Alaskan Grizzly

Not that I don't believe you but what metrics are we considering? I want to say that I did see something that showed him with the highest (amongst rookies) with PDs (???) How many times is he being thrown at compared to other CBs?? And then there's the lack of INTs, which could be for the lack of throws his way. Like McGowan points out most of the success in the passing game is over the middle. Brady will more than likely be going there as well (lots of dink/dunk passing). I still have yet to see Johnson tackle anyone effectively so the eye test (for me) is still being analyzed.

They need a QB if Foles goes down to injury. Which very nearly happened last week when Foles got hit low. Do you want to see Trubisky back in or see what Bray has to offer? If Bray truly has a better handle on the offense and is on the sideline to help Foles, it would go to reason I'd prefer his ability to judge the defense better than we've seen Trubisky do.

As long as Tom Brady is in the game, nothing is impossible. They keep mentioning the last time these two teams met Trubisky went on a 6 TD tear to beat them handily 48-10. Even though that was only 2018 it seemed like an eternity ago...alot has changed since then. I think a HUGE key piece to this will be getting pressure on Brady...early and often. There was a trivia type stat put up recently that said in the last six games, Brady has thrown 4 pick sixes. Trubisky has yet to throw one...(??) Anyhow, it seems the incident rate for Brady to make mistakes is on the increase. I can only imagine how that would look if the Bears can put some pressure on him. Another significant key to success will be the offensive performance. Nagy needs to stop calling running plays that amount to Montgomery (or whoever) running into the wall of people waiting for him. And keeping Foles upright. I'll hold judgement on how this will all play out until i see the first series or two. If the D comes out on fire, Bears win. If not...well...3-2 ain't so bad.

Its almost as if Connor wrote the below article himself...lol. Some highlights: https://www.windycitygridiron.com/2020/10/7/21505592/chicago-bears-mailbag-the-teams-offensive-troubles-draft-trubisky-foles-kmet-robinson-nagy-ryan-pace Matt Nagy's play calling is questionable Too much 'inside zone' running - DUH. When you consistently run straight into a wall of people at the Center/Guard hole and get nowhere, time to try something different Both tackles, especially Leno, suck And although drafted a bit early (in the author's opinion) Kmet is pretty much on pace where he should be. In fact he suspects his production will increase as the year goes on

They’ve been lining up players in the Fullback position this year; sometimes a TE or sometimes Nall. I saw Nall there a few times when the Bears were backed up against their own EZ during the last game.

Yeah I watched part of the game and did see this play (towards the end of the 3rd quarter?). I think not only was it 'easy' for Rodgers because of the play-calling but also because Atlanta had lost another of their starting Def backfield? They were down to former practice roster players at some point I believe. The play you highlighted above was a combination of them not having key players in positions here they needed them and the rest on the field pretty much giving up. There were two guys covering one receiver (left hand side inside the 20) where one fell down. A sign of confused coverage. I truly think Atlanta has given up at this point. Look no further than Jimmy Graham (one year removed from playing for GB) where he has equaled his total in TDs (3) so far this year from all of last year with a third number of catches ... so far. Nagy's offense seems to be at least utilizing HIM more efficiently.

So what you're saying is 'there's a chance"? LOL. I did see Rodgers briefly hobbled during last night's game. I can't imagine him being able to continuously bounce back as he gets older.

Trying to remember, is this the year they play an extra game? And more teams allowed into the playoffs?

Yikes...that doesn’t bode well. Question: did Atlanta look better / worse against GB that when they played the Bears? One would think they played better against Chicago because they were at home, but then they didn’t have Julio Jones available. Of course they did last night and barely scored 16 pts. Just trying to get a gauge of how good GB really is this year. For what it’s worth Matt Ryan is a shell of his former self. He has no zip left in his passes. He and the Falcons are done for this year.

Sure. Even Fangio's defenses were known to give up a lot of ground between the 20's. But once they were pressed into the red zone, most times they would be able to stop them. I think Mongo asked about why we weren't seeing more blitz packages and I would agree with that. Fangio has never been a blitz happy d-coordinator unlike Pagano but I can't help think that if they had a true stud of an NT in the middle, it would help absorb some of what's killing the D. So far most teams are attacking the middle with the run and sending reinforcements to the edges to keep Mack and Quinn at bay. There were at least two potential turnovers yesterday that the Bears should've had; Smiths INT in the endzone and Mack's INT at the Colts' end of the field. But...here we are.

Yes...for now. I truly believe they are one good NT away from having a better run stopping D and helping loosen things up on the edges. Trevatahan does look a bit sluggish (miss Kwit or even KPL). Not a huge fan of Johnson ... yet. But all in all yesterday’s game wasn’t that bad statistically. The Colts only scored on TD early on; all the rest were FGs. And they were only able to convert 8 of 19 third down attempts (42%) *nbc Sports.

