Da Dos

Author: ButchDeadLift

  • Mid-Term Grades ’25

    Mid-Term Grades ’25

    It’s halfway through the Bears’ 2025 season; as such, it’s enough of a sample size to grade.

    TLDW2R:

    A dynamic team on O and D with subpar specials.

    Now, “dynamic” doesn’t necessarily equal “excellent.”

    1. Dynamic:(of a process or system) characterized by constant change, activity, or progress.


    Offense:

    The Bears score 26.9 PPG [6th]
    YDs per game. 378.4 [4rth]
    Rush Yds per game. 144.4 [2nd]
    Sacks allowed. 14 [T-6th fewest]

    For me scoring [and preventing scores] are weighted heavily. I don’t care if they run 60 times a game, pass it 60 times, operate a wishbone/rpo/statue of liberty offense.

    This ain’t the Olympics. No style points. Results are results.

    Grade: B+

    Nevertheless, Bears need to absolutely clean up the presnap penalties.

    We should also keep in mind the strength of schedule [SOS] as it’s going to get significantly harder down the stretch.

    Caleb Williams’ watch:

    He looks to be improving even if marginally. I’ll share a bunch of stats on him, but my take thus far –

    Caleb seems more comfortable in the pocket [esp with the opening scripted plays]but still needs to improve with ball placement, anticipation, and decision making.

    A reg posted Caleb in wins/losses, so here’s what I found.

    I was also curious what Caleb’s rating is vs Dallas/Cincy and what it is vs every other team. It’s important because both Dallas and Cincy are historically awful defensively.

    It’s like Trubisky facing the Bucs twice that season and could totally throw off reality in such a short sample size.

    vs CIN/DAL. Pass Rtg=131
    vs Others. Pass Rtg=81.5

    [the latter is worse than Fields, Penix, Tua, Rattler, Wentz, and Flacco…]

    One MAJOR difference between Caleb and his predecessors [Trubisky/Fields] is that I don’t turn-off the TV if the Bears need a final 2-minute drive. Caleb seems to thrive in the crunch, and that can’t be quantified by stats.

    Eli, Flacco and Hurts aren’t exactly first ballot HOFers, but they were money when it counted and now own SB rings; heck, if Grossman and Cutler were that clutch, they would own SB rings too. So arrow pointing up.

    I’ll post the D/Specials manana.

  • Welcome, Joe Tryon-Shoyinka!

    Welcome, Joe Tryon-Shoyinka!

    DE Joe Tryon-Shoyinka is now a Bear.

    Details.

    I honestly never even heard of Shoyinka, so I’m not going to pretend to be a Shoyinka expert. Here’s what cold hard stats and some scouting eyes input.

    I’m relieved Poles didn’t throw a 2nd for Jermaine Johnson. The ‘rumors’ were about him, but apparently the Jets stuck to demanding a 2nd, and Poles didn’t cave.

    Nevertheless, why didn’t Poles offer a 3rd, which would’ve been higher than an Eagles’ 3rd, for Jaelan Philips?

    It also appears that Poles’ #1 target was Jeffery Simmons; however Simmons had a shortlist Bears weren’t on. I don’t fancy the rejection, but I very much like that Poles coveted Simmons. Shows he’s active and eagle-eyed.

    All-in-all?


    Shoyinka is merely a Dennis Allen [6’5 260 + wingspan] body. A young former first rounder with upside who cost practically nothing.

    His stats are actually eerily comparable to Dayo Odeyingbo but at least he’s not costing the Bears $48M.

    This feeling is like being at a car dealership. You’ve done all your research, calculated your budget, cross-priced, and settled on buying a used Toyota Camry.

