Bears vs Vikings Thread. Time to move on from GB game.

[davidl]

Nov 20, 2024 14:19:54 GMT -6 mpbears68 said:

Nov 20, 2024 13:50:05 GMT -6 davidl said:

At this rate, we barely have time to be Super Bowl ready before all of Poles high-priced contracts (Johnson, Moore, Sweat, Edmunds) run out as well as the Williams, Odunze, Wright, Etc. rookie contracts. At tha point, we might be back into “rebuild” mode, hopefully with a new GM.

David, just a couple years ago during the teardown season all you did is complain endlessly about Poles jettisoning high-priced contracts.

Despite the fact that that's what a teardown is and that most of those high-priced contracts at the time were for players who were injured, past their prime, or both.

So which is it? 


Newsflash:  Good veteran players command big contracts.  As long as they are still productive and not way over the hill, that's the price of doing business.

I prefer to keep my best players and add to them, but that didn’t happened.

Poles had $100+ million cap space and two #1 picks.  As a result, in a couple years, he’s going to have these high-priced vets contracts run out PLUS rookie contracts ending for everyone he drafted first and second round.  It’s all going to come crashing down at the same time.  If we aren’t Super Bowl ready by or before then, the window will close.

[mpbears68]

Nov 20, 2024 16:38:13 GMT -6 davidl said:

Nov 20, 2024 14:19:54 GMT -6 mpbears68 said:

David, just a couple years ago during the teardown season all you did is complain endlessly about Poles jettisoning high-priced contracts.

Despite the fact that that's what a teardown is and that most of those high-priced contracts at the time were for players who were injured, past their prime, or both.

So which is it? 


Newsflash:  Good veteran players command big contracts.  As long as they are still productive and not way over the hill, that's the price of doing business.

I prefer to keep my best players and add to them, but that didn’t happened.

Poles had $100+ million cap space and two #1 picks.  As a result, in a couple years, he’s going to have these high-priced vets contracts run out PLUS rookie contracts ending for everyone he drafted first and second round.  It’s all going to come crashing down at the same time.  If we aren’t Super Bowl ready by or before then, the window will close.

Oh yes, I remember those "best players" from back then.  Other than Mack (who revitalized his career 2 years later), each and every one was washed up and even out of the league shortly thereafter (Goldman, Hicks, Fuller, Robinson, Trevathan, etc).  NONE of these players would still be here for the "window" you have been talking about.  I don't understand why you can't accept that.  All of those guys, Mack excepted, were washed or even retired shortly after leaving here.

Secondly, you go all-in during the QBs rookie contract cuz you have "extra" money to spend then.  He SHOULD be trying to pay good players right now and esp Caleb yrs 2-4 of his rookie deal.  That's what you do.

And BTW, if you nail the QB pick, the "window" is ALWAYS OPEN.  You may have less free agent money to spend but you are always a legit SB contender.  Teams with Brady, Mahomes, Lamar, Allen, etc. all were/are constant SB contenders after the QB got paid.  If you get the QB-HC thing right, you are a legit SB threat virtually every year so I wouldn't worry about money.  We need a new HC and getting the QB right.

[JABF]

Nov 20, 2024 19:52:20 GMT -6 mpbears68 said:

And BTW, if you nail the QB pick, the "window" is ALWAYS OPEN.  You may have less free agent money to spend but you are always a legit SB contender.  Teams with Brady, Mahomes, Lamar, Allen, etc. all were/are constant SB contenders after the QB got paid.  If you get the QB-HC thing right, you are a legit SB threat virtually every year so I wouldn't worry about money.  We need a new HC and getting the QB right.

+1
That's why fans are so frustrated with this situation.  If Caleb is the guy, then this is a once-in-85-years opportunity for this franchise - if - and only if they can get the right head coach here to make the magic happen.  I've often thought the same thing as that post of yours.  Can you imagine what it would feel like to at least be able to watch good football here every year?  We talk about winning a Super Bowl, and obviously we all want that - but I'd be thrilled just watching Bears teams over the years that are not total clown show jokes.  We don't even get to watch, watchable teams on most game days.  It seems like every year we get embarrassed in primetime games too... butt-ugly football. 

If the Bears blow this opportunity, they will never get it right.  All the planets are lined up for the McCaskeys here.  The blind squirrel found Caleb Williams.  The family has this fantastic 326 acres of property in Arlington Heights they can build something very special instead of the crap-hole Soldier Field rental.  Everything is lined up.  Just get it right now.  Hire a solid coach and fix the few remaining holes in this roster (so doable).       

[davidl]

Nov 20, 2024 19:52:20 GMT -6 mpbears68 said:

Nov 20, 2024 16:38:13 GMT -6 davidl said:

I prefer to keep my best players and add to them, but that didn’t happened.

Poles had $100+ million cap space and two #1 picks.  As a result, in a couple years, he’s going to have these high-priced vets contracts run out PLUS rookie contracts ending for everyone he drafted first and second round.  It’s all going to come crashing down at the same time.  If we aren’t Super Bowl ready by or before then, the window will close.

