Inside information

[Stinger226]

3 hours ago, Mongo3451 said:

I love this!

https://www.facebook.com/share/r/16GD6fRagx/

EB is hardcore. They say Ben Johnson has that in him. Anyone know what temperament DA,  has ? I love when coaches just say what it is instead of politically correct speak.

[BearFan PHX]

2 hours ago, Stinger226 said:

EB is hardcore. They say Ben Johnson has that in him. Anyone know what temperament DA,  has ? I love when coaches just say what it is instead of politically correct speak.

me too! This is part of what i thought was missing from Eberflus! I like when the coaches yell at the players. They can do it to break them down, but they can do it to build them up too.

[adam]

Collectively, between Johnson and Allen, they have to be a top 5 play-calling duo for both sides of the ball. Then you add Bieniemy, Randle El, and Harris, and we have some of the best position group coaches as well with a ton of experience either playing and or coaching.

HC / Play Caller -  Johnson
DC -  Allen
ST - Hightower
RB - Bieniemy
WR - Randle El
DB - Harris

[jason]

On 5/10/2025 at 11:01 AM, ASHKUM BEAR said:

If Ben Johnson prefers the Laporta type TE and Kmets role is TE 2 or blocking, then I agree with Phoenix that he will be traded sooner than later.  But Johnson isn't going to do exactly what he did in Detroit and might find a way to implement both.  With the personal they have, they can run so many formations that will defenses won't know how to defend 

We have heard that one before. Many times on this board. I’ll be from Missouri on this one and say they have to show me before I believe it.

[BearFan PHX]

16 minutes ago, jason said:

We have heard that one before. Many times on this board. I’ll be from Missouri on this one and say they have to show me before I believe it.

I'm on the other side of this one re: Loveland and Kmet, but we are 100% aligned, that I need to see it on the field too. I've read all kinds of stuff over the years and gotten overly excited year after year. I wanna see it on the field. I expect we will, but I need to see it. Youre right.

[Stinger226]

Kmet has been a productive TE. He had a down year, last year, because of the dysfunction of the offense. Johnson has a creative mind, the more options the better. Playing 12 scheme a lot wouldnt you think 2 catching options at TE is better than one TE playing the inline role? I dont get the disconnect that more options for Caleb is a good thing. Right now they are building an offense, not relplacing players with a new TE or new WR.

[ASHKUM BEAR]

1 hour ago, jason said:

We have heard that one before. Many times on this board. I’ll be from Missouri on this one and say they have to show me before I believe it.

We all would need to see it, but it worked before. Patriots 2011

 

[Stinger226]

2 WRs and 2 TES had over 90 targets. 58 targets to RBs, and the rest of the WRs 51. I can see that divided more between our 5 biggests weapns and very little for the rest of the team. 

[jason]

20 minutes ago, ASHKUM BEAR said:

We all would need to see it, but it worked before. Patriots 2011

 

Comparing a rookie and an underused TE, regardless of how talented they are, to the best TE combo in NFL history, is quite a reach IMO.

Can it work? Fingers crossed. But I don’t think it’ll be close to that and I think Kmet’s on a countdown.

[DABEARSDABOMB]

1 hour ago, jason said:

We have heard that one before. Many times on this board. I’ll be from Missouri on this one and say they have to show me before I believe it.

That is me too - I want to see it in the season .

[BearFan PHX]

34 minutes ago, DABEARSDABOMB said:

That is me too - I want to see it in the season .

I think at this point we've all been so abused by the Bears, it is wise to want to see it on tape before getting too ahead of ourselves. I really want it, but I need to see it.

[Mongo3451]

55 minutes ago, ASHKUM BEAR said:

We all would need to see it, but it worked before. Patriots 2011

 

Gronk is the unicorn in the room.  He's the greatest inline TE of all time.  Loveland can counter that due to him being more talented than Hernandez.  It's still hard to offset the GOAT. 

[ASHKUM BEAR]

53 minutes ago, jason said:

Comparing a rookie and an underused TE, regardless of how talented they are, to the best TE combo in NFL history, is quite a reach IMO.

Can it work? Fingers crossed. But I don’t think it’ll be close to that and I think Kmet’s on a countdown.

The numbers won't be as great as that, but it's the idea of two TEs that can work on the field together.  If you replace the receptions on NE going down to Moore, Odunze, Loveland, Kmet and shave some from each of those for Burden.  

