Alaskan Grizzly

Brisker back in concussion protocol after being in it last week(???) (after Raiders game). According to Flus Brisker ‘fell ill’ mid-week and missed the game yesterday because of it . Then today was put back into concussion status. Either Flus is really, really bad at communicating or there may be some concerns with Brisker’s overall health. He has a history of concussions (last season out weeks 12 and 13) and again this year. As we know there’s only so many licks to the head someone can take and the fact he ‘fell ill “ (if he actually did) in between is pretty worrisome. Suppose we’ll need to monitor this one.

It appears we’ll have another week of ‘Bagent-ball’.

I was really hoping for big things from Ngokue. His being able to add pressure was a big reason he came into the fold. Especially after getting 9.5 sacks two seasons ago and another 10 last year I thought for sure by now he'd at least be halfway there.

Despite an easy TD that he (Jones) managed to flub, Bagent stayed composed and drives down for a nice TD. I was hoping Jones would work out but looks like another miss from Poles. So far Scott has proven he’s earned a spot and ‘yes’ I’d agree with seeing what Taylor can do from here on out.

And just like that he’s back into the ‘groove’. Keep it up kid.

Bagent looking a bit sloppy out there. Last two throws were too lolly-gaggy, one of which resulted in an INT.

Johnson back to playing sub-mediocre. Nearly offsides followed closely by being late on the coverage. TD #2 for the Chargers. D looked good against an old Hoyer and rookie QB last week now…well we can hope things improve.

I think Harmon will fill in nicely. He’s had no less than 2 INTs each year since 2017. He had 4 for both ‘17 and ‘18.

Some notables on the Bears out this week. Among them Brisker and Davis neither of which practiced all week . No one of significance on the Chargers.

Against similar opponents they are 2-1. Beat the Vikings by 4, the Raiders by 7 (against O’Connell as the QB) and lost to KC by 14 last week. I think their defense is similar in some regards as are/were the Commanders. Strong pass rush (Mack and Bosa) and ok d-line; Williams with 12 tackles and 1 sack, Joseph-Day with 15 tackles and 2 sacks and Johnson with 12 tackles and 0 sacks. Their interior Lbs (Kendrick’s and Murray Jr) have 73 tackles and 2 sacks and 1 INT between them (Edwards and Edmunds have 134 tackles, 2 sacks and 2 ints between them). The Chargers pass defense is ranked #32 and their rush D is ranked #10. Id think if they play a similar game plan as they did against Washington then the Bears can win. Question will be whether Bagent will be able to throw accurately 20 yards or more and have time to do it? https://www.foxsports.com/articles/nfl/2023-nfl-defense-rankings-team-pass-and-rush-stats

Sorry gotta share another social media tidbit:

Meanwhile, defense keeps getting props. PFF also ranked our LB corps #2 (with Sanborn in the mix) overall.

Interesting. What’s the source for this? Wanna say I saw it somewhere else. And am curious who is #1.

And Braxton will be back soon.

Couple interesting Xweets out todsy. Who knew our defense was performing at that level?

While watching a Nebraska game recently I happened to notice that Brock's younger brother Chubba plays for them. Was curious if you were familiar why Chubba didn't follow his brother to Iowa State but it appears he actually went to Fla State before transferring to Nebraska. https://www.profootballnetwork.com/who-is-chubba-purdy-meet-brock-purdys-brother-lifestyle-2023/

Ironically Bagent's starter passer rating (97.2) for the Bears was only second to Chase Daniels' of 106.8 when he played his first game for the Bears in 2018. Chase (himself a former 2x Heisman candidate) continues to share some of his decent perspective with regards to the current QB play and overall team performance.

FWIW he did make it to a Super Bowl with Kaepernick (some would say similar qualities to Fields) and is on the verge of making the college playoffs as the currently ranked #2 team in the nation. I would agree that Harbaugh has a lot of character and one that Poles and maybe even Warren wouldn't want to contend with but you'd be silly to not at least consider.

If Harbaugh does end up being a lead contender for HC, he’s had nothing but good things to say about McCarthy as his collegiate HC. And he (Harbaugh) does have some familiarity with Fields from the Big 10 (getting beat 56-27 by him the one time they met). So maybe he’d be interested as a HC if he truly thinks his current QB is as good as he thinks and he’s still able to evaluate credible talent at the postion? https://www.cbssports.com/college-football/news/jim-harbaugh-says-j-j-mccarthy-is-a-once-in-a-generational-qb-compares-him-to-patrick-mahomes-josh-allen/amp/

Gotta give props to Wright for being on the field let alone have to go on one with an all pro. (If you don’t have Xwitter, Wright essentially played with one arm all game due to injury). https://x.com/robertkschmitz/status/1716696268011864437?s=46&t=KrpJmhSTc4DI1sACtjisOQ

Talking heads like Mel Kiper and whomever these experts are tend to be off a lot of the times with their predictions. Whatever does “generational” talent mean? What if Purdy or even Bagent turn out to be the next best thing since Brady? Why weren’t they given that label? Hell why wasn’t Brady?

Neither was Tom Brady.

I think my answer is obvious but I'll say it anyhow, No. Not at least right now. As others have mentioned what value does he have as of this moment? I'd say little. I agree that this season was his chance to prove himself. At this point it may be for the Bears or it could be for another team, I think we owe him that much. After all suddenly the sketchier parts of team (defensive secondary and oline) are starting to look more legit. Let's face it, when the season began Justin wasn't the only one that was sucking in his play. In fact an argument could be made that he improved dramatically for both the Denver and Washington games and its taken a few more weeks for the aforementioned parts of the team to jell. The Vikings game? Some might say he was concussed and perhaps that's why he played slow? Who knows? But really after seeing Kirk Cousins play in that game then one week later put on a show against SF to the tune of 370 (or so) yards then its easy to say QBs can easily have Jekyll and Hyde moments. So my question is, what do you do if you trade Justin now (or before the deadline)? What if Bagent hit his wall last week and that performance is as good as it gets? Do you go with Peterman and say 'oh well'? Honestly I'm still not all that enthused as much by the upcoming QB draft class. The leading "stars", Williams and Maye are fading quick. Sure Williams has won the Heisman but so has RGIII, Chris Weinke, Matt Leinart and Tim Tebow. Williams is proving he can't perform (as well) against tougher opponents. And Maye? I mean really. If we go to the end of the season and still plan on dumping Justin the question still remains. Who we gonna draft to take over for him?

Was watching a replay of the 2000 Orange Bowl where unranked Michigan met up against #5 Alabama. Michigan ended up winning the game with some late game heroics by Senior Tom Brady (yes that Tom Brady) and a 150 yard three TD night by WR David Terrell (also voted the MVP of this game). Brady would end up with 369 yards and 4 TDs. Other notables from this game was Alabama's Shawn Alexander who ran for 161 yards and three TDs. Despite his efforts in this game, 'generational QB' Tom Brady wouldn't be drafted in the NFL until the 6th round the following year. David Terrell would be drafted as the 8th overall pick that same year by Chicago.