Three growing questions

[AlexM]

By John Mullin

1. No. 2 quarterback
When the Bears signed Brian Hoyer as Jay Cutler’s understudy, it came with a bit of an exhale. No more Jimmy Clausen. No more Caleb Hanie. Enter Josh McCown Redux. Except it has not gone close to expectations.

2. Turning (up) a corner
One cornerstone of winning defense is “rush-and-cover” – the complimentary combination of pass rush from the front and coverage by the back-end of the defense. The Bears have a growing question in the latter. The play of Kyle Fuller at the cornerback spot opposite Tracy Porter was a matter of concern after last season, lessened to some extent by Fuller righting himself after a poor start to the year. But now his health is also an issue after knee surgery last week.

3. At WR, numbers are there, but…
The offense is clear on its starting wideouts in the persons of designer (6-3, 220-ish pounds) Alshon Jeffery and Kevin White, even if White has yet to dominate. And that is an issue, until it’s not. White was the No. 7 pick of the draft to put explosion in the offense. Through his first two partial games, White has produced two catches for a total of nine yards.

Link

I really think, if there were no injuries, answer to 1. will be Hoyer, 2.Porter and Fuller, 3.Jeffery, White and Royal (Pace sure would like Eddie to do... something)

[omc1969]

Depth is the issue for me but we won't get a real idea until the PS is over. The last PS game should be very telling in that regard.

[shark86]

Aug 22, 2016 11:11:35 GMT -6 AlexM said:

I really think, if there were no injuries, answer to 1. will be Hoyer, 2.Porter and Fuller, 3.Jeffery, White and Royal (Pace sure would like Eddie to do... something)

It looks this way to me also, but that doesn't make me a happy bear. Hoyer is downright scary as a #2, is Porter a true #1 - on our team, yes, but on most NFL teams? and Royal needs to #4 or 5. Who on the roster now deserves #3 the way they've played so far this PS?

80 Mariani, Marc WR/KR 6-1 190 29 7 Montana
11 Bellamy, Joshua WR 6-0 211 27 2 Louisville
83 Braverman, Daniel WR 5-10 185 22 R Western Michigan
1 Daniels, B.J. WR 5-11 222 26 2 South Florida
85 Duncan, Kieren WR 5-11 175 22 R CSU-Pueblo
17 Jeffery, Alshon WR 6-3 218 26 5 South Carolina
18 Keaton, Derek WR 5-10 189 22 R Georgia Southern
81 Meredith, Cameron WR 6-3 207 23 2 Illinois State
15 Peterson, Darrin WR 6-2 214 22 R Liberty
19 Royal, Eddie WR 5-10 190 30 9 Virginia Tech
14 Thompson, Deonte WR 6-0 205 27 4 Florida
13 White, Kevin WR 6-3 216 24 2 West Virginia

Seems like we're stuck with Royal.

[AlexM]

Aug 22, 2016 11:41:50 GMT -6 shark86 said:

Aug 22, 2016 11:11:35 GMT -6 AlexM said:

I really think, if there were no injuries, answer to 1. will be Hoyer, 2.Porter and Fuller, 3.Jeffery, White and Royal (Pace sure would like Eddie to do... something)

It looks this way to me also, but that doesn't make me a happy bear. Hoyer is downright scary as a #2, is Porter a true #1 - on our team, yes, but on most NFL teams? and Royal needs to #4 or 5. Who on the roster now deserves #3 the way they've played so far this PS?

80 Mariani, Marc WR/KR 6-1 190 29 7 Montana
11 Bellamy, Joshua WR 6-0 211 27 2 Louisville
83 Braverman, Daniel WR 5-10 185 22 R Western Michigan
1 Daniels, B.J. WR 5-11 222 26 2 South Florida
85 Duncan, Kieren WR 5-11 175 22 R CSU-Pueblo
17 Jeffery, Alshon WR 6-3 218 26 5 South Carolina
18 Keaton, Derek WR 5-10 189 22 R Georgia Southern
81 Meredith, Cameron WR 6-3 207 23 2 Illinois State
15 Peterson, Darrin WR 6-2 214 22 R Liberty
19 Royal, Eddie WR 5-10 190 30 9 Virginia Tech
14 Thompson, Deonte WR 6-0 205 27 4 Florida
13 White, Kevin WR 6-3 216 24 2 West Virginia

Seems like we're stuck with Royal.

