Bears 9.0: Thomas Brown HC audition, offseason/draft prep

[Dresden]

Amidst all the talk of brining in "a leader of men", which I find to be an overused, sexist cliche, wasn't that moniker being applied to Eberflus when he was first hired?

[fleet]

This is by far my preferred route if it’s at all possible.

In no way, shape or form are the Bears giving up two #1 picks on top of paying Shanahan when they can just sign their favorite guy from the list which includes Ben Johnson. Especially if they are dead set on the offensive genius angle. At least, that’s my opinion.

I don’t know what picks it would take but who cares about the money when coaches don’t count against the cap. We’ve just seen firsthand how coaching can translate directly to wins and losses. I’m sick of rolling the dice on guys who haven’t done it before. Ben Johnson could be great, but he could also be 2018 Matt Nagy. If Caleb is who we hope he is let’s stop screwing around and give him his Andy Reid/Bill Belichick (but not actually Bill Belichick).

Gruden cost two #1s, and #2s iirc. So start there. Not for me. I hire BJ way before this kind of option. I actually hire all of Vrabel, Flores Brady and Brown as well. Not gonna turn the Bears into the Rams or Bucs on draft days. I don’t know what is right or wrong, but I couldn’t do that.

[Dresden]

I'm pumped up for Sundays game. This is perfect imo. I'm sorry we had to suffer and become the laughing stock first, but I'm ready for a Phoenix rising haha.

In all honesty, I'm optimistic we'll have a fun and encouraging final 5 games. This team has talent for sure ... our offense has been clicking, still playing it safe but definitely showing success. Moore and Allen clicking with Caleb, and that's great for Caleb (and Moore who we hope has a long tenure with Caleb). Swift has been consistent all year (not top of league, but he makes an electric play or two each game to make the defense pay for underestimating him). Offensive line is still doomed, so we'll see how that goes.

I know reporters and many here look at that locker room explosion as an embarrassment or further painting complete disarray in Halas; I don't though. I think another feasible perspective is it's a unified group of players that are passionate and want to win. It doesn't sound like any of players are pointing fingers at each other and giving up on each other ... they have been busting their balls to come back and compete in every game. Sounds like one of biggest simmering gripes was playcalling to end Washington game; I'm proud to hear and have a defense that gets that angry.

Now, the biggest root (in reality and in the players eyes) is gone. So I def don't expect them to come out flat; I expect them to play with the same passion and more.

And I'm excited for Thomas Brown to take the HC roll. I don't think when he took OC that he turned Caleb and offense around with mesmerizing schemes and playcalling. He might have switched up some things here and there (props to him and one of several reasons he continues to intrigue me), but from sounds of it he made an impact with his relationship to the players! Seems like Caleb and the receivers WANT to play for him. I'm excited and hopeful to see that translate across the defense now too; no real reason it shouldn't.

I'm not saying we will win out, but at least this Sunday I'm hoping we go into SF against a banged up 49ers and see a team come out with that post-firing surge to nab a win for the new interim coach. And then, with 3 of 4 games divisional after that, I'd fully expect these Bears to play each of them hard as they can. (How awesome would it be to see TB go 3-0 against the division after Flus' total epic failure in that category lmao)

Me too! No more distractions. Let's see how they do under Brown. I want to see the offense come out strong from the start, not wait until the second half to start moving the ball. I think this next game is the most winnable one they have- Niners are a shell of themselves right now. Although their back up RB, Mason, is very capable of having a huge game v. the Bears defense.

I have mixed feelings about the Bears winning more games this year though. In the end, I'd rather they win as much as possible so that the team builds up some momentum and because I want them to have some success for their morale. But of course a higher draft pick is nice too. But I think winning games is more important for a lot of reasons. And getting some wins v. the NFC North would be satisfying as well. I doubt anyone will be resting players v. us either, given how close the standings are.

[fleet]

Not quite worried, but whatever has been causing Rome to be running different routes, or 3/4 like on the final play on Thanksgiving needs to get fixed 100%. However, in a world where trading down for Brock Bowers was an option, maybe I get a little curious.

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[Dresden]

I won't be worried about Rome until he gets more usage. There was concern about his ability to separate leading up to the draft, but his strength was his win rate on contested throws. He hasn't had much of an opportunity to use that, but as Caleb and he get more used to each other, hopefully we'll see more of that. It would also be nice to get him the ball more in space, where he can use his size and speed.

[Betta Bulleavit]

Amidst all the talk of brining in "a leader of men", which I find to be an overused, sexist cliche, wasn't that moniker being applied to Eberflus when he was first hired?

Basically.

