Stinger226

The only comparison will be if we end up having a winning season and Fields takes a step forward. Then it will be looked backed on ( 2022 version of the 2021 Bengals.) Just a team taking an unexpected step forward.

I think there will end up being one surprise on the OL. Hopefully its not Jenkins sitting because I think he has the most potential of the group.

It is easy to predict failure being a Bears fan, I try to take the positive outlook on all transactions that we made. Of course , all will not be wins but my main source of optimism is that Fields will be a great QB and its starts showing on the field this year. I think our defense will be better than last years, everywhere Flus took over, the defense produced its first year. We have a potential scary pass rush which will make the DBs better and two of the fastest LBers in the league. With the up tick in TOs, they will put us in position to stay in games more than last year. With a great kicker, it will win some games that look bleak. We will focus on the run game, will keep scores down with us dominating game time. Fields will shine in moments that was laughable last year. We are not counting on all our draft picks to come thru. Bisker and Gordon will be better than their counterparts last year. Tavon Young will be a huge upgrade over last year if he can stay healthy. V Jones doesnt have to be a star, but just make a contribution. We have a good RB room, and one star WR. One of our other options will come thru and the rest can slot in the WR spots. Kmet will take another step forward to be a top 12 TE this year. His backups will be more reliable. IMO what I just stated does not make us a 6 win team.

I agree with your projection of going 3-1 at the beginning of the season. I have said all along, we should win 9 games. Whether we win the SF game will depend on what happens with Deebo . If he gets his contract taken care of SF should be hard to win that game but if his contract looms, with Lance being new, we have a good shot. SF and us will push a running game early and progress with our QBs, so that should keep it a low scoring game. SF has 3 new starters on the OL, so they are going thru what we are. It will come down to TOs and with Flus taking over that should put us in a lot of games. I think his defense will do well and create more TOs. Being at home doesnt hurt either.

I think somewhere in the scenario, Jenkins is a starter. Several ex OL suggest that Jenkins has the most talent of anyone the bears have on the OL. I think Borom may be the odd man out, Jones is definitely the future at LT but may not start this year. I have always thought that the reason Jenkins ended up on the second team is because they knew what they had in him and were evaluating the other players at those spots. The sure starters are Whitehair and Patrick and the rest will be determined in training camp. I looked at all the O line rating I could find and Schofield and Reiff were rated C+ . A little better than average. I look at sacks and penalties, and all the new vets were not bad. Reiff 4 sacks- 1 pen, Schofield, 2 and 2, Patrick 2 and 3. Those were better than what we had. I think under a new line blocking scheme (outside zone) we will see if any do better.

Its like bringing in a rookie, his projection was based on his production in college, that is why he was a high pick. Odds are against him but Akeim Hicks was in the NE system and they didnt value him. From the start he at least gives you WR blocking at a high level and then they will see if he can fit in the passing game.

I think after the 2nd phase of Free Agency, there was no rush to sign someone. It gave them a chance to evaluate the young guys to see what they have. Very few O linemen signed over the dead period before camp, several choices were still there. I am sure they talked to several vets and choose what they thought was their best choice. His base is only 3 mil , no money guaranteed. All the rest of the money is based on playing time and success of team. Probably will end up being 7.5 mil. I went by the info given on Over The Cap website.

I think it is just giving them options if the young guys are not ready to start. Borom and Jenkins are big question marks, it takes time to develop OLinemen, rarely do they jump right in and play well. I think if the young guys are ready, they will start. Reiff contract has an escalation clause that if he plays more than 10% of the snaps he gets 4.5 mil more . That tells me Poles thinks the young guys still might start. He has several escalation clauses tied to the success of the team. His base is 3 mil. 3 mil is all his cap hit is, the escalations will only be applied if he meets them.

wow

IF the Bears have any thoughts of trying to be winning team, Quinn needs to stay. I think things come together and it will show on the field.

