Practices

[BearFan PHX]

  On 6/8/2025 at 8:33 PM, AZ54 said:

Reports were that Kiran was looking better at LT the last week of practices.  He now has a a few weeks of practice to build off of this month before camp starts.  When guys like Thuney say he's strong, don't rule him out once the pads come on.     

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Yeah I dont hold last season against Amagadje. For me, he and Trapilo are both basically rookies.

[Stinger226]

  On 6/8/2025 at 5:43 PM, BearFan PHX said:

I dunno how you can say that. until they get the pads on it's way too early to evaluate the LT, and we still need a dominant pass rusher.

Also, while I am optimistic about Monongai, he is a 7th round pick, and I dont know that he is about to set the league on fire either.

I think you can say we have players we hope will fill in at LT and HB, but that's about it at this point. And we absolutely need a top DE, maybe next year?

I do think Trapilo COULD be the answer at LT, but I need to see it in pads first.

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I go by what the coaches say. BJ doesnt seem to be the type that blows smoke up your dress. I believe he is making honest statements. PLUS, they arent going out and adding people at those posistions. The pads will be the truth but I think things are looking up by the positive coaching statements.

[BearFan PHX]

  On 6/9/2025 at 12:12 AM, Stinger226 said:

I go by what the coaches say. BJ doesnt seem to be the type that blows smoke up your dress. I believe he is making honest statements. PLUS, they arent going out and adding people at those posistions. The pads will be the truth but I think things are looking up by the positive coaching statements.

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But even BJ says it's not anything until pads come on?

We have the guys we have and the next thing is to see what they look like in pads, and then you look to make moves after that - that the rhythm of the draft / free agency cycles every year.

I'm just saying, I cant do this narrative driven "everything amazing" stuff every year. I am hopeful and optimistic about the roster for sure, but i cant tell you who our starting LT is yet, so i cant judge it and say its good yet either?

[Mongo3451]

I do like that Ben had praise for Dom Rob, Hyppolite and Monongai.

[BearFan PHX]

  On 6/9/2025 at 1:22 AM, Mongo3451 said:

I do like that Ben had praise for Dom Rob, Hyppolite and Monongai.

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absolutely, and I like that Im hearing Trapilo is getting his assignments right and looks comfortable. in fact everything we've heard sounds really good, and the roster looks really good on paper.

Im just not ready to say we have a complete roster, especially regarding DE, but while i HOPE beyond hope that we have a good LT on the roster, I just want to see it comfirmed in pads.

I cant go in for sunshine and rainbows after all these years! But does everything we know look good so far? Absolutely!

[AZ54]

  On 6/9/2025 at 3:09 AM, BearFan PHX said:

absolutely, and I like that Im hearing Trapilo is getting his assignments right and looks comfortable. in fact everything we've heard sounds really good, and the roster looks really good on paper.

Im just not ready to say we have a complete roster, especially regarding DE, but while i HOPE beyond hope that we have a good LT on the roster, I just want to see it comfirmed in pads.

I cant go in for sunshine and rainbows after all these years! But does everything we know look good so far? Absolutely!

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Nobody has a complete roster.  Some teams have enough talent at positions to cover the gaps.  We're still finding out who our blue chips are.  

[AZ54]

  On 6/9/2025 at 3:45 AM, AZ54 said:

Nobody has a complete roster.  Some teams have enough talent at positions to cover the gaps.  We're still finding out who our blue chips are.  

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[BearFan PHX]

  On 6/9/2025 at 3:45 AM, AZ54 said:

Nobody has a complete roster.  Some teams have enough talent at positions to cover the gaps.  We're still finding out who our blue chips are.  

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I know! That's what I'm saying! 

Stinger was saying we had answers to all our questions, and I was saying it's way too early to count these chickens.

And of course I want those chickens to hatch well. Just too early for me to call them all successes. 

[Stinger226]

  On 6/9/2025 at 4:30 AM, BearFan PHX said:

I know! That's what I'm saying! 

