BearFan2000

Still pinching myself. We gave up a lot in draft capitol and in salary cap but we landed a known quantity. Dude is a human wrecking ball. There are some comparing this to us giving up so much to get Cutler but to me that is apples and oranges. Cutler showed a lot of promise, but also came with question marks with his personality, work ethic, etc. Mack has done nothing but produce, be dependable, work hard, play with a contagious passion. He got shopped because Oakland (Gruden) didn't want to pay him anywhere near the kind of extension he got here. Especially after he'd paid Carr his huge contract. He didn't force his way out of Oakland, they just didn't see fit to reward him for basically being their defense since he got there. He's not a malcontent, and a locker room distraction, as his former teammates comments have shown he was well liked and will be missed. He makes an already formidable defense that much better. He also has the luxury of having a lot more help in our defense, he was all they had in Oakland. I'm excited to see how good our front 7 will be with him playing with Hicks, Goldman, Bullard, Trevathan, Smith/Kwait, and Floyd. This could be the best LB group that we've had since Urlacher, Briggs, and Colvin. It's exciting to think about. Can't think of a better environment for Roquan to learn his craft in. Offenses will have a hard time accounting for everyone.

It has been a long busy offseason and there has been so much anticipation of what it will all mean when the games count. From a fan perspective for us we've been chomping at the bit to see this revamped Bears team hit the field. What whirlwind this offseason has been. Firing fox, Naggy hired, Vic retained, several key FA acquisitions, the draft, the drama surrounding getting Roquan signed and in house. The crazy blockbuster trade that landed us Mack. There is much reason for optimism this year and beyond. Maybe we make the playoffs maybe we make a real push to make a deep playoff run. We lived through 2 years of the freshman dumpster fire, the transition years of Fox who while he didn't produce wins or winning seasons, the locker room and team chemistry put us in a position to land Naggy and with that hire bring in talent that wanted to come here and be a part of something special. Time will tell if Naggy can reach the potential we hope he can. He's in a golden position to lead the Bears back to respectability. If he's able to bring championships to Chicago he will own this city. I'm looking forward to this game, and it is very hard to predict how this will go. I'm with Adam on this, I feel there's potential we could jump out and surprise people and take the Packers down. Naggy has played things very close to the vest in preseason. The Packers have to mostly rely on Cheifs film to scout for this matchup and it's very advantageous that we get the Packers week 1. It's an important game not only because it's rivalry but it's also the only divisional game till week 10. I also get the sense that unlike past Bears coaches who have taken the "just another game" mentality, he embraces the rivalry spirit and will have the guys pumped. These games require an extra chip on your shoulder. Prediction wise I could see this being a close game won in the fourth quarter, or a game won easily. As long as our D keeps Rodgers and the offense in check, I see a Bears win. Bears 28-24, but wouldn't be shocked at a more lopsided win in a game where we are in control and a late rally makes the score closer than the game was. Unless we come out flat which I doubt will happen. if anything we might come out a little too jacked up.

Thankful it's over and he's signed and in practice. He's missed valuable reps and conditioning that he can't get back. Just a couple less days of holdout than Bosa's If I recall correctly didn't Bosa sustain an injury trying to push too hard getting up to speed for the start of the season. So I hope he can get up to speed for the start of the season and stay healthy doing so. Out of curiosity any insight on what the compromises were either by CAA, the Bears, or both? I just hope this isn't a pattern for Smith. He verbally committed to UCLA, before actually committing to Georgia, and this holdout. It does give concern whether every contract negotiation with might be high drama. All in all though glad it's behind us and he's signed for 4 years and I hope he's able to make it up to the team and the fan base on the field. He has some respect to earn now.

that darn dust must have been everywhere I swear some got in my eye as well. Class act and a pro's pro on and off the field. Urlacher was a complete team player. I'm proud and honored to have witnessed his 13 year career with the Bears. He represented the city and the legacy of great LB's well. Well deserved first ballot HOF'er

seems like the next CBA needs to address this. The slotting was a good start to reign in outlandish deals for players who've yet to play a down, now the agent are squabbling over things like this. It's a rookie contract, these kids need to be in camp on time. Haggling over things like this doesn't serve their clients or their clients team well. It's a power struggle and they are using clients to gain future business trying to look like "we're fighting for you." Do we have to get to a point where rookie contracts and their language is standardized? It's a way different thing than a players second or third contract. Time missed as a rookie is far more valuable to the player and respective team.