Oh yes, I remember those "best players" from back then.  Other than Mack (who revitalized his career 2 years later), each and every one was washed up and even out of the league shortly thereafter (Goldman, Hicks, Fuller, Robinson, Trevathan, etc).  NONE of these players would still be here for the "window" you have been talking about.  I don't understand why you can't accept that.  All of those guys, Mack excepted, were washed or even retired shortly after leaving here.

Secondly, you go all-in during the QBs rookie contract cuz you have "extra" money to spend then.  He SHOULD be trying to pay good players right now and esp Caleb yrs 2-4 of his rookie deal.  That's what you do.

And BTW, if you nail the QB pick, the "window" is ALWAYS OPEN.  You may have less free agent money to spend but you are always a legit SB contender.  Teams with Brady, Mahomes, Lamar, Allen, etc. all were/are constant SB contenders after the QB got paid.  If you get the QB-HC thing right, you are a legit SB threat virtually every year so I wouldn't worry about money.  We need a new HC and getting the QB right.

He got rid of the players you mentioned but also Daniels, Echols,Smith, Monty all of whom were starters on their next team and better football players than all the crap Poles brought in to replace them, which is a large part of the problem.  A better GM would have a better roster with all that cap space and two #1 picks.

IF, IF, IF Caleb Williams is Brady/Mahomes, we will overcome Poles/Flus. But at this point, it is not clear that he’s even better than Stroud and Daniels.

[bearsinhouston]

Nov 20, 2024 20:27:37 GMT -6 JABF said:

Nov 20, 2024 19:52:20 GMT -6 mpbears68 said:

And BTW, if you nail the QB pick, the "window" is ALWAYS OPEN.  You may have less free agent money to spend but you are always a legit SB contender.  Teams with Brady, Mahomes, Lamar, Allen, etc. all were/are constant SB contenders after the QB got paid.  If you get the QB-HC thing right, you are a legit SB threat virtually every year so I wouldn't worry about money.  We need a new HC and getting the QB right.

+1
That's why fans are so frustrated with this situation.  If Caleb is the guy, then this is a once-in-85-years opportunity for this franchise - if - and only if they can get the right head coach here to make the magic happen.  I've often thought the same thing as that post of yours.  Can you imagine what it would feel like to at least be able to watch good football here every year?  We talk about winning a Super Bowl, and obviously we all want that - but I'd be thrilled just watching Bears teams over the years that are not total clown show jokes.  We don't even get to watch, watchable teams on most game days.  It seems like every year we get embarrassed in primetime games too... butt-ugly football. 

If the Bears blow this opportunity, they will never get it right.  All the planets are lined up for the McCaskeys here.  The blind squirrel found Caleb Williams.  The family has this fantastic 326 acres of property in Arlington Heights they can build something very special instead of the crap-hole Soldier Field rental.  Everything is lined up.  Just get it right now.  Hire a solid coach and fix the few remaining holes in this roster (so doable).       

You know what is the really sad part for me? We can say that DJ Moore quite on a play (I see that dude get off limping on a play, shake it off and get right back countless times) or that the players are not trying but I don't see it or agree with it. The sad part is these guys are out there every week putting it out on the line trying to win games and a few times they have actually done it, handicapped by absolutely clueless play calling and offensive coaching. Going out there, actually making it happen through all of that only to be let down by HC bad decisions. It breaks my heart to see that. And then they have to suit up and do it again the next week, knowing that even if they overcome the issues they are having and get in a position to win, Flus might do it yet again and make it a hat trick. I just feel bad for those guys. Yeah, maybe we don't have the best talent on the OL, but they go out there and hit it every Sunday. They deserve better than they are getting by the head coach. We all poke fun at what is going on, but no one is making fun of the players themselves. Those guys are trying to win despite their HC

[JABF]

Nov 20, 2024 22:04:04 GMT -6 bearsinhouston said:

I just feel bad for those guys. Yeah, maybe we don't have the best talent on the OL, but they go out there and hit it every Sunday. They deserve better than they are getting by the head coach. We all poke fun at what is going on, but no one is making fun of the players themselves. Those guys are trying to win despite their HC

I know.  These guys have a limited window of time in their life for playing NFL ball.  I can't even imagine how depressing it would be to lose a season like this in your finite career.  And for those players who have been here for the entire Eberflus era, it is even worse.  They do deserve better than this.  The loyal fans who have stuck with this team for decades of crapfest seasons do too.  I'm just hoping the Bears can get it right this time with the coach hires - and not just the HC.  If they do go with another defensive HC, then it's critically important they bring in offense coaches who can help Caleb develop, and the offense to be solid.  

[brasilbear]

[mpbears68]

Nov 20, 2024 21:59:02 GMT -6 davidl said:

Nov 20, 2024 19:52:20 GMT -6 mpbears68 said:

Oh yes, I remember those "best players" from back then.  Other than Mack (who revitalized his career 2 years later), each and every one was washed up and even out of the league shortly thereafter (Goldman, Hicks, Fuller, Robinson, Trevathan, etc).  NONE of these players would still be here for the "window" you have been talking about.  I don't understand why you can't accept that.  All of those guys, Mack excepted, were washed or even retired shortly after leaving here.