And I agree with you in that this description of coaches and QBs is often overused. We just need someone that understands the core characteristics of a leader. Competence, accountability and the ability to bring people together. You don’t have to be the “rah-rah” motivational guy. You don’t have to be the absolute best with the media. Or give all the PC answers. We just need our next coach to be able to……coach!

[patryk7754]

Lot of speculative chatter about the 49ers and shanahan mutually parting ways. Almost zero chance that happens but if they do, he should be the only option for HC. Mike Florio even mentioned that the bears should put in a call to see if they can trade for him. Which I guess they might as well

I think McVay is more likely to be available than Shanahan, although I don't think either is going anywhere any time soon. But LA's run is just about over with Stafford being close to the end of his career, although he sure doesn't look it. 49'ers still have a great roster, they just are having a down year, and I think Shanahan really wants to win a SB before he would think about leaving. And they won't fire him. John Lynch isn't that stupid and even if he was, ownership wouldn't let him.

Agreed. John Harbaugh can be thrown into this convo as well. The only thing that maybe might give this idea credibility is that for Mcvay, there’s always murmurs that he might leave to do broadcasting so maybe he’s more open to leaving than a successful coaches would usually be and every time harbaugh or Shannan have a disappointing season there’s chirps that the teams should move on from them. Always using Andy Reid and the eagles as an example. But I wouldn’t consider those the same thing

[patryk7754]

Kap on espn radio said that he knows for a fact that poles wanted fire eberflus but wasn’t allowed. First time I’ve heard someone speak factually and not hypothetically about Poles’ role in keeping/firing eberflus.

[Howling Mad]

Kap on espn radio said that he knows for a fact that poles wanted fire eberflus but wasn’t allowed. First time I’ve heard someone speak factually and not hypothetically about Poles’ role in keeping/firing eberflus.

Kap mentioned twp pieces of important info, the other being that Poles was hired with the pre-requisite that he had to hire Eberflus. He used the words "married to". It was a pretty firm statement and not a suggestion that Poles had no say in the HC.

[dougthonus]

Amidst all the talk of brining in "a leader of men", which I find to be an overused, sexist cliche, wasn't that moniker being applied to Eberflus when he was first hired?

Basically.

And I agree with you in that this description of coaches and QBs is often overused. We just need someone that understands the core characteristics of a leader. Competence, accountability and the ability to bring people together. You don’t have to be the “rah-rah” motivational guy. You don’t have to be the absolute best with the media. Or give all the PC answers. We just need our next coach to be able to……coach!

Yeah, I think you can dop "of men" and just say "a leader".

If you think about from a coaching perspective, there are really two very high level requirements that decompose into many smaller skills:

1: Being a leader - People want to follow and listen to you and you motivate people to do their best and go in the direction you're pointing.

2: Being a tactician - The direction you try to take everyone in is the correct and best direction.

Neither of these things has an absolute right or wrong answer, you can accomplish both through many packages of skills. However, to be great, you need your overall package of skills to role up into something that accomplishes both of these things.

Eberflus obviously failed on the "being a leader" part. The team didn't buy into him. Whether he initially had buy-in but lost it because he was a poor tactician is also a possibility of course.

[jnrjr79]

Anyone read or have their own ideas of who could be in play for OC and DC in a hypo where TB is hired as Head Coach? Wonder if there are some guys lower on the Rams coaching staff from TB's days? Maybe some guys from other college coaching tree connections (Mark Richt or Kirby Smart deciples). I'd be into Jim Caldwell helping out. Don't know much about this Andy Ludwig (college OC that TB worked under in Wisconsin).

My dream scenario would be TB going 4-1, showing a great command of lockerroom and galvanizing leadership amongst the players. Given a real shot in interview, maybe even frontrunner. Securing Head Coach, but giving OC playcalling duties to incoming OC. My thinking is we could entice or poach a better OC with playcalling duties on the table.

Any chance at all you could get Marcus Freeman to leave Notre Dame to take over DC? That Notre Dame defense looks mighty impressive this year, and as a HC I hear a lot of him being a great "leader of men" type of guy. We got a good defensive personnel set up, especially if Poles grab another top flight DE in draft/FA ... it's a stone's throw from Indiana ... maybe? (tell me if that's crazy ... Notre Dame HC is probably a quicker way to jump straight to NFL HC then going to DC first would be).

The Kliffsbury talk at OC seems silly. Why would he leave Washington OC to Bears? He's making Daniels look like a star (I say look, because I think there's major flaws and potential big time drop off coming). I don't think I'd necessarily want him either; he doesn't have much NFL success.

The actual media chatter around KK is for HC, not OC. He's not going to come here to be OC (a lateral move), particularly when TB would presumably be retaining play-calling.

