Bears 2024

[Sparty]

2 hours ago, Coach Nowlin said:

McMarthy would be better than last 4 guys they hired, just sayin,

Vrabel is being tied with Tommy Rees as OC in New England according to my source in Boston who follows along quite a bit

Kaftka would be personally GREAT for me, a very good friend is very friendly with Coach Kaftka....oh yeah.....that would be clutch, oh that reminds me, @temptation, you be a good boy in 2025, I know the DL coach who just finished year 1 in Michigan this past year, former SJC HC, I maybe able to get you a few blades of grass from THE BIG HOUSE for your collection of Wolverine swag. 🙂

I still trust Poles, I understand the magnitude of each move in the NFL especially the Chicago Bears market, I am far more patient then others on this, I believe he is the right guy, but moreso, I BELIEVE that NON STOP CHANGE is very unhealthy that is why I envy the Rooney's and Pittsburgh Organization, my #2 in my heart of the NFL.  

 

Poles can’t live off the steal of Moore and the 1 pick forever.  Dudes an old OL and dude put together the worst OL in a long time.  What gives you hope he can correct this?  Besides blind love of a team.  

[Coach Nowlin]

11 hours ago, Sparty said:

Poles can’t live off the steal of Moore and the 1 pick forever.  Dudes an old OL and dude put together the worst OL in a long time.  What gives you hope he can correct this?  Besides blind love of a team.  

I believe in the NFL GM position is 7-8 year scope before full judgements can be made.  

No GM is going to have a hit rate that is near perfect, and most have more misses than hits.  The "hits: in rounds 4-7 are so low across the league.   

Blind love for the team sure, but I have also been critical when warranted throughout.   I believe Poles was hamstrung with Ted Phillips early, takes time to reshape whatever that pile looked like post Pace era.   

Make no mistake, the next 2-3 years will determine if it was wise to keep him through this next HC change or he doesn't have the chops for this gig long term. 

I believe he does, I like his process, I do not make emotional responses to 1 loss or 1 bad decisions like the local AM radio does to get clicks and listens and definitely do not invest time ingesting any national media 'takes' 

I also have stated that his plan all along last year was to get QB he thought was best, CW, surround him with playmakers, signing Swift ( I think he had a good year with bad scheme) drafting Rome, trading for Allen.   This was the offseason for the OL/DL in my opinion based on the long term trajectory of how it has all shook out.   

 

[Sparty]

The last 5 Bears GM’s and their W/L records:

Mark Hatley 19-45 (.297)

Jerry Angelo 95-81 (.540)

Phil Emery 23-25 (.479)

Ryan Pace 48-65 (.425)

Ryan Poles 15-36 (.294)

 

[Coach Nowlin]

What is your opinion on the time frame that you feel comfortable and given general managers in the NFL and turning things around? 

Poles put together a good enough team to win games and become a playoff hunt team this year 

Unfortunately lack of coaching and player decision making under the guise of a legit HC in  Eberflus era which he hoodwinked me to. I admit it. I thought the way they finished the year last year was a thing to come and they got off to a good start this year being four and two.  Then Washington happened......

 

But you put the stats of all the GMs. You're clearly making it a point that Poles should be fired because he has a bad record 

Was it Poles fault that #29 I don't even want to say his name, thought it was more important. Talk to the crowd of Washington instead of playing the game?    Was it poles fault that the head coach decided to let Washington have a free 8:00 to 9, 10 yd or whatever it was before they chucked it down in the end zone? 

Oh I know.   It had to be Poles fault fault as well. When a poorly executed field goal attempt at home versus Green Bay was tipped and blocked and another game was taken away from the win column..... Yeah that was definitely the general manager's fault.......

 

So I will ask you again like I did earlier above. What is realistic expectation for a NFL general manager to provide a successful team? 

 

On that note is San Francisco and their franchise and organization terrible now? I mean they just only won six games. That's exactly one more game than the Chicago Bears.   You know the same team that went to the Super Bowl last year SF won 6 , Bears won 5. 

Must be a terrible general manager and head coach in San Francisco that led to that demise. Can't be anything other than that right? 

Or maybe this is how the NFL is made to be set up as the schedule, the organization and how you can't just build super teams and great players have to be moved because there's not enough money. Go around when you build it develop wonderfully.   See the Kansas City Chiefs and then letting Tyreek Hill go as one example. 

[Sparty]

1 hour ago, Coach Nowlin said:

What is your opinion on the time frame that you feel comfortable and given general managers in the NFL and turning things around? 

Poles put together a good enough team to win games and become a playoff hunt team this year 

Unfortunately lack of coaching and player decision making under the guise of a legit HC in  Eberflus era which he hoodwinked me to. I admit it. I thought the way they finished the year last year was a thing to come and they got off to a good start this year being four and two.  Then Washington happened......

 

But you put the stats of all the GMs. You're clearly making it a point that Poles should be fired because he has a bad record 

Was it Poles fault that #29 I don't even want to say his name, thought it was more important. Talk to the crowd of Washington instead of playing the game?    Was it poles fault that the head coach decided to let Washington have a free 8:00 to 9, 10 yd or whatever it was before they chucked it down in the end zone? 