Let's put it this way, slot issue, if we are looking at the achievements so far its got to be Royal, he was real good in SD. If we are looking at games in our jersey, its gotta be Mariani, he was dependable for us. If we are looking at highest ceiling and great camp its Braverman. But, who knows

[Deleted]

The depth at wide receiver, I thought, would be clarified a bit in PS 2 but it really wasn't. Braverman has so much hype on the practice fields that it seemed likely he'd make his presence felt, at least marginally, in the preseason matchup against NE. He was on the field quite a bit as a WR and even field punt(s) for a bit but nothing he did stood out. He either was looked off, wasn't looked at or otherwise didn't register with Hoyer. Maybe it's Hoyer's issue.

I'm sure Fox has a good eval on the kid, but from my perspective he hasn't done nearly enough to gain a spot on this squad.

I'm still leaning toward the following cast of receivers;
Alshon Jeffery
Kevin White
Marc Mariani
Eddie Royal
Cameron Meredith
Deonte Thompson
And, if we have room, Josh Bellamy (mainly because of his Steams work - he's a fab gunner).

[riczaj01]

Aug 22, 2016 11:11:35 GMT -6 AlexM said:

By John Mullin

1. No. 2 quarterback
When the Bears signed Brian Hoyer as Jay Cutler’s understudy, it came with a bit of an exhale. No more Jimmy Clausen. No more Caleb Hanie. Enter Josh McCown Redux. Except it has not gone close to expectations.

2. Turning (up) a corner
One cornerstone of winning defense is “rush-and-cover” – the complimentary combination of pass rush from the front and coverage by the back-end of the defense. The Bears have a growing question in the latter. The play of Kyle Fuller at the cornerback spot opposite Tracy Porter was a matter of concern after last season, lessened to some extent by Fuller righting himself after a poor start to the year. But now his health is also an issue after knee surgery last week.

3. At WR, numbers are there, but…
The offense is clear on its starting wideouts in the persons of designer (6-3, 220-ish pounds) Alshon Jeffery and Kevin White, even if White has yet to dominate. And that is an issue, until it’s not. White was the No. 7 pick of the draft to put explosion in the offense. Through his first two partial games, White has produced two catches for a total of nine yards.

Link

I really think, if there were no injuries, answer to 1. will be Hoyer, 2.Porter and Fuller, 3.Jeffery, White and Royal (Pace sure would like Eddie to do... something)

1) I warned a lot of people about how bad Hoyer was; people seem to think if you only play backup being bad is somehow okay. 
2) Hub and one of the d bag brothers were on the score, and he pointed out that Cromartie might still be on the table after wk1, and said that the likely conversation was if anyone offers you a contract all us before you sign it. Before wk 1 these vet contracts are guaranteed, but after wk 1 it's week by week. So it should be interesting to see how the young guys preform and then what happens after the first Sunday game.
3) I'm not worried about White. Just not, there hasn't been a ton of oppertunity for him w/just 2 weeks, and the first one being a wash. 


A lot of talk about McPhee not being ready for the season, and that might well be a bigger issue. I like Young/Houston/Lloyd, but do they really have anyone behind them? Acho? That's not a guy I want to see a lot of time on the real field of play.

[AlexM]

Aug 22, 2016 12:57:01 GMT -6 riczaj01 said:

Aug 22, 2016 11:11:35 GMT -6 AlexM said:

By John Mullin

1. No. 2 quarterback
When the Bears signed Brian Hoyer as Jay Cutler’s understudy, it came with a bit of an exhale. No more Jimmy Clausen. No more Caleb Hanie. Enter Josh McCown Redux. Except it has not gone close to expectations.

2. Turning (up) a corner
One cornerstone of winning defense is “rush-and-cover” – the complimentary combination of pass rush from the front and coverage by the back-end of the defense. The Bears have a growing question in the latter. The play of Kyle Fuller at the cornerback spot opposite Tracy Porter was a matter of concern after last season, lessened to some extent by Fuller righting himself after a poor start to the year. But now his health is also an issue after knee surgery last week.

3. At WR, numbers are there, but…
The offense is clear on its starting wideouts in the persons of designer (6-3, 220-ish pounds) Alshon Jeffery and Kevin White, even if White has yet to dominate. And that is an issue, until it’s not. White was the No. 7 pick of the draft to put explosion in the offense. Through his first two partial games, White has produced two catches for a total of nine yards.

