Chisoxfn

Did the Bears end up interviewing Dennis Allen today (I didn't know with the Saints news + Bears hiring a GM whether that held). More curious, if nothing else.

That is extremely interesting; it is a bit odd though - cause you would think if that is what they were thinking, they would want to make sure Khan got along with Poles (otherwise it is kind of an odd reverse power structure coming in place). I long thought Khan was the perfect fit for that type of role though.

Lavine was gassed - so pretty good excuse there (hadn't played in 10 days and needed more minutes). Same with Green. Outside of that - they didn't have 3 guys who are primary ball handlers (along with Lavine) in that situation - Ball, Caruso, and Derozan. So I actually think having that happen was good - because it will be developmental for individuals like Ayo and White. But it does highlight while Ball/Caruso are out - it can be helpful to have someone who can actually handle legit back up PG duties in that type of situational pinch (i.e., Arci...who is on day 5 of his 10 day contract with Knicks).

This - what lost said. I do think they need to make some decisions now to better set-up that window from years 2-6, but if they aren't humming and in a good spot by year 3 we got problems. The hope would be at that point - if you do have problems, that you have good talent and are mainly looking at upgrading the QB position (not saying that is a good thing - but if your QB stinks and you have crap talent around it in 3 years than it is looking really long in the tooth). Its why I think Poles is in a great spot - he gets to design a team around a young QB (one he is inheriting) and if the young QB isn't right, he'll be in a spot to make his own choice for one down the road (with ideally the right pieces and systems/set-up around said QB to maximize success). That said - for now - Bears have to be all-in on developing Fields and putting real pieces around him. I guarantee that is one thing Poles would have learned from his time with Chiefs (it isn't like they gave Mahomes lousy resources).

I think its more of - a soft reset is what I call it. Cause you are deploying resources into your young QB and building up a war chest for years 2 or 3. But they are in a spot where they have to at least hit a slight reset (to me); They could try to keep rolling but i just don't know that it makes sense given the age of some of their better defensive players. Focus '22 on getting younger and building resources on offense - '23 can be a window where you start adding via free agency + continue to infuse young talent across both sides of the ball (with hopefully a young QB who is ascending in a division with no other decent QB).

Technically speaking - I think they can also stick it to him until his contract is up (I don't know why the Arians situation was treated different). I'm not saying the Saints would actually do that though - would feel like given everything he had done for that org and the way the Saints have treated people in the past - that if Payton wants to go, they will let him go (and just get a modest return on the back end - so at most like a 3rd rounder or something).

I tend to agree with you on this. That said - I think he takes the Cowboys job in a year (or now) if he wants it. I don't see him coming in to do a rebuilding effort with the Bears. I would love it if he wanted to - but I think its more us being overly hopeful.

That is why I said - if he wants to pick the brains from Polian, great, he has that right, but ball is in his court and he has to make these decisions. He should be smart enough to ask for help where appropriate and lean on the right people (like anyone in those shoes) but they gave him this role as a reason. I think the important part here is - they are setting a tone by telling him this, it doesn't mean he shouldn't lean on others / get different perspectives, but buck ultimately stops with him. A huge part of leadership is leaning on others (but providing clarity of vision, asking right questions, removing barriers/providing resources, etc).

Hadn't heard of this - put it on my list. Is it kid appropriate (by chance)? I'm guessing more for adults but asking since my little one loves all things baseball.

If it is an Arians like return - I have zero problem with it - but I presume Saints would want top picks. Arians was traded for like a 6th pick, but Bucs got a 7th rounder back. So it was pretty minimal cost (in grand scheme). I am fine with that. But if you are talking 1st/2nd rounder - I just don't know that you can do it if you are the Bears (although that might just be too short-sighted given how darn good he is).

Reports leaking Sean Payton has officially told Saints he is retiring. Power play to become next HC of the Bears (working with Poles)? Hahha. Okay - the 2nd part I made up but the 1st part is true.

Supposedly Poles will be the only person in the interview with the HC. If that doesn't say its his decision I don't know what is (if that report is correct).

I actually think if Poles doesn't go with Flores that is a good thing; shows you he realizes you shouldn't just go with who you are familiar with - in some cases that might really be a detriment - because there might be too much biases from past LT relationship that it gets in the way of the right things to do to get the very best out of the front office and the coaching staff. Kind of like - I have best friends, but I wouldn't want them working for me or vice versa and if I did it would have to be a very very rare circumstance.

Yep - excellent start. And Poles had to have so much leverage given the Minny situation that even if George wanted to do the same thing he did in the past - Poles had the ability to say NOPE and thankfully it seems (at first glance) George listened

Reports have linked him to Quinn - but he was a college teammate of Flores at Boston College, so they have some relationship and he has reportedly built up a relationship with the Colts DC Matt Eberflus as well. So it seems like Quinn (not sure how they know each other), Flores, and Eberflus have all been tied via the media. DA mentioned Bowles too - not sure where. He also clearly would have ties to Doug Pederson and Eric Bienemy (amongst other Chiefs people). No clue if he has ties to Caldwell or not.

I will assume someone who had another GM job had the leverage to be able to come in and make whatever decision on HC as he wants. Meaning - if Bears were going to force a hire on him - he could have always went and taken the Vikings job where that wasn't the case, so to me he had all the leverage to make me believe there is no way he is being forced any HC (and the Bears seem to be pretty honest about fact they got that wrong with Fox/Pace 6 years ago).

I completely agree with you - that would make no sense. What I do find interesting is - Poles worked in KC for a while - what does he think of Doug Pederson / Bienemy. If Bienemy isn't on the list - i presume that tells you all you need to know on Poles view of him as a HC. In Pederson case - could he be an OC candidate to get back in (maybe paired with Quinn)? But Poles has worked with multiple GM's in KC, many of which came from different orgs previously - so presumably has some pretty good connections.

I am okay if Poles is in charge but basically able to leverage Polian as a sounding board (but everything would have to be on Poles terms). Poles is now the guy. And I have zero complaints with the move.

Dunn was lazy - don't want him. But Arci I would be okay with. Shaq Harrison has had some 10 day stuff too - I would prefer him over Dunn (for sure) but reality is arci is best fit right now since they need someone who can handle some back-up PG minutes.

No division stinks like the Al Central over past decade. Haha. One team with winning record over that horizon.

I am glad there was some real action today - hopefully they can both build on this day by day. Could care less which side wins - I just want me some baseball and preferably some spring training too Give me a floor - expanded playoffs - and If it were up to me a shorter regular season.

Does someone want to explain to me why Caruso has already had surgery yet Lonzo Ball isn't set to have surgery until the end of this week. That would seem like his surgery is literally almost 10-14 days after the team announced he would have surgery. Are they waiting for a 2nd opinion or something here? Or is there an extended time to let swelling go down or something. Something seems really odd with the Ball thing (I mean 2 weeks of potential recovery time is huge for this squad).

At least they got a big lead - but man - crazy how they blew it. Thank goodness they held on.

Bulls playing with so much more pace in this 1H with Lavine in. He just changes the tempo on misses with his athleticism. Helps that the ball movement is significantly more crisp and defensively they are actually playing it. Also OKC stinks (not that at this point it says anything and there is a whole nother half of basketball (at this point I dont' know what to expect with this team given how depleted they are).

I am glad Bulls ended up sitting Derozan tonight. Presume nothing more than get the man some rest (as I've posted a few times on here recently). Ayo having a great 1st half.