So from a logistics standpoint, if this never gets worked out. How does that play out? Does he take the year off and be part of next years draft leaving us with out our first round pick in this past draft? Do we get compensation for that? Feels like if a deal doesn't get done we get screwed. I agree with the comment about agents wanting to use this contract dispute as precedent protect players from losing money even if they do something stupid that ultimately lets down their team and hurts the team. In game heat of the moment type things is one thing, off field issues, or even repeated poor behavior on the field is entirely another. If a player is going to be an ars there needs to be consequences to that behavior. It makes me concerned if he's that concerned about being a screw up that it's holding this thing up. If the Bears have proven anything it's that they try to do right by their players. They could have taken away Travathon's guarantees, and they didn't need to extend Miller a contract knowing full well he'd not play this year. The Bears aren't the cheapskates they used to be, and aren't the kind of organization that looks to screw it's players.

While I don't like the holdout, and would like Smith in camp already. I understand where he's coming from. I read an article somewhere that said there are very few players who have protections against this issue due to rules like this new one. It's also hard to predict how this rule will be applied/enforced in real games so I can see a rookie or a player negotiating a new contract wanting some security in case they get screwed by this dumb new rule. Like AZ pointed out a rule intended to promote safety actually puts defensive players in an unsafe position to take a hit. If you run with your head straight up and get hit that's a risk for neck/back injuries. What makes the whole spearing, issue so hard to officiate is that things happen so fast that it is sometimes hard to tell if the contact was intentional or not. The issue defensive players have to deal with is they are aiming at a moving target which include a moving helmet contact area. You could be aiming for the numbers, shoulder pads, etc to make a legal tackle/hit. But when the ball carrier lowers their head/center of gravity to brace for the hit or initiate contact themselves your helmet can now be headed for their helmet. Defensive players have become confused and concerned more about not getting flagged/suspended than making plays. Hard to play good defense when you are worried about getting screwed. They are trying to eliminate injury from a violent sport. it's an oxymoron. That aside, Roquan is far too talented to be seriously threatened for the starting job by Kwit. But, if there is good to come out of this holdout it is that he has gotten good first team reps and is experiencing success that will give him some confidence that would be helpful should he be called on at some point. Smith not being there does allow us to develop some of the depth at that position. Hopefully the contract gets signed soon and Smith gets in camp. He is missing valuable reps that a rookie needs.

Very classy, I like this kid more and more. I also like that he did so quietly, trying not to draw attention to it. It speaks volumes about his character off the field. So many celebrities/stars make a huge fan fare over their "giving back." It's nice to see a guy who doesn't make it about himself, but saw a need and stepped up to help out.

We had to know that when Fox was brought in that he wasn't the long term coaching solution, but he brought with him experience in building good culture, a unified locker room, ie the groundwork to the rebuild from the absolute mess that was the Bears under Emery/Trestman. The team was atrocious on the field and off. They looked like they could care less if they won/lost or even how bad they looked losing. The locker room was toxic. Fast forward 3 years and we have a passionate new GM, and Fox's exit made room for an enthusiastic new Head coach who by all appearances has his teams respect, and we have turned over the roster to get younger, hungrier, and eager to take the next step. You are right that when Pace/Fox came in we weren't an attractive landing spot for up and coming head coaches or top tier FA talent. This past offseason FA's genuinely wanted to come here and be a part of something special here. An up and coming head coach wanted to be here. Fox served well as a transitional coach to help lay the groundwork for a real revival here. His style on game day didn't lead to wins on the field or much in the way of innovation. It was boring, predictable, and maddeningly conservative, but you could see a difference in the players and the culture within the locker room. I'm excited about the future of the team for the first time in years.