Link

I really think, if there were no injuries, answer to 1. will be Hoyer, 2.Porter and Fuller, 3.Jeffery, White and Royal (Pace sure would like Eddie to do... something)

1) I warned a lot of people about how bad Hoyer was; people seem to think if you only play backup being bad is somehow okay. 
2) Hub and one of the d bag brothers were on the score, and he pointed out that Cromartie might still be on the table after wk1, and said that the likely conversation was if anyone offers you a contract all us before you sign it. Before wk 1 these vet contracts are guaranteed, but after wk 1 it's week by week. So it should be interesting to see how the young guys preform and then what happens after the first Sunday game.
3) I'm not worried about White. Just not, there hasn't been a ton of oppertunity for him w/just 2 weeks, and the first one being a wash. 


A lot of talk about McPhee not being ready for the season, and that might well be a bigger issue. I like Young/Houston/Lloyd, but do they really have anyone behind them? Acho? That's not a guy I want to see a lot of time on the real field of play.

Acho had a few nice moments, besides we do have Scruggs, and he can play anywhere

[mikegolf]

Well it seems they are looking for options at CB, they brought Carey Williams (worst ranked CB, PFF) for a tryout. NFL radio said the Bears we not interested in Cromartie, and the Colts are bringing him in. I think they are either waiting for week 1 to sign one or they are confused by weather or not the current crop can be healthy. I just don't see outside of Cromartie anyone who can actually help.

We will be stuck with Hoyer, old school coaches favor experienced vet back up QBs. I will be a mistake. I think Hoyer is screwing up the evaluation of most our 2nd string offense.

[4dabers]

Aug 22, 2016 11:45:39 GMT -6 AlexM said:

Aug 22, 2016 11:41:50 GMT -6 shark86 said:

It looks this way to me also, but that doesn't make me a happy bear. Hoyer is downright scary as a #2, is Porter a true #1 - on our team, yes, but on most NFL teams? and Royal needs to #4 or 5. Who on the roster now deserves #3 the way they've played so far this PS?

80 Mariani, Marc WR/KR 6-1 190 29 7 Montana
11 Bellamy, Joshua WR 6-0 211 27 2 Louisville
83 Braverman, Daniel WR 5-10 185 22 R Western Michigan
1 Daniels, B.J. WR 5-11 222 26 2 South Florida
85 Duncan, Kieren WR 5-11 175 22 R CSU-Pueblo
17 Jeffery, Alshon WR 6-3 218 26 5 South Carolina
18 Keaton, Derek WR 5-10 189 22 R Georgia Southern
81 Meredith, Cameron WR 6-3 207 23 2 Illinois State
15 Peterson, Darrin WR 6-2 214 22 R Liberty
19 Royal, Eddie WR 5-10 190 30 9 Virginia Tech
14 Thompson, Deonte WR 6-0 205 27 4 Florida
13 White, Kevin WR 6-3 216 24 2 West Virginia

Seems like we're stuck with Royal.

Let's put it this way, slot issue, if we are looking at the achievements so far its got to be Royal, he was real good in SD. If we are looking at games in our jersey, its gotta be Mariani, he was dependable for us. If we are looking at highest ceiling and great camp its Braverman. But, who knows

Nail on the head Mil.

Actually, If someone were to ask me about a growing question, I think mine is our #1 pick.  I have and still will defend his selection because I think it was the right pick, so this is NOT a nit pick of Pace.  However, my growing question is if he has the BUTT to actually get any really good football out of him this year.  I was not overly impressed last week.  Speed can overcome size and strength if that speed comes with some saavy and some athleticism, but when they get their hands on you and you get "stood up", you're done.  I saw too much of that.  NOW, he's as green as they come right now and that is very coachable (to an extent), so I don't really want to leave the impression I'm concerned about it, because I'm really not; but it has to be addressed and it's a growing question.    

[Deleted]

None of these three will be solved this season, but for me the one that has the highest probability of long term pain is WR, followed by QB.

They will eventually go after new QBs and CBs. QB obviously will not be easy, but I just have an uneasy feeling about Jeffrey. Something might be wrong with how he is training, yet he is not concerned enough in a contract year to at least proceed with the proposed team solution and work with the trainers. Sure enough... same injury. I see a stubbornness paired with a high level of skill which is going to dictate a high price in the market. He may also end up playing only part of the year again which will make his schtick even harder to swallow for the Bears. I fear we will lose our one-two WR punch next year. Hard to get another Jeffrey.