    You get to the lot and right next to your Camry is a spanking brand new cherry red convertible sport’s car with plush leather bucket seats, electric everything and glowing…

    You drive off with your beige Camry telling yourself, “I didn’t overspend…I didn’t overspend…”

  • Trade Deadline ’25

    Trade Deadline ’25


    Deadline: Tues, 4:00 PM ET
    Bears’ current cap space: $6.7M

    Poles’ 3rd RDers: Velus Jones Jr. (2022), Zacch Pickens (2023), and Kiran Amegadjie (2024)

    It’s no secret the Bears are hunting for Dline and CB, especially since Dayo Odeyingbo has torn his achilles [again]. For me, achilles is worse than an ACL/MCL, etc.

    It can sometimes take two seasons to regain the same explosion. Dayo isn’t getting any younger, and it’s not as if he was Lawrence Taylor to start with. Hard to envision this ending any better than the Claypool fiasco.

    There’s too many trade targets to name. So here’s some possible options.


    Bears EDGE trade targets:

    Trey Hendrickson (CIN)
    Danielle Hunter (HOU)
    Jermaine Johnson (NYJ)
    Kayvon Thibodeaux (NYG)
    Bradley Chubb (MIA)
    Josh Sweat (ARZ)

    No clue if J. Sweat even available, but he looked great on MNF

    DTs:

    [You really trust Jarrett or Billings? Dexter, like Shemar, can spell Booker/DomRob though I understand if Poles prioritizes DE]

    Jeffery Simmons (Titans) Supposedly had a short list he OKed. Washington was one of those teams, but now that Jayden Daniels is out, I wonder if he’d pencil in Chicago…

    Quinnen Williams (Jets)

    Mazi Smith (Cowboys)
    Dre’Mont Jones (Seahawks)[now a Raven]

    CBs:

    [CJ Gardner-Johnson did ok. Gordon eventually set to return. Maybe JJ later]

    Riq Woolen (Seahawks)
    Alontae Taylor (Saints)
    Cam Taylor-Britt (Bengals)
    Rasul Douglas (Dolphins)

    HBs:[No longer such a high-priority]

    Breece Hall (Jets)

    Devon Achane (Dolphins)

    Jerome Ford (Browns)

  • Rapid Recap Bears@Bengals. Wild Jungle Shoot-out!

    Rapid Recap Bears@Bengals. Wild Jungle Shoot-out!

    So this game I decided to try something a lil different. Instead of commenting I decided to take notes as the game went along which includes facts, stats and observations. So this is basically a game log. I’ll share more crazy stuff about the game perhaps manana.

    Butch Game Notes:

    That was fast! [opening return TD]

    Bears’ O entered game 26th in redzone efficiency [converting a TD only 47.8% of time]

    Bailed out twice

    Bengals penalty [PI] on 3rd and 10, extended drive that resulted in Bear TD

    Bengals [HB Brown] Dropped easy pass that would’ve gone for big yards

    [2nd QTR]

    – Bears have a negative penalty yd differential in every game

    – Bears have 16 false starts this season

    -Since bye Bears have rushed for 137 yds designed runs per game. 2nd in the NFL

    -21% explosive run plays

    – Offsides Bengals. Santos Missed 47 yarder
    which Turned into Zaccheaus TD

    – Misdirection run game dominant

    -Bengals Ineligible man made 3rd 2 into 2nd 7
    3rd and 2 false start now 3rd and 7
    Brisker/CJ blitz, HB took Brisker, CJ sack
    Bengals keep shooting themselves in the foot

    -12/11 play TD drives

    –Caleb failed to see an easy check down [84]. Turned into 3rd and 14.

    – Fantastic booming punt by Tori

    – Sweat swat FF [or so we thought]!

    –Billings smart. Didn’t quit on play. Even got some yds after recovery. Sign of good coaching.

    -Agree with Archuleta
    Caleb must make decisions faster.
    Don’t know if he has to keep reminding us of this every other play.

    -Caleb seems to be running more this game

    -Deadball 15 yd penalty next to redzone

    -Caleb’s inaccuracy INJed Kmet [2nd QTR 4:18]. Instead of YAC, he’s in the blue tent.

