Alaskan Grizzly

Ah...I’ll be the first to admit I’m not all that keen on contract stuff. But still three years for an unproven when the other two were signed to one year (?) deals makes little sense. Either way, I’m sure it’ll work out.

Funny, I was actually thinking of continuing some discussions on other topics but feared I’d hurt some feelings. Like why on earth did they sign an unproven kicker to 3 years? ?

Well since you’re going to bring Nall into the discussion, and I’m glad you did, ‘yes’ I would certainly hope that he becomes a factor. I was excited by the little I saw of him last year and asked about using him more then and again posed the question earlier this year. You’ll get no argument from me on hoping he is someone we see in the backfield more this year. He’s definitely a forgotten and overlooked piece to the puzzle. As far as the comparison of Blount and Howard; not sure I got the point other than maybe seeing they aren’t all that different (minus the jumping). So to the earlier point I agree with you that is why Pedersen wanted Howard. Which to me again begs the question; if the Eagles could use him why couldn’t the Bears? Maybe Nall in the wings is that answer (mixed in with Howard’s current value and end of contract looming). I think in an earlier series of posts there was discussion about how awesome it would be to see someone like Forte in Nagys offense. Totally agree. Nevertheless, something Forte was also good at was grinding out tough yards too (at least earlier on). *Edit: In looking more at the video for Nall I see that he ran a fair amount of inside zone with both the QB doing RPO from the gun AND while under center. I know your earlier video knocked Howard for some of his inability to run inside zone from the gun. But to be honest I didn’t see a lot of major differences in their playing style when it came to that. Other than the blocking maybe being more effective Nall would look for that 0, 1 or 2 hole and go. Howard’s forte was more the outside zone where he could follow the blockers and let the holes develop; especially in Fox’s time.

Thanks NYC, right back at ya. I agree that the RPO itself isn’t a gimmick. In fact we see more of it because it’s what more colleges are playing (or at least that’s the way I understand it) and makes it an easier transition to the NFL for QBs like Trubiksy. It’s just some of the stuff that Nagy adds to it that are gimmicky; like having Hicks run in a TD, or Sowell catching a TD pass or even Cohen throwing a TD pass. But a like I said earlier, a lot of this is what makes the game fun to watch and play.

I’d almost be willing to take that bet but I also believe they both could be accomplished simultaneously. As an aside; the year that Blount played for Pederson was the fifth productive in his 9(?) year career; getting 766 on the ground. (And that was with a pretty good RB in Ajayi on the team). Blount has only surpassed 1,000 yards twice in his career with a total in the 6,000 yard range. Howard has equalled half that in a third of the time. So really, Pederson ended up with a better player in Howard. The point I was going for on Fox’s success on offense wasn’t about whether Howard did well in it, it was more the idea (or at least the accusation) that the Chicago offense wasn’t successful because of Fox. To me that was more due to the timing because of the QBs he had. Cutler was at the end of his time in Chicago and had sucked, Glennon just plain sucked and Trubisky was a rookie who had a lot to learn. By that, Fox’s offense was very one-dimensional (and predictable) because of Howard being as good as he was/is.

To be fair, Pederson has been to and won a Super Bowl. And he did it with Blount as a player. The year prior to and after he did not. Am I suggesting that Blount was the single reason for their appearance in the SB, no. Just that as you point out, Pederson perhaps wanted Howard as he wanted Blount. And talking about risk, prior to Pederson running it how many had tried running the Philly Special? Nagy didn’t invent gimmicky plays, he’s just evolving it. Actually I think what has made Nagy successful is that he makes watching (and playing) football fun. My wife has always said if she was a coach she would always run trick plays because she likes to be ‘entertained’ and keep the other side guessing. Because of that and the propensity of Nagy to do just that she really likes to watch Bears football. Add that to having players jump on the bandwagon while they too are having fun makes for a good combination. But going back to the Howard discussion; at some point the gimmicky plays are not going to work...not all the time. And that’s when a more traditional player like Howard will factor in. I mean if Nagy can develop plays where defensive lineman can run in a TD or an OL can catch a TD pass, surely he could use a back like Howard?

Not to be the devil’s advocate but one question he forgot to address; why would Philadelphia want Howard if Pedersen runs a very similar offense? One that he himself ran while the OC at KC before Nagy ascended to that role? What will Pedersen do with him that Nagy wouldn’t or couldn’t? Is it because he can’t catch as most here assumed? Or is it because he can’t run inside zone from the gun? Despite all this Howard still managed to accumulate over 900 yards on the ground. Why? Because as the season wore on (and as many here expected would happen) the ‘passer friendly and faster field’ weather changed to the typical Chicago winter which allowed Howard lean on his skill set to become more productive. A skill set I think Nagy should have been more willing to work with and not against. Saying Davis will do better at what Howard didn’t is not fair especially since Davis has much less film and experience to draw from. And sorry, but Fox’s ineffectiveness on offense was not solely because he only used Howard in “predictable” plays but a lot of the blame had to be due to both Cutler and Glennons ineptitude and Trubisky being a rookie.

I cant help but one name pops in my mind when I hear the ‘next greatest thing in kicking (from college)’. That name being: Roberto Aguayo. Normally using a 5th, 6th or 7th round pick on a kicker wouldn’t seem so outlandish but with the Bears limited number of picks it would be tough to swallow. Especially if he ended up being like Aguayo. If the other needs are addressed first through trade or FA or draft then maybe.

Saw this yesterday.... Good luck Jordan. Truly a class act. You will be missed.

Where does Brauneker fit in all this? He was signed to a new deal (for two years) just prior to FA. That makes me wonder maybe they saw something in him they liked? He was used (not extensively) in place of Burton during the Eagles game.

