Alaskan Grizzly

Saw on the Chicago Bears website Robinson was the team’s selection to be a finalist of the Walter Payton - Man of the Year award. And he desires to remain in Chicago for the remainder of his career. Seems logical to me... I look forward to him being yet another Bear inducted into the Hall of Fame. https://www.windycitygridiron.com/2019/12/10/21004628/allen-robinson-chicago-bears-all-time-franchise-johnny-morris-walter-payton-nagy-ryan-pace-contract

Not that I would solely blame him for what's illed the offense, he certainly hasn't helped. Its been so bad for him this year that whenever the flag is thrown on the offense its due to him holding or jumping offisdes. Ever since they shuffled the o-line around the overall mess that was the o-line has gotten better...except him. Which is unfortunate, seems like last year he was doing pretty well and is a good kid. His days in Chicago may be numbered if this keeps up. It's times like this where Jason's insight on oline performance is missed.

As expected Roquan Smith was put on IR. Former Buc and former Sooner OLB Devonte Bond was signed to the team in his roster spot. Looks to be a speed rusher so maybe competition for Floyd during the offseason? With Smith out on IR, the defense has lost Trevathan, Amukamura and Hicks (to name key pieces) on the defensive side of the ball and their replacements; KPL, Tolliver and to some degree Nichols have all stepped up and played pretty darn well. That I think is a credit to Pagano and his ability to coach his side of the ball. And to be fair and not lost in all this is the sudden resurgence of the offense with credit thrown towards Nagy. On the offensive side they’ve lost Long, Gabriel, Burton and Shaheen and are finding gems in players like Wims, Ridley, Brauneker, Holtz and Horstead. And after reshuffling the line and recalibrating himself, found that he has a serviceable OLine and a potentially decent QB if he plays to their strengths.

'Devil's Advocate' here: So Mahomes did close out with: 26/40 for 283 with 1 TD and 1 INT for a rating of 83.6. This against the number one defense, in Foxborough. Trubisky ended up with: 23/31 for 244 yards with 3 TDs and 1 INT for a rating of 115.5. This against the number #12 overall defense in Chicago. Trubisky did what he had to do against a team he (they) needed to beat, in the circumstances afforded him. As did Mahomes. Neither lost the game for their respective team. The guy who only a year ago was chosen as the NFL MVP after throwing 50 TD passes has less to prove than does the #2 overall pick from that same year.

https://bearswire.usatoday.com/2019/12/07/chicago-bears-linebacker-khalil-mack-layaway-accounts-walmart-fort-pierce/

FWIW Ridley looked ‘good’ in limited play. Caught the one pass thrown to him. But I’m sure glad to know Wims wasn’t hurt too bad. He’s an important piece going forward.

As crazy as it sounds, the Bears match up closer to the 49ers in style of play. I wouldn’t say their execution is the same, just style. Both have similar offenses and execute their defenses similarly; although SF runs a ‘wide 9’ style defense (a derivative of a 4-3). In this case their talent level matches up more than structure. We saw what SF did to the Packers a few weeks ago. There’s no reason if they Bears play like they did against Dallas they couldn’t win again.

Thing is when do they have to decide on his 5th year option?

It’s a valid question. Was watching that post game show I like with Briggs, Brown, Forte and Kreutz. Briggs pointes out that we need to see continued play like last night from here on out to make a better determination. I think many of us are traumatically skeptical (I know I am) after all the years with Jay ‘Jekyll and Hyde’ Cutler and quite frankly similar play from Trubisky. We see he’s capable; it’s just that can he maintain it? We’ll know better after next week...and the week after...and the week after that.

I haven’t seen the game in its entirety yet but have seen some highlights; and man they need to get Patterson more involved in the offense. Dudes a plain out baller. And how about TEs Holtz and Horstead? Amazing how well the second and third stringers are playing with them, Tolliver, Kwit, and KPL all playing like first stringers last night.

In related news I see Amukamua is doubtful with a hammy injury. So Tolliver is next man up it would appear. Also see Kyle Vanderesch (sp) is out for Dallas...that’s one less good LB on their team for our team to worry about. https://www.chicagobears.com/news/injury-update-amukamara-doubtful-with-hamstring

Something I heard on LeBetard and Stugotz yesterday was that since week 4 of this season, both Tom Brady and Trubisky have similar stats. “How ‘bout that? “.

Or not...as the case may be. But yeah I’m with you guys. He seems like a good kicker overall and agree that the injury seems to have affected him more than I think we know. For what it’s worth, the backup to Gould in SF looks pretty solid. So maybe Robbie will available again next off-season if needed?

