Alaskan Grizzly

Tony Jefferson may be trolling the Bears, maybe not? (check out the hyperlinked story embedded in this one about Cordarrelle Patterson trying to recruit players to the Bears — pretty funny. ) https://www.bleachernation.com/bears/2020/03/20/free-agent-safety-tony-jefferson-ii-tweets-that-hes-gonna-check-in-today-with-the-bears/

Yikes! ?

With regards to Lazor I thought I'd take a look at why he was fired and I'll admit I didn't know that he'd been let go from not one but two jobs in the last 5 years. From his firing as Miami OC (2015): http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000000591391/article/dolphins-fire-offensive-coordinator-bill-lazor "Lazor was, for at least a time, exactly what Tannehill needed, but was also too reliant on the franchise quarterback." And this from ESPN journalist Jeff Darlington's tweet in that same article: "Biggest point resonating from Dolphins' locker room after Lazor firing: Refusal to establish running game among biggest reasons for ouster." And this: https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/14258236/miami-dolphins-fire-offensive-coordinator-bill-lazor-promote-zac-taylor "Lazor's departure isn't a surprise, as Miami's offense failed to produce enough points or balance to be successful. The Dolphins were held scoreless Sunday until the 2:30 mark of the third quarter and had just 12 total rushing yards in the 38-20 loss. Miami's pass-to-run ratio was an astounding 58-to-9 against the Jets..." (where have we seen this before?) And the question of whether a change of scenery would make things better. This about his firing in Cincinnati last year: https://bengalswire.usatoday.com/2019/01/11/cincinnati-bengals-fire-bill-lazor-mike-brown/ "Lazor’s offense was unimpressive in 2018, only showing signs of life while Tyler Eifert was on the field." I don't really have an issue with Castillo. I have a feeling he may be an improvement as difficult as that is to believe. But then again, he's just the oline coach. I'm still not sold on DeFlip either...

The problem I have is that both DeFlip and Lazor were fired from their last jobs (DeFlip from his last two...). That doesn't instill a lot of confidence in their being able to make much progress; I don't care how many times they worked with Foles in the past. They may be "experienced" but I'm not sure what you mean when you say "proven".

Oh... ??✊??

My little understanding of all the rules is that FA started in earnest today. But some clause recently added allows teams to talk to players as early as the 16th. (I think).

? Aren’t “we” more in the market for an ILB than OLB? (Asking for a friend).

Looking at a few available in the FA market: Eric Reid (29 years old) 7 year career stats: 98 games started (missed 12 games the last 3 of four years). 519 total tackles, 11 total INTs, 45 Passes Defensed (PD) and 3 Fumbles -played mostly FS but has done some SS as of late Karl Joseph (NEVER MIND, JUST SIGNED WITH CLEVELAND) Tony Jefferson (28 years old) 7 year career stats: 66 games started (only played 5 last year). 451 total tackles, 4 INTs, 22 PDs, 8 fumbles. Played a little bit of FS, SS and CB. Vonn Bell (26 years old) 4 year career stats: 45 games started (missed 8 in 2018 and 3 last year). 348 total tackles, 1 INT, 14 PDs, 7 fumbles. While in New Orleans he's played CB, SS, FS, MLB and LB. (may explain the high number of tackles). For a pure SS candidate it would appear Bell is the best bet but then again, has the most wear and tear in a short career...and only 1 INT. Reid although the oldest has the highest number of tackles but the highest number of PDs and INTs. Again age being what it is.... Still thinking draft may be a better option(?)

I think at this point we can expect (hope) that either will become more a game manager...ala Alex Smith. If that be the case I’d hedge my bets on Foles due to his game time experience. BUT they need to keep him in a clean pocket or it’ll be for naught. I saw somewhere that his acquisition amounted to $15 million and the fourth round pick we got for shit-canning Mike Davis last year. So...maybe not as bad originally thought. Still a lot of money though...

Interesting. Thanks for sharing this. Good info.