    -Only scrambled 3 times since bye. Cost of easy checkdowns
    -Getting off spot, scrambled 4 times in this game already,
    -Ball placement just a smidgen off

    -5 min drive. 7ypc going into Half!
    Three 10+ play drives

    Monangai 16car, 99yds, 6.2 per

    -3rd and 3 goal line terrible. 6 Olinemen
    No chance
    Needed to get Caleb on run
    Settled for FG, saved a TO for Bengals; still 1:29 left for Flacco

    -Awful KO coverage again. Bengals return ball to 45

    –Higgins TD great catch on Wright

    -Nother dumb Bears’ penalty wipes out 50 yd return
    More bad SP teams. Blocked Santos’ 47 yd attempt which appeared low anyways.

    ———Half——-

    Monangai 16/100/6.3 long of 18 [1rec]
    Caleb. 9/15/93 yds 1 TD[rec] 101.1 rating
    JJ McCarthy 10/16 85yds 2TDs 89.8 rating [vs Lions]

    ———
    -Bengals 32nd vs run allowing 152 per game

    -3rd and goal at 1 yd line.
    Delay of game Caleb
    Procedural penalty. More stupid penalties.

    Laser to 84! [Loveland]

    [Dowdle Panthers Key and Peel pump celebration!]

    –Flacco more accurate than Williams
    Lethal. Perfect ball placement to Higgins twice
    CB there, just a finger off

    -Beautiful Rome blocking on Brittain Brown TD scamper
    Oline sealed off backside too on 2nd lvl
    Brown finishes

    Bears almost more 1st downs than Bengals TOTAL plays 3rd QTR 1:18 left

    Booker strip. He destroyed the OT with one hand!

    -Getting too cute
    3rd and 8 waaaay too confused.. Late motion. Almost another PS flag 13:20 4rth QTR

    3rd 16, Bengals get 20 to Chase FML
    Intentional grounding obvious.
    Short FG!

    -Big Monangai run. DJ solid block.. Bengals bad tackling [Battle]
    Staying in bounds. Runs like a smart Marion Barber.

    4th QTR…
    -Looked like a DJ Moore TD, not fumble/touchback Avoided disaster

    -Good TO by BJ to reset D in redzone.
    Edmunds INT! Man that was ticky-tack application of rule. Fingertip brushes Edmunds negates awesome TD run back

    -Bengals’ Redzone D allows a score 70% of time [30th]
    30 secs to score TD on terrible Bears’ D.

    –Archuleta “I don’t think I’ve seen a D collapse in the last 2 mins like that ever’
    Bengals outscore Bears 15-0 in 49 secs

    -8 lead changes – 2 in last 58 secs
    Bengals with 15 missed tackles [16 officially]
    4 different players threw passes for Bears

    Caleb with the dagger to Loveland!

  • Bears@Bengals WK9

    Bears@Bengals WK9

    Justin Fields had 21 completions on 32 attempts for 244 passing yards and 1 touchdown. He also rushed for 31 yards vs Bengals.

    Jets 39. Bengals 38.

  • Bears Sign C.J. Gardner Johnson

    Bears Sign C.J. Gardner Johnson

    Yes, THAT C.J. Gardner-Johnson. Besides Javon Wimms punching him, C.J. also got the immortal Anthony Miller ejected from a playoff game.

    C.J. Gardner-Johnson most definitely has been productive when on the field.

    He’s big [5’11, 210], long and rangy. Still relatively young [27]. Versatile: can cover, tackle, blitz – play FS, CB, and NB. This helps with the uncertainty of both Kyler Gordon and Tyrique Stevenson [NTM J.J.]. Playing for Dennis Allen on the Saints also greatly expedites his learning curve which is, uhhhmm, about 4 days.

    He absolutely contributed to the Eagles’ SB run; they still love him in Philly [fits right in], but now C.J. has become a journeyman, and it isn’t for lack of talent, so what gives?

    Character flags.

    He’s a mouthy agitator on the field, and who the hell knows what off it, but Allen [who greenlit drafting him] and Ben Johnson apparently believe they can manage him.

