SCO96

We are said to be looking for a playmaker/difference maker at the WR position to help Bryce. This is scathing indictment of our front office. We've drafted WR's in the 2nd round two out of the last 3 years. Why draft a receiver that high in the draft if you don't view him as a "difference maker on the field"?

We could have got production comparable to TMJ and Mingo from guys taken after the 3rd round (or even undrafted FA's)  and used those 2nd round picks in 2021 and 2023 to address other holes on the team. Their lack of impact on the offense indicates that they were over-evaluated or they're not being coached well enough to live up to their potential. 

13 hours ago, frankw said:

As much as it is absolutely fair to question the level of culpability James Campen has in this it's also fair to say Scott Fitterer has had going on 3 years now to assemble an offensive line and it's gone poorly every time. We need big changes.

I think missing Corbett and Brady C is what is really hurting us. As bad as our QB play was last year, I thought the O-line was more than adequate with their pass blocking and a huge improvement from 2021. Chubba and Donta each averaged over 4.4 yards per carry and rushed for about 1,400 yards between them. I thought going into this season we were going set. What we've seen is that we have no solid players to provide depth on the O-line to step up when/if a starter goes down. We'd be doomed if we lost a starting tackle this year.

Just now, Bluetooth said:

Actually this is one of the best rosters on Madden

 

It's not the GM fault. 

The coach should put players in position to win, but if your coach doesn't know half the time who's in the game ...I mean cmon he actually said it out his own mouth...my 10 yr said i wouldve took that to the grave dad.

I think that shows that something is wrong with our ability to properly evaluate college talent and/or put them in position to succeed in the NFL.

We moved up in the 3rd to get Corrall. Howell wasn't taken into the 4th round by Washington. The deals for Darnold, CJ Henderson were bad. We draft players who make no impact on the field. We need better performance from the GM and from the coaching staff.  This team is going nowhere with Fitterer and Reich this season.

A 6th straight losing season is almost a guarantee this year. I'd be happy now  if we just show some improvement on offense for the rest of the season. Fitz and Reich need to change what they're doing fast or the could both be looking for jobs at seasons end. 

12 minutes ago, LinvilleGorge said:

I mean, I feel for the guy. I really do. I honestly think he's just facing the stark reality that he's now playing at a level that his physical toolset might just be an obstacle he can't overcome. If you physically can't make the throws there's really nothing you can do about it. You either can or you can't.

As I posted earlier, I just want to see him try to make something happen. Did we have a pass that traveled more than 20 yards in the air today?

Why can't we start a drive going deep on a playaction pass on first down instead of running up the middle for 1 or 2 yards?

I'd like to see Mingo and Marshall Jr running more crossing routes to get them involved and pick up some YAC. 

If Bryce has limitations in the traditional pocket, let's call some  bootleg throws; move the pocket help him see better down the field. 

Go back to his college tape and install the plays he feels most comfortable with. 

Build an offense tailored to what he does best.

16 minutes ago, WarHeel said:

Wasn’t Howell available when we selected Corral? If so…big fuggin yikes.

I think that shows that something is wrong with our ability to properly evaluate college talent and/or put them in position to succeed in the NFL.

We moved up in the 3rd to get Corrall. Howell wasn't taken into the 4th round by Washington. The deals for Darnold, CJ Henderson were bad. We draft players who make no impact on the field. We need better performance from the GM. This team is going nowhere with Fitterer in charge.

11 minutes ago, CRA said:

Men can cry.  It’s ok. 

It’s also true that some times you need to punch someone in the mouth 

now that doesn’t men all crying is ok or that you can just punch anyone in the mouth and it be ok. 
 

 

Today was another letdown, no doubt. Still, Bryce did look better today. He's not exactly working with a stacked deck of offensive talent or brilliant offensive play caller.

The crying shows he does care. He's got a ton of pressure being the #1 pick and the hype of being the savior of a mediocre franchise. Hopefully, this will motivate him to get better and stop being so tentative.  Bryce has to go out  for the rest of the season with the intent of making something happen instead of being afraid of failing. 