[biggestbullsfan]

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[fleet]

Kap on espn radio said that he knows for a fact that poles wanted fire eberflus but wasn’t allowed. First time I’ve heard someone speak factually and not hypothetically about Poles’ role in keeping/firing eberflus.

My take on that is, that would be a better scenario for Poles’ reputation than it would be for the Bears. This means George is FOS, and by direct implication, the Bears football people have always been completely **** by George, and it’s still happening. This is the worst news in a long time for Bears fans

[fleet]

Some crazy people are taking this to be McVay, but it’s been brought up that it is more likely Stefanski throwing his hat in the ring than anyone else. If people were thinking clearly, they would understand that McVay wouldn’t step on TB’s toes.

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[Jimako10]

Kap on espn radio said that he knows for a fact that poles wanted fire eberflus but wasn’t allowed. First time I’ve heard someone speak factually and not hypothetically about Poles’ role in keeping/firing eberflus.

My take on that is, that would be a better scenario for Poles’ reputation than it would be for the Bears. This means George is FOS, and by direct implication, the Bears football people have always been completely **** by George, and it’s still happening. This is the worst news in a long time for Bears fans

Poles: Hey George, at this pace, we are going to be the worst team in football and I will have to let go Eberflus.

George: And pay him for 3 years to do nothing?? No thanks! Figure it out.

Poles calls Washington GM: Hey I heard you're looking to move Sweat?

Washington GM: Wow ok, didn't expect a call from you, I'm usually getting a calls from playoff teams. You're willing to lose draft position, a 2nd rounder, and extend him during a lost season? Whats the angle?

Poles: ........are we doing this or not?


If I had to choose to give the benefit of the doubt between Poles and George...I'd 100% give it to Poles every time. George is that guy at the poker table that outwardly pretends to not hold a big hand when it's obvious to everyone that he's holding the nuts. It's why he's always emphasizing that he's a hands off owner to the media, when in reality everything goes through him if it has to do with spending money.

[dice]

Kap on espn radio said that he knows for a fact that poles wanted fire eberflus but wasn’t allowed. First time I’ve heard someone speak factually and not hypothetically about Poles’ role in keeping/firing eberflus.

Kap mentioned twp pieces of important info, the other being that Poles was hired with the pre-requisite that he had to hire Eberflus. He used the words "married to". It was a pretty firm statement and not a suggestion that Poles had no say in the HC.

makes no sense. it was the intent of ownership to conceal the fact that eberflus was their choice by hiding behind poles? why? and poles agreed to such a batty arrangement?

[dice]

Some crazy people are taking this to be McVay, but it’s been brought up that it is more likely Stefanski throwing his hat in the ring than anyone else. If people were thinking clearly, they would understand that McVay wouldn’t step on TB’s toes.

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"it proves to me there's merit...." uh, no it doesn't, mikey. it means a wannabe head coach doesn't like not being mentioned amongst other candidates. doesn't mean jack with regard to the bears' plans

[dice]

Amidst all the talk of brining in "a leader of men", which I find to be an overused, sexist cliche, wasn't that moniker being applied to Eberflus when he was first hired?

Basically.

And I agree with you in that this description of coaches and QBs is often overused. We just need someone that understands the core characteristics of a leader. Competence, accountability and the ability to bring people together. You don’t have to be the “rah-rah” motivational guy. You don’t have to be the absolute best with the media. Or give all the PC answers. We just need our next coach to be able to……coach!

if, say, pat summit had referred to herself as a "leader of women" would that have been sexist? i mean, you can't use such terminology in the military, but sports?

[Almost Retired]

There are 3 Texas Longhorns on the Offensive line that I think are worthy of the Bears drafting them. Kelvin Banks Jr at LT, Jake Majors at Center and Cameron Williams who plays RT. I think even if we have Darnell Wright I'd think about drafting Williams and either play him inside Darnell Wright or keep him as a RT and move Wright inside. Majors is the top Center prospect in this Draft in my opinion. He's going to break the Texas record for most starts by a Center. He's rarely hurt. He's also smart and a real leader on the Texas O-Line. I don't think he's given up a sack in something like 3 seasons. We need an upgrade at Center in the worst way. Majors would be a great addition.

[patryk7754]

There’s more and more chatter about the bears trading for shanahan. Becoming kind of main stream. Still think it’s a nearly zero percent chance of happening but someone did bring up a good point as to why Kyle might be open to a trade.

The 49ers roster has a lot of significant money tied up to very injury prone players and are about to have to pay a good but not great QB 50ish million dollars. While in Chicago, our roster is 90% elite (need a pass rusher, OL, and development of Williams) but that’s something Shanahan can fix with poles.

I’m close to becoming delusional about how realistic it is for us to land Shanahan. Especially if Williams goes out there and has the best game of the season