NFL 2023-2024

[MJ5150]

Brazil represents behind Cairo Santos who singlehandedly scored more points than the Vikings. That's impressive.

-Mike

 

[Karl_in_Chicago]

Eberflus (finally) gets that first Norris Division win. It looked like the old Bears where the defense plays killer and keeps taking the ball away only for their offense to keep asking "umm, what is it we are supposed to do with this thing, again?". I imagine this week maybe they will work on that "touchdown" play. I know, I know, just 'cuz all the other kids are doing it usually isn't a good reason but maybe just this once?

 

[MJ5150]

Eberflus (finally) gets that first Norris Division win. It looked like the old Bears where the defense plays killer and keeps taking the ball away only for their offense to keep asking "umm, what is it we are supposed to do with this thing, again?". I imagine this week maybe they will work on that "touchdown" play. I know, I know, just 'cuz all the other kids are doing it usually isn't a good reason but maybe just this once?

Your comment reminds me of this oldie....



If I remember right, it was @GregC who initially shared that classic with us many moons ago.

-Mike

 

[Rich Fiscus]

Eberflus (finally) gets that first Norris Division win. It looked like the old Bears where the defense plays killer and keeps taking the ball away only for their offense to keep asking "umm, what is it we are supposed to do with this thing, again?". I imagine this week maybe they will work on that "touchdown" play. I know, I know, just 'cuz all the other kids are doing it usually isn't a good reason but maybe just this once?

The fourth and ten play last night was the only time I’ve felt like Getsy had a clue what he was doing. The feeling passed quickly. The most useful thing he’s done for Justin Fields is giving him Aaron Rodgers’ phone number.

 

[Gaolee]

I'm not certain, but the Steelers are done making them look like MVP Hall of Famers.

-Mike

That means the Browns are sunk.

 

[Gaolee]

Fortunately for Bears fans, the Panthers have an ace up their sleeve in David Tepper’s enormous ego. His ideas of team building are reminiscent of Dan Snyder’s early years with Washington. He tried and tried to buy instant greatness, getting worse with every attempt.

The Bears screwed up their chances by beating the Vikings. Go figure. They are still awful and #2 in the draft isn't a bad place to be anyway.

 

[Karl_in_Chicago]

The Bears screwed up their chances by beating the Vikings. Go figure. They are still awful and #2 isn't a bad place to be anyway.

??? The Bears (barely) beating the Vikings has no bearing whatsoever on where the Panthers pick ends up - that's dependent upon the Panthers record. I mean I don't consider myself an expert on the NFL draft but that's how I understand it, anyway.

 

[Gaolee]

??? The Bears (barely) beating the Vikings has no bearing whatsoever on where the Panthers pick ends up - that's dependent upon the Panthers record. I mean I don't consider myself an expert on the NFL draft but that's how I understand it, anyway.

I was thinking that the Bears were in a race to the bottom and would have pick #1 again. They didn't trade that away, did they? If they did, then I'm obviously not paying attention.

 

[Karl_in_Chicago]

I was thinking that the Bears were in a race to the bottom and would have pick #1 again. They didn't trade that away, did they? If they did, then I'm obviously not paying attention.

They are on track to have #1 pick again so long as the Panthers win less/lose more than the Cards or any johnny-come-lately's to the NFL there's-no-penalties-for-tanking system.

 

[Rich Fiscus]

??? The Bears (barely) beating the Vikings has no bearing whatsoever on where the Panthers pick ends up - that's dependent upon the Panthers record. I mean I don't consider myself an expert on the NFL draft but that's how I understand it, anyway.

That’s exactly right. And let’s be honest Their own pick is still going to be in the top ten.

I personally think the most important aspect of the #1 pick is the likelihood they can trade it, and add another future first rounder. If Fields isn’t the guy, they have a pair of first rounders to trade up with in the next draft. At least one of them would probably be in the top ten again.

It seems to me that Ryan Poles is probably asking the same questions this year as last. First is whether there’s a QB in the draft who looks like an almost can’t miss prospect. The second is probably not whether he’s sure about Justin Fields.

The second question had better be whether they can afford not to take an O-lineman. I suspect the answer to that was the only reason Chicago passed on Jalen Carter last year. Third is the same question on the defensive side.

As much as everyone seems to assume they’ll take a QB and/or a wide receiver, I think a D-lineman and a corner are more likely. That’s assuming they don’t keep Jaylon Johnson and Fields doesn’t have a meltdown.

 

[Karl_in_Chicago]

That’s exactly right. And let’s be honest Their own pick is still going to be in the top ten.

I personally think the most important aspect of the #1 pick is the likelihood they can trade it, and add another future first rounder. If Fields isn’t the guy, they have a pair of first rounders to trade up with in the next draft. At least one of them would probably be in the top ten again.

It seems to me that Ryan Poles is probably asking the same questions this year as last. First is whether there’s a QB in the draft who looks like an almost can’t miss prospect. The second is probably not whether he’s sure about Justin Fields.

The second question had better be whether they can afford not to take an O-lineman. I suspect the answer to that was the only reason Chicago passed on Jalen Carter last year. Third is the same question on the defensive side.

As much as everyone seems to assume they’ll take a QB and/or a wide receiver, I think a D-lineman and a corner are more likely. That’s assuming they don’t keep Jaylon Johnson and Fields doesn’t have a meltdown.

Bears entered - and exited - last night with #1 and #4 pick. IMO best situation is Panthers continue to hold down that first pick and Bears get *better* and move down from that 4th pick. The reality is there are so many teams clustered around that record that there is a lot of movement that will take place over the remaining 5-6 games.

