Bears 12.0

[WookieOnRitalin]

Is anyone else annoyed that KC may have found a Pro Bowl left tackle at the end of the first round? He looks awesome.

The Bears basic struggle identifying and placing premium O-line talent into the mix has been a trip. The urgency is now increasing, they signed some interior guys. But also still lukewarm in drafts.

I didn’t notice how Simmons played, I looked for him a couple times but lost focus. But the bill for deprioritizing left tackle over the years, over other positions could be coming due for the Bears. I have heard comments that Ersery is looking great as well.

No one knows what Simmons' long term trajectory after his patellar tear. It's not a question of his overall talent, but I can imagine that the overall bet is that most teams do not believe in his capacity to stay healthy long term. At best, he's a rental for the next 4-5 years before he begins to go downhill.

[fleet]

Bagent is a beast!

Yo Tyson Bagent might be better than Justin Fields and Mitch Trubisky for real now.

That dart to end the game...oh boy. Im not sure there's another qb on this team right now that makes that play.

So glad Agent Bagent is getting a lot of love from our fan base now. Just remember, Fleet called it on Bagent long before the rest of us came around. The perception at first was that Bagent is a weak armed, short pass happy, irrelevant third stringer and Case's addition was gonna lead to Bagent getting cut or put on the practice squad. Noperdoodles.

It always is a different story for quarterbacks with arm strength questions to rip throws against starting secondary units. Bagent still has to answer those questions. But he has shown imo an adequate arm to play the position in the NFL in general as long as he is able to answer the other concomitant questions about his ability. The way I look at it is that the Bagent questions are more needed to be answered in other categories than his arm. Or should I say, his arm isn’t a limiting factor for him to answer to in order to succeed. It isn’t a special weakness or anything.

[fleet]

Is anyone else annoyed that KC may have found a Pro Bowl left tackle at the end of the first round? He looks awesome.

The Bears basic struggle identifying and placing premium O-line talent into the mix has been a trip. The urgency is now increasing, they signed some interior guys. But also still lukewarm in drafts.

I didn’t notice how Simmons played, I looked for him a couple times but lost focus. But the bill for deprioritizing left tackle over the years, over other positions could be coming due for the Bears. I have heard comments that Ersery is looking great as well.

No one knows what Simmons' long term trajectory after his patellar tear. It's not a question of his overall talent, but I can imagine that the overall bet is that most teams do not believe in his capacity to stay healthy long term. At best, he's a rental for the next 4-5 years before he begins to go downhill.

Certainly. Teams should take their early cuts though, and the Chiefs are. The LT needy Bears either choose at another positions over the years, and/or trade down from the 41st pick when Aerionte Ersery was still available, down past the point where Ersery was actually drafted. These are choices and evaluations to which the Bears should be held accountable. And credited if it works in their favor in terms of Ozzy Trapilo.

It isn’t really about one name V another name. It’s more about how to prioritize one position V another position. If Ben Johnson wasn’t making the calls now on his personnel orders, it would be far more nerve racking. He’s got the benefit of the doubt ATM. The Bears were looking better on it all when Trapilo wasn’t playing behind Darnell Wright. But tbf, it is a reasonable assumption that the landscape wasn’t obviously inviting to pick more for need in the second round. For me personally, I don’t like the way the Bears are always trying to get over by trying to get cute with the LT position. Personal preference is that I would like more of a priority placed there when they take their early cuts.

[Dresden]

why the hell do teams take chip shot FGs in the preseason? it helps the kicker virtually none and takes away a clutch 4th down play with which to evaluate/help the offense

Didn't we have an extra point blocked last night? That's why they take those.

[Dresden]

Is anyone else annoyed that KC may have found a Pro Bowl left tackle at the end of the first round? He looks awesome.

The Bears basic struggle identifying and placing premium O-line talent into the mix has been a trip. The urgency is now increasing, they signed some interior guys. But also still lukewarm in drafts.

I didn’t notice how Simmons played, I looked for him a couple times but lost focus. But the bill for deprioritizing left tackle over the years, over other positions could be coming due for the Bears. I have heard comments that Ersery is looking great as well.

Luke Newman, taken in the 5th round this year, started in place on Thuney and apparently did quite well playing with the starting unit, even helping out Braxton on a few plays. Darnell Wright by all accounts has the potential to be outstanding, although he's not there yet.

