Alaskan Grizzly

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.

Or Taylor Swift I suppose? 🤷🏻‍♂️

It appears I was duped by the internet. And bad editorial preview on my part. However, their records aren’t all that different at this point of their careers. And I’d like nothing more than Williams to go 8-0 over the next 8 games . 🤞

For those that want it, I read that Turning Point will be hosting their own halftime show where they’ll premier entertainers like Kid Rock and Lee Greenwood. 🤭

What are the odds Caleb follows the same pattern?

Perhaps it was politically motivated who knows? I always thought that those that might not like Bad Bunny performing were still boycotting the NFL but here we are. I’m fairly certain Bad Bunny appeals to not only a younger generation but also has an international appeal as well (as you suggested). The NFL is still trying to expand (internationally) while staying relevant. My guess is several current NFL players have him on their playlists. I know my daughters (both in their 20s) know of him as do most of their friends. The fact he’s an American citizen also should be a sense of pride, not division.

Was going to comment on Bienemy and whether he’s the right guy for even coaching RBs. Really though the scheme has to work for all the individual parts also succeed. It appears they’re figuring out the passing game, so maybe the running game is next? Generally speaking, Swift hasn’t been as good when he plays under Johnson than when he doesn’t. If he can get 1,000 yards for the Eagles and almost another 1,000 under Flus is he really the problem?

Anyone have a thought about this and why he’s in the doghouse? Understanding that he’s still sorta in concussion protocol (wearing the guardian helmet) could he be the answer at RB needed when it comes to hard charging yards? He’s more of a pounding style runner, or so I thought.

I have to ask a few questions. First, besides the early season injury to Johnson why is he not playing? I’ve seen him with the guardian helmet out playing on special teams so he’s at least good to go there. And heard the rumor he was in the dog house so what does that mean? He was much ballyhooed coming out of college because he was less worn out than Bijan Robinson when they both played for Texas. What happened to that shine? Secondly, so far with just Swift and Monongai running out of the traditional RB set, each is averaging between 3.3 and 3.6 yards respectively. (If you figure in the jet sweeps and screens to WRs then a different result - anyhow). Is that evidence of poor performance of the runners or the scheme? Remember that the overall stats for Swift when he’s played for Johnson have dipped so is that anything to consider?

I think a big key may have been Johnson holding players accountable for all the mistakes the first two weeks. Much better on the penalties .

I can see him gone next year especially if Burden progresses.

Wright is a huge liability at corner. Surely they have someone better that could be backup to Johnson.

I think if the penalties go down significantly this weekend that will be a sign he’s able to not only call out players but hold them accountable. Small victories.

I’m curious—could the contact Swift is encountering be because the offensive line isn’t doing its job? In other words, the pre-contact yardage might just be the distance from the backfield to wherever the line is blocking. To me, it seems like Caleb is scrambling just as much as he did last year. This might be a question for Adam, but how do the other running backs on the Bears perform when they’re handed the ball? One player I’d be particularly interested in is Moore. I know he’s a wide receiver, but he’s one of the NFL leaders in YAC due to his elusiveness. In a running back role, it would make sense that he’d be just as elusive and gain more yards after contact.

Not sure where else to put this but a Detroit friend of mine shared a screen grab he found. It was sorta funny and I'll paraphrase. 'Caleb Williams texted Bears punter Tory Taylor in April 2024: "You're not going to punt too much around here." Since that time, Taylor has punted a league leading 92 times. His total yards punting are 4,177 to Williams' passing yards of 3,958.' The question I have is, who will rack up more yards this year and who's getting to 4,000 first?