Da Dos

Category: NFL, Bears, Twitter, YouTube, GIF

  • 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…]

  • Bears NEED Jeffery Simmons

    Bears NEED Jeffery Simmons

    Here are the next 5 Bear opponents:

    Saints
    @Ravens
    Burrow-less Bengals
    Giants
    @JJ? Vikings

    Bears are 3-2, only one game behind the Puke in the NFCN.

    It is entirely possible the Bears could go 4-1 in the next five games with a 7-3 record at minimum sniffing a WC.

    Yes, the Bears’ Dline did perform much better vs WASH, but they still allowed 4.0 ypc, and it may have been more if it hadn’t been for playing with a lead for most of the game.

    Also, Ben Johnson can’t rely on +3 TOs every game going forward. As Olin Kreutz correctly assessed, ‘You’re not forcing 11 TOs in 3 games like on this streak.’ That’s not a sustainable formula for success.

    A reliable formula for success? A studly Dline, or at the very least, a mediocre one.

    DT Jeffery Simmons could raise all battle ships.

    Since Bears played Mon, I had Sunday free to peruse. I flipped to the Raider game specifically to scout Jeffery Simmons.

    Holy Moly.

    I admit, I didn’t even know where he was on the field since I don’t watch much Titans’ football. But it took me about 3 seconds to spot him. He’s hard to miss. He’s the type of monster you want stepping off the bus first when visiting an opponent. He looked like JJ Watt.

    More importantly, he PLAYED like JJ Watt. On the very first series vs Raiders Simmons stuffed Jeanty twice, then sacked Geno despite the double team. He’s strong, fast, mean, and YUGE.
    The Titans’ DC seemed to line him up at 3T when he anticipated pass, then moved him to 1T to gobble-up doubles vs run.

    Honestly, it doesn’t take long to recognize greatness with the right eye. I mean, how long would you have to watch Sweetness, Butkus or Hester to determine they’re fucking awesome? It only takes one Picasso painting to gasp, “Wow.”

    Simmons hovers close to that tier. Much closer than Billings, Dexter, Turner, et al, at least.

    The Titans’ season is lost. They just fired their HC Brian Callahan and are basically tanking. They’re really about 3 yrs away [minimum] from making a serious SB push. Simmons is 28. Do they really expect he’ll fit that window?

    Trading for Simmons seems realistic for both parties. I would trade a 2nd for him given that Bears still have to take on his contract. Titans could use that 2nd to bolster their oline or weapons for Cameron Ward who should be their #1 priority.

    If Titans play hard-ball, demanding a 1st, MAYBE I’d throw in DJ Moore, but I’d have to get like a 4rth back in that scenario. They may want Moore. A tough savvy vet to help their fledging rookie franchise QB while the Bears need to clear cap for Simmons anyways.

    This would also mean more Luther Burden.

    Braxton Jones may also be in play, albeit I’d be more weary about trading away Oline given attrition. The Chiefs are paying a swing OT $15M/y. That’s how pivotal those OTs might be now; nevertheless, let’s be real. I doubt we’re paying Braxton next year.

    Feels like this trade makes too much.

    I also don’t trust Ryan Poles to actually DRAFT an elite linemen, so we’re back to Jerry Angelo copium.

    Football is an arm’s race. USSR launched Sputnik. U.S. blasted off to the moon. The other Evil Empire snatched Micah Parsons. Time for Bears to counter with Simmons. Imagine him destroying Love, Rodgers, Monty/Gibbs…

    Here’s Olin Kreutz breaking down the Bears-v-Commanders:

    Cliffnotes:

    1. Thinks coaches during bye simplified playbook.

    2 . Blocking, specifically combo blockings, looked much crisper resulting in better running.

    3. On run-stopping, maybe moving Shemar Turner to DE and Gervon Dexter to 3T helped.

    4. TJ Edwards back may have bolstered entire D. He may not be the fleetest of foot, but his mind is agile, and perhaps he aligned everyone correctly, making them play faster and more aggressively, especially Tremaine Edmunds.

    Olin, ‘I played against those MIKEs. They’re the worst. Sometimes they call out the play we’re running, and we know we’re going to have to move them off their spot’

    MISC…

    Finally, new Olympic sports I can get behind, literally!

  • Victory Tues!

    Victory Tues!

    I’m a bit exhausted right now, so I’ll keep it short.

    Hell motherfucking ya!

    Rapid fire reactions:

    1. This team is finally turning the corner

    I said when Matt Eberflus was hired that the team needed to learn how to win. They never did. In fact, they found new innovative ball-kicking ways to lose that would even make the Chargers proud.