Agreed, good to have Lynch back. I’d sure like to see Irving and/or Fitts work out to at least be rotational players before we invest more drafts on the position.

Meredith was also coming off a pretty bad knee injury and previous injury history. His productivity died off for other reasons. I get that Howard may not fit this system (although a trade to Philly baffles me) and I get he may have wanted to move on. His production was still evident, especially as the year wore on late in the season. I’m hoping this doesn’t turn into another ‘Robbie Gould’ like scenario.

Of the remaining FAs that makes the only sense. The higher rated RBs are gone. Is there more RB in the future for Patterson? (doesn’t make this more sensical) or is he eyeballing a gem in the draft? (Makes more sense). But then the team didn’t gain anything in draft capital; like you said just created a more obvious need. *edit: And to the Eagles? Doesn’t Coach Pedersen run a very similar style offense that Nagy runs? Yet Howard doesn’t fit Nagys style? WTH? I still don’t get it.

Yes, what if one of those pre-season injuries is Davis? What if it’s Cohen? We don’t have enough ‘tape’ on Davis to know if he’s good enough to carry the weight in Tarik’s absence or really even good enough to compliment him. Howard by himself proved that he could be a sole running back IF it came to that. I don’t buy for a second that Nagy couldn’t figure out a way to get Howard more involved. And like you said to get a 6th round draft pick for 2020 seems to extememly devalue Jordan. Especially when you figure in the Eagles need at RB and the alleged high interest in Jordan from other teams. Makes very little sense.

Ha, was just getting ready to post. Several stories confirming same including this: https://bleacherreport.com/articles/2822780-jordan-howard-traded-from-bears-to-eagles-for-2020-draft-pick Personally not a fan especially since it seems they got a steal for a 6th round pick next year. I see the Davis acquisition making more sense but still concerned since he has no track record where Jordan does. But oh well, here we go.

Looks like he’s agreed to go to the Colts. Must’ve been about the money... Oh well having Mack on the team is a definite consolation prize! Lol https://www.arrowheadpride.com/2019/3/21/18276276/report-justin-houston-has-signed-with-the-indianapolis-colts

Apparently he’s narrowed his search to “three teams”. None mentioned by name but speculation is among four teams, one of which are the Bears. https://nflmocks.com/2019/03/18/justin-houston-finally-narrowing-choices-new-teams/

So perhaps my ignorance is pretty apparent but I have no idea how Twitter works. Is the original tweet suggesting that Houston could be the next signing or any of the 15 on the attached list? As much as I’d like to see Houston in Chicago (sends chills down my spine) it looks like Pittsburgh, Baltimore and possibly Indy would love him too. Question is; does Justin want money or a near guarantee that he’ll have been in a Super Bowl by this time next year?

Would absolutley love to see Houston join the team. He’d be a great situational/rotational player. I think he has enough in the tank that he could significantly contribute. And I can’t imagine he’d be too awfully expensive. And I just read this; played college ball at Georgia. Could talk Bulldog ball with Floyd and Smith. Gostowski would certainly be a great option. Something tells me he’d be pricey though. Bears are probably starting to run low on extra scratch.

Sorry but my immature side couldn’t resist: “I’d rather have Dix for the consistency”. But serioisly, just saw that the Bears signed him to a one year deal! Yippeeee!!! Details: 1 year $3.5 million. http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000001022687/article/bears-signing-ha-ha-clintondix-to-oneyear-deal

I see the article you cite mentions ‘what about Eric Berry’? I personally would hope Clinton-Dix is the one they go with but if for some reason it doesn’t work out, why not give Berry a go? Yes he’s fragile but if you’re proposing a one year deal anyhow, why not? And probably not for a $6 million deal. We know he’s got big play potential and there is some familiarity with Nagy. You could draft a later round Safety this year and work them in slowly rather than wait a year. Or see if one of the other former Pace draftees in Houston-Carson or Bush can contribute.

Yeah I get that’ll. Although I don’t think he’s that elusive he can be counted on to overly worry the D. With the way they make D players nowadays? He looks a lot different than he did when he played for Minny (he looks bigger). But my recollection from his play with the Vikings was Kevin White like. I saw a point made (from you I think) that he essentially replaces Bellamy, which I can live with. Except Patterson’s getting more money for the same job/position on the team. Yes I get Patterson has the potential to be more effective at least on ST but was it worth ~$2 million a year more?

I’ll be the odd man out and say I don’t like the Patterson add. Can’t quite put my finger on it but something about him makes me not trust him. The best he’s done at receiving was 469 yds and 4 TDs his rookie year. Just for reference Hester has done better than that (yards wise) four times in his career; three of which were with Chicago. Similarly though Patterson has made his mark as a return man. It’s also intriguing to remember that as a return man last year, he committed a crucial fumble during a return against our Bears.

I’m with Connor on this. On the one hand yes I hate that Amos had to choose and go to the Packers for more money . But last year we very nearly saw Fuller leave to the Packers. Had the Bears not been able to designate him an RFA (or whatever) and have the scratch to match the Packers offer, that’s what would have happened. Difference here is Amos was an UFA and the Bears dont have as much ‘free money’ to play with so he goes to the highest bidder. I’m hoping Pagano is ok with this because from my understanding of his style is that Amos meets his more ‘in the box’ style Safety . That being said perhaps this opens the door for someone like Clinton-Dix to come over. Collins (who is more physical) went to the Redskins. So my hope for a Bama defensive backfield is diminishing.

For me I like to see some of the ‘old D numbers’ make a successful reemergence like 95 (RRH - Dent - and Spice), 91 (Goldman - Harris) and 99 (Lynch - Hampton). My personal favorite is 58 which was the number I wore when I played due in part because of Marshall. I was a HUGE fan as a kid! Great to see it on an awesome player and person who’s only just begun.