Playoffs ain't happening this year. Just go out and get the experience so we can try again in 2024. If he finished with 20TDs and 2OINTs in 2023 I could live with that. At least it would show he's trying to win the game. What I don't want to see is Bridgewater-esque season with 15 TDs and 6-7 picks. Numbers like that would indicate we're scoring less than 17 points per game.

5 minutes ago, Dorian Gray said:

I actually think after what Wilks saw with Rosen in Arizona, he would’ve let Bryce sit a while. I could be wrong, but Wilks had experience with throwing a rookie to the wolves.

Good point. If Wilks had the luxury of having a better QB in Arizona, he could very well still be coaching that team.

3 minutes ago, MGH1989 said:

I can't wait for the time when as a fanbase we don't have fans constantly salivating for UNC QB's because thats their college team.

I bet I haven't watch 10 UNC Tar Heel games from start to finish in my 5 decades on this earth.  The Tarheels are not "my college team". That said, Howell is still better than Bryce Young at this point in his career.

Missing out on Stroud and Richardson at this point in time is hard to bear. What really bothers me is what I'm watching at Philly. Sam Howell is legit. He just took Washington into OT with a game tying drive.

We could have got him last year instead of Matt Corrall and not had to give up any picks or players in 2023,2024 or 2025. Granted he does have Eric Bienemy calling plays which is huge reason for his success. But, even as a rookie he would have been the best QB on our roster last season.

12 minutes ago, Smithers said:

So in that trade the Bears get DJ Moore, Williams, and Harrison, plus whoever they took with our 2nd rounder last year. 

I think Caleb Williams would strongly consider staying at USC for one more year if Chicago ended up with the #1 and/or #2 pick. Chicago is a purgatory for NFL QBs.

I would never want to go there and play QB with the current management. If I knew for sure Harrison was coming out and was confident he would be picked behind me..."I might" consider it. At least I'd know I would have 2 solid WRs to throw too. Then again, Chicago is a purgatory for WRs too. Harrison is a junior so he could opt to stay in school as well.

Good point on the lack of urgency. I wanted a TD on the last drive. It  started with plenty of time in the 4th quarter. When that drive started I had no idea we wouldn't get the ball back again. Carolina had time to get a FG, make a stop, and get the ball back for a game winning drive. Instead it took forever and still ended like most Carolina drives...with no points.

1 minute ago, Bearzzz said:

Hmm, maybe to get paid and not risk an injury?  Do you think Carolina used the same path of thinking when they took a QB from Alabama over a QB from Ohio State?  Too early to tell but Stroud is looking pretty good right now.

If Caleb Williams wants to go to the pros solely for the money he certainly has the right to do so.

If he wants to play pro football at the highest level at the QB position & compete for the playoffs and world titles year in an year out for the majority of his career, then he needs to stay at USC one more year if the Bears even think about drafting him at #1. Chicago is a purgatory for NFL Quarterbacks.

6 hours ago, Bearzzz said:

So you are saying he would pass up his first year of eligibility to enter the draft and a $40-$50M contract and risk injury (just takes one hit) in a new conference dominated by Ohio St. & Michigan? I don't see it. If so, just find another Carolina to trade up and draft Maye.  Pretty sure there will be plenty of suitors. 

No team in NFL history has a worst history of developing quarterbacks than the Chicago Bears. Their top 5 quarterbacks in terms of QBR are 

Jay Cutler (never a top 10 QB when he played)

Sid Luckman (retired in the early 1950s & and still ranks #2 on their all time TD pass list)

Billy Wade (played with Ditka on the 1963 title team but is largely forgotten these days)

Jim McMahon (decent QB but far from great. Injuries and his clashes with HC Mike Ditka led to an early end to his career in Chicago)

Mitch Trubisky (nuff said)

Those are the top 5 quarterbacks in Chicago Bear history. Only one of them has played with team since the 1990s started. Why on earth would Caleb Williams want to leave college early to join that organization? 

