How Bout Dem Bears?

Realt Dearg Sec · 10-04-2014 01:00AM

How bout dem preseason games?

Personally I find them to be a nuisance, you grit your teeth and pray for no injuries. Philly game might be interesting though.

kennyb3 · 24-04-2014 08:07AM

1 SEP 07 SUN 1:00PM ET BILLS

2 SEP 14 SUN 8:30PM ET AT 49ERS

3 SEP 22 MON 8:30PM ET AT JETS

4 SEP 28 SUN 1:00PM ET PACKERS

5 OCT 05 SUN 1:00PM ET AT PANTHERS

6 OCT 12 SUN 1:00PM ET AT FALCONS

7 OCT 19 SUN 1:00PM ET DOLPHINS

8 OCT 26 SUN 1:00PM ET AT PATRIOTS

9 BYE WEEK

10 NOV 09 SUN 8:30PM ET AT PACKERS

11 NOV 16 SUN 1:00PM ET VIKINGS

12 NOV 23 SUN 1:00PM ET BUCCANEERS

13 NOV 27 THU 12:30PM ET AT LIONS

14 DEC 04 THU 8:25PM ET COWBOYS

15 DEC 15 MON 8:30PM ET SAINTS

16 DEC 21 SUN 1:00PM ET LIONS

17 DEC 28 SUN 1:00PM ET AT VIKINGS

I'm sure we've all seen it at this stage, but any thoughts? Might be a good time to get the 9ers but still hard to see us winning. Would have liked the Lions and Vikes earlier with the coaching changes but opposite side of it is they might have little to play for at that stage. Lot of games against 'indoor' teams late in the schedule also a help.

Our road schedule is horrific

@ JETS
@ 49ers
@ PANTHERS
@ FALCONS
@ PATRIOTS

Overall it's a pretty tough schedule.

padraig_f · 24-04-2014 01:20PM

Good and bad, it's definitely very tough, but will be the same for all NFC North teams.

I like...
- bye week in the middle
- relatively soft opening game
- bye week before game in Green Bay
- playing on Thanksgiving will be fun
- later games at home, will be good for when Cutler's out with an injury

Don't like...
- very few easy games
- two road games before the first Green Bay game

Don't think there's too much else I dislike. Probably a positive we play the easier teams at the end, some of them might have given up.

SameOleJay · 24-04-2014 03:25PM

Tough list but I’ve seen a lot worse across the league. We’re getting the 9ers at a good time with the new stadium, injuries and maybe a couple of suspensions. We’ll still lose but should not get torched. Hopefully Atlanta have too many holes to fill, Carolina have next to nothing outside an exceptional front 7 and the Jets should be beatable. We’ll struggle in New England of course.

10-6 fingers crossed. Need to make the play-offs, can’t take another year without a post-season.

aaronm13 · 24-04-2014 05:28PM

Planning to be in Chicago at either end of September or early October so the Packers or Dolphins game could be on the agenda. Want to take in a Hawks game while there too so that favors the Dolphins game but would prefer to get to see the Packers.

padraig_f · 05-05-2014 11:17AM

Interesting mock-draft from the Bears point of view:
Football Perspective 2014 First Round NFL Mock Draft

Looking at some draft previews recently, seems like Aaron Donald, Ha Ha Clinton-Dix and Calvin Pryor are the names that keep coming up for the first round pick.

SameOleJay · 05-05-2014 02:05PM

I can’t remember anything like it- Donald must be in 80% of the mocks I’ve seen to his. Emery’s presser the other day suggested A) he reckons Donald will be gone by then and

we’ll go safety first anyway (he alluded to the large early drop-off in the safety class)

I’m excited for Thursday but am preparing to be angry. If AD is on the board and we pass on him I will not be happy.

kennyb3 · 05-05-2014 07:55PM

I think he'll be long gone and even if he's not I think we'll pass. I reckon it will be Pryor or Fuller. Can't wait - though will be sad to see draft season over, just love it - reading mocks, watching tape. Think it's the unknown, the potential!

padraig_f · 05-05-2014 08:16PM

kennyb3 wrote: »

I think he'll be long gone and even if he's not I think we'll pass. I reckon it will be Pryor or Fuller. Can't wait - though will be sad to see draft season over, just love it - reading mocks, watching tape. Think it's the unknown, the potential!

What about Clinton-Dix, do you think he'll be gone too?

Oat23 · 05-05-2014 09:10PM

Calvin Pryor reminds me of Mike Brown looking at his highlights.

Good because Mike Brown was a boss.
Bad because Mike Brown would be fined after every game these days for his hits :pac:.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b3y2XwXujkk

kennyb3 · 06-05-2014 07:45AM

padraig_f wrote: »

What about Clinton-Dix, do you think he'll be gone too?

