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

[dougthonus]

It would blow me away. Also because on the heels of rolling dice on a similar hot coordinator in Nagy, more known quantities having some familiarity with Caleb would make a lot of sense for the Bears. However, yeah, we can consider an optics concern as a possibility to overpay for because of the current position of franchise in question.

I think in retrospect, that Matt Nagy did well with the talent he had.

[Betta Bulleavit]

It was not as direct of an answer as he could give - the one I suggested would be more direct.

But sure, he may just mean "hey, it's all moot if we agree on the guy, but if we disagree, we'll talk about it and it's ultimately Ryan's call." But it can also be read as "it's Ryan's call, but I might try pretty hard to talk him out of it if I don't agree," and given that Warren is Poles's boss, how do you think that might go?

It was just more than it needed to be, and in today's Bears media environment, fairly inevitable that people would pick it apart.

Meh, it’s all semantics to me. If someone asks me a hypothetical question, I then have to give a hypothetical answer. His answer was one that basically said that it’s gonna be Poles’ call and that if there were disagreements, they’d work through them if that need were to arise. It felt pretty direct to me. But that’s just me.

"Who has the final decision" is not a hypothetical question.

It is when it’s being asked in the context of “if there is a disagreement”.

[biggestbullsfan]

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[Dresden]

…

I’m hoping TB takes the reins and doesn’t let go. I like his approach. I’ve been screaming a for a football coach leader of men coach for decades. We haven’t had one since Ditka.

Come on TB!

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The funny thing about luck is that just about every good team has a fair share of it. No GM makes moves knowing exactly how they are going to turn out. The only thing that you can do is gauge the potential upside in the moves that you make and hope that it plays out to the highest of levels. That’s not just a Bears thing. It’s a general thing across all sports.

Very true. The 49'ers got very unlucky (or were just dumb) when they made the deal to draft Trey Lance. Then they got very lucky (or were just smart), in drafting Purdy with the last pick in the last round.

[jnrjr79]

Meh, it’s all semantics to me. If someone asks me a hypothetical question, I then have to give a hypothetical answer. His answer was one that basically said that it’s gonna be Poles’ call and that if there were disagreements, they’d work through them if that need were to arise. It felt pretty direct to me. But that’s just me.

"Who has the final decision" is not a hypothetical question.

It is when it’s being asked in the context of “if there is a disagreement”.

No, it isn't. My goodness. It's a question about someone's current authority, not hypothetical authority. Sure, it might only get exercised in the event of disagreement, but the answer exists now and is not contingent on anything.

That's like saying "do you have the power to fire Joe" is a hypothetical because you have not yet decided to fire Joe. It doesn't matter! The answer is yes or no!

[panthermark]

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Jurko's roster trims, he wants them all gone.


Allen - He can play, but his is a "win now" player. I wish we could have traded him.
Edmunds - I don't think we move from him.
Jones - Better as a swing to me, he can stay for one more year while we upgrade
Lewis - Cooked
Bates - Meh....he can stay for a year while we upgrade.
Everett - Awful
Brisker - Man, that is tough. We might have to move on.

[Betta Bulleavit]

"Who has the final decision" is not a hypothetical question.

It is when it’s being asked in the context of “if there is a disagreement”.

No, it isn't. My goodness. It's a question about someone's current authority, not hypothetical authority. Sure, it might only get exercised in the event of disagreement, but the answer exists now and is not contingent on anything.

That's like saying "do you have the power to fire Joe" is a hypothetical because you have not yet decided to fire Joe. It doesn't matter! The answer is yes or no!

Eh, it’s whatever to me at this point. My position is that the move that needed to be made was made by whomever it was made by. I couldn’t care less about who has the final say on our next coach just as long as they get it right.

So far as the question itself, it was hypothetical in context and I’m pretty sure that the person asking the question made that pretty clear. Any time a question is asked in a “what-if” context, it’s hypothetical. Don’t know about you, but I’m primed to move on from that topic.

[fleet]

It would blow me away. Also because on the heels of rolling dice on a similar hot coordinator in Nagy, more known quantities having some familiarity with Caleb would make a lot of sense for the Bears. However, yeah, we can consider an optics concern as a possibility to overpay for because of the current position of franchise in question.

I think in retrospect, that Matt Nagy did well with the talent he had.

Ryan Pace was always the main problem. And George McCaskey.

[Charlesareed]

It would blow me away. Also because on the heels of rolling dice on a similar hot coordinator in Nagy, more known quantities having some familiarity with Caleb would make a lot of sense for the Bears. However, yeah, we can consider an optics concern as a possibility to overpay for because of the current position of franchise in question.

I think in retrospect, that Matt Nagy did well with the talent he had.

Nagy shouldn’t have been fired at all

[Ben Wilson25]

Lastly, I hope they do explore trading for coaches as well. I'm not a huge Shanahan fan, but would like to talk to him. Same with McVay and Tomlin if they are available. Heck, even McDaniels.

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

[fleet]

Lastly, I hope they do explore trading for coaches as well. I'm not a huge Shanahan fan, but would like to talk to him. Same with McVay and Tomlin if they are available. Heck, even McDaniels.

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.

[RastaBull]

Watch on YouTube

Jurko's roster trims, he wants them all gone.


