Da Dos

Category: Sports

  • 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

  • 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…]

  • Victory Monday! Bears 26, Saints 14

    Victory Monday! Bears 26, Saints 14

    Lots of thoughts, but here’s a condensed version.

    The Defense came out on fire [most of] that first half. That was a championship D akin to the famous ’18 and ’06 predecessors.

    We heard about ‘bend don’t break’, but the Allen D was more like ‘break but force a turnover’. In that first half, they were not even bending; in fact, fuck you, we’re stuffing the run, sacking your QB, then taking that ball. Absolute dominance.

    Tez Effect seems to be back, and he was SORELY needed.

    Talked about it last week, but TJ Edwards back seems to line up everyone properly, thusly making them play faster and more downhill. Minimized are the wide open lanes, bad angles, missed tackles and total blown coverages.

    Tremaine Edmunds [3 INTs] is now free to use his speed; Brisker and Gordon sniffing the LOS is making QBs shit-bricks while Kevin Byard suddenly patrols the back end like Ed Reed.

    I also wonder how much Shemar Turner at DE has helped stabilize that line, especially vs run. If Austin Booker returns full-force, watch out.

    NGL, this offense, specifically Caleb Williams, sputtered for much of the game. It was just funky from the start, from taking the snap, penalties, dropped passes, scramble drills that had little chance to questionable play-calling [like those WR screens]. Did Caleb even complete 5 passes from inside the pocket?

    Caleb Williams completed 15-of-26 passes for 172 yards and an interception.

    It wasn’t pretty, and Caleb admitted as much. TBH, it’s a bit concerning particularly when one sees what Drake Maye is cooking in NE.

    Luckily for the Bears’ O, their run game continued to steamroll.

    Trivia Time:

    D’Andre Swift had 124 rushing yards and Kyle Monangai had 81, marking the first time the Bears had two running backs rush for more than 80 yards since??? ANSWER

    I loved Ben Johnson’s attacks. Yes, it was meat-n-potatoes traps, stretches, and combo blocks; however, he also mixed in some misdirection that perhaps didn’t pop, but at least helped to keep the Saints’ D honest and somewhat freeze them from just busting in.

    More importantly, BJ made great halftime tweaks. He finally began using more playaction [boot] to get easy passes for a struggling O. This was enough to milk the clock, scratch some points together, and close it out; other wise, it could’ve been a one score game had the refs not bailed out BJ on that 4rth and goal disaster.

    The specials didn’t shit the bed, and the rest was sorta just Judo – letting a bad team defeat itself, and here we are with the Bears at 4-2 riding momentum.

    Chicago relying on turnovers and a strong run game?

    “History doesn’t repeat but it rhymes”

  • Saints@Bears WK7

    Saints@Bears WK7

    If it ain’t broke…

    Is this a ‘trap game’? Seems to fit the definition – catching a meh team on a short week at home after an emotional win.

    I’ve caught some Saints this season. Numbers say their pass D suck, but outside the Bills and Seahawks beating them handily, and stomping the GMEN 26-14, they’ve been in one score games including the last one against a tough Pats’ team.

    In that game, Spencer Rattler completed 76.9% for 227, no TD/INTs, and 106.7 QB rating, so these guys aren’t just gonna roll over

    Bears have racked up 11 TOs on their win streak, and one must imagine that streak will end sooner or later. I mean, if they go +3 TOs the rest of the way, they can damn near beat anyone.

    The real test will come when they don’t create those TOs.

    How will they respond then? Will their D give up a bunch of TDs, or will they force FGs?
    God forbid make 3rd down stops…

    Will the O take it up a notch to make up for essentially 3 extra drives?

    One of my biggest question is if D’Andre Swift can continue stacking big runs off his 7.7 YPC performance?

    Ben Johnson went with the K.I.S.S. philo for the run, and it worked; however, NFL watches tape too.

    If everything goes right – D continues to steal TOs – Swift runs for over 4.5 ypc, Caleb plays efficiently with tactical strikes…

    Then this game should be in hand by the late 3rd.

    Though let’s be real, we’re all Bear fans. No such thing as an ‘easy win’ for this team especially if it’s super windy and rainy.

    As such, I expect more nail-biting Tradewinding into the crunch. At least they won’t be playing against the refs, right?

    Once more, into the breach!

  • Zen 11

    Zen 11

    Wakuan complained when he saw a picture of a bearded Bodhidharma, “Why hasn’t that fellow a beard?”

    – Zen Koan

  • 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!