Alaskan Grizzly

Well I don’t like this one bit.

Funny the special teams guys are all getting addressed. Less complicated I suppose.

So I meant to organize this differently but - dang iPhone. I found the top link while looking for a story I saw about Jimmy Graham wanting to finish his career on Chicago. But apparently a few days ago he was in a vehicle accident. Fortunately it appears he came out of it ok. Here’s the story I originally was looking for which tells me he might be open to restructuring his deal: https://bearswire.usatoday.com/2021/02/05/jimmy-graham-wants-finish-career-chicago-bears/

I’ve seen some pretty wild ideas on how to clear space and make a trade for Wilson (as a ‘for example’) proposed. It involved this year’s first, one or two key defensive players (like Hicks, Mack, Jackson or R. Smith) and Foles thrown in for good measure. As much as I’d hate to de-structure the defense (I wouldn’t think all those players would leave at once) I’d still endorse that before just cutting a guy like Graham.

Why ‘cut Graham’? Is it simply for the cash savings? He was the only reliable receiver in the TE room (and third overall after ARob and Mooney?). He had 8 TDs (led the team) last year which was 3 more than he got in his two years combined while at GB...with Rodgers throwing to him. This smells of Greg Olsen all over agin. Now if you’re talking about resigning/restructuring him in some way then ok... And reading the article Mongo posted brought up how New Orleans is habitually over the cap and somehow manages to come out of it. I’m assuming that’s where Pace learned this from.

Maybe with whatever team RW ends up on not named Chicago(?).

Yeah it wasn’t all that long ago that Kyle said he’d love to continue playing football but not for the current staff in Chicago.

I think ultimately this is the best option. Whether it be Wilson, Watson or top 20 draft then I'd say 'goodbye' to Robinson.

I saw some murmurs last week that the Jets and he had some level of mutual interest. Would option 2 work best to the Bears’ favor? I don’t like the ideal if it could mean a trade involving Darnold.

I don’t know about Super Bowl bound but better than last year. One other thing that will need to happen is Nagy not doing the play-calling. I have to believe with a player of Wilson’s capability we’d see him call the plays more from his perspective. He even said it himself; he'd be willing to see what he could do to make Chicago’s offense better.

In listening to various sports radio takes on this it sounds despite his addition Arizona is still predicted to be ‘fourth in the NFC West’. I’m guessing he’ll be more situational / rotational than a regular starter. You’re right, his price was way too steep for what Chicago needs.

Interesting. would we be curious to see how Mariota might fit into the equation? I assume they'd prefer keeping him as the backup if Carr were to leave... I have some of the same reservations that Jason does with Carr; the biggest being cost. But what real value is the 1st round pick? Especially at 20? This morning Mike Greenburg shared a stat that said; 37 QBs have been drafted in the first round in the last 12 years. Only one, Patrick Mahomes, has won a Super Bowl. Two others; Goff and Wentz, have been to the Super Bowl but are currently on different teams. And since I know Jason loves to talk O-line; of the two starting O-lines for the most recent SB teams, only two were picked first round; Rookie RT Tristin Wirfs (KC) and LT Erik Fisher (TB). Of the rest; 2 were picked in the 2nd round, 1 in the 6th round, 2 from the 7th round and 3 started as UDFAs. All that being said, I'm probably better in using this year's 1st to get a player of value than I would drafting a "can't miss" player. But at the same time I'm not keen on the idea of Pace being the guy to make that decision.

I saw that too and was going to bring it up for the same reasons. Wagner actually played pretty well after starting 9(?) games at RT. I’d even venture to say he’s good enough to start(?). But they still should consider drafting at least one OT. In that same message I saw they released MLB Kirksey as well. Are we still concerned about TrevathanS cover ability? Kirkseys a speedy LB more like Smith. For what it’s worth I thought Danny did better as the season progressed. https://packerswire.usatoday.com/2021/02/19/packers-release-lb-christian-kirksey-ot-rick-wagner/

I couldn’t help it but we do have sports cars here. And some dummies do drive them year round. Lol.

I think this is reasonable. I would not want to put our eggs in one basket for this guy. Not too keen on taking anymore of Jacksonville's QB castoffs. His record in college (between East Carolina and Washington State) was 14-16 to include an 11-2 record in WA State. Considering he himself was a 6th round draft pick for the Bears to give up anymore than that would be foolhardy.

Yeah I saw that repeated somewhere else. As much as Pace has fudged these type situations in the past, he did well here. Must have his eye on someone else...which may not be a good thing.

(Not sure where to put this) So the other day I saw the Bears were considering putting the Franchise Tag on Robinson (which I think would be a great idea). Now I’m hearing Jacksonville may be trying to lure him back. What with new HC Urban Meyer and possible QB Trevor Lawrence I can’t say I blame him for at least considering it.

At the outset this concerned me as well. But I think part of why Mike Pettine was hired was to help Desai make the transition. And due to his (Desais) being a Fangio disciple, they believed he could bring back his style of defense; which was quite a bit more successful. Another thing to consider is the teams future after this year is uncertain and they were probably were having difficulty in getting already established candidates to consider the job. Even a candidate like Jay Rogers left to do the same job elsewhere probably based on that knowledge. This is an inside hire with a guy they know. Maybe because of his being an unknown it will be to the team’s advantage. I’ll be interested to see what he comes up with.

Even though he hasn't been successful - yet, we need to get pseudo-GM Corradelle Patterson on the phone.

No chance they could shitcan Quinn? It looks like his top 5 “possibles” don’t include Chicago. But TB, GB Pittsburgh are among the possibilities. GB only because he went to school in Wisconsin and Pittsburgh because both his brothers are currently there.

Thought it worthy of its own thread. Watt has been released. https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/30886997/houston-texans-part-ways-jj-watt-asks-release

Probably true. Which I suppose is the best case scenario. I mean having a winning season and actually making the playoffs on their own merit would be nice.

I see that JJ Watt has requested to be released and apparently will be. https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/30886997/houston-texans-part-ways-jj-watt-asks-release

Depends on what your definition of retread is. Mine was just that he’s coached elsewhere before. I went into this more tongue-in-cheek but after thinking of it, there’s been a few “re-treads” over the years who have made good on it. Even the great Bill Belichick who was 36-44 with the Browns before he ended up with NE.

Dunno but I know there’s a mutual appreciation between HC Reich and Wentz; or at least familiarity. And as far as being set up for better success now (on offense at least) he’d be better off in Indy.