps in the first 5-10 yards from the LOS for easy completions any time they want to make first downs. this increases the riding time your defense is on the field as your opponents march downfield to our red zone. by the 4th quarter/crunch time they are gassed. this takes away time your offense could/should be scoring points. you HAVE to give even the best defensive line time to get to the qb. the quick outs for 5-10 yds negate your speed rushing sack specialists and renders the cover 2 nearly useless. greenbay has been doing that to us for 20-30 freaking years with favre and now rogers. if you want to score points you have to put your offense on the field.

getting rid of our RB core would be a huge mistake. monty is a key player in any offense. he can run, block and catch. he is a tough runner to take down and moves the chains. dumping him would be like dumping neal anderson or even walter payton when their rookie contract was over. it makes no sense trying to fill this vacancy with a hopeful candidate through the draft. he is a key component for a new qb. pay the man and move on to other positions of need.

well, here we go. if it turns out to be true... if this scandal with ross (dolphins owner) and now the owner or high management personnel of the browns? (what other franchises are involved) comes to light that NFL teams were TANKING games per instructions from the owners/management this isn't just a tiny blip on the radar screen this is tracking a full out attack with ICBM's. this means that a number of extremely important things come to mind and it opens up a gigantic can of worms for the owners and the hierarchy of the NFL corporation as a whole. 1. INTEGRITY: the integrity of a real and not contrived sport where the end results are predetermined are at stake. are we looking at this sport from this point on if there is no real investigation and penalties not only by the NFL corporation but the legal criminality consequences of law enforcement for perpetrated fraud, it plainly destroys this sports trust forever. this changes it from a sport to an exhibition. 2. GAMBLING: here it all comes crashing down. if ANY franchise is involved in conspiring to tank games, shave points or any other form of game or point manipulation it brings to light the serious problems involved with gambling cartels and organized crime. this is a criminal aspect no different than insider stock manipulation and needs to be seriously investigated by law enforcement. where owners and employee's could benefit from insider information to place bets on games it is a catastrophic breach of faith with the fans and public. it's illegal. this also should bring up the manipulation of game results by referee's. the results of watching the poor officiating throughout a season is nearly indisputable. this also involves the NFL corporate and owners by making game rules so unenforceable and vague that there is never any call that is considered wrong or right. this leads to gambling interests or franchise personnel possible ability to bribe referee's a paramount concern. 3. THE DRAFT: if true, franchises tanking games to manipulate the order of the draft is again a breach of fan faith. any team purposely tanking games to garner a coveted spot in the NFL draft if not illegal should be enforced and penalized by the NFL corporate in it's most severe consequences. this effects every franchise in the NFL and the future of the health of each team and the money they will bring in. it effects the final win/loss results of every franchise for decades to come. A TIP OF THE HAT TO BRIAN FLORES: this opens up the possible truth of how the corrupt side of the NFL works. not only that but the racial injustice that is being manipulated by certain franchises in regards to not only hiring minorities but chastising coaches or players that rock the boat on how these instances are being used by owners. the black balling and intimidation of these whistle blowers just shows how corrupt the NFL corporate and the owners really comes into play.

he runs a 4-3 defense for colts. worked under marinelli and kiffen. ran a cover 3 like seahawks and cover 2 combo? will be reallllly interesting who is coordinators are.

per the score mat eberflus is our new hc

this causes me concern also. are his top candidates related to the franchises he worked with in the past for serious consideration? i want the best there is not just the best there is wearing blinders.

to a point his age does not matter but at 79 years old he is basically retired as observed. he is not a candidate to be a permanent fixture in this franchise. he has been out of the loop with key nfl personnel for a long enough period that it has to effect his evaluation performance. he is not rubbing elbows with his peers at this time in his life especially with younger up and coming nfl execs or even different owners. he has no accountability if he fails what he is being paid to do. if polians candidate for gm is strictly to hire the top performer at this key position it should not matter what he thinks or doesn't of the current roster of players. the same holds true of who HE thinks would be the best coaches to hire under HIS regime. same goes for the draft. if this guy is the best he should know what is needed and proceed to find the players that fit what he is trying to accomplish. otherwise it's the same old crap. hire the most important executive in your franchise based on what a previous regime has accumulated and handcuff him to it. fit a square peg into a round hole. if he doesn't like the player personnel that's fine because it sure hasn't gotten us in any superbowls lately. let him decide because that is what we are hiring him to do. if he likes certain aspects of what is here all the better. if our scouting dept is top notch let him decide what to do with it. i don't want to fit another cog into this machine i want the whole machine rebuilt to run at maximum capability.

that is true. but was this a gm candidate that we coveted? even if it was not, we are now behind the giants in regards to hiring a head coach. so in essence we at best are getting the 2nd choice candidate if the giants (or anybody else) hires a HC before we do that was on our list.

i just have to ask this.... why wasn't this all done prior to the season even ending? and by that i mean why weren't the candidates narrowed down to the best 1-3 and the bears were ready to interview a gm immediately and hire him near the same time. this is why i question his credibility. this is common sense on how to run ANY business, company or franchise. you have a good idea who the top candidates are that you want to hire before they are even needed. you beat the competition by preparation. polian obviously has done no prep work for TWO MONTHS. we are now going on three weeks out of the initial firing of our staff and we are just narrowing it down now? that is what amateur executives do.

here is a synopsis of how this organization is working toward a new GM and coach... bill polian is hired in 2021 by curious george to advise the inept mccaskey family on how to proceed with running their franchise. according to rumor, polian was advising the bears back in november 2021. deciding, it appears, that nagy wasn't the man for the HC job. what that means is that ryan pace had become untenable to do this job as a GM. what does that mean? it means that at this time ryan pace is now going to be replaced also. so, it appears bill polian has had the reins to how the football operations are going to proceed since november 2021. in approximately 2 months jim polian appears not to have any idea who the new gm should be thus setting up the process of adding every name in the nfl world as potential gm candidates to be interviewed AFTER the last game in the season has played out. this means that we are already BEHIND the competition to acquire a candidate for either position. it appears he has had NO short list, has not sent out feelers to potential candidates prior to the season ending. this is how a genius football guru operates?? at the very LEAST he should have had a list of no more that 3-5 hard candidates for the GM job. these short list candidates should have been contacted immediately to interview in chicago. once that process was set into motion the new gm should have made his OWN list of head coaching jobs and use polian as a springboard to choose them for interview. polian has done nothing. moving on... who are his main candidates now this process has been muddied up with the head coaching search prior to hiring a gm? it appears if you were were involved with teams he specifically had involvement in 15-30 years ago you have made the the grade as a top candidate. in my opinion, however smart polian USED to be the times have moved on. general knowledge? yes. current knowledge on how the nfl operates and all potential candidates for key positions? VERY questionable. why hasn't the list of gm's been acted on in a timely manner with due diligence? is he just plain lazy or is he struggling to catch up with today's nfl or else just doesn't really give a $h!t. this mess we are in is flat out ludicrous. a football genius hire who apparently has no clue into the fact that time is of the essence if you want the best candidates hired. there is your 79 year old football genius in 2022.

i am still going with khan and add rick smith to the two top candidates. The Wrath Of Khan: he has made his bones for years in a winning franchise that is family run. he has rubbed elbows with some pretty good gm's and coaches AND owners in this time. to limit the gm search to a player personnel candidate only is wrong. this guy will be able to bring it all to the table. he will also have a chip on his shoulder to succeed. he is still my top choice. next is rick smith. another candidate with a lot of good things in his past. has worked hard in a crappy franchise before leave of absense. one of these two are for me.