[Dresden]

What did folks think of Caleb's performance? I definitely saw signs of "old Caleb"...holding the ball too long.

He was pretty good. Not fantastic, but pretty good. It’s hard to complain about 11/15, 113 yards, 1TD, 0 INT, particularly when the line didn’t look great.

We have heard stories about Caleb in joint practices doing fairly well at times, but in these games, the only true success Caleb has demonstrated has been against backups. Rather than complain, one could choose to wait to assign successful accomplishment until it occurs. Ben Johnson is actually frustrated with what he saw in KC. FWIW, the Bears starters didn’t play well as units, especially in the trenches. Not to single out Caleb.

Being successful even against backups, is better than not being successful at all.

[Dresden]

The Bears basic struggle identifying and placing premium O-line talent into the mix has been a trip. The urgency is now increasing, they signed some interior guys. But also still lukewarm in drafts.

I didn’t notice how Simmons played, I looked for him a couple times but lost focus. But the bill for deprioritizing left tackle over the years, over other positions could be coming due for the Bears. I have heard comments that Ersery is looking great as well.

No one knows what Simmons' long term trajectory after his patellar tear. It's not a question of his overall talent, but I can imagine that the overall bet is that most teams do not believe in his capacity to stay healthy long term. At best, he's a rental for the next 4-5 years before he begins to go downhill.

Certainly. Teams should take their early cuts though, and the Chiefs are. The LT needy Bears either choose at another positions over the years, and/or trade down from the 41st pick when Aerionte Ersery was still available, down past the point where Ersery was actually drafted. These are choices and evaluations to which the Bears should be held accountable. And credited if it works in their favor in terms of Ozzy Trapilo.

It isn’t really about one name V another name. It’s more about how to prioritize one position V another position. If Ben Johnson wasn’t making the calls now on his personnel orders, it would be far more nerve racking. He’s got the benefit of the doubt ATM. The Bears were looking better on it all when Trapilo wasn’t playing behind Darnell Wright. But tbf, it is a reasonable assumption that the landscape wasn’t obviously inviting to pick more for need in the second round. For me personally, I don’t like the way the Bears are always trying to get over by trying to get cute with the LT position. Personal preference is that I would like more of a priority placed there when they take their early cuts.

And when Luther Burden becomes a premier WR, will these same fans demanding accountability for not taking an OT, give Poles credit for having that foresight?

[Dresden]

FWIW, Braxton Jones had a 72.3 grade from PFF last night. Among the O line, three guys graded higher, but not by much: Jonah Jackson: 74.4, Theo Benedet, 73.6, and Luke Newman, 73.6.

So while Braxton isn't the shining light of the offensive line, he's not much behind the best of them either. He gets singled out a lot for criticism, but the stats don't seem to indicate that it is warranted.

[nomorezorro]

braxton has looked significantly worse than his pre-injury state in the first few preseason games, but yesterday definitely seemed like a step in the right direction

i imagine once we get into actual game-planning and scheming, he's going to have a healthy amount of help on his side. still relatively optimistic we'll get at least a baseline level of competency from the o-line unit

[Bulls Fan 23]

Is anyone else annoyed that KC may have found a Pro Bowl left tackle at the end of the first round? He looks awesome.

The Bears basic struggle identifying and placing premium O-line talent into the mix has been a trip. The urgency is now increasing, they signed some interior guys. But also still lukewarm in drafts.

I didn’t notice how Simmons played, I looked for him a couple times but lost focus. But the bill for deprioritizing left tackle over the years, over other positions could be coming due for the Bears. I have heard comments that Ersery is looking great as well.

Luke Newman, taken in the 5th round this year, started in place on Thuney and apparently did quite well playing with the starting unit, even helping out Braxton on a few plays. Darnell Wright by all accounts has the potential to be outstanding, although he's not there yet.

Newman was drafted in the sixth round. Zah Frazier was the fifth round pick.

[fleet]

What did folks think of Caleb's performance? I definitely saw signs of "old Caleb"...holding the ball too long.

Once Caleb plays against starters, he’s got to maintain his basic performance level he had against backups, and in joint practices. His performance against 1s was so 2024. On the sack, he held the ball forever. I think we would all would be willing to settle for holding the ball if he cuts the sack numbers way down.

Read on Twitter

[fleet]

The Bears basic struggle identifying and placing premium O-line talent into the mix has been a trip. The urgency is now increasing, they signed some interior guys. But also still lukewarm in drafts.