Yeah i think so, possibly to the Rams at 13 just above us. Not a fan anyway. Manziel killed him in the game against them which isn't a good sign.

kennyb3 · 06-05-2014 10:33AM

Oat23 wrote: »

Calvin Pryor reminds me of Mike Brown looking at his highlights.

Good because Mike Brown was a boss.
Bad because Mike Brown would be fined after every game these days for his hits :pac:.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b3y2XwXujkk

I think he's the type of tone setter Emery likes - has that nastiness that Long had last year. I'd way prefer him than Dix. Only issue is we brought in Mundy & Jennings so that's leaving me unsure, that coupled with not being sure whether Emery will value a safety that highly at 14.

SameOleJay · 06-05-2014 10:46AM

Who do you see taking Donald before 14? The only potential spots I see are Minny at 8 (Who look strong in the D and are still in need at QB) and the Giants who have a few offensive needs aswell.

Donald and Bucannon is my preferred 1-2. It won’t happen in all likelihood but I live and hope.

kennyb3 · 06-05-2014 11:17AM

SameOleJay wrote: »

Who do you see taking Donald before 14? The only potential spots I see are Minny at 8 (Who look strong in the D and are still in need at QB) and the Giants who have a few offensive needs aswell.

Donald and Bucannon is my preferred 1-2. It won’t happen in all likelihood but I live and hope.

Oakland/Minnesota/Giants - I do reckon Minnesota tho given their interest in Melton and a head coach who was a DC in his last job and likes a strong line. I think they'll stick with Cassell and draft a QB in the 2nd round.

padraig_f · 06-05-2014 04:27PM

kennyb3 wrote: »

Yeah i think so, possibly to the Rams at 13 just above us. Not a fan anyway. Manziel killed him in the game against them which isn't a good sign.

Ok. Seems like a bit of a double-edged sword drafting Alabama players, on the one hand you know they're going to be talented, on the other, you wonder if any deficiencies are being masked by playing with a lot of talent around them & playing under a great defensive coach.

padraig_f · 06-05-2014 06:37PM

Find this guy a good commentator...

DaBearsBlog ‏@dabearsblog

"If I'm Bears, rd 1, I'm trading up ahead of Vikes & getting Donald. Then looking safety later. Donald elite DT. None of these guys elite S."

. @jermaine611 In modern NFL a safety without coverage skills is borderline useless. Tackling a must but ability to step into slot pivotal.

Presume he's talking about Pryor there.

kennyb3 · 06-05-2014 07:09PM

padraig_f wrote: »

Find this guy a good commentator...

DaBearsBlog ‏@dabearsblog

"If I'm Bears, rd 1, I'm trading up ahead of Vikes & getting Donald. Then looking safety later. Donald elite DT. None of these guys elite S."

. @jermaine611 In modern NFL a safety without coverage skills is borderline useless. Tackling a must but ability to step into slot pivotal.

Presume he's talking about Pryor there.

Trading from 14 to 7 would be expensive, just can't see it. It's a deep draft with plenty of nice prospects, I reckon we're more likely to trade down with Philly or the 9ers than trade up. We just don't have the ammo to do it, if we want to really build a roster via the draft.

I think we might trade up in the 2nd if someone like nix makes it out of the first and through the top of the 2nd (assuming we take a cb or safety in the first) as it's far less to give up - we'd likely use our extra 6th.

padraig_f · 06-05-2014 08:55PM

kennyb3 wrote: »

Trading from 14 to 7 would be expensive, just can't see it. It's a deep draft with plenty of nice prospects, I reckon we're more likely to trade down with Philly or the 9ers than trade up. We just don't have the ammo to do it, if we want to really build a roster via the draft.

Didn't realise it was that far up, would cost too much alright. If he goes at 8, I guess you leave him, and then look to trade down if you're not crazy about the safeties.

padraig_f · 07-05-2014 11:48AM

Some good video breakdowns here:
http://draftbreakdown.com/players/?position=S

Not gonna pretend I know what I'm doing analysing this stuff, but prefer Pryor to Clinton-Dix based on what I've seen.

The UCF one, against Bortles and Storm Johnson is a good watch.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h6FlQ1MYk6w

Seems to have a great nose for the ball, always seems to be around where ball is delivered, whereas Clinton-Dix seems to be out of the play more often.

kennyb3 · 07-05-2014 12:40PM

Pryor is a SS, I'm not sure how/whether teams view him as a FS. I'd love him as our SS, especially with guys like Bush, Lacy & Peterson in our division - perfect guy to bring down into the box. But I'm not sure where that fits with having brought in Mundy. As I've said already I just don't like Dix, looks out of position too often and seems to get done with the QB's eyes too easy (reminds me of Conte in that respect).