Secondly, you go all-in during the QBs rookie contract cuz you have "extra" money to spend then.  He SHOULD be trying to pay good players right now and esp Caleb yrs 2-4 of his rookie deal.  That's what you do.

And BTW, if you nail the QB pick, the "window" is ALWAYS OPEN.  You may have less free agent money to spend but you are always a legit SB contender.  Teams with Brady, Mahomes, Lamar, Allen, etc. all were/are constant SB contenders after the QB got paid.  If you get the QB-HC thing right, you are a legit SB threat virtually every year so I wouldn't worry about money.  We need a new HC and getting the QB right.

He got rid of the players you mentioned but also Daniels, Echols,Smith, Monty all of whom were starters on their next team and better football players than all the crap Poles brought in to replace them, which is a large part of the problem.  A better GM would have a better roster with all that cap space and two #1 picks.

IF, IF, IF Caleb Williams is Brady/Mahomes, we will overcome Poles/Flus. But at this point, it is not clear that he’s even better than Stroud and Daniels.

I agree Monty and Smith look like mistakes.  Monty has played his best ball in Detroit, far better than he was here, undoubtedly aided by the fact that Detroit has the best OL in the league.  

Nichols hasn't done anything special.  Daniels should have been kept too just because out iOL is so bad, not that he's a great player.  

A lot of what we are talking about above is the friction that occurs when you change GMs.  The new GM always wants his stamp on the team with his guys and tends to de-value the guys the prior GM drafted or signed.  That's why I'm really not keen on switching GMs right now.  Poles drafted CW and he should get the 3-4 years it takes to see that process through to either success or failure.  I do not believe Poles is in any danger at this point and I say that even though I'm annoyed as hell at him for keeping Flus last offseason and all his misses on the OL.  Poles has failed thus far at coaching and OL I agree fully--he better use the runway he has left to correct that.

Regarding the QBs, yeah right now you'd take either of them over CW.  We will see in a couple years.  Hard to judge CW based on only 1/2 a season with an OC who clearly was in over his head.  BTW, Stroud isn't looking that great this season compared to last.

[mpbears68]

Nov 20, 2024 20:27:37 GMT -6 JABF said:

Nov 20, 2024 19:52:20 GMT -6 mpbears68 said:

And BTW, if you nail the QB pick, the "window" is ALWAYS OPEN.  You may have less free agent money to spend but you are always a legit SB contender.  Teams with Brady, Mahomes, Lamar, Allen, etc. all were/are constant SB contenders after the QB got paid.  If you get the QB-HC thing right, you are a legit SB threat virtually every year so I wouldn't worry about money.  We need a new HC and getting the QB right.

+1
That's why fans are so frustrated with this situation.  If Caleb is the guy, then this is a once-in-85-years opportunity for this franchise - if - and only if they can get the right head coach here to make the magic happen.  I've often thought the same thing as that post of yours.  Can you imagine what it would feel like to at least be able to watch good football here every year?  We talk about winning a Super Bowl, and obviously we all want that - but I'd be thrilled just watching Bears teams over the years that are not total clown show jokes.  We don't even get to watch, watchable teams on most game days.  It seems like every year we get embarrassed in primetime games too... butt-ugly football. 

If the Bears blow this opportunity, they will never get it right.  All the planets are lined up for the McCaskeys here.  The blind squirrel found Caleb Williams.  The family has this fantastic 326 acres of property in Arlington Heights they can build something very special instead of the crap-hole Soldier Field rental.  Everything is lined up.  Just get it right now.  Hire a solid coach and fix the few remaining holes in this roster (so doable).       

Man, I'd love to be able to watch exciting and meaningful Bears football after Thanksgiving.  That's only happened once (2018) in recent memory.

Its so frustrating that this organization can never seem to get its ducks in a row.

[JABF]

Nov 21, 2024 9:40:58 GMT -6 mpbears68 said:

Man, I'd love to be able to watch exciting and meaningful Bears football after Thanksgiving.  That's only happened once (2018) in recent memory.

Its so frustrating that this organization can never seem to get its ducks in a row.

I'm encouraged that maybe, just maybe this time they will do better.  They have the QB now.  I totally believe Caleb is the guy.  So they finally got the QB thing fixed.  The roster looks 90% fixed.  This list of potential head coaches looks decent to me.  My point is that Poles has a real shot at getting this franchise set for success.  At least it looks more doable to me know.  The QB thing (I think anyway) is the more difficult task of the two.  I'm not saying it's easy to hire the right HC now.  Obviously it isn't.  But it seems easier than getting a solid franchise QB.  

I feel pretty good about things right now.  I'm sick over the failures, but at least I can see a good outcome here.  I can't change the past but I sure can be hopeful for 2025 now.