I didn’t notice how Simmons played, I looked for him a couple times but lost focus. But the bill for deprioritizing left tackle over the years, over other positions could be coming due for the Bears. I have heard comments that Ersery is looking great as well.

Luke Newman, taken in the 5th round this year, started in place on Thuney and apparently did quite well playing with the starting unit, even helping out Braxton on a few plays. Darnell Wright by all accounts has the potential to be outstanding, although he's not there yet.

Newman was drafted in the sixth round. Zah Frazier was the fifth round pick.

Newman has been consistently effective with the starters. Could be a valuable and versatile sub at center and guard. For now, he’ll possibly play guard while he learns center.

Frazier I am seeing people speculating that he’ll be on the practice squad. But I don’t think it’s that simple to risk losing him if he’s so toolsey and had a prominent coach promoting him. As long as he can play ST he still has a chance.

[fleet]

We have to reserve judgment. Yet the Bears can’t say the player doesn’t have a track record to go on.

Read on Twitter

[Chi town]

Jahdae Walker made a pretty strong case for himself in the preseason, especially last night with that catch he made along the sidelines, and then the TD catch.

Walker pops when you watch him. Kid just makes plays. Plays with confidence and an edge.

I’d keep him over Scott or Alexander who have both played well because Walker will contribute way more on ST.

[fleet]

braxton has looked significantly worse than his pre-injury state in the first few preseason games, but yesterday definitely seemed like a step in the right direction

To me, it’s a step in the Jones direction which is of no comfort. Joe Thuney better be an alchemist. But at the end of the day, Thuney had to play LT in KC

Read on Twitter

Read on Twitter

[fleet]

Jahdae Walker made a pretty strong case for himself in the preseason, especially last night with that catch he made along the sidelines, and then the TD catch.

Walker pops when you watch him. Kid just makes plays. Plays with confidence and an edge.

I’d keep him over Scott or Alexander who have both played well because Walker will contribute way more on ST.

Quite confused about Walker. He has classic profile measurements, good hands, was “the heart and soul” of his big program college team, yet goes undrafted.

[Dresden]

braxton has looked significantly worse than his pre-injury state in the first few preseason games, but yesterday definitely seemed like a step in the right direction

To me, it’s a step in the Jones direction which is of no comfort. Joe Thuney better be an alchemist. But at the end of the day, Thuney had to play LT in KC

Read on Twitter

Read on Twitter

On the first play, Braxton forced the end to go outside, which took him out of the play, so even though it looked like he whiffed, that might have been all he needed to do. On the pass rush play, it's possible the guard messed up and chose to double the NT instead of blocking the DT. Hard to say. And so Braxton thought he was going to block the end, but the RB picked him up, and Braxton got over too late on the DT. More of a miscommunication than a failure of technique. In the end, he graded out just a fraction behind our best guys, and ahead of some of the other lineman. It wasn't anything disasterous (like Nashon Wright's 25.5 PFF grade).

[Infinity2152]

You must be rich, bro. $6,000,000 at a conservative 4% return is $240,000/yr without doing anything. Put it in the SPY and average 6% to %10, that could be as much as $600,000 without any additional outside earnings or investments for life. That $10 mill is added to what he's already earned as an NFL backup, hope he's not in debt already, lol.

I explained in much greater detail later, but the problem isn't that you couldn't live off that money if you knew exactly what you were doing and planned on it to be the only money you will ever have. That would be relatively easy. The problem is fundamentally no one looks at the problem that way, and even decisions that don't seem extravagant in the moment end up being extravagant if this is the bulk of your career earnings.

I hear you, and I agree. Just having a little fun, be nice to have a $6 mill retirement cushion right now. No offense meant.

[Chi town]

Jahdae Walker made a pretty strong case for himself in the preseason, especially last night with that catch he made along the sidelines, and then the TD catch.

Walker pops when you watch him. Kid just makes plays. Plays with confidence and an edge.

I’d keep him over Scott or Alexander who have both played well because Walker will contribute way more on ST.

Quite confused about Walker. He has classic profile measurements, good hands, was “the heart and soul” of his big program college team, yet goes undrafted.

Our WR is suddenly stacked with Burden Zac and now Walker.

[CROBulls]

Bears still suck major a**. That first quarter against Chiefs proves it. No hope.