    I like this signing. It’s a high upside-immediate need move that didn’t cost any draft capital or major cap.

    If C.J. wears out his welcome in a month, well, hopefully by then Stevenson and Gordon are healthy.

    This also is more evidence that B.J. seems more in charge of roster build than Ryan Poles. As we all know, most Bear GMs only want Boy Scouts. Now, this could simply be ‘any swinging d*%k’ desperation at DB, but it could foreshadow that future Bears may not have to be Ned Flanders.

    In addition Bears signed DE Jonathan Garvin to PS [probably because Shemar Turner was put on IR with a torn ACL while Dominque Robinson is sidelined for a few weeks with a high-ankle strain].

    Garvin’s 6’4, 257, 26 yrs old and was the 242nd overall pick in ’20.

    Chicago signed native CB Dallis Flowers. 6’1, 196, UFDA, 28 who also returns kicks [ran a 4.43].

    TE Steven Carlson [mostly a blocking TE/FB] also back.

    Overtime:

    ‘Caleb won’t bust. He’s too talented for that. The bigger fear is that he turns into Kyler Murray or Trevor Lawrence – a QB who fails to live up to expectations but still starts. A guy who’s going to cost $45M/yr to be the 15th best QB’ – Danny Parkins

    I honestly don’t know what’s the best solution to get Caleb Williams out of this funk. Y’all know my M.O.

    Sit them as rooks for as long as humanly possible, preferably a whole year like Mahomes. Needless to say, this assumes competent coaching and continuity which Poles failed to provide Caleb.

    However, plenty of QBs who started day 1 have prospered [Peyton, Burrow, et al], so playing through the rough times is equally viable.

    I sorta suspect the benching Caleb so he can learn ship has sailed [like his accuracy. Zing!]

    In for a penny, in for a pound, comes to mind.

    That being said, if B.J. decides Caleb needs to sit for a few games, then fine. For those arguing Caleb can’t learn anything from a brief sabbatical or a younger player, Sam Darnold partially credited his turn-around to learning from a younger Brock Purdy, specifically about being more of a point-guard as opposed to an ESPN highlight. Sound familiar?

    Most likely outcome will be Caleb keeps taking his lumps and hopefully progressing.

    Either way, I just want Caleb to ball.
    It would suck major azz to know Maye, Daniels and Bo were better options.

    Helllllooo drafting Cendrunk instead of Rodgers, Trubisky over Mahomes….

    With that in mind

  • Zen Flesh, Zen Bones #2. Finding a Diamond in the Muddy Road

    Zen Flesh, Zen Bones #2. Finding a Diamond in the Muddy Road

  • Caleb a JAG?

    Caleb a JAG?

    Which is a #1 overall & which a 3rd string backup?

    QB1: 77.3%, 186yds, ZERO INTs, 1 TD, [53 yds rushing]

    116.9 Rating

    QB2 [b4 last junk drive]: 68.8%, 201 yds, 1 INT, ZERO TDs, two intentional groundings, [22 YDS rushing]

    Approx 75.1 rating

    Caleb Williams didn’t play against the 2000 Ravens. As I wrote in the preview:

    Ravens’ D is allowing 4.6 ypc [to RBs]
    32.3 PPG [32nd]; rank 27th stopping 3rd down conversions.

    Their pass D isn’t much better. Their secondary amazingly enough has only ONE INT thus far [now two] while allowing 108.4 passer rating [28th]and 246 passing yds [28th] with only 8 sacks and low pressure rate.

    Caleb somehow still found a way to look indecisive, inaccurate and Trubiskesque; he also struggled mightily against the lowly Saints, so this is nothing new. We’re 24 starts in already. In fact, some argue he’s only had ONE good game all season.

    To be certain, Ben Johnson called a subpar game, but I mean, wth can he do to prevent THIS? This INT basically cost the Bears a win. Caleb made the mistake Tyler Huntley,a practice squader, did not.

    And it begs the question:

    Is Caleb a JAG?