Oh I know.   It had to be Poles fault fault as well. When a poorly executed field goal attempt at home versus Green Bay was tipped and blocked and another game was taken away from the win column..... Yeah that was definitely the general manager's fault.......

 

So I will ask you again like I did earlier above. What is realistic expectation for a NFL general manager to provide a successful team? 

 

On that note is San Francisco and their franchise and organization terrible now? I mean they just only won six games. That's exactly one more game than the Chicago Bears.   You know the same team that went to the Super Bowl last year SF won 6 , Bears won 5. 

Must be a terrible general manager and head coach in San Francisco that led to that demise. Can't be anything other than that right? 

Or maybe this is how the NFL is made to be set up as the schedule, the organization and how you can't just build super teams and great players have to be moved because there's not enough money. Go around when you build it develop wonderfully.   See the Kansas City Chiefs and then letting Tyreek Hill go as one example. 

Upward growth as a team and address the glaring needs, like OL

[Coach Nowlin]

30 minutes ago, Sparty said:

Upward growth as a team and address the glaring needs, like OL

So no actual calendar yearly timeframe then?  

What meagurement are you using to define "upward growth"  

Wins? 

is that the only meagurement ? 

GM Sparty its April of 2024, you are #1 on the clock, you have the #1 and #9 picks, I will trust that you are going to tell me what you are going to do with those picks plus understanding that youre overall draft capitol is very poor in rounds 3-7, what are doing with the draft?   While doing so, try to do it without the knowing what the last 18 weeks just looked like. 

What Free Agent OL are you signing that Poles didn't ? 

I will hang up and listen.

 

my take below on OL woes. 

( Davis, Bates were signed to help fix the glaring need of OL, sadly, Davis flaked out with whatever is going on with his personal life and hoodwinked Bears brass, great work by his agent btw, in giving him that contract, Poles was impatient on getting Bates who Bills were most likely going to cut, then you could of snagged him, but he was hurt all year, so didn't see what he could or could not do, so he DID try to address it but wasn't the TOP priority it seems with the lminited draft capitol he had to work with).   

 

[Sparty]

4 minutes ago, Coach Nowlin said:

So no actual calendar yearly timeframe then?  

What meagurement are you using to define "upward growth"  

Wins? 

is that the only meagurement ? 

GM Sparty its April of 2024, you are #1 on the clock, you have the #1 and #9 picks, I will trust that you are going to tell me what you are going to do with those picks plus understanding that youre overall draft capitol is very poor in rounds 3-7, what are doing with the draft?   While doing so, try to do it without the knowing what the last 18 weeks just looked like. 

What Free Agent OL are you signing that Poles didn't ? 

I will hang up and listen.

 

my take below on OL woes. 

( Davis, Bates were signed to help fix the glaring need of OL, sadly, Davis flaked out with whatever is going on with his personal life and hoodwinked Bears brass, great work by his agent btw, in giving him that contract, Poles was impatient on getting Bates who Bills were most likely going to cut, then you could of snagged him, but he was hurt all year, so didn't see what he could or could not do, so he DID try to address it but wasn't the TOP priority it seems with the lminited draft capitol he had to work with).   

 

I would say 3 years.  And it’s not much better if at all.  
 

My thoughts are not to blow your wad on Keenan Allen and go after 1-2 better OL then the stiffs they ran out there this year.  

[Coach Nowlin]

5 minutes ago, Sparty said:

I would say 3 years.  And it’s not much better if at all.  
 

My thoughts are not to blow your wad on Keenan Allen and go after 1-2 better OL then the stiffs they ran out there this year.  

sure, but Bates has had a nice career in Buffalo, Davis was sought after by other teams, not just the Bears, but since they had more money, they overpaid, again, great job by his agent, it didn't work out, but at the time, its not like Bears were the only ones after Nate Davis.   

 

Onto Keenan Allen:   Bears traded the 110th overall pick, that is a 4th rounder, in exchange for Allen.   I would say that does not fit the definition of blowing ones wad for a player who played 15 games in his 12th NFL season, had 70 catches, over 700 yards and 7 tds playing with an struglling OL (can't throw down field if you cannot scheme the time to get Allen down the middle of the field) and playing with a rookie QB, in an offense who fired their 1st year OC, brought in, before halfway point, fired the HC after midway point, promoted a pass game cord to oc, to hc all within 3 weeks.   SO with ALL THAT being said, that is pretty darn good production for just giving up a 4th round pick in 2025, 110th overall, who by the way Chargers took that pick, traded it to PATS who drafted Javon Baker, who didn't get on the field until late in the year and recorded 1 catch for 12 yards in week 18.   

Players drafted after pick 110 who play OL: 

114:  Javon Foster Jags:  4 games played, all late, zero starts 

119:  Mason McCormack:  Week 4 started, started rest way for Pittsburgh who also drafted 2nd round Center started all year

122 the horror, BEARS drafted a PUNTER. (I can't find it, but I remember seeing some insider that said they loved McCormack but when they couldn't trade up to get him, they pivoted to Taylor just saying, but can't find it.  

