Bear Hands

What's said about him ad nauseam is the "out of structure" habits. When plays break down, he does have what I'll call a delay switch that is far less forgiving in the NFL. It's there, even as a fan I'll acknowledge it. However, it is his mid and deep ball accuracy & touch is just hard to ignore. His accuracy is on another level compared to most QBs coming out. He seems to balance his risk/reward very well in respect to making throws and shows great anticipation. I mean, he's thrown some absolutely bananas Sunday-level balls these past few years. In that respect, I actually think he's shown great ability to create, this showed this very well the tail end of 21 and then 22 as well as many saw against UGA. What I think people have seen--is that early on in seasons he plays safe and within what was manageable, cruising to wins off the full team talent load. As stakes went up, he adjusted his aggressiveness and risk taking that led to nice play creation and showed off his intangibles quite nicely as well. He has very subtle but sly moves in the pocket to stay standing tall and over the line. He also calls audibles and protections effectively. For example--Darnold still can't call protections well. And through all of that, he doesn't lose anything mechanically, not issues at all. Arm strength, if you group all active-NFL starters, I'd say he's top-20. Probably around Dak. Totally for him. Worth the risk and worth a trade up. The argument will get more dicey the higher that trade up is, but I see a tremendous ceiling with this kid. And honestly, a high floor. He's made to do this QB thing.

I personally love how Jayden developed and am big on Pratt. Daniels could've declared and gone ahead of Hooker and McKee this year. But him running it back and showing out again could get him 1st round grades. He really progressed as a passer, made huge strides. I also really enjoyed watching Ward play, but he has some stuff to work on. Penix needs to have another stellar season to fully separate himself from the injuries/Indiana days. At the end of the day though, I agree none are really worth waiting for compared to this class with one of Levis/Young/Stroud likely in reach & considering Richardson's potential.

Rattler is in this class, no? I was just confused. I'd say Ewers is on the top tier watchlist. Pratt, Daniels, Ward & Penix are all on that Nix-tier watchlist.

Maye and Ewers may not even declare with the whole NIL environment. Could easily see that happening and next year is left with Caleb...then Pratt/Daniels/Penix. So, if people are eyeing 2024 and REALLY think they'd pass on a QB this year, they might as well be talking Michael Pratt or Jayden Daniels. Heck, even if Ewers and Maye stay on their trajectory, they will be more out of reach AND sought after than either Stroud or Young this year. Talk about selling the barn, imagine trading up from 16-20 to the top-5. Yeah... If we're picking top-5 next year, with this staff, the current NFC landscape, and the baseline roster we have, something will have gone tremendously wrong.

Rattler or Nix?

Just look overall QB draft history since 2013. It's just not pretty. During the 2013-2019 6 year stretch, you basically have Allen, Mahomes & Lamar as the only runaway hits. Carr, Goff, Jimmy G, Kyler & D Jones are still kicking, but are no means high bar/success models. That right there is where the NFC QB drought stems from. Then, all AFC teams swarmed the top QBs in recent years. Last year's may rival 2013 when all is said and done. https://www.drafthistory.com/index.php/positions/qb

These aren't consensus, the research is just using one mock each year from different sources. All it takes was the mock writer to be an Eason stan. Eason was a 2nd-3rd, with only some claiming he was a first because of his size+arm. I'd like to see more of a consensus mock research but I doubt many have the time to figure that out ha. Last year though, if you search for as many mocks as you can find, that was a true outlier with how off they were.

Leaving this here for the crowd trying to decipher Irsay.

That video lol. I guess the word about him and Steichen being a bit awkward is 100% true haha. I will say, in the yt vids of their practices where the team showcased the staff, Gannon communicates, umm, let's just say, a bit differently. He was out there speaking a different language. It's like Kendall Roy cringe-festing his way through S1 of Succession, the football version. But if it works, it works. I just find it so easy to dislike the Cards. Maybe it still stems back to the Delhomme implosion.

Now that...that is interesting. The fit would be pretty fun with the RBs and Lockett/Metcalf. Rodgers stays in the wide open NFC with a playoff caliber team.

We may not have to worry until #5 in that case. If IND/CHI is the trade that happens: #3: AZ may want to capitalize on already having a QB and get the BPA in the entire draft at their spot. Gannon getting a prized defensive weapon in the desert w/Anderson. Then #4: Question is do the Bears trade down again? Or they could also take who could be #1 on their board overall in Carter at #4, after already gaining picks?

