Alaskan Grizzly

We're going to see a lot of difference in QB play between Rattler and a returning Jackson...after a bye. Add in they are 1-5 and they're looking for a strong and convincing bounce back game. Right now the Bears rank 26th total defense and 31st in Rushing defense - a strong concern when you have players like Jackson and Henry on the slate. The Ravens offense (without Jackson) is ranked 29th in Passing and 23rd in total offense. They are 10th when measuring their rushing production. Sure the Bears leading the NFL in takeaways is great but the offense needs to be able to do something with it when given the chance. Conversely (and as Adam pointed out) the Ravens defense ranks 29th in total defense, 28th in pass defense and 26th in rush defense. There is the chance the Bears can go go back and forth with them throughout the game but they'd have to start scoring from the minute they step out of the tunnel to do it...Or so I think.

Beyond the struggles of Caleb during this last game, I noted a few things that were interesting: 1) the running game seemed to focus more on inside zone rushing this time vs outside zone (or so it seemed from a TV viewership perspective). And as is typical with Swift, the more he ran, the longer the gains...especially late in the game. Monangai even benefitted and of the two is a much better inside runner. 2) despite the promise to improve on it, our TEs were still pretty un-involved. Unless you count their being used for blocking. This could be in part because Caleb kept looking long (and predominantly #15) but still, after halftime it seems that would have been discussed at least and changed to some level

This 👆🤣

Two great defensive plays in one! 🤷🏻‍♂️

Didn’t they just show a graphic where Williams was 100% (7/7 I believe) while being blitzed vs something like 7/10 when not?

I love me some Swift! At least Caleb threw to recievers not named Odunze this last drive. 🤷🏻‍♂️

Uhm..😐 NO scores in back to back drives .

Caleb is aware there are other recievers besides Odunze on the team right?

I would agree but…we are Bears fans and always skeptical. But also willing to look a gift horse in the mouth. Lol

My wife just made the same sentiment…

The refs haven’t done much favor for the Bears but missed a few calls against them too so at least their being consistent.

Thankfully NO’s offense (and Rattler) are ranked near the bottom in most categories. Weird there defense is higher than CHi and stronger on the running game.

Monangai wide open two times for the check down. 1st one on the INT and the second during that scramble that went nowhere….settled for FG. 😔

So Rattler is less rattled when under pressure? 🥁 I’ll see myself out.

To answer your first question: for him, the viewers and the detractors. Why is it he’s not touring the US? But still leading worldwide in listeners? That group to include the younger generation of the US and as i said earlier surely on many NFL players’ playlists. Taken at face value you can choose to be entertained when he performs or not. It’s only halftime, the perfect time to eat a few hot dogs and burgers and guzzle down a few beers . 🍻

This! I believe we saw him tweak the offense to better suit Swift last week, now’s the time to actually deploy the rest of the talent you have on the team.

Saw earlier in the week that Swift was listed on the injury report. Something to do with leg/groin(?). I believe he was listed as a full participant by Thursday. Might be looking for some on game insurance . Plus in reading up on him, he also played for Detroit and tried out earlier this season for Chicago. Sounds like he’s towards the end of his career and having a hard time getting a full time gig.

Sorta related but saw this review from Tom Thayer. Not only shows classic outside zone blocking but how well Wright did (for at least two plays). https://www.facebook.com/share/r/1bJkonrMGZ/?mibextid=wwXIfr

My money is on Swift staying like this especially if the scheme stays this way. I had meant to add that Monangai also benefited from this new style play where the few times he was in the game he took some significant chunk yardage. Like I said before, if the scheme is run correctly, zone offenses can make most RBs look great. And if Monangai can do it, Swift could become expendable.

Wanting to revisit this. First do I think Swift should be cut after the season? Don’t know - more on that in a minute. Second, as you mentioned he’s more effective as an open field runner and much more dangerous in the zone-scheme offense. Especially the outside zone variety. Johnson gained some points from me after he adjusted his offensive game plan over the bye. He even admitted as much before the bye when he said the running games lack was not solely Swift's fault . He saw the problem and made it right. He coached to Swifts strengths like a good coach will do. Now he just needs to get Williams on the same page and this might actually turn into something. About whether Swift should stay on the team after this season? Depends on how well he does the rest of the season. The nice thing about properly executed zone offenses is that you can pretty much plug and play many RBs into the role and make them a 1,000 yard rusher. See Kyle Shannahan and especially his dad before him. For me I see a lot of Forte in Swifts style of run. Especially his effectiveness at catching from out of the backfield.

Currently ranked 27th overall defense. 29th in points allowed, 26th in rushing defense and 32nd at yards allowed per carry. Sure a lot of that came by way of the shellacking from Detroit on week 2. Still I’m just not a fan.

Word!! (#1) Word! (#2) Word!!! (#3) I couldn’t understand with as much time as they had and how well Swift was running they didn’t get even closer…or try to score. They still had a TO to burn and something close to a minute left? Yeah…it was edgy for sure .

And Dennis Allen is a liability as DC.

Oops…. Wrong Wright. I meant backup CB Nashon Wright. Im a fan of zone offense and that appears to be more in line Swift's style of running…and receiving after he just scored on a catch.

Said it once and will say it again…Wright is a liability at corner. And I’m a fan of Swift. I suspect he’ll have a good game tonight.