Stinger was saying we had answers to all our questions, and I was saying it's way too early to count these chickens.

And of course I want those chickens to hatch well. Just too early for me to call them all successes. 

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Of course there are questions, the biggest question is at QB. Caleb had some moments last year but held the ball to long, rarely threw to checkdown option and took sacks. Many times bailed on a pocket and run into a sack. 1/3 of his sacks was on him last year. Threw into a crowd instead of hitting open players.

We have players to fill every position, yes it still has to be proven but just look at last year in comparison. Dalman or Shelton, Thuney or Jenkins, Jackson or Nate Davis. LT is still a question but at least we have 3 options to project, last year it was just Braxton. You liked Banks but had we drafted him, he would still be a question mark> 50% of all first round picks fail. So he would still be a question mark. 

We have Dayo, Sweat at DE starters, we have a draft pick last year that is promising  (Booker) and BJ mentioned Dom Rob. We have 8 bodies that still need to prove itself but at least Its not the same group we rolled out last year. Pass rush can come from the DT also, Jarrett, Shemar Turner, Dexter has gotten better every year, Billings is healthy,Cris Williams had some flashes. 

RB does not have an all pro back there but Swift is better than people think, Kyle has some game, Roschon can play better. With a better OL, every position will be upgraded. Thuney will make who ever plays LT better. Better play calling, getting the ball out quicker all contributes to better play from our LT, RB.

Had we drafted Banks, you would say that position is good, or drafted Trevon Henderson at RB but the truth is they are rookies that still would have to prove themselfves. From this point in time, this is the players we are going to war with, there is nobody  coming to make a position look better. If we acquired Nick Chubb, he is a huge question mark. 

Why Im optimisic , better coaching, hope that Caleb takes a big step forward, an improved OL, new bodies on the DL, and a wealth of new weapons for Caleb. 

 

 

[AZ54]

https://www.si.com/nfl/bears/why-rome-odunze-has-become-one-of-fantasy-football-s-hottest-names

[BearFan PHX]

  On 6/9/2025 at 10:39 AM, Stinger226 said:

Of course there are questions, the biggest question is at QB. Caleb had some moments last year but held the ball to long, rarely threw to checkdown option and took sacks. Many times bailed on a pocket and run into a sack. 1/3 of his sacks was on him last year. Threw into a crowd instead of hitting open players.

We have players to fill every position, yes it still has to be proven but just look at last year in comparison. Dalman or Shelton, Thuney or Jenkins, Jackson or Nate Davis. LT is still a question but at least we have 3 options to project, last year it was just Braxton. You liked Banks but had we drafted him, he would still be a question mark> 50% of all first round picks fail. So he would still be a question mark. 

We have Dayo, Sweat at DE starters, we have a draft pick last year that is promising  (Booker) and BJ mentioned Dom Rob. We have 8 bodies that still need to prove itself but at least Its not the same group we rolled out last year. Pass rush can come from the DT also, Jarrett, Shemar Turner, Dexter has gotten better every year, Billings is healthy,Cris Williams had some flashes. 

RB does not have an all pro back there but Swift is better than people think, Kyle has some game, Roschon can play better. With a better OL, every position will be upgraded. Thuney will make who ever plays LT better. Better play calling, getting the ball out quicker all contributes to better play from our LT, RB.

Had we drafted Banks, you would say that position is good, or drafted Trevon Henderson at RB but the truth is they are rookies that still would have to prove themselfves. From this point in time, this is the players we are going to war with, there is nobody  coming to make a position look better. If we acquired Nick Chubb, he is a huge question mark. 

Why Im optimisic , better coaching, hope that Caleb takes a big step forward, an improved OL, new bodies on the DL, and a wealth of new weapons for Caleb. 

 

 

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I don't believe that 50% of top ten OL picks fail.

I dont think Sweat and Dayo are enough at DE to challenge for a superbowl. It takes years to build a roster, and I assume DE will be a high priority next year unless we do something sooner.

I do think we have some horses at DT now.

