Alaskan Grizzly

Gotta think positive. We’re two games back from the division lead. There’s no guarantee that GB will win both games. They lost to TB (soundly) and Indy (barely) but the Bears beat TB and also lost to Indy - barely. Two years ago we were heading into the playoffs with a full head of steam and then ... double doink. A few years back the Steelers won the SB from the 6th seed so nothing is impossible. As Herm Edwards once said “You play to win the game”.

Hate to add to the dogpile but couldn’t help notice Jon Runyan(jr) is starting for GB. I know we talked about him last draft.

I hate ‘tank talk’ even if the Bears were 1-9 right now. It’s a defeatist attitude and I’m not wired that way - sorry. You must win at all cost; it ain’t over until it is. Sure the offense looks like garbage. But the defense is still playing to win...at least most of them are. Somewhere lost in all this is the effect COVID has had on the team. Out of the gate we lost a formidable force in Goldman and unfortunately Pace did nothing of note to fill that gap. Then as the season progressed and injuries came to a head the offensively offensive line was hit with not only injuries but players who tested positive to COVID. At one point they had three of their starters and at least 2 of their backups unavailable. Again that points to a depth (and preparedness) issue but still points as the main problem with Pace being where he is. Right now I’m not a fan of Nagys either but he’s playing with the hand he’s dealt. Sure he ain’t the best offensive mind out there but I have to believe between he and Lazor (who’s been in the league for how many years?) should be able to eek out a better offense than we’ve seen of late? Maybe after the bye and after some rest they’ll get their o-line back (such that it is) and start Trubisky for one last hurrah (and of desperation) and who knows? ALL the teams left on the schedule aren’t that good that they can’t be beat. Even you Adam said it early on, GB had their bye around week four (was it) and can’t run that long without hitting a pothole at some point.

Ha, Danny T is doing better (now) on pass coverage than Skrine. On nickel or dime cover they should keep Danny in before they leave Buster in.

They brought former #1 pick Deshone Kizer in for a workout this week. I remember many here, myself included, suggesting he would have been nice to see play in Chicago when he was in the draft. In an unfortunate twist of fate it wouldn’t be all that surprising the Bears have two former #1 picks at QB on the roster. Neither of which has been very good in the pros. https://chicago.suntimes.com/bears/2020/11/18/21574204/bears-deshone-kizer-tryout-quarterbacks-mitch-trubisky-nick-foles-injured-notre-dame-tyler-bray

All the more reason why now is probably the right time to make Pagano interim HC. He’s going to keep the defense at the level it is but offset that with sensible play calling on the offensive side. Whether it be he himself making those calls or someone more intune with how an offense should run, this is the best option right now. Pagano’s no dummy and has been around long enough to know who he needs to get the job done. I’d say let him use the rest of this season as a dress rehearsal. The worst he could do is not make the playoffs.

CP you are ridiculous!!!

Well said!

I’m with you on this.

They had a pretty tough time yesterday against 1-8 Jacksonville...while at home. And we saw what TB did to them a few weeks ago after they (TB) lost to Chicago the week before. This ain’t over.

The Bears could lose... that would be worse. In other news my question about Lamar Miller has been answered. https://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2020/11/15/bears-will-promote-lamar-miller-for-monday-night/

I like this with the team still 5-4 going into a more favorable part of the schedule. Ive always been a bit suspect of Lazor but I guess we’ll see Monday if he knows what he’s doing.

I feel relatively good about this one. Danny T has stepped up as of late and meeting the RB in the hole these last few games. He even did well in a few pass cover plays last week. Meaning Roquan will have more room to roam...which is a good thing. Pressure on Cousins is key as he’s very prone to mistakes. Despite losing RRH I think with the recent play of Urban and Edwards along with the consistent play of Hicks, the interior is covered. It’s games like this where we’ll miss Kwit after the hey day he had with these guys last year. I’m not as sure how the offense will do. I see they signed Kush to the PS so will that mean he joins the OL this game? If Foles can get time, yes this will be an ‘ugly’ win. The only way Foles knows how. WHERE THE HELL IS LAMAR MILLER? Is Montgomery still out for concussion protocol? Will Nall get the start?