The more I look at scenarios with the Texans & Colts, the more I just want to leapfrog them and pick who's #1 on our board. I'd be more surprised than anything if the Bears stay put, buuuut if their trade partner isn't us, we're getting who's remaining of the top-3 (if we're lucky). Barring a bonkers trade with us or Vegas, I see that being a 1-2 swap or Indy jumping HOU to #1. This is my wishful thinking scenario for the draft that (a) seems somewhat plausible (Bears don't trade down too far/still get top DL), we don't give up a crazy haul: 1-Indy (from CHI): Bryce Young QB 2-HOU: Will Levis QB 3-AZ: Will Anderson ED 4-CHI (from Indy): Jalen Carter DT 5-CAR (from SEA): CJ Stroud

And boy, that man definitely liked ham

Yeah he's definitely one of those guys that I knew as a kid following the game but you can just forget about with time. It's that era w/ Peerless Price, Eric Moulds, Joe Horn, etc. During peak TO/Moss. Next thing you know, Ashley Lelie will be hired up in here.

Honestly, we have two WRs that could be perfect adds: one is obvious now..Van Jefferson & Keenan Allen. Allen won’t be as expensive as you’d think. Those two, Moore and TMJ.

His son could still have a very good career ahead. He was injured a lot this past year but has been great otherwise behind Kupp. Would love Van in black and blue

I would personally love to get our future at running back for the next 4-5 years in this draft. That's all the years I'd expect with modern RB shelf life, but it seems like a prudent add. Foreman played admirably so don't mind re-signing, but Kendre Miller would fit the bill a lot in that respect. But also think about the complimentary role, you want to game breaker. A guy like Tyjae Spears, Devon Achane, or Israel Abanikanda would perfectly compliment Foreman. This RB class is STACKED.

Luvu is the one I wonder about if better inside or out. Think he can honestly play both, versatile guy. Big fan of this EDGE draft class so maybe we can add a scheme versatile guy (or two)

I think so too. He compliments Luvu fairly well. If he relies on playing in the box all the time, he might as well convert. Still can use him in hybrid capacities

The cool thing as well is this staff seems to derive from a few great modern NFL units: Harbaugh/Fangio's early 2010's Niners (NFC Champs, lost SB) Sean McVay/Staley/O'Connell Rams (multiple NFC Champs, lost & won SBs) and of course the Pederson/Reich/Schwartz Eagles (Won SB) These guys have quality history, this by all means should be a quality team. Hard to believe these guys can't coach up the team we already have. Doesn't factor in who we will even bring in at QB yet. Exciting stuff.

Right? Evero w/Dom vs. Brown w/Caldwell & Staley We not only we got both of them, but they know each other from peak McVay Rams. I can see their weekly dynamic & practices hitting right off the bat and is really fascinating. The concepts both are bringing are the top trending and at league forefront right now. You've got aspects of LAR (the non-QB depleted version), Detroit & Philly on offense Shades of Fangio on defense. If we can find a QB to carry this with just a few more weapons, this could be fun.

DEFENSE A variation of a two-high shell is very likely, whether be more of a hybrid 4-3 or a base 3-4. OFFENSE Looking at the philosophies and where Brown, Staley and Reich bring...physical & agile RBs, more than 1 home run hitting WR, and a good TE. With Staley, Brown & Reich, there will be elements of what Jamaal Williams & the late season surge of Akers did on the ground. Physical but not a slow burn. Some spread and RPO concepts but not too much. Just thinking about this makes me giddy at the prospect of a Stroud in this offense.

LOVE the part about out matching the defense from a physical standpoint. "Kill the defense" sounds like a fun philosophy.

Thought this was thread worthy since questions keep coming up and the main OC thread is pretty large. Jordan Rodrigue, who many should remember well from her time here, has been a Rams reporter for a few years so has some great info on both sides here. Sidebar: Usually when I link the Athletic, have to remind people it's like $1/mth if you wanna subscribe. It's totally worth it IMO. https://theathletic.com/4222452/2023/02/18/panthers-offensive-coordinator-thomas-brown/ What does Thomas Brown bring? On what his experience working with McVay could bring in: Some more... Between Brown & Evero, we have a really cool staff in place on both sides of the ball. Capers guiding Evero, Caldwll guiding Brown with Reich leading the ship. I wouldn't look past how critical Tabor is. And Reich lived true to his word--really no experience with either Evero or Brown. Really going outside the box for the up and comers.

The Jordan Rodrigue tweet about this is awesome to hear. Both sides are fired up and ready to rock. She covers the Rams but was with us forever, I imagine she has some great intel to all of this. This staff is legit.