OT: Bears & NFL Talk 99 (also 2024 NFL Draft GDT)

[Romang67]

Interesting things to note about the scheme:

The Bears have blitzed A LOT during the preseason. I think we'll see that carry over, and players like Gordon, Brisker, and Edwards will probably be big parts of putting pressure on the QB.

With the addition of Chris Williams, that puts the total of players who have been put on both the edge and the 3T position at 4. Walker is an obvious one, but Dexter was lined up on Edge enough times to note last season, Sweat mentioned during preseason that they had experimented with him kicking in on the interior, and Williams played primarily on the Edge for the Browns in preseason.

Don't know if that will have a ton of impact, but I thought it was interesting.

 

[Blackhawkswincup]

https://x.com/i/web/status/1827480338299547779

https://x.com/i/web/status/1827482874297393279

https://x.com/i/web/status/1827485928044294611

At this point the Cowboys cant justify keeping him over Rush

Cooper Rush is a journeyman backup but in his limited play he has been fine in NFL and if Prescott gets injured the Cowboys will have better options on street to call up rather than Lance

It would also send a terrible message in locker-room IMO to cut well liked capable veteran backup QB to keep a guy who cant play but still is living off being drafted 3rd overall

 

[plasmonresonance]

.....Assuming no more trades or waiver pickups, Hardy and DomRob are probably out, and the Bears are going with 8 D-linemen on their 53 man roster.

I know Dom Rob hasn't made any big splash plays and certainly hasn't looked in games to be worthy of a place on the 53 man. But I've heard both Poles and Flus bring his name up in pressers as having improved. Flus even mentioned him again in his lastest presser, after the recent trades.

In the off-season, Dom Rob put on 15 lbs of muscle and currently is at 273 lbs at 8% body fat. Has his improved play been enough to be kept is the question. Guess we'll know pretty soon. If Pickens isn't 100% healthy, that may allow DRob to be kept????

 

[Romang67]

I know Dom Rob hasn't made any big splash plays and certainly hasn't looked in games to be worthy of a place on the 53 man. But I've heard both Poles and Flus bring his name up in pressers as having improved. Flus even mentioned him again in his lastest presser, after the recent trades.

In the off-season, Dom Rob put on 15 lbs of muscle and currently is at 273 lbs at 8% body fat. Has his improved play been enough to be kept is the question. Guess we'll know pretty soon. If Pickens isn't 100% healthy, that may allow DRob to be kept????

Yeah, if Walker kicks in, DomRob is really the only edge other than Sweat with the size needed to set the edge. He's now a good 20-30lbs heavier than Hardy and Booker (and supposedly Taylor). He was really bad on run D his first two seasons, but maybe that has changed.

He's just so unimpressive though. Even this preseason, which he himself said realistically was his last shot, he did so little.

Even if Pickens isn't healthy, he'd need to be on the initial 53 man roster before going on IR. I suppose they might cut DomRob and then bring him back afterward. As you said, we'll see shortly.

 

[Romang67]

https://x.com/i/web/status/1828105632710525398

Writing on the wall last year, IMO, when he didn't see the field despite Whitehair and Lucas Patrick making up one of the G-C pairings in the league. 2022 shotgun approach in the later rounds worked out because the got Braxton Jones, but the rest of the O-linemen the Bears picked that year just kinda stunk.

 

[HeisenBaez]

Caleb Williams wants Micah Parsons in Chicago.

Longshot, I know, but what if.

 

[Romang67]

Caleb Williams wants Micah Parsons in Chicago.

Longshot, I know, but what if.

I mean, same. Now if the Cowboys wouldn't want multiple firsts, seconds, and probably players for him!

 

[Mrfenn92]

I mean, same. Now if the Cowboys wouldn't want multiple firsts, seconds, and probably players for him!

Portrait of Jerry painted by virginia

 

[Praetorian Caps]

Caleb Williams wants Micah Parsons in Chicago.

Longshot, I know, but what if.

I want Sydney Sweeney's hand in marriage but thats not going to happen either.

The other thing I want is for him to pass for 4,000 yds and that is possible this year!

 

[Blackhawkswincup]

https://x.com/i/web/status/1828497174260265353

It's amazing how Robinson has fallen since his first years in Chicago

That bitching and moaning about his contract and half ass play in his final year seemed to be beginning of end

Same effort issues were there in LA before his injury and he was dreadful with Steelers last year

 

[Romang67]

Stromberg waived by the Commanders. The Bears had him on a top 30 visit before the 2023 draft. I wonder if there still is interest.