[BearFan PHX]

3 hours ago, ASHKUM BEAR said:

The numbers won't be as great as that, but it's the idea of two TEs that can work on the field together.  If you replace the receptions on NE going down to Moore, Odunze, Loveland, Kmet and shave some from each of those for Burden.  

If it was Bowers and Loveland, they'd make it work, and work well.

The whole question here really rests on how good Kmet really is. We all have our views, but we will all see him on the field, with Johnson using him correctly. if he balls out, then we will keep him and be fearsome. If he doesnt, hes gone at some point.

Those that rate him highly will expect him to play well, and should feel pretty good that he will stay.

Those that rate him less well will expect him to play at a mediocre level and feel good that he will be gone.

Im in the second group, but I will be very happy to be proven wrong. It's not impossible by any means. Kmet's measurables are really great. So we will see if he can quickly ascend under Johnson's tutelage. He can wake up and take his destiny, but its not easy to do, and his window is probably pretty short. I hope he does it.

[Stinger226]

Before I start getting rid of players, I want to see the offense work first. This is way to early to project scenarios. 

[BearFan PHX]

41 minutes ago, Stinger226 said:

Before I start getting rid of players, I want to see the offense work first. This is way to early to project scenarios. 

I dont think anyone, including me, disagrees with that. It's not too early to make projections, but it is too early to actually trade Kmet in any case.

[Mongo3451]

10 hours ago, BearFan PHX said:

If it was Bowers and Loveland, they'd make it work, and work well.

The whole question here really rests on how good Kmet really is. We all have our views, but we will all see him on the field, with Johnson using him correctly. if he balls out, then we will keep him and be fearsome. If he doesnt, hes gone at some point.

Bowers and Loveland are the same player.  Kmet gives Loveland a compliment instead competition.  They work different areas of the field to provide spacing and give more options.  So, yes I disagree.  Johnson called exactly 100 pass plays to his TE's last year.  Our TE's are individually better than theirs, so I'm predicting a slight uptick in opportunity there.  Johnson also is an extremely balanced play caller.  He'll vary plays designed to the personnel he has, but I believe that same balance will exist.  Still, it's all on Caleb...

[BearFan PHX]

16 minutes ago, Mongo3451 said:

Bowers and Loveland are the same player.  Kmet gives Loveland a compliment instead competition.  They work different areas of the field to provide spacing and give more options.  So, yes I disagree.  Johnson called exactly 100 pass plays to his TE's last year.  Our TE's are individually better than theirs, so I'm predicting a slight uptick in opportunity there.  Johnson also is an extremely balanced play caller.  He'll vary plays designed to the personnel he has, but I believe that same balance will exist.  Still, it's all on Caleb...

i totally get that Kmet and Loveland are different in style. But Im saying Kmet isn t that good - even at what he does. In fact, Im not convinced that Loveland isnt a better blocker than Kmet.

As for spacing and working different areas of the field, there are lots of ways to put 4 or 5 guys into the pattern, no matter whether you have 0, 1 or 2 TEs in the game - I know you agree with that. So Kmet isnt better playing any area of the field than Loveland or Burden would be, but there are areas that Kmet cant get to that Burden and Loveland can?

So to me, I predict Kmet will get traded next year, or at the trade deadline.

But all of this with the caveat that Kmet DOES have physical tools. If the light goes on for him, he can play himself back into relevance here, and stick around. I'm just personally betting against that happening, because i havent seen it yet from him? I suppose if he were to agree to a cheaper contract he could also stay, but no one ever does that with years to go on their deal, and the likelihood that someone will pay him in a trade.

But your last point is dead on. The stage is set, over-set even. There are weapons everywhere and a stellar coaching staff. It all falls on Caleb now.

Exciting times to be sure!

 I mean, what does it say that we are all dithering over TE2? That only happens when other things are looking set. Pretty cool.

[Mongo3451]

1 hour ago, BearFan PHX said:

i totally get that Kmet and Loveland are different in style. But Im saying Kmet isn t that good - even at what he does. In fact, Im not convinced that Loveland isnt a better blocker than Kmet.

As for spacing and working different areas of the field, there are lots of ways to put 4 or 5 guys into the pattern, no matter whether you have 0, 1 or 2 TEs in the game - I know you agree with that. So Kmet isnt better playing any area of the field than Loveland or Burden would be, but there are areas that Kmet cant get to that Burden and Loveland can?

So to me, I predict Kmet will get traded next year, or at the trade deadline.