So did Joe Flacco. But I get what you’re saying. It’s easy to expect nothing more than mediocrity from him and hope he excels; which we know he can. Based on his performance those two seasons (2013 and the year he led the Eagles to the SB) we know he can handle the pressure. And really we don’t have a lot to lose. If either (or both) or them do well we’re looking pretty for next year (which is what was said before Glennon started for us). If they both flop, we start the whole rebuild over again ... minus Nagy and Pace.

?. Meaning yes I would for Cam and maybe for Dalton.

Same to you Bill and I totally agree. Great distraction! For what it’s worth I’ve always been a simple football guy and love the ‘5 yards and a cloud is dust’ on offense and a hard-hitting, take away making defense. I think we’re in for a treat for at least the defensive side next year.

This was nearly the same conversation many of us had (and a lot of others in the football world) when Pace thought he pulled a fast one and traded up to get Mitch. In the meantime; Lynch and the 49rs have been to a Super Bowl.

This was the exact question I was going to ask. Especially about Glennon. I’m becoming more convinced that neither Pace or Nagy know what a good starting QB looks like. Along the lines of ‘Flyfishing’ above and based on Trubiskys and Foles’ similarities; we know how “well” Trubiksy plays with the defense but not Foles. Has he ever had a comparable level defense?

Meh... system QB that will maybe challenge Mitch for his job. Maybe more importantly; if having a Super Bowl MVP doesn’t light a fire under his ass and he still not be able to perform, then he’s worn out his excuses. The price at $15 million and a fourth doesn’t seem all that great a deal considering there were better QBs out there for a little more. But yes it depends on how it’s all structured. Also safest way for Pace to save face without outright admitting Trubiksy is a failure. (Disclaimer to some: And this is just one dude’s opinion).

I like your way of thinking ... however, I’m not sure Winston or Cam would be the solution the Bears need. With Winston his play is even more erratic than Trubisky. Didn’t he throw something like 30 INTs last year? This is something he’s carried over from his college days. Cam on the other hand is a bit more controlled in his playing. Better pocket presence and still some mobility (which he would need). Problem with him is his injury history. He’s missed some significant playing time the last two years. NFL ESPN reporter Diana Russini speculates that is a lot of the reason he became available in Carolina and why he’s not having teams clamor to get him. And last but not least, they are way to mercurial for what the Bears need right now. Jameis still really hasn’t matured since the stuff we saw him do in college and Cam...well let’s just say he doesn’t hide his emotions very well either.

That’s what happens when they play well but you’re right about our ‘starting ILBs’, they have a concerning injury history. Looks like ILB just moved up a few notches in importance.

?

Yep... just like that. ???

Well that really sucks.

I could see that but when I first saw him I instantly thought of Maurice Jones Drew. Maybe it was the number 32 or the way he pinballs through people (not necessarily north south). But of course when I suggested that I was told I was wrong... *sigh* ?

Like a dog with a bone aren’t you? I couldn’t help but notice another thread you started about other ‘FAs we wanted’ and where they ended up. First off who determined that? And secondly, you posted that Sudfield (or whatever his name is) ended up going back to Philly. You were about the only one that called him as the solution to the backup QB problem. If your issue is that I’m hijacking “your” posts I’ll be more mindful and either post my own or leave a ‘thumb up or down’ emoji on yours. (If I can figure out how to do that). That way you can have less critique to work with.

Brady to Tampa Bay... and if you read down Rivers to Indy. Jamison becomes next domino. https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/28918640/qb-tom-brady-expected-sign-buccaneers-sources-say

I’d agree that Monty is better than Jordan but only in the things that Howard can’t do; like catch out of the backfield and zig and zag. Jordan’s forte is more North / South running and getting 1000 yds a year while doing it (on average). I’d think of him more like a complimentary back than workhorse. There was a lady I worked with while in the service who hailed from Gambia. She would occasionally call me a “Trouble-makah” for no reason?. Her accent was what made it even more serious. When she said it I knew I was in trouble. I dub thee...troublemakah.