    This team faced a lot of adversity in this game. For starters, given the whole ‘fail mary’ last season added pressure. MNF – pressure. Away game. Pressure. Underdogs. Pressure. Not ideal conditions. Pressure. Washington Refs. Pressure. Dropped passes, questionable play-calling, busted coverages, shoddy specials’ gunning, blocked FG. Pressure, pressure, pressure.

    Yet, Bears never cracked. They kept slugging it out, REFUSING to quit. They kept tugging, punching, clawing…returning all that pressure right back to WASH ’til they cracked on a hand-off. A Flusian critical mistake.

    Then Bears did what they rarely did under Flus.

    FINISH.

    The game boiled down to what I wanted – the ball in BJ/Caleb’s court to win or lose; they proceeded to march down field sans mistakes, executing, making WASH use TOs, RUNNING it [successfully] ’til they basically made the final FG a PAT attempt.

    Fade to black…

    2. Ben Johnson countered the blitz.

    I shared in the game-day thread that WASH uses a lot of zone [3rd most], but they zigged on Monday. They blitzed more than usual, no doubt trying to throw off the plan.

    However, Ben Johnson was ready. He used draws, screens and bombs to make WASH think twice. Here’s a creative screen which neither Trub or Fields could consistently pull off.

    Despite that awesome throw to Rome being called back on an absolute BS call, the rationale was right. Attack the blitz. If they’re going to single your best weapon, go balls-deep. Make them pay.

    It’s smart and aggressive – like Ben Johnson.

    3. Tip-o-hat to run O/D.

    My #1 MUST was to stop the run. They did – sorta. Or at least, they didn’t get completely run over, even forcing a Merritt fumble.

    On paper, doesn’t seem like that much of a differential.

    Bears total rushing yds: 145
    Comm total rushing yds: 124

    However, how they got there differed. D’Andre Swift was mostly responsible for the Bears, especially late to seal the deal.

    While Jayden Daniels had to pull some Houdini escapes, getting crunched along the way.

    Besides, let’s face it – we were all expecting WASH to steam-roll Bears’ D, so Bears limiting the #1 running attack to 4.0 ypc shocked me TBH, as did Swift averaging 7.7 per.

    Holy shit, who had that on their bingo card?

    Misc:

    Can’t discuss the game without mentioning the total dogshit officiating. Dr. Rev Huge Bears’ Penis warned us this crew threw a lot of flags, but Moses Krishna Christ, at least PRETEND to do it fairly. Refs tried everything possible to give the game to the Commies, yet the Bears still prevailed.

    Apparently, DJ Moore was hospitalized after the game. Let’s hope it’s merely precautionary.

    Troy Aikman also seemed to be hating on Caleb Williams. People noticed, Troy. Was it the UCLA-USC rivalry or have his concussions finally creeped in?

    Despite all that, it was a FANTASTIC Bears’ victory. It felt more emotionally draining than usual for some reason. Maybe it was just me, but the whole game felt tense with all the ups-n-downs and refs making Bears play with one arm tied behind their backs.

    Making the win that much sweeter.

    “Whatever does not kill us, only makes us stronger.” – Nietzsche

    Good Better Best!
    Never let it rest!
    Until your good gets better!
    And your better gets best!

    Bear Down.

  • Twitter Tues. WK6

    Twitter Tues. WK6

    So TJ Edwards, Kyler Gordon and Austin Booker are on track to return. Will that make a difference – who knows?

    Sack rate acceptable. It has as much to do with Ben Johnson’s vision and Caleb’s maturity as it does with the big fellas. Either way, reassuring.

    Run game another matter. Bears’ avg 102.3 YPG [24rth].

    However, when one slices out the Caleb scrambles leaving only RBs: 3.4 YPC, 2 TDs. Meanwhile, the Commanders: 156.4 YPG [1st].

    On D, the Bears are giving up a whopping 164.5 YPG [31st]. I blame this mostly on the DTs, but plenty of criticism to go around.

    OTOH the Commanders are in the middle of the pack in defending run at 117 YPG [17th], but do we really expect Swift or Monangai to take advantage?

    These QBs will forever be linked despite Fields not being in his 2nd but 5th yr.

    Apparently Saints are hosting a fire-sale. Unfortunately, none of their vets are appetizing.

    Jets may be another team selling away assets, and HB Breece Hall is at the top of that list.

    Some rumors about Titans’ DT Jefferey Simmons as well.

    In an ideal world, both Hall and Simmons are Bears while Booker finally lives up to hype, but to paraphrase Shawshank, “Halas is no fairytale…”

    Thank Jebus Halas extended Ryan Poles!

