Ok, I have been tempering my excitement and it is only the preseason but I always felt that there are things you can take away from the preseason even if it is not game outcome related. 

The operation as a whole looks crisper, tighter, and it feels like everyone understands what is going on. Communication looked good, no delay of game penalties or wasted time outs.

The buy in is real. Burdens blocks at the goal line were impressive. If the players have confidence and trust the process, there is another level that can be achieved, something we haven't seen since the Lovie era.

Now this might not equate to wins right away but I feel like once they get on a roll I don't see them getting blown out. They will be in every game.

Like you said, organized, no penalties, out in time. The biggest take for me was Caleb was 1-2-3 and out came the ball, he knew where he was suppose to go , players were open. He averaged 2.1 to 2.7 seconds on every pass play. The OTs took their blocks to the outside, as long as Caleb steps up in the pocket, he will have plenty of time. 

5 hours ago, Stinger226 said:

Like you said, organized, no penalties, out in time. The biggest take for me was Caleb was 1-2-3 and out came the ball, he knew where he was suppose to go , players were open. He averaged 2.1 to 2.7 seconds on every pass play. The OTs took their blocks to the outside, as long as Caleb steps up in the pocket, he will have plenty of time. 

Yeah, the media circus finally picked up on it. The ball was coming out quick and he was decisive. It doesn't matter if the defense has the best pass rushers, they aren't getting there in 2 seconds unless unblocked. 

I was concerned that Caleb not playing in week one was a sign that he was behind schedule.  I saw no evidence of that yesterday.  The D was solid but special teams wasn’t.  All three phases need to be there to maximize wins.  

51 minutes ago, adam said:

It doesn't matter if the defense has the best pass rushers, they aren't getting there in 2 seconds unless unblocked.

Yup.  We are going have to keep it that way 80% plus to activate the deep shots and slow crossers.  Play action needs to be great...

Like Adam mentioned, if the QB is on time and out in under 2.4 seconds, the pass rush will not get there in time. The key will be the IOL, if they keep the pocket clean , Caleb will excel. Its just 1-2-3, hit the open receiver or throw it away. I can see less than 40 sacks this year if the OL holds up. 

I dont know who this is (John Middlekrauff) but he's not a Bear pundit ,  he breaks it down real simple.\

 

If the score was the other way around the media would already be putting the Bills in the Super Bowl.  We’re not that naive here on this board but that game was a clear sign that this coaching staff is different.  So was Caleb.  I might have been the only Bears fan that celebrates when Caleb threw the ball in the dirt after Buffalo blew up the RB screen play.  It was the first time I can recall him understanding don’t take the negative play and  move on to the next play.  

2 minutes ago, AZ54 said:

If the score was the other way around the media would already be putting the Bills in the Super Bowl.  We’re not that naive here on this board but that game was a clear sign that this coaching staff is different.  So was Caleb.  I might have been the only Bears fan that celebrates when Caleb threw the ball in the dirt after Buffalo blew up the RB screen play.  It was the first time I can recall him understanding don’t take the negative play and  move on to the next play.  

Absolutely, doing what he was suppose to do. 6-10 detracts from how well he actually did. He had two throw away's, and Rome dropped one. The scheme will get players open and a better OL keeps Caleb on time and in rhythm. That works against better talented players also.

My optimism is shining.

52 minutes ago, AZ54 said:

If the score was the other way around the media would already be putting the Bills in the Super Bowl.  We’re not that naive here on this board but that game was a clear sign that this coaching staff is different.  So was Caleb.  I might have been the only Bears fan that celebrates when Caleb threw the ball in the dirt after Buffalo blew up the RB screen play.  It was the first time I can recall him understanding don’t take the negative play and  move on to the next play.  

I had a moron friend over last night who said "What was that!" when he grounded that ball.  And my comment was, that was maturity and good coaching.  He did exactly what he should've done in that situation.  