Anyway enjoy the draft guys - hopefully it works out nicely for us. Won't get to watch the first round until Sat morning as staying up late with 2 babies in the house and work on Friday just isn't feasible. Will steer clear of facebook/internet etc until then and watch as live. Be back Saturday afternoon to see the reactions.

kennyb3 · 08-05-2014 08:06AM

Just so there is no aftertiming (when i moan :pac:)

Players I'd be very happy with in first few rounds (realistically):

Donald
Fuller
Pryor
Gilbert
Nix
Ealy (not at 14 though)
Kareem Martin
Mosley
Murphy
Carrun Reid
Easley
Anthony Johnson
Ego Ferguson
Scott Crichton
Will Sutton

Players I don't want

Hageman (has phil wrote all over it - would hate it!)
HHC Dix
Dee Ford
Bucannon (in the 1st, happy to get him in the 2nd)
Bradley Roby
Christian Jones

Right that's the last post till Sat morning.

Can't wait!

padraig_f · 09-05-2014 12:35PM

Initial reactions...

- Sickener to miss Donald by one spot, I'd have minded less if he went #8 or #9. When the Giants passed at #12, I thought we were getting him. Also thought if he was there at #12 or #13, might be a possibility to trade up at that point, but obviously not the case.

- A bit deflated to see Emery go corner after that. It's obviously a position of need but thought 2nd or 3rd round was the better place to fill that spot.

- Just when you suck on defense the previous year, I think you're looking for an impact player in the first round, and the biggest needs were d-line and safety. Maybe I'm being too short-sighted with that, and it's obviously a pick for the future as much as next year, with Tillman in possibly his last year.

- Don't know much about Fuller, but people seem to like him. Will find out a bit more in the next few days. Word I keep hearing in bits I've read is 'versatile'. Brad Biggs says a bit more about what that means in this video: http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/football/bears/ct-first-round-bears-nfl-draft-spt-0509-20140509,0,1993172.story.

- I guess Emery's comments pre-draft about their being a big drop-off after the top 2 safeties was a smoke-screen.

- Having said that there were 4 safeties picked in the first round, higher amount than normal, so it must leave pretty thin pickings if we were hoping to fill one of the safety slots in rounds 2 or 3.

- Liked the gags on Bears forums about people figuring out Emery's draft strategy: guys named Kyle.

- A bit deflated overall, but on the plus side, I started researching the draft about 3 days ago, so what do I know? They obviously went with their best-player-available in terms of DB, so that's probably a good thing long term. Just concerned about the hole at safety now.

Innish_Rebel · 09-05-2014 01:19PM

padraig_f wrote: »

Initial reactions...

- Sickener to miss Donald by one spot, I'd have minded less if he went #8 or #9. When the Giants passed at #12, I thought we were getting him. Also thought if he was there at #12 or #13, might be a possibility to trade up at that point, but obviously not the case.

- A bit deflated to see Emery go corner after that. It's obviously a position of need but thought 2nd or 3rd round was the better place to fill that spot.

- Just when you suck on defense the previous year, I think you're looking for an impact player in the first round, and the biggest needs were d-line and safety. Maybe I'm being too short-sighted with that, and it's obviously a pick for the future as much as next year, with Tillman in possibly his last year.

- Don't know much about Fuller, but people seem to like him. Will find out a bit more in the next few days. Word I keep hearing in bits I've read is 'versatile'. Brad Biggs says a bit more about what that means in this video: http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/football/bears/ct-first-round-bears-nfl-draft-spt-0509-20140509,0,1993172.story.

- I guess Emery's comments pre-draft about their being a big drop-off after the top 2 safeties was a smoke-screen.

- Having said that there were 4 safeties picked in the first round, higher amount than normal, so it must leave pretty thin pickings if we were hoping to fill one of the safety slots in rounds 2 or 3.

- Liked the gags on Bears forums about people figuring out Emery's draft strategy: guys named Kyle.

- A bit deflated overall, but on the plus side, I started researching the draft about 3 days ago, so what do I know? They obviously went with their best-player-available in terms of DB, so that's probably a good thing long term. Just concerned about the hole at safety now.

I guess Phil & Co. are (hopefully) looking at the big picture, we all love the home run pick... big story, but our defense has so many holes, I think safe and solid is a good path for this draft... On the other side I would never have thought the Rams would've taken Donald, their DL is already so strong!!! They went with take the highest player still available... At the end of the day our division has 2 gunslingers QB's and now possibly a third in Bridgewater - CB isn't the worst area - but there is pressure to get another few top picks in the next few rounds, plus Bostic &/or Greene really need to step up to the plate this year - esp against the run...