For the sake of argument, how can we say that Kmet is not good and then say someone would trade for him?  That's a contradiction I can't wrap my head around.  Either he has value or not.

Agreeing that we disagree on skills and value to team, explain spreading the field with a move TE and three receivers vs 2 and 2.  2 and 2 gives you the mismatches you want.  It requires bigger defenders.  With bigger, meaning slower, you now have the ability to mismatch Swift and Loveland with Kmet as a blocker or safety net.  Can't do that as well with one TE.  Twelve personnel is a matchup problem in the run and pass game.

Lastly, Cole is a locker room leader, legacy player and native Chicagoan.  My bet is he wants to stay and would sign a reasonable deal to do so.  And if you are correct, he's simply not good enough, he's cut.

[BearFan PHX]

2 hours ago, Mongo3451 said:

For the sake of argument, how can we say that Kmet is not good and then say someone would trade for him?  That's a contradiction I can't wrap my head around.  Either he has value or not.

I am only saying Kmet isnt special, and that Loveland is better. On our roster, I dont think Kmet is worth the money. For someone else, it might work out differently. Kmet is a middle of the pack starting TE in my view - he will have people interested, but its not gonna be a 1st or 2nd round pick in trade I agree.

 

2 hours ago, Mongo3451 said:

Agreeing that we disagree on skills and value to team, explain spreading the field with a move TE and three receivers vs 2 and 2.  2 and 2 gives you the mismatches you want.  It requires bigger defenders.  With bigger, meaning slower, you now have the ability to mismatch Swift and Loveland with Kmet as a blocker or safety net.  Can't do that as well with one TE.  Twelve personnel is a matchup problem in the run and pass game.

I agree again about 2 TE sets forcing defenses out of nickel and into base defense. And If Cole isnt on the team, there will be someone else playing TE2 for sure - and they will be an inline blocker so as to force the exact mismatches youre talking about.

I just dont think Cole is worth the money they're paying him, and will replace him with someone cheaper. I didnt see Kmet breaking free of LBers covering him. That's the theory here. Or even using his big body in a west coast way to shield off defenders. He SHOULD be able to do that, but I havent seen it on tape.

My lack of faith in Kmets price tag is one thing, but we totally agree about 12 personnel and Ben Johnson's ability to leverage it - we see that the same way.
 

3 hours ago, Mongo3451 said:

Lastly, Cole is a locker room leader, legacy player and native Chicagoan.  My bet is he wants to stay and would sign a reasonable deal to do so.  And if you are correct, he's simply not good enough, he's cut.

I bet the new coaches are looking at Kmet and DJ Moore to see if last year was about losing, or if it means they are head cases. I think for both, they wanted to win and were frustrated with Eberflus. But Im not sure how much of a leadership role Kmet will have going forward here? Especially as TE2?

And I do think someone else will pay him to be TE1, and he would naturally want that?

Cutting Kmet is an interesting question. It boils it down to just the money. There is no draft pick. Makes it a harder choice.

Adam, or anyone, what are the compensatory ramifications for this? Do we get a pick if we cut him?

[Stinger226]

7 hours ago, Mongo3451 said:

Bowers and Loveland are the same player.  Kmet gives Loveland a compliment instead competition.  They work different areas of the field to provide spacing and give more options.  So, yes I disagree.  Johnson called exactly 100 pass plays to his TE's last year.  Our TE's are individually better than theirs, so I'm predicting a slight uptick in opportunity there.  Johnson also is an extremely balanced play caller.  He'll vary plays designed to the personnel he has, but I believe that same balance will exist.  Still, it's all on Caleb...

This is the best statement I have seen on the realistic view of the TE position. Johnson will fit both into game planning, its not  one or the other. The roster is one edge player away from being complete. Maybe that other edge is already here and havent recognized it yet. The Cap is not a problem.

[Stinger226]

2 hours ago, BearFan PHX said:

I am only saying Kmet isnt special, and that Loveland is better. On our roster, I dont think Kmet is worth the money. For someone else, it might work out differently. Kmet is a middle of the pack starting TE in my view - he will have people interested, but its not gonna be a 1st or 2nd round pick in trade I agree.

 

I agree again about 2 TE sets forcing defenses out of nickel and into base defense. And If Cole isnt on the team, there will be someone else playing TE2 for sure - and they will be an inline blocker so as to force the exact mismatches youre talking about.