Given how well Bagent has played, is Case Keenum going to make the team?  Also, I need to know from the cap gurus here, how much goes back into the coffers when and if they cut him?  I understand he'd there to be a mentor but I want the two best QB's on the active roster every Sunday and the third on as the emergency guy.  I'm not sure Case is the second best QB on this team and I'm also not sure if he'll want to be inactive.

Case got 2.25 mil and we would only save 900,000 if we cut him. I think they find a way to keep him around. Since he has an injury, they may have him on the beginning pup list so we keep him in the fold. You never know when You might need his services. Many teams have run out of healthy QBs in a season before. 

52 minutes ago, Stinger226 said:

Case got 2.25 mil and we would only save 900,000 if we cut him. I think they find a way to keep him around. Since he has an injury, they may have him on the beginning pup list so we keep him in the fold. You never know when You might need his services. Many teams have run out of healthy QBs in a season before. 

Well put.  Thanks.  

2 hours ago, AZ54 said:

If the score was the other way around the media would already be putting the Bills in the Super Bowl.  We’re not that naive here on this board but that game was a clear sign that this coaching staff is different.  So was Caleb.  I might have been the only Bears fan that celebrates when Caleb threw the ball in the dirt after Buffalo blew up the RB screen play.  It was the first time I can recall him understanding don’t take the negative play and  move on to the next play.  

Totally agree. The coaching is easy to see now. And Caleb isn't wearing a wristband with plays on it, so I understand it took a while in camp to digest.

Its hard to evaluate OL and such agaisnt second stringers, but evaluating making reads and getting the ball out in rhythm is valid no matter who is on defense. The offense looked organized, disciplined and crisp. SO good to see.

As to the screen pass he grounded, I also said "good job" out loud even though I was watching it alone. Caleb is clearly maturing, Johnson is clearly the right guy to be our coach - all of that is obvious now. The rest we will take as it comes.

Related but unrelated, if Ben Johnson was coaching this team last year, I think they start at least 7-0. 19-13 loss to HOU, 21-16 loss to IND, 18-15 loss to WAS, then the falling off the cliff and losing to ARZ 29-9 and NE 19-3. No way that happens with him. Then after that are 3 straight Division losses by 3 pts or less. That's why I am more optimistic about this season. The roster is better, the coaching staff is better, so it is really hard for those two things to not move the needle.

Compare to the Bears to the current Patriots. Which roster and coaching staff would you rather have? I like Vrabel, but outside of a few players from NE, I would take 85% of the Bears roster. Comparing OCs and DCs, I think the Bears have the edge on both sides for play callers. We will see how it works out but those two teams seem to have the most in common. 

1 hour ago, adam said:

Related but unrelated, if Ben Johnson was coaching this team last year, I think they start at least 7-0. 19-13 loss to HOU, 21-16 loss to IND, 18-15 loss to WAS, then the falling off the cliff and losing to ARZ 29-9 and NE 19-3. No way that happens with him. Then after that are 3 straight Division losses by 3 pts or less. That's why I am more optimistic about this season. The roster is better, the coaching staff is better, so it is really hard for those two things to not move the needle.

Compare to the Bears to the current Patriots. Which roster and coaching staff would you rather have? I like Vrabel, but outside of a few players from NE, I would take 85% of the Bears roster. Comparing OCs and DCs, I think the Bears have the edge on both sides for play callers. We will see how it works out but those two teams seem to have the most in common. 

It is definitely a different vibe this year. Everything you said will make a difference but every time we have a setback fans resort to a lack of trust. I think by the bye week, we will start seeing our future but we will have mishaps along the way.

 

Anyone ever listen to Steve Rosenbloom on the SCORE on Saturdays usually but on today. Im an optimist and it is the opposite of positive in the name of being realistic. I get critizms with a lot of things up in the air but there has been lots of positive moves this year and arrow is pointed up. I can only stomach him for 5 minutes and today his was talking about Bagent should start over Caleb because he performed so well in the preseason. He's a total debag.