Chisoxfn

Shows you how much really good coaching matters though. Payton had the credible to know what would work, what didn't, but he also had the ability to make the real changes needed no matter the heat. I think people underestimate when you inherit places that have been ran down in terms of legitimate infastructure and expectations and how much it takes to change it. New first time coaches just don't have that sort of credibility and ability unless you are really really unique. Its why I'm so big on hiring McCarthy or Tomlin (if you trade him) or Caroll if I'm the Bears. They have been broke for so long that getting one of those guys with that sort of credibility and proven ability to implement foundational systems and process and buy-in across the board is so critical (and who have enough swagger to be able to make those blow-back decisions and not sweat it; a rookie coach just can't do some of those things to the same level).

I agree with you - I didn't see Nix doing what he did. I still think there is a chance he becomes the Mac Jones of this draft. But he has had an outstanding season. He may have a great coach and all that to help him, but he's done it too and played with a ton of poise. Yeah he fell short but Denver's turnaround was as impressive, if not more impressive than Washington's.

I agree - I think in general this was a really really historically strong QB class. For example - I think Bo Nix will have a long career, but I don't think he is a top 10 QB. Jayden Daniels - I think he's been schemed up, but he has real talent, can easily be a top 10 QB in this league. Maye also has flashed talent - but I saw nothing that screamed he is way better than Caleb (who also flashed top 10 talent). Penix/McCarthy we didn't see a ton - but I loved them coming out of college and JJ sitting given his in-exeperience (I know it was an injury that drove it) is going to be huge for his long-term development (to the positive).

Caleb and Stroud's numbers are actually amazingly similar. In fairness, Caleb benefited with some garbage time points.

I think reality is it is all of the above and that compounded to make it worse than it is. I do think the running game is a major issue. Swift is okay, but Johnson and Swift was a bottom 10 duo. That is on the GM - as there were other backs who got paid similar in offseason who were far better. Poles overrated Johnson (or the Bears offense has way undertilized him). But that combo WAS NOT good. And I think Swift is an okay running back but he has to be part of a broader room....Swift by himself is not a top 10 running back.

For the record - I still think Caleb is the cream of the crop - but will admit Daniels clearly looks legit too. I am not gaga over Maye or Nix for that matter. I do think Caleb did a lot well but the fact that the Bears made things so complicated for him on offense I think really prevented him from having the easy throws and things like that which not just take away the read or simplify it, but they help drive more consistent footwork which hugely impacts the deep ball accuracy, etc. Caleb flashed it in droves throughout his college career - and I imagine he will get it back. But he's got to work on stepping up into the pocket and clearly has to work on some of those mechanical things to get them right. This offseason will be big but he has a ton of experience now to build on too and has a real feel for the differences that exist in the NFL.

They aren't the best job - but they are attractive and Jerry will pay. But you also have to deal with Jerry. But I could see this playing out that Johnson goes to Dallas, McCarthy to Bears. I actually think its a win for everyone (except the Lions - who loose a really good OC - but they'll be able to find someone good to step in).

This is why Mike McCarthy or Pete Carroll are so intriguing. They know how to win, they bring a program that works. McCarthy in particular is very intriguing to me as he is an offensive mind who was at the ground level in Rodger's development (and also helped get Matt Flynn paid) and than did good work with Dak. Monday through Saturday he is a professional coach who knows what it takes to win. The only real knock on him is his in-game management and at this point, I think the Bears have been so broken for years, getting someone to get the Monday-Saturday dialed in and who can work with young QB's and develop QB's would be a huge homerun. If in 3-4 years the team is falling short IN the playoffs - than at least you have the system in place and franchise to a point it has actually moved forward and can find the next coach (ala let Mike McCarthy be Doug Collins to Caleb Williams). You got to get this right and I think McCarthy should ensure you have the stability and process in place to provide Caleb with an environment to grow the next few years into the type of QB he can be. With Johnson he might be brilliant at X's and O's but I have no idea if he can do the other stuff right and quite frankly I think that is the most important thing the Bears need. Crazy cause I don't think McCarthy is an elite coach - but he's a no doubt good coach and he's on the right side of the ball.