On the one hand, if you're deemed not good enough for the Commanders' O-line, you might be really bad at football. On the other hand, it seems like they're trying to get rid of everything from before the current regime, so maybe he's caught in the crossfire.

 

[Blackhawkswincup]

https://x.com/i/web/status/1828539257381875756

No surprises among cutdowns

 

[HeisenBaez]

https://x.com/i/web/status/1828497174260265353

It's amazing how Robinson has fallen since his first years in Chicago

That bitching and moaning about his contract and half ass play in his final year seemed to be beginning of end

Same effort issues were there in LA before his injury and he was dreadful with Steelers last year

Can not make the roster of an organization that is not exactly filled with talent at WR? Maybe Robinson's time in the NFL is at an end.

 

[Romang67]

Bears make no waiver wire claims from the initial cut down list (or at least not any claims that the top 8 didn't do before them). Not overly surprised, though I did think they might have an interest in Stromberg.

 

[Mrfenn92]

Bears make no waiver wire claims from the initial cut down list (or at least not any claims that the top 8 didn't do before them). Not overly surprised, though I did think they might have an interest in Stromberg.

Practice squad incoming

 

[plasmonresonance]

""

 

[clydesdale line]

Bates got claimed.

https://x.com/i/web/status/1828835488104632766

 

[Romang67]

Alright, moving forward to the actual season.

I'm a little confused that so many people are so down on the Titans. I don't think they're extraordinary or anything, but they have Simmons on the D-line, might have a good secondary, 3 good/capable receivers in Ridley, Hopkins and Boyd. Big question marks on the O-line and QB. I don't think they're a guaranteed win by any means.

Vegas has their O/U on 6.5 wins.

 

[Blackhawkswincup]

Alright, moving forward to the actual season.

I'm a little confused that so many people are so down on the Titans. I don't think they're extraordinary or anything, but they have Simmons on the D-line, might have a good secondary, 3 good/capable receivers in Ridley, Hopkins and Boyd. Big question marks on the O-line and QB. I don't think they're a guaranteed win by any means.

Vegas has their O/U on 6.5 wins.

Its more an issue of being the weakest team in division

Texans and Jags are pretty clearly overall better and if healthy the Colts should again be better

Certainly, the Titans could have good year and end up with 9-10 wins and be in playoff race, but it just doesn't seem likely given division and ? they have

 

[plasmonresonance]

Its more an issue of being the weakest team in division

Texans and Jags are pretty clearly overall better and if healthy the Colts should again be better

Certainly, the Titans could have good year and end up with 9-10 wins and be in playoff race, but it just doesn't seem likely given division and ? they have

New head coach Brian Callahan was OC at Cin for last five years and has brought in a new staff. Tennessee fans are definitely excited about the possibilities of this team. Fans don't think that highly of Indy nor Jax. So if things fall right, believe they could win 8-10 games. Problem is that they also play the NFC North and AFC East, two very good divisions.

Offensively - Hopkins may not be available for week 1 (leg/knee issue, questionable). He was initially expected to be out 4-6 weeks. Ridley and T Boyd mey be better than your average #2 and #3. Titan TE room is average. Left side of O-line with Skoronski and Latham (R) should be good, they signed FA Cushenberry for C, but right side is question mark. New O-line coach guru Bill Callahan will get the best out of that group. RBs lead by FA acquisition T Pollard is a bit like the Bears D Swift, and backup T Spears, is also in that same mold. Third RB Chestnut isn't much of a threat. QB Levis starts his second year and has shown flashes of big play ability. He's a tough QB. Supposedly has had a very good camp.

Defensively - The strength is in the middle of the D-line (J Simmons and T Sweat (R)). LBs are average at best but they did just trade for E Jones who can put pressure on QB. DB/S are okay. Sneed clearly best of the group. New DC is Dennard Wilson and known to like pressuring the QB with different blitze packages.

Kicker/Punter (edit added) - They waived kicker B Narveson (made 6 of 7 in preseason) who had kicked a 59 yd FG in preseason to stay with Nick Folk, who has less leg but maybe more accuracy and is in the mold of Bears C Santos. Narveson was picked up by Green Bay (ugh). Punter R Stonehouse probably has the biggest leg in the NFL. So don't expect much, if any, field position gain for the Bears if the two teams exchange punts. .