I dont believe in Swift as a HB to take us where we want to go. Hes OK, but not a difference maker.

Of course ALL rookies need to prove it on the field. Before the draft i hadnt heard of Trapilo or seen any tape. If I had, hed have been on my list of guys I wanted too. I am optimistic about him, but I need to see him and Amagadje in pads.

Im not saying the roster is bad, Im saying its too early to be crowing about how all the pieces are in place. That's homer stuff.
 

[AZ54]

  On 6/9/2025 at 6:34 PM, BearFan PHX said:

I don't believe that 50% of top ten OL picks fail.

I dont think Sweat and Dayo are enough at DE to challenge for a superbowl. It takes years to build a roster, and I assume DE will be a high priority next year unless we do something sooner.

I do think we have some horses at DT now.

I dont believe in Swift as a HB to take us where we want to go. Hes OK, but not a difference maker.

Of course ALL rookies need to prove it on the field. Before the draft i hadnt heard of Trapilo or seen any tape. If I had, hed have been on my list of guys I wanted too. I am optimistic about him, but I need to see him and Amagadje in pads.

Im not saying the roster is bad, Im saying its too early to be crowing about how all the pieces are in place. That's homer stuff.
 

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KC, LA Rams, and Buffalo have done just fine with run-of-the-mill RBs.  Saquon was something of an anomaly because most Superbowl winning teams do not have an elite RB in the modern era.  Speaks volumes about how rosters are being built these days.  Swift's money will likely be needed elsewhere next year and he'll get replaced by a mid-round pick.  If our QB and receiving groups become what we think they can we might get away with another day 3 RB to compliment Monangai and still be ok.    This offseason has been one of our best but as you said, enough with the what-if scenarios it's time to start seeing this show up on the field.  

[BearFan PHX]

  On 6/9/2025 at 9:00 PM, AZ54 said:

KC, LA Rams, and Buffalo have done just fine with run-of-the-mill RBs.  Saquon was something of an anomaly because most Superbowl winning teams do not have an elite RB in the modern era.  Speaks volumes about how rosters are being built these days.  Swift's money will likely be needed elsewhere next year and he'll get replaced by a mid-round pick.  If our QB and receiving groups become what we think they can we might get away with another day 3 RB to compliment Monangai and still be ok.    This offseason has been one of our best but as you said, enough with the what-if scenarios it's time to start seeing this show up on the field.  

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Yeah, I agree things went very differently than I expected them to, but the quality of the scouting department is really shining through - identifying players who were not in the top 5 of their position groups who could still be starters. That allowed Poles to stay true to his philosophy, and even get played a few times for HBs, and still come away with prospects who can push to start in Trapilo, Monongai, Burden and Turner while still making a splash with a first round pick in Loveland,

I still think the Bears are going to lean heavily on the running game, and that we will wish we had a better HB1, no matter who eventually wins the job. I thinbk with the league having moved toward more 2 safety looks to counter the modern passing schemes over the last few years, that there is a chance for dominant HBs to affect the game more than they did 5 years ago lets say. I think we might wish we had Cam Skatebo on the roster this year.

I know we are gonna need another DE too. This is our biggest weakness right now, with HB as #2.

But as you have said, no roster is ever complete, so for almost every team across NFL history, there are strengths and there are "holes" - in the quest to keep updating the roster there is never a time where you dont have a concern about some player or position group.

I am hopeful about a lot of these players, but we all agree, we've been let down so many times before, let's at least see it in pads at camp before any asses are crowned LOL

[Stinger226]

  On 6/9/2025 at 9:53 PM, BearFan PHX said:

Yeah, I agree things went very differently than I expected them to, but the quality of the scouting department is really shining through - identifying players who were not in the top 5 of their position groups who could still be starters. That allowed Poles to stay true to his philosophy, and even get played a few times for HBs, and still come away with prospects who can push to start in Trapilo, Monongai, Burden and Turner while still making a splash with a first round pick in Loveland,

I still think the Bears are going to lean heavily on the running game, and that we will wish we had a better HB1, no matter who eventually wins the job. I thinbk with the league having moved toward more 2 safety looks to counter the modern passing schemes over the last few years, that there is a chance for dominant HBs to affect the game more than they did 5 years ago lets say. I think we might wish we had Cam Skatebo on the roster this year.