Always find the UDFA period interesting. It’s like the drafts bonus round. The Irish fan in me is rooting for Morgan and Trumbetti. Definitely some guys who have a chance to stick. I do like Nall and Joseph. This is a good place to find depth and special teams guys.

It was a tough choice for me between Smith and Miller. I gave the edge due to where he was taken and it's who I wanted at #8 once the Colts took Nelson. I'm really glad Pace went with the clear blue chipper rather than get cute at #8. I love the Miller pick and the move up shows there was conviction about him. So much to like about this kid. He is confident but not cocky, he's worked hard to get where he is and be in a position to get drafted. He has huge hands, good body control, and he is a very good route runner (less and less common among rookie WR's) which will help him at the next level. The later in the draft the less I knew about the prospects. Plus this years draft coincided with my wife and I taking a vacation to Hocking Hills, Ohio. In our cabin there was no cell signal or wi-fi. Fortunately the wife let me watch round one on NFLN. I wasn't around a TV when Round 2 & 3 or for round 4-7. So I had to track it on my phone whenever we were in civilization lol

From what I've read and heard he could be poised to really break out this year. Hard worker, studies hard, has the respect of his teammates and coaches. He's confident but not cocky. He expects a lot out of himself and his teammates. You can sense the enthusiasm he brings and it seems to be matched by his teammates and coaches. Makes me excited to see what this season has in store. We've been starved for a winner. The team culture is so night and day different than it was just 4 years ago and it's been a breath of fresh air this season. It feels like with Mitch the training wheels are coming off they are letting him run the show and do what he does best.

I agree, and it may be the cronic back issues that have kept him off the field. We really don't need another WR with injury issues. I don't expect him to make the team, just a warm body for camps. We're likely to draft at least one WR, possibly draft one, and sign an UDFA or pickup someone who gets cut during camp. He's a tryout player that they liked enough to sign a contract but I doubt it's very much money and easily cut. At this point We're looking at any possible WR that has any upside.

Marlon Brown Hasn't played in a reg season game 2015 2013 undrafted FA. Had a back injury in 2015, signed to a 1 year deal to the broncos but was waived after another back injury. Later resigned by the broncos and released again in 2017. Seems to be a camp body.

This is the 2018 reg season schedule and preseason schedule

This is a perfect time to face our most hated division rival. No tape on the Bears new offense as I doubt we show much in preseason. Could be a huge win out of the gate if we pull it off and on prime time no less.

I remember Fowler last year having some good games that drew some interest in fantasy. Other than that I hadn't paid attention to Denver. He looks like he could at least be camp depth with some upside to carve out a role. If he plays on special teams too, that could give him an edge to make the roster. At this point can't add too many WR's with upside.

back to the OT, I mentioned Bryant in the Meredith thread but, like many pointed out for the money he would likely want, I'm not sure he's worth the headaches or potential chaos he might create in the locker room. I feel like we have taken major strides in improving the team chemistry since Trestman was fired. I"d hate to do something to jeopardize that with such a young roster. I'd be different if we were a veteran team that could handle that better, still not sure I'd want him.

Of those I wonder how much Maclin has left in the tank. I wouldn't mind the Bears bringing back Inman, Sneed and Aiken are interesting as they've had mild success at times wouldn't hurt to bring them in for a workout to kick the tires. What about making a play for Dez Bryant? There seems to be a bit of an impasse in Dallas, he's not the WR he once was and he may want more money than he's worth but just a random thought if he wants out of Dallas might not hurt to see what the price tag would be. The WR FA pool is pretty shallow at this point.

