Alaskan Grizzly

I was thinking this exact thing when I was listening to ESPN on my drive in to work. For all his faults, McCaskey doesn't bring this type of messiness to the team. Whether it be Jerry Jones and his interference in Dallas to the current allegations of Dophins' owner Ross at I'm glad he's "just a fan".

Started to post something about this yesterday but wanted to bask a little longer on the positive vibes of the new Bears organizational changes. Alas, here we are. Yes this story is growing exponentially and exploding into a Pandora's Box of a mess. When Flores was inexplicably let go I know many questioned it when it happened. For all intents and purposes he had been successfully (and slowly) rebuilding a team to respectability against what seemed like difficult enough odds on the surface (the biggest being a shaky future Franchise QB that couldn't quite stay healthy or consistent to convince them they'd found their man). Shortly after Flores' departure the Dolphins started labeling him as a 'difficult coach' to manage and other similar disparaging remarks. Then we find out (allegedly) a whole lotta things were happening that made Flores' job difficult if not impossible. The localized issue with ownership demanding losses for compensation, to setting up interviews with a QB that Flores did not want in the building (allegedly Watson) to more widespread issues of potential racial inequality and hiring practices. One of which is highlighted by an errant series of texts sent by Coach Belichek. Yesterday the suit filed by Flores named three teams but has since grown to the include the whole NFL. Its gonna be an interesting web to untangle for sure and yes you're right, will cast a not so favorable light on the NFL as a whole.

Was going through some pics on the Bears website regarding the arrival of Poles and Eberflus to Halas Hall. (A few good pics in there - always like to see Tony Medlin showcased). Saw these two poignant pics of the ‘Face of the Franchise’ meeting up with the new guys. Pretty cool.

There had been a rumor floated that Harbaugh was asking for a Gruden type deal; 10 years at $10 Million each. If true, think that scared ownership more than anything. Especially with how things recently panned out in Vegas. I like how the team is re-constructing itself. Poles seems like the genuine article and brought along that other up and coming exec from Philly to help him make GM level decisions. Which is a great way to go about this, especially with him being a new GM. Historically speaking the Bears seem to do better when their defense does good or great. I get a Vic Fangio vibe from Eberflus but without the total hard ass edge to him. Fangio liked law and order but his people skills lacked a bit. Todays player, like the younger generation as a whole, are a different animal. If what we’ve read about Eberflus is true, I’m looking forward to the Marinelli “loaf” concept and the Lovie Smith ‘cover 2’ style defense along with Eberflus’ own “H.I.T.S” philosophy added to the overall team. Should be fun football.

We did that last year too when we beat Brady and the Bucs (the infamous ‘what down was it game’). Who eventually won it all. The Bears are kingmakers!!!

All this. Funny you bring up the Burrow overall 1st round thing; ESPN’s Mike Greenberg talked about that on his show today. He did say that former overall 1st round picks squaring off in the SB is rare. This one’s interesting because although Stafford was an overall 1st round pick the Rams aren’t the team that selected him. Same with SB 50 where Payton Manning and Cam Newton met up. Payton wasn’t the first overall pick for Denver either where Cam was for Carolina. Could be the first time (in a long time if ever) where a overall 1st round pick wins it all for the team that drafted him. Ever since the divisional rounds there’s no question the football we’ve seen has been spectacular. So far all the games save the Bills vs Chiefs have been decided by 3 pts. The bills abs Chiefs went into OT and KC won because of a TD. Almost no doubt the SB will be great. Even better that Brady, Rodgers, Roethlisberger and even Mahomes (this time) won’t be there.

Meh. But then Schefter said he might have to retract the Brady retirement post after his agent said Brady hadn’t made up his mind just yet. ??‍♂️

Maybe Brady would be interested in being an OC or QB coach? ??

Playing the ‘devil’s advocate’(sorry)…but having time in the league doesn’t necessarily equate to being a better HC. Just ask Fangio. He’s probably been in the league for decades(?) and now we sorta know why he was never chosen as a HC all those previous years. Not to say Denver was an ideal landing spot. Of all the ‘wet behind the ears’ HCs that were up and coming OCs beforehand (McVay, Zac Taylor and maybe Kyle Shannahan) we ended up with a dud. All that being said I still think Eberflus will do well. I like his connection to all the guys who may join the team; Marinelli and Bisaccia among them (both with former HC experience and lots of time in the league). I’m biased but I always like a more ‘tough as nails’ type of team where defense dominates and I get the feeling that’s where we’re headed.

So what happened to Pep Hamilton and the guy from GB? I had read the guy from GB ‘had an offer on the table’ but now they’re interviewing some scrub from Jax? This doesn’t bode well.

Former players weighing in.

Saw this screenshot on Twitter but haven’t been able to find the actual article. If accurate, sounds like practices will be pretty intense.

I think CHI is in a better position (yes with bias) due to the QB situation. I think at best Jones is a serviceable backup. Hey maybe Daboll will try and make a deal for Trubisky? I’d bet he’d do well with Daboll.

I’m as confused as you are. Packers former OC (Hackett) went to Denver to be their HC. And sounds like he didn’t get much chance to call plays while in GB. And Getsy is/was Hacketts backup.

Looks like Daboll to the Giants. If he’s able to make it work there he’ll be the HC of the year. Rumor has it the new GM wanted Daboll and ownership wanted Flores.

For what it’s worth.

⬆️⬆️THIS⬆️⬆️

When I heard about this announcement I tried to make the connection of ‘why’ did Eberflus make the cut. Although they weren’t my personal choices (still liked Daboll) I assumed under the circumstances it would be either Quinn or Caldwell. Reading this article it paints a better picture of how he’s built his resume. And interestingly enough although he appears to be a 4-3 type of guy has experience with 3-4. In fact he was involved in the transformation of 3-4 to the 4-3 base while in Dallas. Similar to what Fangio did when he came to Chicago but in reverse. And not only that but is familiar to the Tampa-2 (which I’m personally a fan of with the understanding the old version won’t work as well in todays world). At any rate he had some connections to Tony Dungy (while he was in Indy) who was coaching when Polian was their GM. Not to suggest Polian had ultimate influence on this hire but maybe he reached back to some of his sources back in Indy for a more thorough background. In speaking ‘coaching tree’ terms it doesn’t appear he’s got a direct link to any one of the greats but rather a collection of influences from a lot of them. Similar to how Daboll has built his resume with offense. That being said, at the end of the day I’m just a fan (like George) and I’m encouraged by the changes and hopeful they’ll make our team better.

For what it’s worth I wouldn’t mind Peters sticking around for another year, on a reasonable contact of course.

Sorry I meant ‘BearFan PHX’.

This should help Jason and AZFan (formerly NYCFan) with their ‘priapism’.

Exactly.

And in case you were wondering about Harbaugh. Several sites mention this (basically the Gruden to Oakland/Vegas deal):

Adam Schefter goes on to say that 2 of the final three candidates were at Halas Hall today and to expect a decision “soon”. Other social media reports Quinn’s interview went “very well” and that Poles “hopes to make his choice this week.”