Alaskan Grizzly

Wednesday injury report with both Monongai and Swift listed as DNP.

Sure he’s not the same guy he was when he left 4 years ago but just looking at raw numbers compared to the “re-focused” Odeyingbo (below). It should also be noted Mack is currently playing ‘part time’ and leads his current team in sacks. (This post brought to you with support from AI. And some standing water somewhere in Virginia . Which would have been better used making whiskey).

In mostly inconsequential news, Bears signed WR Scotty Miller back to the Practice Squad as well as DB Elijah Jones formerly of the AZ PS. https://nfltraderumors.co/bears-make-three-practice-squad-moves/

I can’t repeat it enough how happy I am Al Harris stayed with the Bears.

As luck would have it, the Chargers are in dire need of a starting TE. Who could the Bears be interested in on the Chargers roster? Allegedly Adam Schefter speculated that Khalil Mack could be trade bait for the Chargers. He also listed a few other players to include Josh Sweat. Could Mack return to help Chicago one more time? I’d be hugely down with that. https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/bears-chase-khalil-mack-deal-130732925.html

Just saw that Monongai is ruled ‘day to day’ with his thumb. So no real issues there. Been seeing some speculation about Swift and his knee/leg(?) and aside from his fumble maybe why he sat out the rest of the game yesterday?

All of this.

I wouldn’t quite write off the Pats just yet. They beat Josh Allen and the Bills in Buffalo yesterday. Maye had a resurgence with 269 yards and 3 TDs. ‘Any given Sunday’.

I was watching a local Chicago broadcast interview this morning with Johnson and he said Bagent would be the starter.

Agreed. Ironically I think Brees described him more an Amon Ra St Brown wideout and I’d agree with that assessment. Burden is still more like a DJ duplicate. Still to think Raymond was considered primarily a PR he’s been the leading receiver so far(?) Was thinking about some of the former Lions players currently on the team and how well they’ve been doing; Raymond, Jonah Jackson and Swift among them. Any chance you think Johnson could get Hutchinson to come over?

Or the defense, sans Johnson’s performance, played well overall. That play AZ highlighted was exactly the same one I saw. He literally moved out of the way of the guy who caught a pass to let other defenders tackle him. Between that and his inability to keep pace with the better route runners shows his best days are behind him. IMHO.

One commonality between them was how poised they both were in the pocket. Both stood tall to look for recievers running their routes. I’d give the edge to Keenum on timing and decisiveness. Think I saw Bagent scramble twice and Keenum none(?) - not that he really could if he had to.

This was the biggest concern for me. He threw 4 (?) picks (one actual that wasn’t nullified by penalties). Maybe Bagent edges Keenum by a little on arm strength but experience wise it’s Case hands down. That’s who I’d prefer for GB.

Exactly. That was about the only time he did anything and even then it was…nothing.

Jaylon Johnson out there playing to his self imposed level of mediocrity.

How did Bagent get the backup role?

Speaking of over / under, what’s the number at for Bagent to start Sunday? I saw an interview with Schefter and he’s somewhat convinced it’ll be Bagent. He lists some good reasons why, one of which involves him putting some more game film together for a potential new team. This might be the game to do just that.

Dexter wasn't a horrible player while on the team. Just (like Ashkum said) wasn't what they needed in the middle. Of course I'm still not sure they've found their guy just yet. That is unless Van De Berg is THAT guy(?).

Something to keep in mind is that around this time last year—maybe just a little earlier—the team was 0–2. By game three, Ben started working in more zone-rush concepts, which really opened things up for both Swift and Monongai. A week or two after that, he began involving Loveland more. At the time, I remember wondering why they drafted him in the first round if they weren’t going to use him, but then he started to take off too. I think that had more to do with Colston still finding his way than BJ intentionally holding him back. And I see something similar with Rousch now. He’s clearly been struggling, but I have to believe BJ wanted him, believes in him, and is trying to get him more involved. For whatever reason, it just hasn’t quite clicked yet for 87.

Ah, that’s what that number is for. Lol. Have to imagine that went up at the last minute. 🤷‍♂️

Here’s a link to another social media post talking about the goaline TD. Cool when explained: https://www.threads.com/share/BAQ6Tf8JMC/

I'd be curious to know what the odds were before Monday's game? Guessing they were heavy in Philly's favor?

Still riding the high from my in-person experience a few days ago, but now that I’m back to the doldrums of being a Bears fan in Alaska, I’ll say this: Johnson is a wizard with his play‑calling. If tailoring a game plan for a 38‑year‑old retiree and making him look like the second coming of Brady isn’t enough, then I don’t know what is. Sure, he’s made a few boneheaded calls, but some of the intricate designs he rolled out on Monday were just wow—truly innovative. I saw one clip on social media (can’t find the link now) showing a run play where, instead of Jackson and Wright lining up on the right side, they shifted to the left. Then Kmet (I think?) motioned over, with Burden covering the right edge outside Thuney and Jones. When the ball was snapped, everyone just steamrolled the Eagles’ left defensive front, with Rousch thrown into the mix. It really put the Eagles back on their heels. And then the pièce de résistance for me: the Keenum sneak into the end zone. Watching it live, I thought, “Wow, he got in way too easily—no one even touched him.” Turns out Johnson designed that play with both guards pulling in opposite directions at the snap, which caused just enough confusion up front for Keenum to practically flop into the end zone untouched. Johnson later said it was actually a Mike Martz design that he decided to try out earlier in the week. Great stuff! Looking forward to whatever he comes up with for the Jets.

Really looking forward to how he and Bryant work together. Gonna be epic I feel.

IT WAS INCREDIBLE! WOW!!! See why you locals do this. Talk about a rush. From the tailgates, crowds and even most of the Eagles fans I met, just an incredible energy. And to win on top of it all? Wow! I completely lost my voice. Should mention got pics of Joniak, Thayer, Aikman, Buck and SVP too. This isn’t something I’ll forget anytime soon! Thanks for recommendations guys and thanks Chicago for a spectacular week!