Bears Go On the Cheap in hiring New GM and Coach

 January 27, 2022

After an exhaustive search that lasted less than three weeks, the Bears hired a new GM and head coach. I get a queasiness in my stomach as the Bears get another Ryan as their GM and another Matt as their coach. I think the Bears probably thought this was a cost cutting move as they will only have to change the last names on the parking places and name plates.

The Bears interviewed many people for the GM position. All had the credentials to ascend to a GM role. I have to give the Bears some credit for making a minority hire in Ryan Poles. Like his predecessor he is very young at age 36. This leads me to believe he came cheaply.   He will be in charge of the next draft where they don’t have a first round pick. And he has an uphill battle to fix this team, so I will cut him some slack.  

I don’t know how in two days Poles could say it was his choice to hire Matt Eberflus. He was chosen over two candidates who had previously coached Super Bowl champs. It is not a good thing to thrust a coach on your new GM. Do you think it may have anything to do with money? 

What is amazing is that with one of the worst offenses, all final candidates were defensive coaches.  QB Justin Fields is the center of this franchise and needs the right coach to maximize his talent. It will be very interesting to see who the Bears bring in as their Offensive Coordinator. One name being floated is Eagles Offensive Coordinator Kevin Patullo. This is so “Bears” as his passing attack was ranked 25^th.  

The upside of Eberflus is he is an excellent defensive coordinator. He has a lot of work to do. The Bears, with the exception of Jaylen Johnson, have no secondary and no pass rush.  He may want to consider reverting to a 4-3 defense. A  healthy Khalil Mack, Roquan Smith and Robert Quinn would be one of the best trios around. He is supposed to be very good at planning and figuring out opponents' schemes. However, it is much harder to install offensive schemes. 

I know this is not a ringing endorsement. However, as a Bear fan I really hope this works out.

It Doesn't Get Much Better Than This

 January 24, 2022

Even the most casual fan would have enjoyed the drama that unfolded this past weekend in the NFL. All four games were close and intense battles. As usual, my picks went in the crapper. The upsets that were in vogue during the season continued. Three underdogs pulled out road trip victories.  The Kansas City Chiefs were the only favorite that won.

The most improbable upset was the San Francisco 49ers beating the Green Bay Packers. The Packers marched down the field scoring a touchdown on their first possession. The running plays were working and Aaron Rodgers completed 7 of 8 passes. I was expecting a huge Packer victory. However, I can’t remember a team putting the clamps on Rodgers and the Packer offense like the 49ers did. Rodgers only completed 7 of his last 21 passes. The 49ers, led by defensive lineman Nick Bosa, had the Packers in disarray. The weather may have played a part as well. It didn’t help that Packers kicker Mason Crosby’s 39 yard field goal attempt was blocked at the end of the first half. The 49ers offense was self-imploding and could only muster 3 points through three quarters. Leading 7-3 in the fourth quarter, Rodgers connected with wide receiver DeVante Adams, who was all alone deep in 49ers territory. A touchdown would have iced a Packers victory. However, the 49ers defense stood tall and held the Packers to a field goal. The biggest sequence came with less than five minutes remaining when the Packers had the ball deep in their territory. An illegal receiver downfield and an illegal procedure had the Packers punting out of their end zone. The crowd was stunned and went silent when the punt was blocked and returned for a touchdown. Rodgers had trouble converting third downs and turned over the ball on downs in the waning moments. The 49ers vaunted rushing attack putting them in field goal position. Robbie Gould hit a field goal as time ran out. 49ers 13 Packers 10.

L.A. Rams quarterback Matt Stafford, and receivers Cooper Kupp and Odell Beckham Jr., were having a field day. They led the defending champs, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, 27-3. This could have been larger if the Rams didn’t fumble on the Bucs 1 yard line at the end of the first half. In the second half, the Bucs defense caused three fumbles allowing quarterback Tom Brady to work his magic. The Bucs would score two touchdowns and after throwing 54 passes, ran the ball into the end zone to tie the score. Problem was, there was still 1.43 seconds left. Stafford quickly got the Rams in field goal position where kicker Matt Gay hit a 30 yard field goal as time ran out. Rams 30 Bucs 27

The two best young quarterbacks, Kansas City’s Patrick Mahomes and Buffalo’s Josh Allen, faced off in probably the juiciest of the playoff games. Each threw for over 300 yards. You knew this would be a high scoring shootout. It seemed evident that whoever had the ball last would win this game. Despite missing a field goal and an extra point, the Chiefs led 26-21 with a little over 7 minutes left. The game went back and forth as the teams combined to score 25 points in the final two minutes. Buffalo thought it had the game won when Allen hit wide receiver Gabriel Davis and caught a 19 yard touchdown pass with 13 seconds left. Amazingly, in two plays the Chiefs got into field position to tie the game sending it to overtime. Kansas City got the ball first, scored a touchdown, game over. The team that had the ball last, won. There will be some discussion over overtime rules, for now, Chiefs 42 Bills 36.