To be fair and in my humble opinion, I think Foles could run the offense a lot better than Trubisky ever could, IF he had a line to block. And I still think Foles can run the offense better than Nagy can call it.

Found an interesting article that puts an interesting spin on how the Bears and specifically Nagy are doing. Some highlights: Nagy's overall record is 25-16. Compare that to other coaches hired at the same time; Mike Vrabel (24-16), Frank Reich (23-17), Jon Gruden (16-25) and Matt Patricia (12-27-1) he's ahead of them all at this point. His age puts him as the 9th youngest coach in the league. With that he hasn't had a lot of time to gain that in game experience which is shown with his game management. Lastly, he works with what he's been given. Many here will point out that Pace hasn't really done a great job in managing the Bears picks. A few years ago he got cute by drafting a bunch of D2 players that haven't all worked out. He divested the future in trading up for players like Trubisky and Mack by losing draft picks that could have helped contribute to the lack of depth we currently find the team in. All in all, I think more of the blame is on Pace than Nagy at this point. But if you get rid of Pace do you keep Nagy? https://beargoggleson.com/2020/11/09/3-reasons-matt-nagy-hot-seat/amp/1/

Personally I see more like 5 wins at a minimum. One more with Detroit (theyre a mess) at least one with Minnesota maybe even two. Yes Dalvin Cook is having a big year but the Bears D just shut down Henry last week and didn't have much issue with him (Cook) last year. Houston? (meh...call it a push at this point). Jax...same. I honestly would not be the least bit surprised if the Bears don't split games with GB maybe even win both. Combine what you said earlier that they already had their bye with what TB did to them a few weeks ago, I'm convinced our D can lock Rodgers down. If the first game is close the second will be a win for sure. What's going to make a distinct difference in all this is Nagy being able to adapt to what's going on. Will he see the light and let someone else call the plays and manage the game? He and Pace have got to be reading and hearing what all the pundits are saying, they can't be THAT oblivious right?

Sure I get that and understand the concerns about next year’s money. I’m just not quite ready to give up on this year. Especially since our team is still 5-4 and just went through one of the roughest patches of it’s schedule. Will they make changes this year to adjust the offense? Enough for it to win or at least stay in the game? I’m hoping so.

This^^. It’s not too late...other than Trubisky being injured. They’re still 5-4 with an ‘easier’ schedule ahead.

So you’re suggesting a rebuild? Right after posting how well the defense did against a pretty decent team in Tennessee? And despite three straight losses are still 5-4? Yes I get the offense is a mess but not all of that is the construction of the team. The o-line has been beat up by injuries and more recently COVID (which caused some issues this week). Maybe if they instead can Nagy now, start playing a more balanced offense and get players in positions to succeed there may be a chance to salvage what’s left of this season. Yes I’d even go as far as put Trubisky back in when he’s healthy and hell I’d even be willing to see what Bray can do at this point. I don’t see the season as a total loss...yet. I’d still like to know where the hell L. Miller is. For what it’s worth Nall looked good in spot play; yes it was garbage time but it mixed things up a bit and looked more productive with him in.

I’m done with Nagy. He’s completely inept as a play caller.

And Leno...the only guy who’s been on the line as a starter since last year... gets a False Start penalty. Followed with a Hands to the Face penalty by Ifedi. The only other guy starting on the line since the beginning of this year. Juan Castillo was supposed to be an improvement over Hiestand eh?

Where the heck is Lamar Miller?

That perspective gives me a glimmer of hope. I suppose if the D is able to stifle Henry and get pressure on Tannehill there is a possibility, however slight.

On the oline id like to see what the two new draftees Hambright and Simmons or even PS players Eislen or Traore can do. Why not? Traore came from LSU and we talked about Eislens potential before.

So...this is interesting (below). Now Bray might be unavailable due to COVID protocol. Foles may be all they have for Sunday...with most of the starting Oline out. If Foles gets hurt I read elsewhere that ODonnel and Montgomery are the next in line. Montgomery allegedly played QB in HS. The offense is going to get slaughtered. *edit: Another person on Twitter suggested that since they’ll be in Tennessee they could look to see what Cutler is up to. Allegedly he still spends a lot of time there. https://www.bleachernation.com/bears/2020/11/05/tyler-brays-availability-for-sunday-is-in-question-because-of-the-bears-covid-19-situation/