Alaskan Grizzly

I think Mongos onto something. I was thinking the same thing. Benjamin looked good going for some of those 50-50 balls and Anderson didn’t look all that stressed considering he’s been out of football for the last decade or so. The Bears D has a way of making washed up QBs look legit (see Osweiller). Their D is pretty solid and could make things difficult up front. This isn’t a game the team can take for granted.

Looking like Kyles done for the year.

Nah. That last drive was one of the best I’ve seen this year. Yes to include Trubiksy and his nice pressure plays (that second gain to Miller being the nicest). But Howard went 4-34 and a TD in that series. He’s still valuable. Just need better blocking up front.

I’m going to call that White will be the one to watch today and quite literally could have a career day...if he starts.

Both Mack and Robinson are out for today’s game. Sad about Mack but will it be Whites time to shine? http://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/25101752/bears-wr-allen-robinson-likely-vs-jets-khalil-mack-late-decision

That was part of the review too. Trubisky not recognizing what the defense was showing pre-snap especially within the front seven. In one instance he failed to notice an LB showing blitz on his right and should have slid Howard over to cover but instead went with the snap and dangerously tossed the ball over the rusher and in the general direction of the receiver. Sure time will help all this but we still see careless throws, like Lemon said, to the mid and long range passes. Which often are affected by his mid-reads.

I thought Floyd’s herald was that he was more a speed pass rusher ala Von Miller, Elvis Dumervil or even Khalil Mack. Aside from Mack the other guys listed most times just used pure speed to blow past blockers. Why would he need to engage an OT or TE, unless he were to cover the latter in pass coverage? Which is another element of his game...or so I thought . With his lanky height and lean frame you’d think he should be able to run circles around most edge blockers, broken hand or not.

There was this video some kid put together of Trubiskys reads during the Miami game. Was going to share it because actually it’s a pretty good analysis but it’s hard to watch because of his choice in background music. Anyhow, yes some of the reads are good but others are questionable. Remember that game where everyone thought Trub missed a wide open Burton(?) streaking across the back of the end zone? Some of the reads in this highlight film were eerily similar. But yes his reads are sometimes good too. And some of those tend to be a tad high most times.

For those still tracking a quick note of comparisons; Trubisky vs Watson and like opponents. NE: Trub 333yds 2 TD 2 INTs / Wat 176 yds 1TD 1 INT MIA: Trub 316yds 3 TD 1 INT / Wat 239 5 TD 0 INT I’m with you. Eye test says it all.

On the one hand being the second tackler on the team should amount to something. I’d say that by itself isn’t horrible, considering you have players like Mack and Trevathan already in place. To put it into some perspective I took the liberty of seeing how other highly rated college ILbs Leighton Vender Each and Tremaine Edmunds are doing and here’s where they stack up. (Also consider the Bears have had their bye where it appears Dallas and Buffalo have not). Edmunds: Tkls-54 Ast-15 Sack-1 VanderEsch: Tkls-54 Ast-12 Sack-0 Smith: Tkls-36 Ast-11 Sack-2 So really he’s only 18 tkls off the pace from the other two but leading in Sacks so I guess it’s how you look at it. His hype was more on the sideline to sideline coverage and occasional QB spy. In the NE game especially going in I was personally concerned about the short/middle coverage which is right where Smith should’ve roamed. Of course to be fair they also had Floyd and Mack dropping back off the edge in coverage too and well, Brady still managed to pass there. Nevertheless I’m going to go with the advice of many others here and give it time. As he approaches year three; like Floyd is and White has surpassed, I’ll be more critical of his production.

Obviously stats being what they are, I'd be curious how skewed those numbers would be if you removed the TB and/or Seattle games where not only did the offense score well but the D was more effective. The last two games the D has not been what it was the first previous three weeks. If you are able to score 30-40 points AND keep the ball out the opposition's hands you should be able to win. That is unless you play against someone like Rogers or Brady. Being able to effectively run the ball repeatedly lessens that likelihood (giving the opp the ball). Again, keep in mind I am of the opinion not only are they not letting Jordan catch the ball regularly they aren't running the ball 'to his style'. Knock John Fox and his style of coaching but he (or his offensive coord) was able to effectively use the inside/outside zone blocking scheme to Jordan's benefit. Nagy and Helfrich are deploying a more power run style that doesn't seem to work for Howard. In this current environment he looks more like Forte in his later years where he would run into the pile and stop. Ultimately, to answer your question, I don't care if we statistically end up with the #1 TOP as long as we are effectively passing the ball AND running the ball and getting sensible clock management out of the deal. And the defense is being able to play to their potential.