2 minutes ago, tukafan21 said:

He might not be wrong, it was the worst kept secret that the Texans wanted Bryce and would have taken him #1.

If Stroud ends up a stud with Bryce a bust, that win that got Love fired will end up being what saved the franchise.

I’m not a coaching expert, but I tend to agree with you. The route combinations, personnel, and play calling doesn’t appear adequate for today’s NFL. 

I’ll be the first to admit that I don’t like Ohio State QBs. That said, after the national title I did post that CJ Stroud impressed me in the Georgia game. I think he would have won that game…and a national title…if Harrison Jr didn’t get hurt in the 2nd half.

He displayed poise, good arm strength, and mobility/scrambling ability when needed. If any QB of Ohio State seemed poised to break the 70 year curse, it was Stroud. I wish him (and Demeco Ryan’s) well. No regrets at all about not drafting Justin Fields though.

I’m not ready to thrown in the towel on Bryce yet. I think watching Dalton do his thing from the sidelines is actually going to help Bryce in the long run.

3 hours ago, Adb6368 said:

It only takes 1 huge hit to change everything around. You are never more than 3 years away from a Super Bowl if you get the right pieces in place. Seems bleak more often than not but even a blind squirrel finds a nut every once in a while. 

I'm sure Lions and Browns fans would be to differ. 

https://theramswire.usatoday.com/2022/11/06/rams-panthers-brian-burns-trade-offer-round-picks/

The Rams had put a 2024 first, 2025 first and a 2023 second-round pick on the table for Panthers pass-rusher Brian Burns. Carolina refused to give up one of its core pieces

----

For everyone upset that we didn't trade Burns, for two #1 picks I have a question for you. How much of an impact do you think the Rams 2023 2nd round pick would have helped us this year with the current FO/GM running the show?  With the exception of Chinn who have we picked in the 2nd round since 2020 that has made a real impact on the field?

Those 1st round picks would have been in 2024 and 2025. Based on what I've seen so far, I wouldn't have any faith in our FO to choose the right players to address our needs. Fitz would probably trade down and pass over the blue chip players to get more draft choices... and end up adding more JAGS to the roster. I wanted to give him the benefit of the doubt, but I don't think he's proven to be the talent evaluator we thought he would be.

Passing over Sam Howell and trading up to get Matt Corrall is inexcusable.

Trading down to get TMJ made no sense at all since we passed over at least 4-5 lineman who could have started immediately and Robbie Anderson had just been extended. After we picked him, KC picked Creed Humphrey at Center 5 picks later and seems to be on the verge of becoming an All-Pro

I don't even want to talk about the CJ Henderson and Sam Darnold trades.

I think he's got until 2024 to turn this thing around. If things don't start trending up that's a sign it's time to bring someone else in to run the FO.

3 minutes ago, Mage said:

Bryce Young can make the throws.  I don't know why that narrative continues to be pushed. 

At the very least, his arm strength is on par with Tua's, and Tua hasn't held back speed demons like Hill and Waddle.

Again, I want to reiterate.  I accept the possibility that Young might not work out.  But some of the things people are saying is way off-base.  Young missing throws in his 2nd NFL game does not mean he can't make the throws.  He absolutely has the physical talent to make throws into tight windows.  

Everybody on this board hopes you're right about Bryce. After 5 straight losing seasons the Carolina nation needs something to cheer about.

I know we don't want to turn the ball over in the air, but I could live with 15-20 INTS in his rookie season if those INTs were counterbalanced with 20-25 TD's and around 225-300 passing yards per game. At least there would be some excitement that he's trying to make something happen downfield & and showing signs that we could build a team around him as he matures. Right now, our passing game is literally painful to watch. It should be this bad with the 1st pick in the draft and the current "brain trust" we assembled for our 2023 coaching staff.

15 minutes ago, LinvilleGorge said:

I just think he knows he doesn't have the arm to fit the ball into those tight windows so he's trying to make throws where if he misses it'll be a safe miss and he's just plain missing trying to do that 

I sincerely "hope" you're wrong in your assessment and that Bryce is still a bit jittery as he adapts to the NFL game. "If" you're right about Bryce not being able to make certain NFL caliber throws then we may have made a major mistake in drafting him at #1.