    I would love to make fun of Mark Sanchez, but I have done too many dipshit antics whilst drunk to throw any stones. So, I’ll let others do it for me!

  • The Best Defensive Player is Now the Kicker

    The Best Defensive Player is Now the Kicker

    Is Cairo Santos a liability?
    He’s much like Robbie Gould circa 2006. A reliable, somewhat clutch, kicker with limited leg.

    Can win a lot of games with that type of kicker IF it’s paired with the 2006 Bears’ D.

    Problem is 2025 Bears’ is leakier than the Iraqi navy AND, well – see this great Brett Kollman vid:

  • Misc

    Misc

    Despite being an English/Lit major, I never really thrived under the ‘thesis-driven’ paradigm that monopolizes nearly all academia [Thanks, Hegel].

    I’m much jazzier and found my best writing often emerges from inspiration to free form. Then later, I chisel it down.

    “To write is to rewrite” ― Carlos Ruiz Zafón

    Performing and reading adds another layer, and for any aspiring writer I recommend taking an acting class even if you never plan on acting. It’ll give a writer a more holistic understanding of the creative process and possibilities of the ‘product’.

    A bonus is that after spending a semester or two around aspiring actors, everyone else seems fucking sane.

    So, here’s some mishmash.

    Ozzy Trapilo snaps.
    Can also check out Benedet.

    Butch take. Neither Trapilo nor Benedet looked Kiran-esque. Trapilo specifically showed a decent side-step and solid anchor. Doesn’t seem to have the athleticism of Braxton exploding to the 2nd lvl, but few OTs do.

    Benedet to me doesn’t seem as strong, but perhaps a bit more nimble. It’s important to remember that Benedet’s arms are 32.5″. Not many PB LTs are T-rexes. I suppose we can pray to the T-Rex Saint Joe Staley [33.5″].

    Perhaps more interesting though is that Ben Johnson had the cajones to basically debut two rooks [a UFDA and a 3rd RDer no less] at new positions while Mad Maxx was doing his best Cocaine Bear impression.

    The experiment could’ve easily exploded, but it worked. When was the last time a starter was straight benched mid-game? Fuck, Smoking Jay pushed WebbNation in primetime, and he still wasn’t bench; the switching was part of the adjustments that saved the game while simultaneously sending a message to the locker-room:

    You’re next.

    We all know the Bears’ D is struggling mightily vs run, and this play illustrates why.

    The pass-rush has also flopped. Is Sweat still on the team?

    Nevertheless, they did create 4 TOs, and made two key stops. One on 4rth and short [granted, Raiders decided simply to olé Billings] and the other forcing Raiders to settle for FG late [a dropped pass helped].

    Meanwhile, Tyrique Stevenson, everyone’s favorite anti-hero [pro-villain?], has been on fire.

    On specials, the gunning still looks iffy. They almost lost the game by allowing the Raiders’ KR to near the 40 – a first down away from FG range.

    Fortunately, they were bailed out by Josh Blockwell. Turns out, he didn’t get lucky though.

    This reminds me of when Belichick prepped his team about a certain slant SEA runs. Then, in the biggest play of SB XLIX, the CB jumps it, INT – Red, White and Blue confetti.

    Or more recently, just last season when the Puke noticed how the triangle leaves a gap, charged, blocked the FG. Game. Puke.

    It’s rare for the Bears to be on the other side of tactical strikes. Feels great, builds confidence and wins games.

    Walk like an Egyptian…

    Random silliness.

    I guess the media gave BJ some guff about his in-game interview, but I thought it was funny. A snarky Chicago coach? [clutches pearls…]

    I don’t know who this dude is, but I pray to all that is holy that Halas gives him an open tryout for HB…

    And, just because…I love the smell of fresh dilithium in the morning…

  • Da Dos Passes 50K!

    Da Dos Passes 50K!

    Have no idea what this means, but hey, it’s something! Got hits from Germany, India England, China. Heck, our old Romanian Jericho may even be dropping by from time to time!

    In the true American way of hustling and monetizing, I shall do that soon enough. Maybe I too can provide you with a Manscaper while betting on Draftkings and pounding Celsius Heat!

    ‘Merica!

    But for now, enjoy, Regs and Lurkers alike. Maybe I need to invest in a better outfit to get more followers like Jake Browning’s GF.

    Some more twits b4 moving on to the Raideeeerzzz

    Gervon Dexter snaps.