The Bears getting better, I hope, means that Fields improves to the point that he solidifies his role and the Bears decide they don't need to draft a QB. Trade out of the top pick, again, for more capital and use their own (presumably top 10) pick for a stud OT, a position they've tried to do on the cheap for years and years with predictable results. Get that top LT to anchor the O-Line for the next 5+ (hopefully) years.

That's *my* hope, anyways.

 

[Gaolee]

That’s exactly right. And let’s be honest Their own pick is still going to be in the top ten.

I personally think the most important aspect of the #1 pick is the likelihood they can trade it, and add another future first rounder. If Fields isn’t the guy, they have a pair of first rounders to trade up with in the next draft. At least one of them would probably be in the top ten again.

It seems to me that Ryan Poles is probably asking the same questions this year as last. First is whether there’s a QB in the draft who looks like an almost can’t miss prospect. The second is probably not whether he’s sure about Justin Fields.

The second question had better be whether they can afford not to take an O-lineman. I suspect the answer to that was the only reason Chicago passed on Jalen Carter last year. Third is the same question on the defensive side.

As much as everyone seems to assume they’ll take a QB and/or a wide receiver, I think a D-lineman and a corner are more likely. That’s assuming they don’t keep Jaylon Johnson and Fields doesn’t have a meltdown.

Or Fields doesn't get killed. That guy is tough as nails, fortunately. He belongs in Chicago, where quarterbacks chew concrete and spit sidewalk. And might know how to throw a football, but that's secondary. The Bears have historically won championships when they have quarterbacks who think like a pulling guard.

 

[Rich Fiscus]

Or Fields doesn't get killed. That guy is tough as nails, fortunately. He belongs in Chicago, where quarterbacks chew concrete and spit sidewalk. And might know how to throw a football, but that's secondary. The Bears have historically won championships when they have quarterbacks who think like a pulling guard.

Being a Bears fan necessarily means appreciating the finer points of playing middle linebacker and running back. I’m okay with that.

 

[Karl_in_Chicago]

Or Fields doesn't get killed. That guy is tough as nails, fortunately. He belongs in Chicago, where quarterbacks chew concrete and spit sidewalk. And might know how to throw a football, but that's secondary. The Bears have historically won championships when they have quarterbacks who think like a pulling guard.

Perhaps. Consider that the Bears have only won ONE championship since the advent of the Super Bowl and even that one was almost 40 years ago. The game, especially the offensive portion, has changed a lot since then and is almost unrecognizable when compared to the NFL rules in place for the Bears pre-SB championships. In today's game if a team's QB is chewing and spitting substances from the ground it's an indication his OL sucks (and the Bears qualify there) and it's entirely unlikely that team will see much success. The one SB the Bears won they did so with Jim McMahon at QB; he was . . . competent, IMO, and just good enough to keep the offense on the field long enough for the defense to get some rest before they returned and terrorized the opposition. That's all that was needed, then. I don't think that model works anymore in today's NFL.

 

[Gaolee]

Perhaps. Consider that the Bears have only won ONE championship since the advent of the Super Bowl and even that one was almost 40 years ago. The game, especially the offensive portion, has changed a lot since then and is almost unrecognizable when compared to the NFL rules in place for the Bears pre-SB championships. In today's game if a team's QB is chewing and spitting substances from the ground it's an indication his OL sucks (and the Bears qualify there) and it's entirely unlikely that team will see much success. The one SB the Bears won they did so with Jim McMahon at QB; he was . . . competent, IMO, and just good enough to keep the offense on the field long enough for the defense to get some rest before they returned and terrorized the opposition. That's all that was needed, then. I don't think that model works anymore in today's NFL.

Maybe, maybe not. But if it does work in the NFL any more, it will be the Bears who make it work. I can't think of a more prehistoric team than the Bears. Cleveland is working on it this season, but only because they can't seem to keep a quarterback from getting injured in all kinds of ways. The hit that knocked out Dorian Thompson-Robinson was worthy of a suspension.

 

[MJ5150]

Rodgers clear to practice 11 weeks after surgery.
This indeed would be a great story, but I'm confused. Rodgers is saying he'll only play this season if the Jets are in contention for the playoffs. So if he is medically cleared to play, and let's say the Jets are out of the playoff picture, is he going to say 'no thanks' and just watch from the sidelines or a luxury box?

-Mike

 

[Karl_in_Chicago]

Rodgers clear to practice 11 weeks after surgery.
This indeed would be a great story, but I'm confused. Rodgers is saying he'll only play this season if the Jets are in contention for the playoffs. So if he is medically cleared to play, and let's say the Jets are out of the playoff picture, is he going to say 'no thanks' and just watch from the sidelines or a luxury box?

-Mike

It's also a medical miracle in the making as NOBODY has ever recovered from the injury Rodgers claims to have sustained within this amount of time. Someone maybe hasn't been honest with the public here . . .

 

[MJ5150]

It's also a medical miracle in the making as NOBODY has ever recovered from the injury Rodgers claims to have sustained within this amount of time. Someone maybe hasn't been honest with the public here . . .

Maybe he stubbed his toe and wanted a few weeks in his dark room to recover and think about it?

-Mike

 

[gln1955]

Maybe he stubbed his toe and wanted a few weeks in his dark room to recover and think about it?

-Mike

In his dark room, he could focus all of his energies into healing his tendon.

Or, he's unwisely pushing his return, with or without his doc's consent.

 

[Chris Fitzgerald]

Ayahuasca therapy is miraculous, it seems. Who knew it healed tendons, too?