THIS. I see the FS (Jackson or HHCD???) cheating over to Amukamura's side to help with coverage. And Skrine covering the front end of that gap when they don't have multiple receivers lined up. My biggest concern, besides Trubisky reverting to his bad habits, are the front 3-4. Without Hicks in there they will probably collapse on the line to allow second level blocking (while double and triple teaming wherever Mack is with a TE). Smith will have to have his head on a swivel and probably spy Prescott as his primary read. Zak can be mobile but don't think he really has shown that as much the last year or so. Kwit's primary concern will be Elliott and wherever he goes then (along with Smith) be on the lookout for a TE or Z receiver crossing over the middle.

Yes so no ‘talking heads’ trying to give you expert analysis and make big money doing it. Just a couple of former players weighing in on the team they used to ply for. Good perspective IMHO as they’ve ‘been there done that’ and probably have a strong interest in seeing the team succeed.

Might I recommend the series called ‘Football Aftershow on NBC Sports Chicago’? I subscribed to it recently on YouTube and the show offers some good no-nonsense perspective on how they think the team is performing. The panel consists of Olin Kreutz, Matt Forte, Lance Briggs and Alex Brown. So you’re not getting the alleged national bias against the team but more a home-grown organic take on how it looks. Alex Brown, by the way, generally has the more critical m of reviews from the group. As he does in the most recent installment below:

That literally made me LOL...and almost spit coffee everywhere.... I get it and you're right, the old adage of you have to play up or down to the team you're against in order to win holds true. NE has been able to do this time and again these last several years. Trubisky has only really done it a few times last year and for the last couple games in a row this year...against Detroit and the Giants....who are a 5-18-1 combined. If he is able to help steer a win against the Cowboys later this week and the others you mention afterwards, then I no doubt believe people will start to cast a more favorable light on him.

In other news; Akiem Hicks was back on the practice field earlier today . https://www.chicagobears.com/news/pro-bowl-tackle-hicks-returns-to-practice

Watching the game on replay and have to say Horstead reminds me of Zach Miller. Very similar style. He’s a keeper.

So far. Keep it in perspective... Watson is playing the #1 defense in the league (with Brady as the QB). And all Mahomes did today was get to 70 TD passes in 27 games (which is an NFL record) while putting the Raiders over his knee by winning 40-9. Yes Trubisky looks ‘improved’ but we have to remember how he’s played for a majority of his career. Maybe this will be his renaissance... time will tell.

I would actually think he’s more along the lines of DeShaun Watson. He’s been to two championship games and he’s only a Junior. Lost the national championship to Bama his Freshman year (but only by 5) and many would say he should’ve won that game. Last year he played against Texas in the Cotton bowl losinf by a TD. His stats read pretty solid and he’s played against some solid SEC teams with a winning record; much better than an ACC 13 game starter from NC.

Yeah...from his Wikipedia page (damn it). Wouldn’t it suck if Shaheen did the same?

If they want to have a chance going to the home stretch this year they realistically need to find a way to rotate him (Amukamara) out sooner than later. As much as I love the guy he’s been a liability ever since last season. He’s older and slower and only getting worse. Time to either put in Tolliver or Shelly or at the very least give him help at Safety (essentially exposing the middle of the field). Agree totally on Lynch . He was a pick up that I think Fangio liked from their SF days together (and before he knew he would get Mack). But yeah, he’s overstayed his welcome. Maybe Vic needs him in Denver. Floyd is a big disappointment for sure. Mack is still seeing double and triple manning where most of Floyd’s is single man, and sometimes just a chip block from a passing TE. But still his pressure lacks. Like you pointed out earlier maybe the GB game is where he’ll shine again (man I hope you’re right about Hicks). But after that it’s probably time to start looking for alternatives. Bubble players to keep (IMHO) are Skrine (not as good as Callahan but solid), Kwit, HHCD (yes I know he’s ‘meh’) but I can’t help think he and Jackson will at some point click in and Trevathan (at least for one more year). This guy is a true leader and as much as I think Kwit is rising, I’d like to see a bit smoother transition. The team owes Danny that much (again IMHO).

Being one of the more strident ‘doubting Thomas’ers’ I’ll say in the highlight films I saw of yesterday’s game, Mr. Trubiksy...I am impressed. He looked composed, stood tall in the pocket, delivered relatively on-target throws to his receivers (which they didn’t drop) and he rolled out (the right way) when he felt pressure. Yes I get that this was the 24th ranked defense in Detroit but they were at home and wanted a win as bad if not more than the Bears. They especially were feeling good when they found what could be a pretty decent QB in Blough (or was it our defense playing so poorly?). Anyhow, overall Mitch did good yesterday. And by the by, has anyone else noticed lately he’s starting to develop a more harder snap count (from time to time)? I noticed it last week when the opposition had a fair amount of defensive line penalties and a few close calls yesterday for Detroit. This is a good thing for Mitch. Adds an extra element to the offense and causes the rush to pause that much more. Please keep this good thing going.

TP