I think Peters made around 5 mil. I suspect that Reiff deal is based on game starts. He game up 4 sacks and one penalty last yr. Patrick 2 sacks and 2 penalties. Schofield- 2 sacks 3 penalties. That sounds like a better Oline all ready.

It's starts now. They brought in Riley Rieff on a contract. Signed Schofield, , Quinn reported, signed Brisker. It seems to be coming together. Got Harry a while back. For all the things Poles was criticized for , he's addressing it right now when it matters.

So much for people riding Poles on this. I think he is doing a good job. The Smith holdout will pass. remember, Smith held out on his rookie deal. He doesnt have an agent, that is what he does.

I think they need to have navy blue pants to offset the bright orange.

They may have needed to do more evaluation of their players before deciding what they need. Remember Schofirld can also play OT. There expectations changed.

Smith doesn't have an agent which makes it complicated. Stein is use to negotiating , Smith probably got one offer and gets pissed off. Unless he gets to be the highest paid LB, he may think anything less is garbage. At least an agent understands the process.

I agree, Poles wanted a couple vets to go with his young guys. With Dozier gone, we have Patrick, Schofield , Coleman, and Davenport. All have starter experience . All just average rating but could get you by if needed. I still think if any of the young guys are close, they will start. I still think we could see Patrick at RG and Mustifer at OC to start with. I know PFF is unreliable but I use them for comparison reasons. Schofield has a 67.5 overall rating , 72 for pass blocking and 58 for run blocking. Patrick has similar numbers but is a little better run blocker. I think we emphasize running the ball to start out with.

The contracts are slotted. The player before him got a 100 thou guarantee in his 3rd yr. , the player after him got 0. Its not a big deal but it does tell me if Brisker is very good, in two yrs he will complaining about getting a new contract early. It is an ego thing.

The Chargers have redone their oline, and he is going to be turning 32 this fall. He has more experience than Dozier did, the player he is replacing. Last year in 12 games he had a 67 grade at PFF (just a comparison tool) which is considered average. Only gave up two sacks. I think if the players they project at RG, doesnt work out, he is a back up vet for stability. As much as Daniels was considered a better player, we need to not forget, he gave up 39 pressures last year, the second worst number for a OG in the NFL.

Everything he does now affects everything going forward. Its nothing as far as money but giving in opens the door for future rookie contracts. Brisker is controlled by his agent with this. I would be curious to know who that is. Both sides save face if they compromise for 50 thousand in the 3rd yr guaranteed money.

If I remember Brisker didnt participate in the last camp practice we had. Everyone thought it was a secret injury but he wasnt going to play until he signed his contract. Those contracts are usually cut and dried, it has set limits, the only thing it could be is the guaranteed money. If I remember right, Smith didnt practice right away his rookie year and it all turned out ok with him. So all this does is put pressure on the Bears to give in to his demands. Not sure Poles caves on stuff like this. Actually I just read where unsigned players arent allowed to practice until they are signed.

Rookies report tomorrow. Finally here. Im always excited and hopeful for a fresh start. With Fields at QB, even more so from this day forward.

If they sign him again, he's not coming back to be a backup. Like AZ , I don't see him playing well in a wide zone. The younger guys move better and may fit better . With having TEs and WRs that can block well , it gives more help for Braxton if he starts. I listened to the NoName podcast with Olin and he restated that he thinks the starters will be Borom-Whitehair- Mustifer-Patrick- Jenkins. He said Jenkins is the most talented OL we have. He just needs experience. He thinks they are going with what they have to put the best line out there. He says he trusts Poles since he played the position until he proves otherwise. We have lots of maybes but won't take long to know if it works out. Less than a week for training camp.

So what is your opinion on wins and losses this season? If Fields takes a step forward, I see 9 to 10 wins. Easier schedule, more speed, better coaching ( we sucked on play calling). Better attitude , everywhere Flus has went, the D got better. Lots of questions but getting players on 1 year deals that have to prove themselves, has to create better energy.

I think the extra back means they only keep 3 TEs , so Harry could fill in there.