I know we are gonna need another DE too. This is our biggest weakness right now, with HB as #2.

But as you have said, no roster is ever complete, so for almost every team across NFL history, there are strengths and there are "holes" - in the quest to keep updating the roster there is never a time where you dont have a concern about some player or position group.

I am hopeful about a lot of these players, but we all agree, we've been let down so many times before, let's at least see it in pads at camp before any asses are crowned LOL

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Instead of focusing on spots that may be weaknesses (we dont know yet) lets look at whats better, QB (arrow pointing up), new coaches( huge arrow pointing up), Thuney-Dalman-Jackson ( a couple of former all pros in that group), weapons (DJ-Rome-Kmet-Loveland-Burden-Swift-Monangai-Zacckeaus) are all capable of big plays. I will give you Swift is not a top 15 RB but last time BJ was his play caller this was his stat line 5.5 yards a carry, 48 receptions , 8 TDs with a total of 931 yards on 34% of the snaps. If he matches those totals with Kyle gets 40% of snaps and Roschon getting 20% it will be considered a successful year. 

34.4%

0.0%

99

542

5.5

5

48

389

8.1

3

0

0

 

Defensively Brisker and Billings are back. Sweat had minor injuries last year and is healthy now. Added Jarret, Dayo, Turner, Hippolite, and Frazier. Dexter and Booker both added weight and should keep improving. I will agree another pass rusher would be great but no one else is coming. DA blitzes with his LBers a lot. Hippolite with his speed could add to the sack total. When Edmunds was at Buffalo , they used him as a pass rusher. He had 7.5 sacks, 32 TFL, 18 QB hits, 11 pressures. All of this in as a part time blitzer. 

With a new DC, one that believes in putting pressure on the QB, Allen will have sacks coming from many different positions. The defense is not complete but the overall picture looks good going forward. We are not the same old Bears. Had we had a better coach last year odds are we would have had a winning record with not as good as a roster. 

[BearFan PHX]

I'm just trying to look at what we've got in a realistic light. To me that's more exciting, because then when you get positive results, it means we might actually win some games.

I think our OL is going to be night and day better, and hopefully the LT too, and I think BJ will know how to call the running game with them, so I do expect our HBs to do well, and as a result, our play action passing game too. And all of that takes away opportunities for the defense to sack Williams. I think BJ gets this as well as anyone in the league.

I do think without a consistent pass rush we can only go so far. A playoff appearance? Maybe even a playoff win? Those are possibilities, but when we meet the really good teams, we're going to wish we had a top 10 pass rushing DE, and a bell cow HB who can really strike fear into the defense and close out games with tough first downs.

I think our team develop this year, hopefully learn how to reliably beat the bottom 2/3 of the league, and then we will come up against the good teams, and learn that it takes even more to get to the superbowl. And that's a great place to be for this year. Next year, having been good but gotten our asses kicked by a top team, we will add at DE and HB, and then we will be a real contender.

This is all on schedule. But we are not quite there yet.

Now luck, and growth of the team will play an important part. There is no real ceiling on most of what this team can do in December if they really gel. But without a feared pass rush, you can only hope to win shootouts or lucky situations when you come to teams like the Eagles etc who stand between us and championships.

This will be a great growing year for Caleb. I think 10-7 or 11-6 are possible. Maybe even 12-5 if everything goes right, and we have a shot at winning the division too.

But we are not there yet, even on paper, to be a dominant threat to win multiple Superbowls, and of course this is if everything goes best case scenario, which it seldom does.

It's gonna be great to see them ascend to that next level, and then they will discover what it really takes to dominate, after losing a heartbreaker in the playoffs to a truly good team.