Same here, I jumped the gun a little earlier but ended up being right. I'm disappointed but in the grand scheme, he was an UDFA that had one good season. I think he'll do fine in NO as long as he stays healthy. Brees spreads the ball around a lot. Ultimately it may have been that Pace felt he was asking too much for such a small sample size and feels he can find someone like him in the draft or other means.

One thing we don't or can't know is what was discussed at the negotiating table. If he was offered a longer term deal but wanted more money, perhaps of the two options in the original round tender or second round tender perhaps Meredith chose the original round tender knowing it would result in more opportunities for teams to present him offer sheets knowing that if the Bears didn't match they wouldn't have to cough up a 2nd round pick to the Bears if they chose not to match. The ravens bid on him but the saints offered a better deal and here we are. Pace has till tomorrow to match (which I think he will). Had we signed him to the 2nd round tender it would limit the number of teams interested and perhaps eliminate teams even offering. So he'd play here in 2018 for 2.9 mil. Which if he wanted more money than that, it's possible he opted to take the original round tender. If we match it works out for him and us, we get him for 2 years at a front loaded deal that wouldn't cost much to get out after next year if he proves to not bounce back well from the injury. While if he does play well we can always extend him. It's possible the Bears did him a solid and let him explore his options. Remember we're talking about an UDFA who had one stand out year before having a serious season ending injury last year. It's not like we're talking about an established star. All we can do is speculate. One way or another we'll find out by tomorrow how this plays out.

Like what I see in the video. He looks like he runs with good vision, has good body control, protects the ball, and I like that he doesn't go down easy. Has a little make ya miss in him. If we can pick him up as a UDFA or with a late pick he looks like someone who could develop in this offense.

Personally I don’t think his issues with pass catching are lack of ability, so much as they are lapses in focus or concentration. That can be corrected with good coaching and practice. I’m sure Howard knows it something he’s got to work on and I’m sure it’s something Nagy will want him to work on.

I agree here. Howard + #8 pick does not equal #2 pick so I don't see that happening. It'd have to be Howard, our #8, and something else. The Jets gave up three #2's to move up 3 spots. This would be moving up 6 spots. It'd be a hell of a move if Pace could pull it off, but it's also a hell of a risk to trade away a damn good RB who simply needs to work a little on his catching skills for extra picks that would have to involve a high enough pick to replace Howard as we'd then be standing with extra picks but no #1 back on the roster. I'd much rather keep Howard, stay at 8 and grab best available (which should be plenty of good to pick from), or trade down a bit and still get a good player plus extra picks. I think like the Landry rumor it's nothing more than speculation created by people connecting dots that may not actually connect. Since the hiring of Nagy people have speculated whether Howard is a fit, and thus look at scenarios where the Bears trade away Howard for either a RB that better fits or for a chance to pick one in the draft that better fits. The whole IG thing can always be misread. His taking pictures down may have reasons other than what's being speculated. Now if we're in year 2 of Nagy's system and it's clear Howard isn't a good fit that's a different thing. I'd say Jordan's production on the ground the last two years has earned him a chance to show he can fit in this new offense. Another way to look at it is it's not like we are the Cheifs and are looking at a trading for Howard and questioning if he'd fit that system as is. This offense is going to be tailored to the talent we have. I don't believe they will design an offense that doesn't play to Howard's strengths and minimize his weaknesses. It's possible we'll see him and Cohen in the backfield together.

In general I'm not a proponent of moving up this year, but this wouldn't be a bad option. More than likely 4 of the 7 picks ahead of us will be QB's. One of the remaining 3 will be a team taking Barkley, that leaves 2 picks before us at 8 that will be non QB/non Barkley. We are all but guaranteed to get a blue chipper at 8. Move up two spots and we could literally have our pick of Chub, Nelson, or anyone we want. Our 8th pick is almost like #4 pick. I love that in FA we've put ourselves in a position to have real options in this draft. Part of me still wants us to stand pat at 8, and take either Nelson or Edmunds or if by chance someone like Chub drops to us. Crazier things have happened.