Titans off-season has been a bit like the Bears. New OC and DC, new #1 RB, upgraded the WR room, added O-line talent, added impactful(?) rookie D-lineman and have a young exciting QB.

 

[HeisenBaez]

Not Bears related but glad to hear WR Ricky Pearsall is stable and recovering. Pearsall was shot in the chest during a robbery attempt.

 

[Romang67]

Not Bears related but glad to hear WR Ricky Pearsall is stable and recovering. Pearsall was shot in the chest during a robbery attempt.

Very glad to hear that.

 

[Romang67]

Game week!

No idea what to expect the first game of the year, honestly. Both teams have undergone a lot of change since last season. 4 new coordinators and one new head coach between the teams, and a lot of turnover on the rosters too.

The Titans have improved their O-line, but they will probably focus their runs to the left side with Skoronski and Latham, and that's running straight into Billings and Walker the majority of the time. The Bears were arguably the best run D last season, and I don't think that will change. On pass rush, I think much will come down to Dexter. Reports on him have been very positive out of camp, but he didn't pop in the preseason games. I think they will double team Sweat the entire time, so if Dexter has improved, he should be able to take advantage of that. Walker might get some pressures on Latham too, who has some weakness in pass pro.

The Titans have two new good receivers in Ridley and Boyd. No reports from camp, including the Bengals joint practice, indicates that the secondary will take a step back though. Seems the Titans want Levis to work a quick game this year, so I'm guessing we'll see a lot of bend-don't-break defense from the Bears.

Offensively, I'm guessing the runs will be focused away from a stout interior D-line for the Titans. Their edges are nothing to write home about.

Their pass D really mostly comes down to Jeffrey Simmons, but he's a beast. I think they'll double team him as much as possible. Rookie T'Vondre Sweat doesn't concern me in the pass game. The Titans' secondary is pretty good on paper, but the Bears is stacked on passing offense. But really, it comes down to Williams. How does he perform his first game? I'm guessing the Titans, and most other teams this year, will try to keep him in the pocket and put pressure on him. Lots of blitzes. Not any fancy tactics, but they definitely won't want him to get time in the backfield. If the Bears win, Williams would be the first 1st overall pick to win his first game since David Carr.

 

[Romang67]

I did not realize how much the Texans immediately leaned on Stroud last year. Out of the gate, he had around 100 passing plays called in the first 2 games.

 

[plasmonresonance]

Game week!

No idea what to expect the first game of the year, honestly. Both teams have undergone a lot of change since last season. 4 new coordinators and one new head coach between the teams, and a lot of turnover on the rosters too.

The Titans have improved their O-line, but they will probably focus their runs to the left side with Skoronski and Latham, and that's running straight into Billings and Walker the majority of the time. The Bears were arguably the best run D last season, and I don't think that will change. On pass rush, I think much will come down to Dexter. Reports on him have been very positive out of camp, but he didn't pop in the preseason games. I think they will double team Sweat the entire time, so if Dexter has improved, he should be able to take advantage of that. Walker might get some pressures on Latham too, who has some weakness in pass pro.

The Titans have two new good receivers in Ridley and Boyd. No reports from camp, including the Bengals joint practice, indicates that the secondary will take a step back though. Seems the Titans want Levis to work a quick game this year, so I'm guessing we'll see a lot of bend-don't-break defense from the Bears.

Offensively, I'm guessing the runs will be focused away from a stout interior D-line for the Titans. Their edges are nothing to write home about.

Their pass D really mostly comes down to Jeffrey Simmons, but he's a beast. I think they'll double team him as much as possible. Rookie T'Vondre Sweat doesn't concern me in the pass game. The Titans' secondary is pretty good on paper, but the Bears is stacked on passing offense. But really, it comes down to Williams. How does he perform his first game? I'm guessing the Titans, and most other teams this year, will try to keep him in the pocket and put pressure on him. Lots of blitzes. Not any fancy tactics, but they definitely won't want him to get time in the backfield. If the Bears win, Williams would be the first 1st overall pick to win his first game since David Carr.

Word out of Tenn is that Levis and Titans have been working the dump offs and screen game. Both Pollard and Spears caught over 50 passes last year. If DHop can't go, that severely hampers Titans passing offense. He was a favorite, safety blanket target for Levis last year.

Wonder how Bears will work in D Taylor. Will he be third down pass rush specialist. Bears could have quite a few different D-line packages we haven't seen, especially when J Martin returns.