    Wrote in previous thread, I almost would prefer Eddie Goldman over Dexter, a solid not spectacular, DT holding point of attack. However, when Dexter is on, he’s on. Dexter’s pressure helped create that 2nd Edmunds’ INT in the redzone to seal the deal.

    Theo Benedet snaps

    Best I can say about Benedet: he looks the part. Doesn’t look cement-footed, weak, or lost. Basically everything we thought Ozzy Trapilo would be. If Wright is out, could be worse.

    Some more Caleb Williams numbers.

    Caleb in context. Indiana Jones new Alex Smith?

    Kevin Cole

    2025 quarterback efficiency (EPA/Play),
    min 50 dropbacks *Updated for MNF

    1) Daniel Jones +0.42
    2) Jared Goff +0.38
    3) Lamar Jackson +0.37
    4) Josh Allen +0.34
    5) Jordan Love +0.25
    6) Baker Mayfield +0.23
    7) Drake Maye +0.23
    8) Sam Darnold +0.21
    9) Justin Herbert +0.21
    10) Patrick Mahomes +0.15
    11) Kyler Murray +0.14
    12) Dak Prescott +0.13
    13) Matthew Stafford +0.12
    14) Jalen Hurts +0.12
    15) Aaron Rodgers +0.10
    16) Caleb Williams +0.09
    17) Mac Jones +0.08
    18) Geno Smith +0.07
    19) Tyrod Taylor +0.03
    20) Russell Wilson +0.03
    21) Spencer Rattler +0.01
    22) Trevor Lawrence +0.01
    23) Bryce Young -0.01
    24) Jayden Daniels -0.01
    25) Bo Nix -0.03
    26) C.J. Stroud -0.04
    27) Michael Penix Jr. -0.04
    28) Tua Tagovailoa -0.07
    29) Jake Browning -0.17
    30) Joe Flacco -0.23
    31) Cam Ward -0.24
    32) J.J. McCarthy -0.29

    BJ Cooking:

    Always curious about the rooks:

    The highest-graded rookies in the NFL through 3 weeks, according to PFSN’s Impact metrics:
    1. Will Johnson, Cardinals – 99.5 CBi (2nd)
    2. Trey Amos, Commanders – 89.5 CBi (6th) 3. Armand Membou, Jets – 86.4 OLi (7th)
    4. Tyler Warren, Colts – 85.8 TEi (1st)
    5. Xavier Watts, Falcons – 84.6 SAFi (12th)
    6. Tyler Booker, Cowboys – 84.2 OLi (8th)
    7. Jahdae Barron, Broncos – 83.5 CBi (19th) 8. Nohl Williams, Chiefs – 82.2 CBi (26th)
    9. Emeka Egbuka, Buccaneers – 81.2 WRi (19th)
    10. Abdul Carter, Giants – 81.0 EDGEi (29th) 11. Jackson Hawes, Bills – 80.3 TEi (10th)
    12. Mason Graham, Browns – 79.2 DTi (22nd) 13. Kelvin Banks Jr., Saints – 78.4 OLi (21st) 14. Harold Fannin Jr., Browns – 78.2 TEi (13th) 15. Elijah Roberts, Bucs – 78.1 DTi (25th)
    16. Will Campbell, Patriots – 77.5 OLi (24th) 17. Tetairoa McMillan, Panthers – 75.7 WRi (43rd)
    18. Jihaad Campbell, Eagles – 75.7 LBi (34th) 19. Carson Schwesinger, Browns – 75.6 LBi (35th)
    20. Elic Ayomanor, Titans – 75.5 WRi (44th)

    Schadenfreude!

  • Twitter Tues WK4

    Twitter Tues WK4

    It was a fantastic week of football. Bears won. Cowboys lost. Puke Lost [to Browns no less]. 1-2 can easily turn into 2-2, heading into the bye on an up note.

    Some Twitters.

    OLINE: Braxton had himself a game.

    Benedet the Canadian seemed to hold his own when Wright left.

    Wright – wrong

    Via Kristen Tanis

    By the PFF scores, Shemar Turner did not have a good game in his first outing.

    He had the 2nd lowest PFF score on the defense with 30.0

    HOWEVER, before everyone jumps all over this.

    He only played 23 snaps.

    His pass rush score was 59.6.

    While that seems low, 60.0 is the starting score for all players when PFF grades games.

    His low overall score is based on 1 missed tackle. Because he had so many fewer snaps than most players, one bad play can swing the PFF score wildly. That put his tackling & run defense scores in the basement.

