Alaskan Grizzly

I’ll borrow the phrase I did a few weeks ago from Al Davis and say “just win baby”. The rest will settle itself out.

All very valid points you made. Not sure I agree with “crippling” the system as much as adapting it. Using the KC offense as a mould and Andy Reid it’s architect; you could make a case that the way Donovan McNabb ran it while in Philly was considerably different than how Alex Smith did in KC before Mahomes came along and changed it again. Each has(d) a different skill set that to some degree are/were able to successfully run the offense with the “tweaks” conjured by Andy and his respective OCs. I agree that ‘time will tell’ how this iteration turns out. The biggest test being tomorrow.

I’m done with Pace more than Nagy. I’ve seen (or ‘not seen’ is more appropriate) enough that I don’t trust him as the GM. Not all that thrilled with Nagy either BUT his finally changing to get the offense to work with Lazor taking over was a good sign. And despite what we may all think has still managed to get the team this far and on the edge of playing in the playoffs. What that means after Sunday still remains to be seen.

I suppose when I say ‘system’ I don’t necessarily mean Nagys adaptation of it. What Nagy does is his own twist of what Andy Reid does in KC and Doug Pedersen does in Philly. I was watching Buffalo play this last week and noticed a lot of the plays Josh Allen was doing resembled a lot of what we’ve seen Mitch do more recently. Especially in the rollouts and Play Action. I think Lazor has tweaked “Nagys” system to work better for Trubiksy. Brian Daboll who is the the OC in Buffalo is similar to Lazor in that he’s been around the league with various organizations and has taken elements of other systems he’s been a part of to make what works for his QB (Allen). With Daboll it’s been successful and so far with Lazor and Trubisky as well.

Isn’t this how we ended up with Trubiksy and KC ended up with Mahomes? The “experts” (aka GMs and draft experts) predicted Trubiksy would be a blue chip prospect and Mahomes a risky gun slinger prone to turnovers? Not that Jones is either of those, just sayin. But as I’ve said before he’s coming from Alabama where if anyone is ready for the NFL, most coming from there are. I’d like to see how he does in the CFL playoffs.

You need at the very least a transitional QB. One that is familiar with the system. Especially if you’re looking at drafting a new QB. As much as I like the guy I don’t think Foles is the best option. (Money and contract-wise with the Bears cap he is but that’s it). With his many faults Trubiksy has shown measured progress even if it means limiting the offense to work for him. He also brings the dimension as a mobile QB (which he’s pretty good at) that Foles definitely does not. Even if they lose Sunday I don’t think both Pace and Nagy are gone. And if that be the case the best option at QB is Trubiksy and a newly drafted QB. IMHO

I think you’re right about Hicks. I didn’t think about it until you said but he was out the last GB game. He is a huge difference in the middle. And with Nichols making steady progress they could be an issue for the interior line. Meaning Mack and Quinn should be a bit more productive than they have in the past several weeks. Im not sure if Johnson or Vildor is the better option right now at LCB. I’m pretty sure that Shelley is a better option at NB than Skrine at this point. Whomever has Adams will need to be on their ‘A’ game.

During last weekend’s game I heard Rich Gannon comment on how well Trubisky has adapted to this new version of the offense. That is Lazor’s adaptation of it. Gannon noted that with the new scheme and having Trubiksy roll out more he is ‘halving’ the field and allowing Mitch to see less and put players more in his field of view so he doesn’t have to scan as much. We all know one of Mitch’s largest flaws is his ability to ‘see’ the whole field. They’re also able to get more effective play action due in part of the oline’s improved play and Montgomery being able to run more. All effective tweaks that Lazor has been able to deploy. A lot of the offenses progress is owed to him. I saw an article recently that talked about who the QB for the Bears would be next year and most of it centered around the idea of drafting a QB next year. The troubling part would be who would support that QB assuming neither Foles or Trubisky were to come back for whatever reason. The top three names mentioned were Garappolo, Newton and Winston. Of those three I would only be interested in Winston due to his strong potential to do well. The other two have had their chance and especially in Newton’s case, failed miserably. Funny thing is I could see both NE and SF looking at someone like Trubisky to be their next guy. NE has something like $50 million in cap space so money isn’t an issue for them. All that being said, I’d prefer Mitch come back. Even if they lose this weekend.

Nice ode to Dennis Green there. I don’t think anyone here suggested he be overpaid, just kept because he knows the system. The cap will preclude the team from “over-paying” him regardless of how well he may have actually improved. I really don’t think both Pace and Nagy will be gone next year. Maybe one, but not both. Nagy does still have an overall winning record and whether it was against crappy teams or not these last few games have been pretty impressive. Especially for the offense who have historically looked bad. And he’s got the team on the precipice of making the playoffs again. This next game will be a true measure of where the team and Trubiksy are.

Who looked like garbage yesterday against Seattle. And you’re right when you say ‘average’ at best.

Best I can tell whomever wins this gets the NFC West title (higher seed) and the other ends up in the 5th or 6th (WC) spot. Think Seattle ends up higher (if they lose) due to their schedule and overall record. Bears are in position for the last (newly added this year) 7th position. From Profootballnerwork.com:

Wow... didn’t realize Illinois was still locked down as much as they are. By COVID21 you mean the new strain coming out of Europe?

So if Arizona loses again Chicago is in regardless of what they (Chicago) does next week?

I wish... aren’t they paying for part of his salary? They’re in the running for Trevor Lawrence at this point.

Do you think they’ll let fans show up to the game next week? I have to believe having live fans in the stands would make a hell of a difference. And would be all the better if they win.

Things looking much better in the second half. Kinda what should happen against a 1-13 team, not what we saw in the first half. And we need to see more Artavius Pierce.

This is a big key you’re right. I also hear Mack has been playing hurt a lot this year. His career may be winding down and it looks like the last best performance of Quinn was last year. Need to find a good young edge rusher.

I’m beginning to wonder if the Bears maybe don’t want to play on the playoffs. Mitchell being Mitchell towards the end of the game... Roquan maybe out for who knows how long and...thank god for Cairo Santo. Who knew a kicker MAY be what keeps us alive for a playoff spot. Lol.

Odd to be more concerned about the D then the O. ?

There was a story (or two) I read that says Doug Pedersen and the Eagles may want him back especially if Wentz ends up getting sent packing. Which as of right now is very likely. They’d like a proven vet in their system to backing up what could be their new starter in Jalen Hurts.

Just win baby.

With Foles back there you don’t have the mobility of Mitch and can pretty much crash the line every time. It’s crazy to see how a few tweaks, mostly since Lazor started calling the plays, how much improved they’ve gotten. ‘If only’ Nagy had done it sooner...

I remember that play. Greg Jennings commented how well Trubiksy threw in front of the receiver there. And I agreed. Don’t recall seeing the hold at the time but sure makes it more obvious what they were trying to do. Mitch started with what looks like a half pump (may have had the option to go continue across the field) but when he saw the coverage on the strong side he adjusted and threw with a slight lead to Wims. And made it so if he missed, like he did, it wasn’t hanging in the air where the defender outside could get to it. Great adjustment.

Food for thought...

Depending on whether any other teams think he’s worth anything as a starter he’ll be next to impossible to keep. I’d think he holds value as at least a backup for us. If they were to draft someone and not have it work out he falls into the ‘bird in the hand’ way of thinking.