DABEARSDABOMB

Generally speaking - I agree with this take. Giving up high end draft picks and cap space is not a good strategy - unless it is so solely put you over the top or get a qb. And even the solely to put you on the top is something I struggle with. As much as Cowboys got ripped - while I think they should have found a team where the first round picks would be better - I didn’t mind the trade. If I were them I would move Dak for some picks too and actually jump start a rebuild. In general, I think teams could benefit a bit more in NFL from trading guys at max value vs holding on too late and than leveraging cap space for those difference makers and than using it for more late round picks for good players with just a bit left (as they tend to be under valued in terms of draft capital). It is like DJ Moore - if I could get 2 2nd rounders and cap space for him I probably do it - same with Jaylon. Having that allows you to continue to bring in young, ascending talent while giving you cap space to retain your own and buy guys that fill your void.

Both of you said that excellently. I don’t think it was wrong move for Green Bay - love has shown he is a good qb - great, maybe not - but in right situation they can do pretty good. For Bears this would be wrong move - you got to know you got a good qb first and until than invest the pieces that help enable that.

I would think 2 1sts and Dexter is a much stronger offer than what they got. Bears 1st rounders would like be viewed as more valuable than Packers and Dexter is an emerging player who is much cheaper relative to the player Packers have up who has a pretty high / expensive contract and is trending to wrong side of his prime.

2-0-1. I just saw highlights since it wasn’t on in my area but look forward to watching later this weekend once I can see the NFL network recording. Sounds like a slow start by Caleb and some lessons to learn - but they also got some points. Two weeks now to get ready for week 1 and hopefully some more film to reinforce good things but just as much allow the staff to reinforce the things Caleb and team need to keep working on!

I think a lot of us wanted him at center.

This is a great move and really happy for Bagent and it’s a smart move by Bagent too. He knows Johnson is legit and if at some point he plays and excels - all of a sudden he’s getting traded for to start all while learning and working with a good coaching staff while securing some real earnings over next few years. And for Bears - they basically have locked in a lot of cap flexibility to be spent on other positions over the next 2 years.

You also have to pay him 35M. If he was 3 year younger - yes - but at his age with the Bears where they are at - not interested.

I was driving home today and randomly was thinking the same thing - was nice to see guys legitimately open where every pass doesn’t have to be absolutely perfect. You got to have those tight window throws and ability to throw guys open - but it also helps when you have throws and guys open and various levels because the scheme and talent allow them to get open.

Burden looks like a dude - loved seeing how physical he blocked too!

Caleb was so decisive and accurate that drive. 2nd drive was good too - just a bummer that Rome dropped that pass. Nice game with exception of Smith looking like he suffered a season ending injury. Hoping somehow it isn’t as serious as it looked.

The inverse with that - on the LT side - I think at bet they are seeing mediocre play at this point - and at times the mediocre slides to bad. I think they are also sending a message here - but it is different than the Wright message. They are trying to see who can raise the floor - for a lack of a better term - and also I think trying to push and rebuild Jones to try and find a bar that is at another level than he previously played at while also trying to coach up depth and see how much they can push Trapillo to see where he is…but Jones is the only one of the current 3 with the pure tools you want at LT. But having been hurt - he hasn’t been able to put on the strength they need him to do and that will take time. Its pretty clear he will ultimately be the starter - but I think they are setting a bar to make ish him to put in all the work and than do same thing in between games etc. It’s clear technique is being emphasized heavily too.

Agree - I also think the comments on Wright are to send a message and try to get him to reach elite talent level. He is a good to ok RT and has shown it - but he hasn’t been great despite having the tools. I think he got comfy with the softness in standards from previous regime and than he showed up taking things for granted. It isn’t that he has been bad at camp - it’s that the oline coach thinks he can be great and expects that - and not just some of the time - all of the time. The great ots are great because they play with that high level consistency ALL the time.

I think the biggest worry I have is if Wright ends up being mediocre. Jones was a late pick - Wright was a high pick. Let’s see these tackles step up. I also want to see what sort of dude Trapillo can be on right side - pretty clear he isn’t there yet on left side and the real risk is that might always be the case.

I was a big Simmons fan.

The downfall is it doesn’t sound like Wright is shining either.

The real wild card is at some point does Wright flip to LT and we see Trapillo at RT.

He also said Jones played excellent on Friday - his technique was great etc and than he was not that same player on Sunday - again - pushing buttons to drive a higher standard. Love it!

I think we should expect offensive growing pains. We could actually start 0-4 given the difficult schedule - in general we have a real tough schedule. Winning that Viking game is going to be pretty key cause schedule gets real tough real fast. But reality is - I want to see progress every quarter and a lot of flashes of awesomeness during 2nd half of the season and plenty of glimpses towards it in first half.

I just love the standard and tone this staff is pushing. They are an unforgiving coaching staff and really focused on raising the standard across the board - which was critical as Halas Hall has been soft and with too low of a standard for too long. This whole coaching staff seems to get it and they are keeping the bar high and forcing players to meet them at the high bar vs bringing the bar down to make the players feel good. The comments our Oline coach made today - very clear it is to push Wright to step it up and expect more. They are direct and clear. Same with Jones, Trapilo and others. On offense - Johnson clearly didn’t think his offense, including Caleb were ready to play last week - he’s sending a message that they need to get there and raise the standard. Put pressure on and keep pushing them higher.

Regarding special teams - I need to see the stats - but my eye test said Taylor’s punts were awful with no hang time in the first half. Haven’t watched 2nd half.

We have the LB, battle for 3rd vs 4th wideout, Lt, 2nd corner plus depth. But I think it is more the message and tone but also the way he reinforces the standard.

I saw a quote that BJ said starting jobs and positions are going to be heavily weighted by these upcoming joint practice. Way he said it kind of just continues with how he sets the tone that practice matters and details matters and message he sent on an off day was - you better show up with your best against Miami cause I’m making decisions on this stuff.

This was not the type of practice they should do all the time - but you also have to practice with real intensity and balance and I love the tone they are trying to set. And Biggs said since lovie all of the other major bear outlets said most physical and intense they had ever seen. Any way you slice it - this is a very different coaching staff and tone that is being taken. It also sounds like it was a pretty damn good practice with flash plays by offense and defense!

Ben Johnson is definitely different. He’s like no coach I’ve seen the Bears have in my lifetime. Every second I hear how he operates or see it - just gives me confidence. My only real struggle right now is Caleb not throwing guys open given he struggled a ton with it last year. I get that it is still new system and they are throwing a lot at him - but I want to see progress these next few weeks and then of course throughout the season. Im excited though for Ben - seems like the absolute real deal!

Offense struggled a ton. Lots of penalties and Caleb still struggling to throw guys open etc.