SameOleJay · 09-05-2014 01:40PM

I tortured myself all night with every pick Donald didn’t go. As someone said elsewhere it’s probably for the best when Emery could well have passed him by anyway. Trading up looked impossible even with his drop- Titans, Vikings, Giants all would have lost their guys with a drop.

Corner is a massive need for us in my opinion. Look at the amount of receiving options in the North- we’ll have the nickel rolled out for 75% of plays. Tillman, Jennings and Frey is not a great trio by any stretch. Kick Jennings into nickel when the 3-WR sets are rolled out and we should be sweet. I’ll also be interested to see what Fuller can offer in safety when called.

The real kick in the nads was Ward and Bucannon going afterwards in the first. One was a surprise- 2 a real shock. The D-line looks a sure thing now… I’d like a trade up as the talent will dry up by 51.

One things for sure- with our safeties we’ll need all the help we can get on the line.

Oat23 · 09-05-2014 06:49PM

I was really disappointed when Donald went the pick before. I thought for sure he would be on the board for the Bears before the Rams had picked.

Peanut has had a lot of injury problems the past few seasons and has been coming out of games for a few plays because of small injuries. I'm happy with the pick now I have gotten over the disappointment of Donald not being a bear.

DT in round two hopefully, but will a trade up be needed? I don't think Hageman or Jernigan will be there at 51.

Emery is talking about drafting a tall corner that can be converted to safety, but that looks to be a 3rd/4th round move.

crunchie44 · 09-05-2014 07:04PM

Thought I was the only Bears fan around!!! haha delighted I found this thread.

l, like you guys, was devastated when Rams took Donald at 13. I didn't think he would be around at 14 but once he fell past Giants I thought he was ours. Just didn't see Rams adding Donald to an already stellar D-line.

Honestly with Donald off the board l was expecting Clinton Dix or Pryor name to be called. Think Safety would've been right call but in saying that Fuller seems to have all the attributes to have impact quickly. NFC North is a tough pass-heavy division so I like him learning his trade off peanut while getting plenty of game time.

The run on safetys after has hurt us. we needed a top player there. With them gone surely we go for DT in 2nd? who do you guys like look of the remaining DT's?

Guffy · 10-05-2014 12:39AM

2 round pick..... Ego Ferguson.

Makes sense over Nix I guess if we staying in 4-3. Dream now is to trade up in 3rd and take Garoppolo

crunchie44 · 10-05-2014 10:22AM

Ferguson was strange for me. Needs to develop and I think 51st was too soon. Sutton I like. Big talk about how he has got his weight back down to where it was when he was All American. Excited to see what he can bring.

Overall Emery draft is strange so far. Considering the QB's we face I think safety had to be addressed early in draft. On the clock at 14 with Donald swiped from under us I expected Pryor or at least Clinton-Dix to be called. Fuller is a big talent but I think CB could be addressed next year. It definitely wasn't a glaring need.

One I look for in next few rounds is De'Anthony Thomas. Undersized but amazing speed. with Hester gone we could do with explosive kick returner and maybe get him some touches on offence to see if you can give the opponent something else to think about

SameOleJay · 10-05-2014 10:30AM

kennyb3 wrote: »

Just so there is no aftertiming (when i moan :pac:)

Players I'd be very happy with in first few rounds (realistically):

Donald
Fuller
Pryor
Gilbert
Nix
Ealy (not at 14 though)
Kareem Martin
Mosley
Murphy
Carrun Reid
Easley
Anthony Johnson
Ego Ferguson
Scott Crichton
Will Sutton

Players I don't want

Hageman (has phil wrote all over it - would hate it!)
HHC Dix
Dee Ford
Bucannon (in the 1st, happy to get him in the 2nd)
Bradley Roby
Christian Jones

Right that's the last post till Sat morning.

Can't wait!

You must be happy enough then pal.

2 DTs in the first 3 is too much imo. If you don't rate the safety class fine but then take a linebacker, another huge need for us.

With this level of investment we better hope the D-line tears it up next year and hides weaknesses behind. Here's to a big day 3 anyway.

Oat23 · 10-05-2014 12:30PM

I'm happy enough so far, except with Ego at 51. Could have moved down but maybe that move wasn't available. Not upset with the player drafted, just think it could have been a bit later.

I've heard some say that Pierre Desir (CB) could turn out to be one of the best CBs to come out of the draft this year, but I'm not expecting him to still be there at 117. I would love to trade up for him, he has good size (6'1'', 200lbs), speed and he recorded a 133 inch broad jump at the combine (2nd best overall this year).

At this point, I would rather take someone like him than one of the safeties left on the board. He could be tried at safety like Emery has mentioned, at worst you have drafted a high upside corner with 2nd/3rd round talent.

How Bout Dem Bears?

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