I think this is them doing him a favor and getting him in the news. It also is the first interview that counts toward the Rooney rule. I want nothing to do with Ron - unless it is as an assistant head coach.

This is interesting. I kind of like this theory.

I am so sick of the payroll disparity in baseball. I’m so sick of JR too.

Kind of interesting at least they are getting to talk with a legend like Pete.

Just the way he spoke - he is just so in over his head. Don't know how else to describe it. It isn't like he's a bad speaker, he just has no alpha in him (or at least it doesn't come off) and he doesn't strike me as someone overly confident or assertive either. So many things he said where I was like well that doesn't sound great, or that doesn't excude confidence. I really go back to - Bears pride themselves on sharpest interview answer and most Corporate company CEO type of person and less on who actually has what it takes to run a professional football organization and drive real change. Ryan Pace had way more of that in him than Poles. I just hope I'm wrong and its just more of a - he doesn't want to be overly negative on past regime and prefers saying nothing and deep down he crushes it. But its back to - he saw this stuff in training camp, let it all slide, ignored it. This wasn't his first training camp - like come on.

I listened to Poles talk today - I could not have been less impressed with anything he said. Gave me absolutely zero confidence...in fact it gave me negative confidence.

Also requested Monkin (Ravens OC). Lamar is impressive so don’t know how much is Monkin vs Lamar and having Henry.

Flores, McCarthy, Vance, Arthur Smith, Johnson, Thomas Brown have all been confirmed requests. Vrabel I saw one place but haven’t seen reported as widely? Am I missing anyone yet? I know McCarthy isn’t sexy but he is 13th all time in wins and very experienced…think it is smart to at least pick his brain and get his perspective. Same with Arthur Smith…if you are going with Vrabel do you want to at least “talk” To Smith to learn who he is and maybe get an idea of how interested he might be in joining Vrabel? Obviously Steelers could block it…but maybe he gets assistant HC gig plus OC so it is considered a promo?

Josh Jacobs is just another reason why you fire Poles. He consistently has picked the wrong guys. Went cheap on Saquon and than chose Swift over Jacobs.

Now if some other teams win they could have moved up a few spots. I don’t like winning if Caleb plays bad. If they win it better be because he plays well…not a cool punt return and a short field td.

A win only hurts their pick by 1 spot.

That is also true.

He was happy in Miami for a long time. Reality is he hates losing and mediocrity and is going to push in these scenarios. Jimmy isn’t Kobe or Jordan - has nowhere near the skill of either of them - but he is wired like them. Complete alpha who will outwork everyone in the planet. But I’m an admitted Jimmy Buckets fan boy!

Reality is - margins are razor thin in NFL - so it’s the real little things that matter (beyond having an awesome qb - cause that can overcome a ton).

Those 3 are the no brainers - hire one of them and you are getting a top no brainer candidate. This does not mean they will crush it - we don’t know what will happen - but they are clearly the top 3 candidates by far. Flores and Kingsbury have some shine too - but to me those are the guys you are settling on vs the other 3 names. For record I am completely out on Poles. I think him and Flus lack the killer instinct / unrelentlessness to win at all costs needed to succeed in NFL. Poles doesn’t win on the margins and was way too complacent with roster construction and usage of later round assets (2 punters in draft - Taylor I’m fine with- he’s going to be elite but drafting the other dude - stupid). The number of picks he gave up for guys who have done nothing is suspect (Bates, Seattle guy was alright, but there were a few more past couple of years). Too many luxury picks because he overhyped his own stuff and wasn’t always pushing deep competition and talent. Reminds me of Hahn - can do the no brainer stuff fine but when s%*# gets real he consistently s%*# the bed and made stupid little move after stupid little move.

Foster = Johnson. I have no idea but I always call him Foster. Him and Vrabel are 1A and 1B. Pete Carroll is also acceptable for me.

Or fact he took Goff to another level - the same Goff who worked with an all Time great offensive guy in McVay. I love Vrabel cause I think he fits what they need but I get Foster..could even get behind Flores or Kingsbury.