This might make some sense. With Cam being out for COVID it’s hard to say how much longer he’ll be out. Trubiksy isn’t much different than Cam when it comes to mobility. Throwing is another story. Maybe Belichik / Daniels will have better luck(?)

The team is 3-1. That D is #1 in many categories. This was the first start for Foles, for this team, this season. (Remember, he is a Super Bowl MVP). No one had a preseason or true off season to really prepare. Looking forward to Thursday night. Tom Brady and his new team are next.

Colts have the top rated D currently so I’ll cut Foles some slack. As of this post he hasn’t made a game changing mistake. By now Mitch would’ve thrown an INT. The D on the other hand is still struggling. Can’t really use they excuse they’re on the field too much. Run D is pretty non-existent.

Do you think Trubiksy will be used in a gadget play (or two) today? Like receiver or Taysum Hill like play?

Agreed that he would be a good complement back. Still would like to see what Nall and Pierce have to offer. From the looks of things, Pierce could have similar skills. Good thing is Miller’s contract is pretty minimal. Wonder if they’re waiting to see how things shake out in Seattle (Harrison) before getting a replacement NT? And...more importantly why have they still not re-signed Arob?

And RB Lamar Miller was signed to the practice squad. https://www.bleachernation.com/bears/2020/10/02/bears-to-sign-free-agent-running-back-lamar-miller-to-their-practice-squad/

It’s looking more and more like “Snacks” will end up in Seattle...after he clears COVID protocol. Bears will probably need a plan B for NT https://www.fieldgulls.com/2020/9/30/21496043/damon-harrison-covid-protocol-seattle-seahawks-free-agent-visit-roster-news-transactions

If their leading receiver is a TE that tells you Rivers isn’t killing teams with the big plays. He’s doing more of the dink/dunk style O common with the WCO. I think HC Reich is more that style coach (having worked in Philly under Pedersen and with Foles) so I predict a lot of similar short yardage gains from them. If the D keeps everyone in front of them they should be able to handle it. I’d think Smith (or Skrine in Nickel) should key on the TE while Trevathan focus on the backfield. If the RB comes out he’s his. If Rivers starts to go, chase him. I thought I saw Trevathan spying on Ryan in the last game so I see no reason not to do it again. Even with Trevathan focusing on the RB he’ll need help with the ‘up the middle’ plays. Still not sure who they have in the middle of the D that can keep it contained.

The concern I have with Foles is his lack of mobility and potential injury. In looking at a site that predicts injuries (below) there isn’t much to worry about and really no injury history (besides last year’s broken clavicle) that I can see. Still...how good is the oline to keep him safe? It might be prudent to get a solid backup in place at a low cost. Is that guy Trubisky? It has been suggested he work in relief similar to how they have Brees/Hill in NO. Maybe with a limited playbook and in for certain downs or schemes he’d prove more valuable as opposed to simply letting him go (he certainly doesn’t have much value in the trade market). If not Trubiksy then who? Draft is one way but agree maybe not an immediate concern, unless Foles becomes an injury issue. A couple QB FAs for next year are Andy Dalton, AJ McCarron and Jamis Winston. I’ve seen McCarron mentioned as a possibly in the past so maybe? None of those names really amp me up.

Agreed. I think despite some spotty play here and there, we’re still seeing the result of limited camps and no preseason. Give them another week and things will be clicking a bit better. And they really need a good NT right now.

I think part of the problem with the front 7 on defense is not having a true NT in there. Having a good stout 2-gap defender, especially in a 3-4 helps more with keeping your ILBs clean and your OLBs dealing less with being 2 or 3 teamed. I saw one play last weekend where Mack was on the edge, perpendicular to the line, with a blocker literally on either side of him and another just in front and to the side of him; so triple teamed. Couldn’t tell you whether he was held but regardless, that’s a tough order to fill even for a player like Mack. That’s more a job for a NT or even a DE (assuming they’re in a 3-4).

Saw this on ChicagoBears.com: “The game-winner to Miller with 1:53 remaining came on a third-and-eight play that Foles changed at the line of scrimmage based on what he saw from the defense. In the huddle, Foles told Miller to run to the "L" in "ATL" in the end zone. Miller did, and that's exactly where Foles delivered the ball.“ Having someone like Foles running this offense takes one less ‘guessing’ piece out of the game. With Trubiksy you’re not sure he’ll be able to read the offense and get the ball to the receiver and with someone like Miller who at times struggles to be at the right place is less a concern. Foles is able to describe exactly what it is he needs the receiver to do. This ability of his may help players like Wims, Ridley and Kmet develop faster. It seems Foles is more suited to ‘teaching’ the play to his receivers when necessary.

So safe to assume that if suddenly Arob is extended and near what he wants, they are officially (unofficially) done with Mitch. Hard to make him tradable I’d think ... not that he’s got all that much capital to begin with. What’s a backup QB worth these days?

Didn’t Pace say he would draft a QB every year when he started? Seems by now he’d of found a good developmental player. For example; Jalen Hurts this year would’ve been a great option.