I just dont think Cole is worth the money they're paying him, and will replace him with someone cheaper. I didnt see Kmet breaking free of LBers covering him. That's the theory here. Or even using his big body in a west coast way to shield off defenders. He SHOULD be able to do that, but I havent seen it on tape.

My lack of faith in Kmets price tag is one thing, but we totally agree about 12 personnel and Ben Johnson's ability to leverage it - we see that the same way.
 

I bet the new coaches are looking at Kmet and DJ Moore to see if last year was about losing, or if it means they are head cases. I think for both, they wanted to win and were frustrated with Eberflus. But Im not sure how much of a leadership role Kmet will have going forward here? Especially as TE2?

And I do think someone else will pay him to be TE1, and he would naturally want that?

Cutting Kmet is an interesting question. It boils it down to just the money. There is no draft pick. Makes it a harder choice.

Adam, or anyone, what are the compensatory ramifications for this? Do we get a pick if we cut him?

? If you look at all his catches from last year he is open 90% of the time. He cant break away from LBers?

Team leaders are not just star players. He was one of the announced captains last year. He may be that again.

Once again I will say he had the best catch rate in the league last year for TEs. He can play the  inline TE2 and catch the ball, not just an inline TE. 

Nothing wrong to say you dont think he is worth his salary but the Bears appear to not agree with you, they are the ones that gave him the new contract in 2024. He was the 9th rated TE going into last year and we had a dysfuncional offense with a rookie QB. He went from 90 targets to 55 last year. His problem was a lack of targets not a lack of talent. 

[ASHKUM BEAR]

I dont know where this Loveland is a great blocker comes from.  He needs to develop this part of his game, hes a hard worker so he should.  He is called a TE, but really a big WR.  

I added some draftbuzz scouting reports. 

Imagine Kmets stats if he had a QB other than Fields who did find him more or a rookie QB who had too much on his plate and struggled most games until the 4th Qtr. DJ Moore had better stats in Carolina.  So is the problem the players or the Bears (coaching)

 

[BearFan PHX]

6 hours ago, Stinger226 said:

? If you look at all his catches from last year he is open 90% of the time. He cant break away from LBers?

Team leaders are not just star players. He was one of the announced captains last year. He may be that again.

Once again I will say he had the best catch rate in the league last year for TEs. He can play the  inline TE2 and catch the ball, not just an inline TE. 

Nothing wrong to say you dont think he is worth his salary but the Bears appear to not agree with you, they are the ones that gave him the new contract in 2024. He was the 9th rated TE going into last year and we had a dysfuncional offense with a rookie QB. He went from 90 targets to 55 last year. His problem was a lack of targets not a lack of talent. 

OK, but youre saying he had a high catch rate, and was usually wide open when he was targeted, but had a low target rate.

COuldnt that mean he didnt get open unless it was a blown coverage or a hole in a zone? ANd then he caught the ball well when he was wide open.

But does that indicate that he won battles? Got open when someone was on him? The tape, to my eyes, looks like hes too stuff to shake off defenders. That would account fot his low targets, and his wide open status on the smaller number of targets?

[Stinger226]

2 hours ago, BearFan PHX said:

OK, but youre saying he had a high catch rate, and was usually wide open when he was targeted, but had a low target rate.

COuldnt that mean he didnt get open unless it was a blown coverage or a hole in a zone? ANd then he caught the ball well when he was wide open.

But does that indicate that he won battles? Got open when someone was on him? The tape, to my eyes, looks like hes too stuff to shake off defenders. That would account fot his low targets, and his wide open status on the smaller number of targets?

Maybe they had an offensive play caller that didnt design plays for him? Maybe you had a rookie QB that targeted certain WRs and ignored throwing to him. If you watch game tape, many times he was open and the rookie QB throws into a crowd to someone else. 

We can both make points but it all comes down to what the Bears do with him in an offensive that will be player friendly that spreads the ball around. You point to him not being talented because we drafted a rookie that hasnt had a NFL snap yet? That his lack of targets is because he isnt very good?  Last year with 55 targets he had a 85.5% catch rate. In 2023 with with 90 targets caught 73 passes with 81.4% catch rate. Led  TEs both years in catch % What would he had done last year if he got 153 targets. He would have better stats than Bowers. 

Last year Bowers had a 153 targets.(71.1 % catch rate) Is he talented, absoutely but Raiders had lousy WRs and they focused on throwing him the ball. You need to look at roster contruction when you judge targets. You say how bad the coaching staff was, OL was but then dont figure that into the performance of everyone except Caleb.