Alaskan Grizzly

Realistically speaking and aside from the 2006 and 2018 teams we haven’t given anyone outside of Chicago good reason to pay attention to us. That’s my practical side speaking. But... Like you said; to have a player of Mack’s caliber paired with a player like Quinn, Smith, Jackson and Hicks led by a highly successful coach in Pagano; it is pure lunacy to think the team would be any less than what they were last year. The defense by itself did not drop off that much from the transition of Fangio to Pagano. They were still a top 10 defense, even after losing a core of their starters. With the defense alone they are a top 15 maybe top 10 team. With the offense and even my skeptical nature I feel pretty confident they got better, not worse. Foles I think will do well. IF the line does its job and he doesn’t get hurt. I actually think a light will go on with Trubisky this year. He’s threatened for not only his position but career. If he doesn’t rise up, he’ll forever be relegated to backup duties...somewhere else. Just how far up he rises will be on him. With the combination of Foles potential and Trubiksy’s drive our offense should easily help keep the team in the top 10 if not top 5. I’d say ‘how goes the QB, so goes the offense’.

Upon further review, Gipson appears to be bargain player. He started his career in 2012 with the Browns after being signed as an UDFA. That same year Mark Barron and Harrison Smith were drafted as the number one and two safeties (Barron 7th overall pick and Smith 29th overall)., Barron has since morphed into a LB and as of this moment is a FA. Smith has been playing safety his whole career with Minnesota. Anyhow some comparative stats. Barron: 710* tackles, 12 sacks, 42 pass defensed and 9 INTs (*started playing LB in 2014 and in 2015 and 2016 totaled over 110 tackles each year) Smith: 658 tackles, 13 sacks, 57 pass defensed and 23 INTs Gipson: 450 tackles, 0 sacks, 46 pass defensed and 23 INTs. So over the course of his career he averages 56 tackles per season, is second of the three in passes defensed and tied at the most INTs with 23. (Don't mind the 0 sacks). But all things considered and that he was not drafted compared to these two I'd say he's done all right. And really we couldn’t expect a lot more out of him as the staring SS. The only thing I'd be concerned with his durability after last season's injury and his injury history in general. https://bleacherreport.com/articles/2589096-tashaun-gipson-injury-updates-on-jaguars-safetys-knee-and-return

Case closed... ??

Or a Brandon Browner minus all the holding calls...and the attempted murder charge.

Or at least around it... (I saw what you did there - ?). Not a huge fan of this. Gipson (5’11” 212#) plays more like HHCD. And like dawhizz says, is coming off an injury riddled season. Went out on IR for a back fracture late last year. Personally for me that doesn’t fare well for a guy you need ‘in the box’.

Maybe they’re thinking of using Patterson as a Tackle? ? Or one of them blocking TEs to help Leno? Which is it again; Y or U?

So you’ve shifted your point. Which is fine. And you’re right; tackling is in question for him. But then again the fact that Denmark just transitioned from WR to DB about two (?) seasons ago gives me pause. His draft analysis (that I highlighted earlier) as a DB questions his ability to transition for coverage and tackling.

Fair enough (and for the record I’m glad you didn’t take the definition as a dig). In the end, of the players currently on the team, I’ll admit Denmark is the most intriguing. Mostly due to his size. But I don’t have anything to go off (statistics or performance) to think he’d be any better at it than a guy who is smaller. Maybe my suggestion isn’t the answer (probably not) but I don’t think we should entirely discount it on size only. If I had any say (which obviously I have none) the Bears would’ve drafted Delpit long before adding another TE. And If not him, sign a decent veteran before signing anymore WRs.

Tenacity: (noun) the quality or fact of being very determined; determination. It was actually a word AZ introduced into the conversation. I’ve been reiterating it to illustrate this is a quality of a player you’d like in a certain position; in this case Safety. It doesn’t guarantee against injury (never said it did) just like being larger does. I shared examples of prior safeties that were shorter or “smaller in stature” and have succeeded as Safeties (strong and/or free). Denmark’s larger size does not solely guarantee his success, or more specifically durability, as a strong safety anymore than does a guy (whoever that is) that might be 4-6 inches shorter.

And the positions of need continue to be ignored. Isn’t this two WR FAs signed in as many days?

Never said he’d be the solution as a rookie. Just that he could be considered. Yes “16 lbs” is more but isn’t that what weight training is about? I mean look no further than pictures of players like Gronkowski or Joe Thomas before and after the NFL to see examples of how it works. Even many “experts” have suggested rookie TE Kmet needs more meat on his bones and he’s ~260. Understand the concern for durability too. Are you familiar with Adam Shaheen and Anthony Miller? Players like Bears former safety Mike Brown (5’10” 205#) had durability issues. It’s the nature of the game unfortunately. Denmark would be a great Safety; if he could learn the position. Just because he’s bigger doesn’t guarantee his durability over anyone else. It’s about tenacity.

Besides the aforementioned 5’10” Earl Thomas, there’s been a few others that have succeeded at Strong Safety...yes and some, not all, did play FS too. Ed Reed (5’11” 205#) 9x Pro Bowl, 1x Super Bowl and HOF inductee 2019 Troy Polomalu (5’10” 207#) 8x Pro Bowl, 2x Super Bowl, Def player of the year 2010 Brian Dawkins (6’0” 210#) 8x Pro Bowl Bob Sanders (5’8” 206#) 2x Pro Bowl and 2007 Def player of the year. Some here have asked for players like Troy Jefferson to join the Bears at SS. Jefferson measures 5’11” 215#. Another one mentioned early on Vonn Bell 5’11” 205#. Tenacity is the key.