If he really can't make the throws, the DC's all around the NFL are going to start taking away all of the underneath stuff once they realize he can't beat them going deep.

A QB can be intelligent and accurate on his throws and still be a liability if the his arm lacks the zip to throw into tight windows. Chad Pennington would have had a good-great career if not for the arm injuries that robbed him of his throwing power. Unfortunately, Chad got hurt after he entered a the league which makes it understandable why his arm strength declined. Picking a guy who can't make the throws coming out of college is a major whiff by the FO.

6 minutes ago, frankw said:

At this point after how he played last night I would be happy if he's just a decent starter for the next several years for us. I guess anything could happen. But let's be honest the comparing our guy to hall of famers coping mechanism hasn't done us any favors. He's not in that zip code. Maybe he could be someday. I don't know that it will be with this staff and our GM definitely isn't doing him any favors with the incompetence in building a real NFL offense around a QB.

None of us really know what goes on behind the scenes, but at times our FO amazes me.

Last season Donta Foreman played extremely well. He almost reached a 1,000 yards despite not even starting a game after a quarter of the season was completed. Chubba Hubbard was a good compliment to him. They combined for nearly 1,400 yards on the ground and averaged over 4.5 yds per carry. They let Foreman go in the offseason. Our running game was fine last season. Now Donta in Chicago on a one year deal for $2million. We signed Miles Sanders to a 4year/$25.4 mil deal (over $6mil per year). That's not bad for a running back with Sanders skill set and 2022 production. But, we really didn't need him. We could have used that money elsewhere...like the WR position or on the defense.

Our backs  clearly showed that they were well suited for our O-line. We didn't lose any starters to other teams. We kept our o-line coach. Last years running game would be a benefit to Bryce. It limits the number of times he has to drop back, take time off of the clock to limit the other teams time of possession, and it opens up the  play-action pass.

Now, we're lacking that the above elements and it's really affecting our ability to move the ball and score points.

6 minutes ago, Pantherxtreme said:

Sometimes you just have to throw receivers open and give them a chance to make a play. 

Olave wasn't open on that play when he made that acrobatic catch, but Carr threw it up and gave him a chance. 

That's what I'm looking to see. 

Do you think we have a guy on the roster to make that play? One of the reasons I'm down on Fitz is the WR situation.

We've taken two receivers in the 2nd round since he's been around (TMJ and Mingo). I think most of us would agree that a receiver taken in those rounds should be more than a possession receiver. They need to be difference makers.

The jury is still out out on Mingo since he is a rookie. Still, I thought we would have seen more attempts to get him the further downfield. I haven't seen anything from TMJ in our system to suggest he's anything more than a JAG who can be easily replaced.  I think Theilan and Hurst are what we expected them to be. But, we need at least one playmaker (preferably two) who can stretch the field.

8 minutes ago, ForJimmy said:

There are prospects that have been as close to locks to go number 1 as possible.  Andrew Luck and Trevor Lawrence most recently.  I know what you are saying though Arizona could fall in love with another player like Sanders or Williams could get a nasty injury, however odds are Williams is that top pick and teams are already tanking for him.  He was great his freshman year and top of the league his sophomore year.  So far there hasn't been a drop-off and it would be surprising if there was one considering his offense.  

*His dad is already hinting at him possibly staying another year if needed.  So this could definitely prevent him from going number 1.  

I think Williams should stay in school for his senior year if the Cardinals or Bears have the #1 and #2 picks in the draft.

4 minutes ago, Jon Snow said:

I will offer this one bit of advice.  Before you try to determine who will be a top qb coming out of college you should wait until they finish their last year.  Year after year I hear about how great some qb is as a junior only to see them struggle their senior year season. It happens every year. 

Well, 2 pieces of advice. Don't draft USC qb's. 

OR OHIO STATES'!