And honestly, I think that's right on schedule.

[adam]

It looks like the Bears dodged a huge bullet and picked the correct Shemar. Stewart is already turning out to be a wasted pick for Cincy and it's only early June. 

[BearFan PHX]

  On 6/12/2025 at 6:38 PM, adam said:

It looks like the Bears dodged a huge bullet and picked the correct Shemar. Stewart is already turning out to be a wasted pick for Cincy and it's only early June. 

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I dunno - Cinci is asking Stewart to accept a contract with different language than they had in their last two first rounders. I think it's possible that Cinci is the one to blame and not Stewart? It's not like he's holding out over money - those contracts are already slotted for $.

[ASHKUM BEAR]

  On 6/12/2025 at 6:38 PM, adam said:

It looks like the Bears dodged a huge bullet and picked the correct Shemar. Stewart is already turning out to be a wasted pick for Cincy and it's only early June. 

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How about the reports of Clevelands first pick, DT Mason Graham, showing up out of shape to camp. Glad we dodged that one too. 

[BearFan PHX]

  On 6/12/2025 at 9:45 PM, ASHKUM BEAR said:

How about the reports of Clevelands first pick, DT Mason Graham, showing up out of shape to camp. Glad we dodged that one too. 

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yeah, out of shape is MUC worse than a contract holdout that seems to be Cinci's fault. Im on Shemar Stewart's side in this, but Graham? That's inexcuseable. Glad we dont have to deal with that!

[ASHKUM BEAR]

  On 6/12/2025 at 9:51 PM, BearFan PHX said:

yeah, out of shape is MUC worse than a contract holdout that seems to be Cinci's fault. Im on Shemar Stewart's side in this, but Graham? That's inexcuseable. Glad we dont have to deal with that!

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For sure.  The language of contracts is changing, especially the fully guarantee part.  I expect next year 3rd round picks to hold out for that.  We will soon find out how far down into the 2nd round that goes. 

[BearFan PHX]

  On 6/12/2025 at 9:57 PM, ASHKUM BEAR said:

For sure.  The language of contracts is changing, especially the fully guarantee part.  I expect next year 3rd round picks to hold out for that.  We will soon find out how far down into the 2nd round that goes. 

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yeah, and Luther Burden is a likely problem for the same reason. Hope whatever it is gets done quick, and Burden is willing to be coached.

[Mongo3451]

  On 6/12/2025 at 10:28 PM, BearFan PHX said:

yeah, and Luther Burden is a likely problem for the same reason. Hope whatever it is gets done quick, and Burden is willing to be coached.

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Burden worries me.  He's already missed everything due to soft tissue injury.  If he was truly jaded because he thought he should have been a first rounder, you'd think he would show up in shape. 

On to the second rounders.  I don't understand what has changed from previous years.  30 second rounders have not signed.

Edited June 13 by Mongo3451
Typo

[Stinger226]

  On 6/13/2025 at 2:23 PM, Mongo3451 said:

Burden quotes me.  He's already missed everything due to soft tissue injury.  If he was truly jaded because he thought he should have been a first rounder, you'd think he would show up in shape. 

On to the second rounders.  I don't understand what has changed from previous years.  30 second rounders have not signed.

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The first 2nd rounders that signed got guarranteed contracts. They all want that. I think Burden is using the soft tissure injury as leverage to  signing a guarranteed contract. When its done , he will all of a sudden be healthy.

[Mongo3451]

  On 6/13/2025 at 2:55 PM, Stinger226 said:

The first 2nd rounders that signed got guarranteed contracts. They all want that. I think Burden is using the soft tissure injury as leverage to  signing a guarranteed contract. When its done , he will all of a sudden be healthy.

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He needed to be out there.

[BearFan PHX]

Burden has always been known as a head case and a me first kind of guy. Hopefully BJ can get his attention and straighten him out.

FWIW, a lot of good guys taken in the second round also dont want to be the first player that accepts a non guaranteed contract and breaks the chain for every player behind them.