The other AFC game was the heavily favored Tennessee Titans against the Cincinnati Bengals. The Titans were the best team all year and they had the league’s best running back, Derek Henry, back from injury. Though the Titans offense never got on track and the Bengals were able to keep it close. Titans
coach, Mike Vrabel, eschewed an extra point when the Bengals committed a penalty to put the ball on the one yard line. They went for two and the attempt failed.  I’ve never been a fan of going for two in the first quarter. This would come back to haunt them. The game was tied at 16 with 2.43 left. With a 1 point lead they could have tried to run out the clock but they needed to score. Instead of using the run to get in field goal position, Titans quarterback Ryan Tannehill threw his third interception. It didn’t take much for the Bengals to set up rookie Evan McPherson for a 52 yard field goal as time ran out. Bengals 19 Titans 16.

In the anticlimactic championship games, the Chiefs will have no trouble and wallop the Bengals. The Rams will be heavily favored to beat the 49ers. This may be next week’s upset.    

Road to the Super Bowl

 

January 14, 2022

It’s a football junkie’s paradise as the NFL playoffs start this weekend. There are two games on Saturday and three games on Sunday. There is even a Monday night game for bettors to recoup their weekend losses. It was hard to pick winners as there were major upsets every week. I will attempt to handicap the playoffs although I’m sure I will be completely off.

In the AFC, the Cincinnati Bengals host the Las Vegas Raiders. The only thing they have in common is they both lost to the woeful Chicago Bears. The Raiders will not be able to keep up with the Bengals' high powered offense led by former Heisman Trophy quarterback Joe Burrow. 

The Buffalo Bills play host to the New England Patriots. The Bills are led by one the best dual threat quarterbacks, Josh Allen. The Patriots' Bill Belichick is the best coach in football. If the arctic cold affect’s Allen’s game the Patriots can pull the upset. I’ll go out on a limb and say this happens.

The Kansas City Chiefs struggled early but have been on a roll as of late. Pittsburgh quarterback, Ben Roethlisberger’s career ends on a sour note as the Chiefs should crush the Steelers. Whether the Chiefs play Buffalo or New England, they will advance to the AFC championship game.

The Tennessee Titans were the best team in the conference and they should easily defeat the Bengals to face the Chiefs for the championship. This should a great game. The Titans' Ryan Tannehill has developed into a really good QB. The Titans also have best running back in football, Derrick Henry, who is nursing an injury and may not be available. Though, the Titans went on a six game winning streak without Henry. Their second leading rusher, D’Onta Foreman, had three 100 yard games. The Chiefs possess one of the game’s elite quarterbacks in Patrick Mahomes. Mahomes has plenty of weapons, including Travis Kelsey, who is the best tight end I have ever seen. Kelsey can change the complexion of a game.

In the NFC, the picture is clearer. If I were a betting man, I’d place big money that the Green Bay Packers, with quarterback Aaron Rodgers, will face Tom Brady of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. There is still a lot of football to be played. Who knows what can happen?

The L.A. Rams have a great defense and quarterback Matt Stafford is rejuvenated. They also have the top receiver, Cooper Kupp. The Philadelphia Eagles do not stand a chance. The Dallas Cowboys have a great offense led by quarterback Dak Prescott, who is having a great comeback year. And, they have star running back Ezekiel Elliott. The San Francisco 49ers have a lot of momentum. In week 18, trailing 17-0, they had a last minute scoring drive for a comeback victory. Dallas is a three point favorite so this can go either way.

As for who plays the Titans in the usual anti-climactic Super Bowl? Well, since it is very difficult to win consecutive Super Bowls and the Bucs are a little banged up, it will be the Packers. I wouldn’t mind being completely wrong if somehow the Packers lose in the first round.

I will reserve my pick on who wins the Super Bowl when the dust has settled. In the mean time let’s see how I did.

Time For a Change

 

January 10, 2022

 

The Bears didn’t waste any time in firing Coach Matt Nagy and his cohort in crime, GM Ryan Pace. This should have happened prior to this year’s abysmal 6-11 record. In bringing them back this year, Bears CEO George McCaskey cited that they have a great collaboration. Last time I checked, collaboration does not win football games.