    He didn’t record any pressures & as someone said “looked on ice skates” out there, but I don’t want to rush to judgement yet

    It was his first game after missing almost all of training camp

    Let’s wait to see a handful of games of reps from him before we draw any early conclusions

    Gervon Dexter had a 55.4 pass rush grade in his first Bears game, btw

    Some QB/Caleb info.

    Regarding accuracy from Caleb’s class.

    and a counter

    Caleb handled the Cowboys’ blitz well

    Caleb’s deep ball accuracy, an issue we were all fretting about, has improved which is great because Ben Johnson is taking deeper shots with Caleb than with noodle-armed Goff.

    If you think Chicago media is the only negative force out there. Think again! Bitter radioman is an archetype!

  • Da Miami Bears

    Da Miami Bears

    Watching TNF MIA@BUFF felt eerily familiar. I know a guy whose first two wives were Asian. Met the 3rd, déjà vu, also Asian. To his credit, 3rd time seems to be the charm. Will that be the case for Da Bears?

    It wasn’t for the Miami Dolphins.

    Dolphins were 0-2 playing some horrendous football; they lost to the Colts and Pats. Not exactly SB favorites.

    On a short week travelling to Buffalo, everyone expected them to get curb-stomped; however, they put up a fight, and the score was tied at 21-21 with 10 mins left. Dolphins made a crucial stop, forcing Bills to punt on 4rth and 7.

    Then, Fins Finned, as once the Chargers Charged and the Lions Loined.

    Fins ran into the punter, giving the Bills a 1st down [can you imagine how the schmuck who put down $37K on MIA to win felt?].

    Predictably, the Bills marched down the field and scored a TD.

    Fins clawed back only to end on a Tua INT just the way the universe scripts it.

    Despite the close score, the game felt pre-determined from that start.

    Somehow, someway, I knew MIA was going to lose. The details were nearly irrelevant to anyone outside bettors and FFers.

    Everyone knew MIA would find a way to sabotage themselves, because, well, that’s what atrocious teams do.

    Now they’re 0-3.

    Sound familiar?

    I’m at the point where I simply don’t want the Bears to embarrass the city any further. It’s gotten Trestmanesque, pronto, and if BJ flops, he’ll be the last ‘nerd’ to ever HC the Bears in our lifetime.

    I’ll settle for a MIA-type effort where they come out showing some fucking pride and professionalism, even if I know they’ll find someway to blow the game.

    #MUSH

    Around the twitters…

    The booth showed how Allen changed his mechanics from his rook year. Can get all technical, but essentially Allen’s shoulders are more square while trusting the torque over rifling. He is taller than Caleb, so I wonder if that factors? Also, it’s not as if Prime-Rodgers had picturesque tech, and he’s about the same size as Caleb.

    Here, next time PFF tries to gaslight you that Braxton is actually an above avg LT. I wouldn’t be shocked to see Benedet start over Braxton and Monangai over Swift to send a message.

  • Caleb Concern

    Caleb Concern

    After watching the MNF opener vs Vikings, I can only quote The Irishman, “I’m more than a little concerned.”

    While plenty of blame can go around, the loudest 5 alarm fire was definitely Caleb as once more he wilted; in contrast, JJ McCarthy started off shaky, but literally gathered his Olinemen, then mounted a comeback as Caleb flailed.

    I won’t rehash the trauma. We’re all in a safe place now. Also, TBH, I didn’t really have to watch the All-22 to know what went wrong with Caleb; still, I thought it might reveal some details I may have missed initially.

    “All Things QBs” with Tim Jenkins masterfully breaks down every Caleb throw.

    Jenkins reinforces what we already talked about in the last thread ad nauseum.

    1. Caleb isn’t throwing in rhythm
    2. Caleb’s not seeing the open receivers
    3. Even if he sees them, he’s not pulling the trigger.
    4. If he does pull the trigger, the accuracy’s ‘manic’.

    And that’s when the Oline doesn’t allow pressure, which it did especially Dalman and Jackson.

    Jenkins observed that Caleb appears to struggle throwing to his left [wasn’t that McNowns’ downfall?]; He shows it’s tied to his feet and how wide he’s opening his shoulders. Ironically when Caleb scrambles, these mechanical issues don’t usually surface, so he may be a better scrambling QB than pocket at this stage.

    Another pundit put it another way, think it was Biggsy, ‘Caleb’s accuracy is worrying. In baseball terms, it’s not just that the pitch is off, but that it’s entirely out of the batter’s box.’ This might help explain his lack of INTs – neither the receiver nor CB have a shot. Such errancy robs the O of YAC [hitting in stride] and cheap pass-interferences on top of, ya know, COMPLETIONS, 1st downs, TDs…

    Tweets.