    Think about this long and hard. No doubt Caleb has all the physical tools needed to be a HOFer. “Generational.”

    So did Smoking Jay Cutler, yet Cutler never became Aaron Rodgers despite possessing all the same physical gifts.

    [IMO, Cutler was actually more athletic].

    Halas just kept throwing Cutler out there, never even entertaining the option of benching him for his own good.

    Here’s another way to ask the question.

    Would you rather have Jordan Love? Daniel Jones? Jared Goff? How far down the QB list do you have to fall to prefer Caleb?

    Caleb over.. Bo Nix, Jackson Dart, Michael Penix, Trevor Lawrence, Mac Jones, CJ Stroud, JJ McCarthy?

    One would have to get down to the the 7th circle of the QB inferno with the likes of Wentz, Flacco, Geno and Tua to make this an easy decision for Caleb.

    [Even then I can see some Bear fans dreaming about Tyler Bagent, Cousins or even Flacco at this point]

    Asking if you’d want Caleb over Drake Maye by now is laughable. Maye who also is in his sophomore season under a new system with arguably worse weapons and no offensive wunderkind HC.

    You know, the QB that tightened Ryan Poles‘ chest and whom he laughed out of the draft room.

    Sadly, this routine is nothing new for us Bear fans.

    I remarked before how Caleb reminded me of Rex Grossman except Rex was bad/good for entire games.

    Caleb fluctuates between awful/great seemingly play to play.

    There’s the rub. Can’t possibly rely on that to win consistently. Couldn’t do it with Rex. Couldn’t do it with Cutler. Won’t be able to with Caleb if he can’t improve.

    Counting on 3+TOs a game is not realistic as we found out quickly vs Ravens.

    It’s almost better to go with a ‘game manager‘ like Orton, Foles or Josh McCown, but Poles didn’t draft Caleb to be Andy Dalton, so here we are.

    Before I get accused of over-reacting, compared to the Twitterverse, I’m being stoic. Even our old friend Jeff Hughes who advocated to start both Trubisky and Fields day 1 is expressing doubts.

    Kap, “[Caleb] is playing ok, fine, mediocre, but not like a #1 overall” – I.E. a JAG

    The only real question left: what is the best way to rescue Caleb from devolving into a permanent JAG?

    Is it for him to sit or play through it?

    Maybe Bears can make up some BS ‘groin’ INJ to lowkey bench Caleb.

    OTOH, perhaps BJ just keeps sending him up like Viper with Maverick in “Top Gun”.

    Either way, SOMETHING has to change else us Bear fans will be suffering through yet another era of mediocre-hair-pulling-jersey burning QBing with similar results:

    Bears’ suckage.

    Overtime:

    This isn’t ALL on Caleb. Ben Johnson also has to clean up many mistakes, especially the penalties.

  • Bears@Ravens WK8

    Bears@Ravens WK8

    C’mon, ladies, don’t fail me now!

    Lamar Jackson is already out!

    Can the Ben Johnson era do what other incarnations failed to do so miserably?

    BEAT A FREAKING BACKUP QB.

  • Bears@Ravens WK8 Preview

    Bears@Ravens WK8 Preview

    First off, thanks for the bday wishes! Had a blast. I rarely eat fancy meals, but I heard of an Italian spot run by actual Italians. At first I was a bit skeptical since it was located in a strip mall!

    However, so what if it’s not atop the Pyrenees ? As long as the food is delectable, and it was!

    You guys in Chicago might be spoiled with more quality Italian restaurants, but it’s a bit hard to find authentic Italian in L.A.

    The chef comped me a crab chowder soup: fresh crab in lobster bisque, potato, carrots and a touch of cream flavored with white Italian truffle paste; we actually chatted since he was making the rounds. He was from Naples, the host from Northern “German” Italy.

    I ordered a Tuscan Wild Boar Ragu: parpadella pasta, Tuscan wild boar and juniper flavor pancetta in a light red wine sauce.

    Magnifico!