So two ways to answer this. You made the statement earlier that Nagy would "...play the best player, or help a player come along with snaps if it's earned..." My rationale is that Howard has 'earned' himself the reputation for becoming a better receiver out of the backfield. And although the stats are minimal, he is nearly 100% in his targets to catches (save the Arizona game). Why then wouldn't Nagy "help a player come along...if the snaps are earned"? Not only has his proficiency gotten better on the field but he's worked independently on the JUGS etc. on becoming better. Sure he's not as elusive as perhaps Cohen may be but then again every time he's out, it adds another dimension to the offense. Last weeks game was clear evidence that defenses are starting to figure out Cohen, especially when he's telegraphed by being on the field. The sweep right and left with him aren't working, or at least they didn't last week. And as others have pointed out with the accuracy issue (most notably going high and over the receivers) that Trubisky is starting to exhibit, do we really want to give him more opportunities to overshoot a 5'6" receiver? That being said, sure its great to score 30, 40 or 50 points but at what expense? What happened to ball control? Why wouldn't we want to run the ball more and get 5-6 yard chunks, easily something Howard is capable of, while running down the clock? These last two games show that the defense is struggling so why wouldn't you want to help them by giving them an opportunity to rest more rather than going for the big strike plays and score as much and as often as you can only to have them right back on the field after doing so?

Then how do you explain him not getting Howard more involved? One would think the coach should cater more to his (Howard’s) strengths than worry more about the gimmicky plays. And heck knows Jordan has shown he has improved on his catching ability. Why aren’t they emphasizing more on that added skill set?

⬆️This 100%⬆️

Not to point fingers but I think this has to do more with depth, or the lack thereof. Sure we may have an abundance of front seven players but how many are really able to play at the level we need them to? If they’re suited up why aren’t players like Fitts and Irving making it onto the field? And if they are, why aren’t they producing like Nichols?

Again, you be the judge.

I’m not sure what is going on with the D but special teams and the offensive turnovers in both the last two games have been key to the losses. You can’t hand the ball to QBs like Tom Brady and expect him not to score.

And I’m called ‘negative nellie’? Lol Ive been biting my tongue but can’t do it any longer. Two certain INTs and easily 2-3 more. There is no way anyone should be blaming the receivers as it’s clearly Trubiksy making bad judgement calls and almost every time throwing over the head of his receivers. To me it’s becoming quite clear that game against TB was a fluke against a horrible defensive unit. The one cool spot in this game was the near re-emergence of Kevin White. Had two nice looking catches one of which almost brought the team back for a tie.

Who is this Nichols cat?!? Lol. Way to go Bilal! Having a big days

And just heard that Robinson is good to go.

Stacey Dales saying A. Robinson more than likely out with a groin injury. If this be the case, I think this be the time Kevin White make an appearance...as in a statement that he wants to stay on the team. Or if not then get Wyms in there.

Nah, I’m really a softy deep down inside especially with these cool stories. This is a trend I’ve seen since Nagy got there. With painting the walls of motivational phrases and highlighting ‘family’ when breaking the team (and saying that’s all that matters). This is proof positive he’s a good man. Im a fan.

Gronk out eh? This is good news. http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000000976117/article/gronkowski-back-does-not-make-trip-doubtful-vs-bears And some other ‘good vibe’ stuff.

Ultimately it’s going to come down to how well the D plays and whether they have an affect on getting to Brady. Just read that Callahan is questionable in the nickel spot which could be worrisome due to all the potential folks (White, Edelman and Gronk) that will use that area, and that it’s an ideal place to dump passes in ‘hurried’ situations. Sounds as though McManis will get the go if Callahan can’t. On offense, I agree with you. They can’t get cute and need to use more Howard than they have in the past. Soften up the front and middle of the D for effective passing plays when they need them.

Was watching an interview with Hicks and when asked about Mack being day-to-day Akiem said that anyone could step up and have a great day. But then with a bit of a glimmer in his eye said “...especially, I have a token for you, Isaiah Washington, we’ll see how he does.” I suspect he meant Isaiah Irving as I don’t think there is a Washington on the team unless he is talking about the b-ball player. Other articles say Irving has been active since Acho went down on IR. Count me intrigued. *Also hearing that Callahan is questionable at the slot. If he’s out sounds as the McManis will get to play Nickel. I’m not sure what to make of that.