However, Bears’ D also leads the NFL in TOs! Apparently the last D to allow the most yards per play AND lead in TOs was the 1995 Cardinals [4-12]. It’s unsustainable to say the least.
Bears Dline lacks a pass rush, and can get gashed on the ground albeit Sweat is starting to heat up, and maybe Austin Booker lives up to the hype. Add in INJs and allowing 28.4 PPG [25th]…
Defense: C
As for specials, it’s been up and down year for FGs, and Bears actually haven’t punted much. Regardless, Tori does look better.
Ben Johnson’s Chicago Bears have punted only 26 times through 8 games this season, the lowest amount by a Bears team in the Super Bowl era. 😳
That being said, the KO coverage is straight azz and has allowed teams to keep hanging around; it’s nearly impossible to mess up an onside kick, yet the Bears managed it. Hightower should be fired, and Moody maybe needs to replace Santos.
Bears Specials: D
#Bears rank 29th in NFL on Kickoff Coverage. Their average opponent start position on kickoffs is the 31.25 yard line.
Coverage has been bad all year & no improvement since W1. Ben said on ESPN1000 he’s making Special Teams a top priority of his this week.
HUGE game Sunday for the Bears playoff hopes. Giants have lost their last 10 road football games. Bears gotta handle business. #DaBears#Bearspic.twitter.com/m3NXh534P7
Rushing: 5 rushes, 48 yards, 2 touchdowns, 21-yard long run
Fourth Quarter Performance: In the final quarter, Nix recorded two passing touchdowns and two rushing touchdowns, becoming the first player in NFL history to do so in a single quarter
Bears SHOULD win the game, esp in “Bear weather” which means they’ll make it much closer than it should be.
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.
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.
Caleb Williams is QB1 in the NFC North
Caleb Williams: 2,121 total yards 15 touchdowns 4 interceptions
Jared Goff: 1,938 total yards 17 touchdowns 3 interceptions
Jordan Love: 2,183 total yards 13 touchdowns 3 interceptions
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…]
“I saw nothing yesterday to move me in terms of ‘he’s going to be a superstar.’ He was great, but it was against the Bengals!”@Chris_Broussard thinks Caleb Williams is on track to be a good, solid quarterback, but he’s not sure if he can be great: pic.twitter.com/pg6yoodugb
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 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.
Meet #Bears new EDGE Joe Tyron-Shoyinka -26 y/o -6'5, 260lb -32nd overall pick in '21 by TB
Joe Tryon-Shoyinka has been on the field for just 14 snaps as a pass-rusher this season, but has 3 pressures on those snaps, and registered 20 pressures or more in each of his first 4 seasons According to PFF.
Last thing I’ll say about Tyron-Shoyinka. He was a starter from 22 thru the 24 seasons in Tampa. They went to the Playoffs in 2 of those 3 years. If he was good enough to start for a quality playoff team, he’s a good get for the Bears at basically no price
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.
The Chicago Bears tried to trade for Tennessee DT Jeffrey Simmons, but were shut down, per source. Simmons has 3 teams he would like to play for, IF traded. The Patriots, Commanders and Cowboys. pic.twitter.com/byzeyVR54o
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…”
The Jets aren't finished.
They have agreed to trade QB Justin Fields to McDonald's for two conditional McChicken sandwiches and a small fry, per source. pic.twitter.com/RNrO4raTZT
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.
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)
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.
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.
–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
–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
The #Bears OL has been getting a lot of praise for clearing the way for 283 rushing yards vs the #Bengals, and rightfully so, but check out WR Rome Odunze (#15), TE Durham Smythe (#81), and rookie TE Colston Loveland (#84) on the left side opening the hole on Brittain Brown's TD. pic.twitter.com/wqyiHK95zD
-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
That’s Edmunds’ 4th INT this season, which is tied for the most amongst all LBs. Since Edmunds entered the league in 2018, he leads all LBs with 14 interceptions. https://t.co/yPrfG5avTY
-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
Idk what was smoother about this Bears touchdown: Ben Johnson’s playcall or Caleb Williams’ perfect ball spin after he scored pic.twitter.com/RgGejwumGu
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 CBDallis Flowers. 6’1, 196, UFDA, 28 who also returns kicks [ran a 4.43].
TE Steven Carlson [mostly a blocking TE/FB] also back.
#Bears signed DE Jonathan Garvin & G Royce Newman to the practice squad. Newman was in for a tryout yesterday. He was a 4th rd pick by Green Bay in 2021. Started 16 games as a rookie and has made eight since – the last coming in 2023.
‘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….
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]
The Bears don’t have a chance of ever becoming a good team with a starting quarterback who has these kind of throwing mechanics and this kind of footwork.
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.
Drake Maye joins an elite QB club with 200+ passing yards & 100+ passer rating in 7+ consecutive games within a season at any age:
🏆 Aaron Rodgers (2011, 2020) 🏆 Tom Brady (2007) 🏆 Peyton Manning (2004) 🏆 Patrick Mahomes (2018) pic.twitter.com/lhDTNcHzm0
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.
I wish more teams did this. It was how the game used to be coached. You sit the kid and let him watch a few weeks. https://t.co/KmQk577LL6
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:
This isn’t ALL on Caleb. Ben Johnson also has to clean up many mistakes, especially the penalties.
The #Bears lost the turnover battle for the first time since Wk 2, but lost the penalty battle for the seventh straight game — 11 penalties/79 yards to the Ravens' 6/45. The Bears are the only team in the NFL with a negative penalty-yardage differential in every game this season.