    On to the Ravens…

    The biggest factor will be if Lamar Jackson plays, and just how healthy he is.
    He missed Mon, Tues, returned Weds, but was limited.

    The Ravens opened up as 6.5 favorites which should be a slap in the face to the Bears who after all are 4-2 riding a 4-win streak. Pan to the Ravens at 1-5 with a hobbled QB and a leaky defense.

    Ravens’ D is allowing 4.6 ypc [to RBs]
    32.3 PPG [32nd]; rank 27th in 3rd down D.

    Their pass D isn’t much better. Their secondary amazingly enough has only ONE INT thus far while allowing 108.4 passer rating [28th]and 246 passing yds [28th] with only 8 sacks and low pressure rate.

    They’re supposed to get Roq back who should be motivated. Still, is he going to remedy ALL that?

    Ravens are coming off a bye, playing at home, in must-win mode, ergo this should test the Bears.

    What I really want to see is if the Bears are physical.

    One thing about the Harbaugh Ravens is that they always come out ready to brawl.

    The Bears have actually played physically on their win streak – one of the biggest reasons we should get excited about the Ben Johnson Bears which differs bigly from his predecessors.

    Stuffing the run, forcing 3-4 TOs while stampeding for 200 will make the other team buckle-up their chinstraps.

    If the Bears can match the Ravens’ intensity that will bode well going forward.

    On O, it’s simple enough. Will Ravens respect Caleb Williams enough to go with a light-box like the Saints, and if so, will that open up the run game again?

    [D’Andre Swift is nursing a groin FWIW]

    Follow up question: if the Ravens don’t respect Caleb enough and decide to go full-Ravens and crowd the LOS, how will Caleb respond after a down Saints’ game?

    172 yds, 1 INT, 61.7 Rating

    Will he pull out of the slump?

    Something else to keep an eye on is Theo Benedet especially since rumors are swirling about trading Braxton Jones. Here’s an in-depth breakdown of his performance vs Saints.

    Speaking of trade rumors, there’s waaaay too many to track here, but luckily Harrison Graham covers some names, first and foremost DE Jermaine Johnson [Jets] and maaaybe Mad Maxx Crosby.

    On D, well, I keep waiting for the turnover ride to be over, but it keeps going, so screw it, let’s go Dennis “The Menace” Allen!

    We gotta keep an eye on if Tyrique Stevenson will play because if not the Bears will have to start Nick McCloud or Josh Blackwell, essentially CB#4/5. Not exactly ideal if Lamar is back.

    Austin Booker should return, so that’s a boost.

    At any rate, the Ravens score 24 PPG [13th] and are 13th in 3rd down conversions with Jackson, and that’s really the crux.

    Lamar’s QB rating is a mind-boggling 130 [1st] with 10TDs/1INT and naturally a bunch of back-breaking runs.

    IF Lamar plays, and is maybe like 60%, I think the Bears might be able to contain him. Montez Sweat, Dayo Odeyingbo, Booker, Tremaine Edmunds and even Dominque Robinson are relatively athletic – they just must remember to stay discipline and close in under control.

    Maybe Dennis Allen plays more zone and blitzes less [particularly if Stevenson doesn’t play] in order to minimize those big Lamar lanes.

    My biggest worry might be a rested King Henry [5.0 YPC] and their TE Mark Andrews especially if TJ Edwards has to cover him.

    Otherwise, it’ll be the Lamar show.

    Overtime:

    Apparently, Luther Burden is starting Festivus early and airing his grievances about not getting the ball enough. Well, it’s a little hard to feed the 5th option when the QB only has only completed 15 [Saints] and 17[WASH] passes in last two games. I guess we’ll find out how Ben Johnson handles this.

    Also, what’s going to happen with the kicker situation? Is Cairo Santos returning, and if so, are they going to put Jake Moody back on the Practice Squad and risk a team, like say the Gmen, poaching him?

    Will the Bears actually carry TWO kickers on the 53? [nobody tell the Rev…]