 

Ex-Coach Nagy (how I love how this sounds) was bad to the very end. The Bears turned the ball over on downs three times by trying to convert on fourth and one with pass plays. It showed he has no faith in his running game.  What’s even more flabbergasting is in the first quarter, David Montgomery gained four yards in the same situation. The Bears should have been up by three scores instead of just 14-0.

 

The Bear defense was wreaking havoc on Minnesota Vikings QB Kirk Cousins. They were forcing bad throws and he was sacked multiple times. Unlike Nagy, they made adjustments and went on to outscore the Bears 24-3. The Vikings added another touchdown on a pick six interception making the final score 31-17.

 

Once the Bears realized they were going to make changes, I hope they were researching possible replacements. I don’t have any idea who the new GM will be. The name surfacing to be the new coach is current Michigan coach Jim Harbaugh. Harbaugh is a good choice. He is going to want big money and although being worth over a billion dollars the Bears may not want to hire him. The new regime will have its work cut out for them. Here’s a look at what’s in store.

 

The new coach’s offense will have Justin Fields, who showed flashes that he could be the franchise quarterback the Bears have been searching for many years. Wide receiver Darnell Mooney improved on his rookie season and should get even better. I hope they can keep Allen Robinson which would make a nice two-way punch. The Bears need either Marquise Goodwin, Damiere Byrd or Dazz Newsome to step up. I don’t know if it is a lack of talent or bad blocking schemes that make the Bears running game inept. David Montgomery has too many runs of no consequence and that may not be a long term answer. Cole Kmet looks solid at tight end.

 

With the return of Akiem Hicks in doubt and Eddie Goldman’s regression, the Bears defensive line may have a totally different look. Angelo Blackson and Trevis Gipson looked pretty good in limited playing time and may be starters next year. If Khalil Mack stays healthy, he and All-Pro Robert Quinn will give the Bears one of the best set of outside linebackers. Roquan Smith is one of the best inside linebackers. It’s amazing he’s not an All-Pro. With the exception of cornerback Jaylon Johnson, the secondary is a mess. A big mistake by Pace was overpaying safety Eddie Jackson. He was described as a ball hawker but has gone two years without an interception. He has also been beaten in coverage on multiple occasions.

 

 With All-Pro punt returner Jermaine Grant and kicker Cairo Santos, the special teams coverage units wipe out this edge.

 

Bears Win Second Straight Meaningless Game

 January 3, 2021

It is really tough being a Bear fan. It has to be even harder for New York Giant fans. Only the Detroit Lions and Jacksonville Jaguars have won less games. So after beating a mediocre Seattle Seahawks team, the Bears pummeled the Giants 29-3. For me these are hollow victories. The only thing left is to see what changes the Bears are going to make in a week from now.

This game was somewhat reminiscent of 2018 when the defense won the game
with little help from the offense. This should be the final home game for lame duck offensive guru coach Matt Nagy. Although the Bears scored 29 points, the offense was responsible for only 13 of them. In the second half, they scored one lone touchdown. Last week with Nick Foles at quarterback, the offense generated 25 points. So, of course, Nagy starts Andy Dalton who is also playing his last home game as a Bear. Dalton completed 18 of 35 passes for 173 yards. This averages to less than 10 yards per pass. There were no explosive plays against one of the worst defenses in the NFL. After barely averaging a tad over two yards per carry against Seattle, running back David Montgomery averaged less than three yards per carry. It’s also time to put away the Wildcat formation. Most teams run this very effectively. Montgomery runs straight into tacklers unless he throws an interception as he did yesterday. He has not improved much since he entered the league. He is slow to the line and consistently runs into piles instead of bumping runs to the outside. The Bears left the home fans with the familiar first and goal from the ten yard line and as usual settled for a field goal.

The Giants starting quarterback was Mike Glennon. You might remember him as the guy who lost his starting job as the Bear’s quarterback to the forgettable Mitch Trubisky. Glennon fumbled on the first play and the Bears drove the ball three yards for the touchdown. On their second possession, Glennon was intercepted and the Bears capitalized on this with a four yard touchdown pass to Mooney. The defense also recorded a safety and sacked Glennon four times. The sack by Robert Quinn broke Richard Dent’s record for sacks in a season. 

Bear fans shouldn’t have to wait long for changes after the last game Sunday. Fans will be in an uproar if Nagy isn’t gone. For that matter GM Ryan Pace has to go. It would also be nice to fire Ted Phillips as President and hire someone who knows football. The new regime will have a big job in front of them to make the Bears relevant again. They have no draft picks, therefore they’ll have to be active signing free agents. It would nice to see if a new front office can keep Allen Robinson around. Akiem Hicks, Andy Dalton and Jimmy Graham will most likely be gone freeing up some money for free agency.