34 minutes ago, adam said:

If they can admit being wrong about Claypool and somehow trading him, I don't know why they don't do the same about Davis (or release). 

Davis has the 6th highest cap hit on the team and at this point that money is already spent. So if they cut him today, they would actually get back 600K in cap savings because I doubt anyone would trade for him. 

I think they just dont have the talent available (yet?) to permanently replace him. I also think they see the problem as clearly as we do, but probably move a little more slowly, because once you tell a guy who isnt trying hes done, he never tries again. Maybe Davis never will anyway, or maybe hes out of shape from not practicing, and he feels like he might want to try in meetings or whatever.

I think Eberflus is the kind to do things a few weeks later than we would. Maybe there is some wisdom to that too. Especially if you can get a W anyway.

But I personally have lost faith in Davis, and if it were my choice he wouldnt be on the team next year (or ever again), but i also dont have a solid plan for replacing him with someone who can do the job right now either.

I mean, in my cesspool of a mind about this, I already have Bates returning and taking over at center so Im asking myself things like "I wonder what Kiran would look like at guard?" and "Ok who is this Bill Murray guy?" or "Why have a guy like Kramer on the roster for (most of) three years, if you cant realistically play him?"

I hope Pryor is an answer. hes huge. but in the preseason he had some pretty bad plays too. Eberflus calls him "most improved" let's hope that's true. It would be one step back from the abyss if Pryor can handle the job.

I still think the coaching is a big issue on the OL too.

I think it is 95% coaching.  These guys have talent, they are just not in the right place. Davis missing most of camp doesn't help knowing the assignment either but I see all 5 messing up.  

52 minutes ago, ASHKUM BEAR said:

I think it is 95% coaching.  These guys have talent, they are just not in the right place. Davis missing most of camp doesn't help knowing the assignment either but I see all 5 messing up.  

Ive seen some film where the blocking assignments are insane. people having to reach across a gap and a half while the guy right in front of him, goes to go do something else. if this is a ZONE blocking scheme then the whole idea is to take the closest unblocked man. They look like they are counting defenders outside-in instead of inside out.

I see triple teams and people coming free on stunts as a result. I see ridiculous reach block assignments, and pulling tackles and tight ends who have no chance of making it to their block in time.

It is CRAZY.

1 hour ago, BearFan PHX said:

Ive seen some film where the blocking assignments are insane. people having to reach across a gap and a half while the guy right in front of him, goes to go do something else. if this is a ZONE blocking scheme then the whole idea is to take the closest unblocked man. They look like they are counting defenders outside-in instead of inside out.

I see triple teams and people coming free on stunts as a result. I see ridiculous reach block assignments, and pulling tackles and tight ends who have no chance of making it to their block in time.

It is CRAZY.

I suppose we have to consider a new QB, Center, and OC are going to take time to figure things out.  By week 5 or 6, we better see it. Otherwise the later part of the schedule will be ugly.

3 hours ago, BearFan PHX said:

Ive seen some film where the blocking assignments are insane. people having to reach across a gap and a half while the guy right in front of him, goes to go do something else. if this is a ZONE blocking scheme then the whole idea is to take the closest unblocked man. They look like they are counting defenders outside-in instead of inside out.

I see triple teams and people coming free on stunts as a result. I see ridiculous reach block assignments, and pulling tackles and tight ends who have no chance of making it to their block in time.

It is CRAZY.

Bad blocking actions do not necessarily mean bad blocking assignments.  We have Nate Davis wandering around blocking nobody on some plays so if his teammates see that in live action are they then stepping out of position to try to cover for him?   Shelton getting rocked backward all the time and missing on stunts across his face likewise put everyone in a bind. 

They all have to trust each other but if I were next to Davis I wouldn't trust him.  Nor would I trust Shelton to pick up a stunt.  

As far as Flus goes this is the only time I can recall a head coach putting a slacker of an Olinemen on a rotation with a backup.  I've seen it for injury returns to limit snaps.  Usually guys just get pulled.  That started in preseason.  The coaches are sending messages to Davis.  The injury to Bates forced them to alter the plan whatever it might have been.   IMO the issue with Davis is disappointing but not surprising and I think the trade for Bates was always the backup plan coming into the season.  The surprise is that Shelton can't even play competently.  I figured he'd at least be better than Lucas Patrick.  Alas, I was wrong.       

...and here we go:

https://bearswire.usatoday.com/story/sports/nfl/bears/2024/09/21/report-bears-to-start-matt-pryor-replacing-nate-davis/75330801007/

Im not saying that its all bad blocking assignments. The one where Davis is in the wilderness is surely not what anyone drew up.

But I have seen some real doozies where they are asking guys to reach over a gap and a half, cross the face and then turn the defender inside. That's crazy. Especially when there was a player right in front of that guy who went off on some other assignment. The plays Im speaking of werent blown assignments, they were clearly meant to be blocked that way. It's just too cute.

But youre right, there is blame enough to go around for the players AND the coaches.

When it fails as bad as it has, its everyones fault. There is physical limitations on a few players but the two most physical players on the line have played bad too, (Jenkins and Wright). When you see Shelton not pick up a stunt, that's a mental mistake. Everyone said there was communication issues last week. Those are things you can fix. Play calling can help the line also, which we can fix. When you have 5 players blocking 6 , that never works. We will see a better plan this week. Colts front 7 are not as talented as Houston was. 

Running the ball better will help a lot of the OL play, play action will help CW , and the defense will dominate. Key plays will be TOs and how well we run the ball. Being more basic will help the O. I think we see a lot of 2 TE sets and some rollouts mixed in. 

on pass blocking, it's been errors of the players, but the running game is messed up by scheme. there are lots of examples, hopefully they get on track this week.

Pryor starting for Davis, Pryor Revenge Game, Bears by 20!

Decent start, one miscommunication to Moore. Santos misses a 56-yarder short. I would've went for it again. If you don't make it they get it at the LOS, so the missed kick gives them better LOS. 

Great start of the defense, easy 3 and out. Richardson has not been accurate on two passes, high and wild. 

Marcedes Lewis has had 2 snaps this season, now both have been false starts? Might be time to consider his roster spot too. What is he providing to the team outside of leadership in the locker room?

So Taylor has turned into Gill? A 37 yard punt that is fair caught at the 17? No coffin corner kicks? What is going on?

I am not liking the play calls. The same thing is happening. No slants or anything over the middle. 

forward progress stopped without a whistle? BS

uh oh Braxton Jones is shaken up - hope hes OK.

And I suppose now Kiran will get his first action under fire. Let's hope he exceeds expectations.

Hard to get sacked when your running the ball. Run Johnson up the middle until they stop it. I thought CW had pocket awareness, every time he leaves the pocket its into pressure. It seems like he's changing a lot of plays at the line of scrimmage. Now Jones is hurt.

Hmmm Davis in at RG, and Pryor to LT

WTF is going on with Taylor? In a dome with 70+ yards of space and he kicks a 54 yarder that bounced 5 yards before being fielded? Why is he not booming these 60+ yards towards the sidelines? Seriously, they used a 4th round pick on a punter that is no better than the punter they got rid of. What am I missing? This is the 3rd game we are losing the LOS battle because of punting.

JJ messed up.

who says Edmunds doesnt make interceptions? LOL

Boom or Bust Richardson, 44 yarder to Pierce, then throws a Red Zone INT, LMAO.

Colts arent scoring over 20 points, so its up to the offrnse to get some points. I think the D scores once.

look at that - give Caleb a little time, and the long shot to Odunze is beautiful.