Allen - He can play, but his is a "win now" player. I wish we could have traded him.
Edmunds - I don't think we move from him.
Jones - Better as a swing to me, he can stay for one more year while we upgrade
Lewis - Cooked
Bates - Meh....he can stay for a year while we upgrade.
Everett - Awful
Brisker - Man, that is tough. We might have to move on.

I don't tune into local Bears much so I don't know much about them ... but is Jurko by chance known for being kind of, how do I say this, not smart?

Maybe I'm way off, but it's kind of hard (first time listening) to give him much credibility when he doesn't seem to know much about players or the Bears. He's starting by talking about Edmunds, talking as though Edmunds has played for the Colts ... then when corrected he comes up with "well, Eberflus probably played against him somewhere" (like, you know, every player in the NFL?).

Then says "when has anyone ever talked about him as a pro bowl player" (well, in his short 6.5 years he's made pro-bowl twice) ... so then he qualifies "since coming to the Bears." He says he's "average"
[1st] Edmunds has been here for 1 FULL YEAR, so not sure what his point is "since he's been here"
[2nd] That 1 full year he put up great numbers that are the same if not better than his 2 pro bowl season (113 tackles, 4 int, 7 pass defense, his first TD, not pro bowl level) and he's on pace for the same type of season again ... for a coverage linebacker this is great long as partnered with a speedy running stopping linebacker (like Edwards with 155 tackles last year). And this year Edmunds is playing at very same level and pace.
[3rd] He's the inside LB of a defense that went 13 straight games not allowing more than 21 points. That says a lot. He also passes the eye test making big plays and stops, gang tackling.

Then he complains about him performing like the second highest player on team.
[1st] I don't know why this guy is talking like the Bears only have 5 mil in cap ... does he understand their 2024 cap is not part of equation for next year? Like, they aren't cutting and signing free agents RIGHT NOW. In offseason we have 80+ million in cap ... WITH guys like Edmunds locked up already
[2nd]. He literally says, "I'm saving 22.4, but an acknowledgment I have about 5 mil in dead cap that will be on books for next year". What is he smoking???
[3rd] Edmunds is locked up next two years at a pretty great deal that depreciates in cap hit (17 mil next year), making him the third highest ON DEFENSE (behind Sweat and Johnson), which is pretty reasonable again given they are our top guys at the only other two levels of defense.

Then Jurko moves to his next desired cut, "Brandon" Jones (whoops ... he meant Braxton). Yeah, lets cut a 5th round draft pick who has already made 38 starts at LT in three years, and was all-rookie team his first year. Do I want to see Braxton Jones starting at LT next year, no. Does that mean we need to overhaul the roster and drop him, heck no! He's a sure-fire NFL player, with great size and athleticism. Maybe, just maybe, he's not the starting LT for a franchise rookie QB. But let's thinks about depth or moving him inside while we got him on a 1 mil cap hit.

Seriously, what is he talking about when he says "All that's got about 66 mil in saving, with dead cap I got about 52. 52 on top of the 5 mil gives you 57 million going into next years offseason".

I guess my question for more typical listeners, is this Jurko guy usually drunk when he talks about the Bears? That was 10 minutes of my life I wish I had back.

[Jeffster81]

It would blow me away. Also because on the heels of rolling dice on a similar hot coordinator in Nagy, more known quantities having some familiarity with Caleb would make a lot of sense for the Bears. However, yeah, we can consider an optics concern as a possibility to overpay for because of the current position of franchise in question.

I think in retrospect, that Matt Nagy did well with the talent he had.

Nagy shouldn’t have been fired at all

Yes, he should have. Nagy's record was buoyed by his first two seasons but overall he was not very good.

[RastaBull]

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)

[RastaBull]

I think in retrospect, that Matt Nagy did well with the talent he had.

Nagy shouldn’t have been fired at all

Yes, he should have. Nagy's record was buoyed by his first two seasons but overall he was not very good.

He was really fun that first year. Injuries and some guys regressing to their means set in and it looked mediocre. Then it became bad when we realized Nagy isn't the guy that can coach up guys to greatness; and his fun vibe doesn't sustain through challenges.

But I'm happy for him to finding great success as a coordinator again in KC (where greatness already exists and he just has to help it execute).

I'll also be happy for Flus when he gets hired as a DC somewhere. I think he is really smart defensive play caller and coordinator. I think some of the bend-don't-break, coach not to lose, gets exacerbated by being a HC and he's just not capable of wearing that hat, or both hats. As a DC, I don't think those flaws will be as apparent even if it is basically same thing. He knows how to play his talent to their strengths, and as a DC he'll have a HC telling what they need in terms of end-of-game strategy and time management.

Hope he gets a job next year and best of success to him!

[RastaBull]

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.

[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

[Ben Wilson25]

Lastly, I hope they do explore trading for coaches as well. I'm not a huge Shanahan fan, but would like to talk to him. Same with McVay and Tomlin if they are available. Heck, even McDaniels.

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).

[dougthonus]

I don't tune into local Bears much so I don't know much about them ... but is Jurko by chance known for being kind of, how do I say this, not smart?

His role is former player with meathead, cliche hot takes. If you think he's dumb when it comes to football, god help you if you hear his takes on other sports.

[Dresden]

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.