‘Tape also shows him making plays on players like Tee Wiggins (Clemson) and faring well during a tilt with LSU’. “Tenacity” sometimes is all one needs to succeed. Here is a snippet of Earl Thomas’ draft report when he came out in 2010: “WEAKNESSES: Thomas is lean and not very tall and may not have the strength to make plays inside the box at the next level. Size will also limit effectiveness against larger inside receivers who can out muscle him for the ball.” Although he was a tad heavier (and an inch shorter) than Vildor coming out, Thomas was also a first round draftee. There’s no doubt he has the ‘tenacity” for the role and has done well with it. Dont get me wrong, I’d like to see Denmark succeed as a SS. He’s a monster but because he used to be a receiver and is learning a whole new role I’m curious how that will all translate. Have we seen him play Safety while with the Bears at all yet? Or even CB for that matter?

It’s pretty stark when you see some of this ‘on paper’. Especially when your talking depth at the RB, ILB and Safety positions. With really only Monty, Cohen and Nall as your vets on the roster you have to think they aren’t done with just adding Pierce and Maxwell. The fact that Nall has yet to crack any measurable significant game time after three (?) years makes me think he could be expendable. I’m personally happy to see Ridley listed as the potential ‘Z’ receiver but not sure he’s ‘there’ yet. Even though a bigger body I still like Wims there; more polished ... right now. Not that we need more TEs but frankly I’m surprised they haven’t looked at Patterson as a possible U or Y TE (whichever the one is that catches more). Maybe due to his value as a ST player is such that they don’t want to use him more than they do? With the loss of JPL and Kwit the depth at ILB fell off pretty quick. Haven’t seen alot from Woods and Iggy to think they are the solution at backup. Someone in this group will need to be ready if Trevathan slows. Someone else suggested the idea of trying little Mack out at ILB? That might not be all that bad of any idea. And safety. Wow...scary...at least in the SS role. Agree that our full time starter (for at least this year) isn’t probably on the team right now. But if he is, he might be located somewhere in the CB depth (Denmark or Vildor). Personally I’m not a believer in Bush... yet. And what a drop off from Jackson in the FS depth to DHC. As with the SS I suspect we’ll see one of those guys currently listed as a CB move over to help there.

Kindle Vildor could also be considered a candidate to try for SS. He not only shows some decent coverage skills against players like Tee Williams in the attached video but in other highlight reels he shows a knack to be a ‘wood layer’ and likes to hit. Played another good game against LSU and put out a good performance during last years Senior Bowl. At 5’11” he’s a little on the shorter side but if he’s ‘put in the box’ who cares? Some compare him to Earl Thomas who is only 5’10”.

Did a quick read on him and sounds like many Texans fans aren’t happy about it. Said they think they’re trying to get Eric Reid to play alongside his brother Justin. Texans signed him for a $22 million deal last year and are on the hook for $4million if it(? - not really sure what any of that means). Watching some highlights on him makes me think of HHCD so maybe he’s more of a coverage safety like Jackson? Still need an ‘in the box’ type. He also went on IR late last year with a back injury. The particular injury essentially was a ‘blunt force’ fracture of the lower lumbar. Probably won’t be an issue going forward. He might get hung up without being able to do a physical for someone.

Good to see you back Lemon. Their starting QB Ian Book did a nice job nailing a cheerleader in the face once... https://www.foxnews.com/sports/notre-damesian-book-louisville-cheerleader-errant-throw But overall it appears he’s had a decent career at ND with a 20-3 record ... so far. Threw over 3100 yards last year with minimal TOs. Also had highly regarded WR Chase Claypool to throw to. Ian chose to go back and play another year at ND. Not sure why ... I agree the ‘jury is still out’ on Kmet. We’ll have to wait until the season unfolds to really see what kind of player he is.

And then there were 9 (or 10 depending on who’s counting). Dax Raymond released today after being an UDFA last year. Interesting facts about Dak; played at Utah State where Packer 1st round pick QB Jordan Love was the starter. Measures 6’5” and ~240#. Just shy of three year career (left college as a junior) amassed 873 yards and 4 TDs.

This years TE problem was last years kickers problem. Next year it’ll probably be QB...? But seriously I think they realize to make this offense work, especially if there is any hope Trubisky can run it, they need more double TEs. And more that can catch mid-range passes. To find that right combo they’re pulling out as many stops as reasonable. Trying to find that Kelce in the rough.

Say what you will about Jay as a QB but I think he has good intentions as a human. Just wasn’t very good about putting on the face when in front of the camera. Kristin strikes me as someone who is all about her and needs that camera in her life to function. Makes me think she’s a Kardashian-lite.

He’s raw no doubt. Has good instincts. But you know he’s got the inside track to a great work out partner.

Khalil’s little brother Ladarius just signed as a UDFA. Hmm... I think my mood just lifted a bit. https://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/bears/ct-chicago-bears-khalil-mack-ladarius-nfl-draft-20200426-3ar3yu36vjebvisuid6ntfbaou-story.html

Yeah where are the picks of need? OL and SS? Hell much as I don’t agree with the idea, there has been a lot of clamoring here about a speed receiver and so far...zilch .

This is my concern as well. Like with drafting Kmet and having an abundance of TEs with this pick we now have a plethora of CBs. I had thought Burns and that dude from the XFL (?)and the other guy from KC were going to fight it out for the spot opposite Fuller and If not him then what about Tolliver? Aside from his maturity issues he was pretty well regarded out of college after playing for LSU. And what the hell happened to Shelley and Denmark? I read a little on Shelly and it looks as though they are eveballing him as a NB so maybe that explains that.

Sounds like you’ve heard this story before? I know I have. Which because its GB, I’m good with.