126 Giovanni Manu Lions ZERO games played 

5th round:  

141:  Sedrick Van Pran-Granger Bills  PAT guy, started week 18 in a loss to the Pats when all back ups played 

144:  Bears traded back into the draft to take a developmental player talent in Booker ( most pundits said if he stayed he is minimal 2nd round talent) 

159:  Hunter Nourzad Chiefs:  Hey look, another guy who played only on PAT team zero starts 

162  Christian Jones: Arizona 2 games played, week 17 and 18, with 18 being a start 

163:  Jacob Monk Packers 10 games, zero starts 

this starts the vaunted 5th round supplemental picks, you know, you get a extra pick in rounds 3,4,5,6,7 for losing FA or if you lose a front office guy who goes off to get a another promotion elsehwere, like IAN CUNNINGHAM, could be in line for GM job, Bears will get an extra pick the day that happens.  

172:  Trevor Keegan Eagles 1 game played, not started week 18, you know when they rested all their starters 

6th round time 

177:  Walter Rouse: Vikings  NEVER PLAYED A SNAP 

179:  Santaoa Laumea Seahawks NEVER PLAYED A SNAP 

190 Dylan McMahon Eagles: this one is good, Drafted, but waived to practice squad, then picked up Mid Sept off practice squad and got into exactly 1 game by the RAMS who took him in Sept, and yup, that's right week 18 back up starter rest week around the NFL 

202:  Travis Glover Packers:   Played the last 7 games, ZERO starts, assuming PAT guy 

204. Tylan Grable. Bills:   Played weeks 1 2 and 3, on PAT team, then not again to a week 18 start, as team back up squad week. 

207:  Michael Jerrell Seahawks:  Classic D2 flyer taken from FINDLEY, best of the bunch so far, probably because he is from the HOOSIER state, ( Go PIke Go ).  Didn't play OT until SR year of HS, where he was back up TE, no offers , 4 D2 offers, to 6th round pick, played 10 games, started 3, including week 18.   

6th Supp time, how exciting, see who is up next here

210:  Christian Mohagony:  Lions   played week 12-18, no starts, PAT guy 

215:  Jarrett Kingston San Fran, well they felt so high on him, he wound up with Carolina and played in looks like 8 games no starts, btw, he didn't make it to SEPTEMBER in SF before he was cut, I mean waived. 

217:  Beaux Limmer:  Rams:  Now we actually have a legit player here it seems.  started about 90% of the games for the Rams.   I WOULD FINALLY AGREE, HE SEEMS TO BE A PLAYER WHO CAN HELP THE BEARS NOW. 

220:  Elijah Klein Bucs< this rounds out the supp in round 6.  17 games played, zero starts, great PAT guy 

7th

221:  Travis Clayton: Bills  This one is fun one too, Drafted a RUGBY PLAYER, went on IR, in August, guess Pads hurt his game

228:  Nick Samac Ravens DID NOT SEE THE FIELD 

230:  Michael Jergens Vikings found himself on the field 3 times all year 

233:  Nathan Thomas Cowboys IR In August 

237.  Matt Lee.   Bengals 18 games on PAT 

239:  Josiah Ezirim Saints Waived, then resigned, never left practice squad 

248 CJ Hanson Chiefs Finally got on the field week 18 back up time but didn't start 

249 LeDarius Henderson Texans,   Put on Non football related injury report in July 

SUPP

254. KT Leveston  Rams. IR Auguest 

and MR OL IRRELEVENT GOES TO

256 Nick Gargiulo Bronchos, Cut, resigned practice squad:  NOT BROCK PURDY 

True Mr. Irrelevent is pick 257 

 

Welp, GM SPARTY:   When presented with this, what OFFENSIVE LINEMAN did we miss out on again that changes the outlook of the Chicago Bears Offenve line in 2024?    

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Sparty]

39 minutes ago, Coach Nowlin said:

sure, but Bates has had a nice career in Buffalo, Davis was sought after by other teams, not just the Bears, but since they had more money, they overpaid, again, great job by his agent, it didn't work out, but at the time, its not like Bears were the only ones after Nate Davis.   

 

Onto Keenan Allen:   Bears traded the 110th overall pick, that is a 4th rounder, in exchange for Allen.   I would say that does not fit the definition of blowing ones wad for a player who played 15 games in his 12th NFL season, had 70 catches, over 700 yards and 7 tds playing with an struglling OL (can't throw down field if you cannot scheme the time to get Allen down the middle of the field) and playing with a rookie QB, in an offense who fired their 1st year OC, brought in, before halfway point, fired the HC after midway point, promoted a pass game cord to oc, to hc all within 3 weeks.   SO with ALL THAT being said, that is pretty darn good production for just giving up a 4th round pick in 2025, 110th overall, who by the way Chargers took that pick, traded it to PATS who drafted Javon Baker, who didn't get on the field until late in the year and recorded 1 catch for 12 yards in week 18.   

Players drafted after pick 110 who play OL: 

114:  Javon Foster Jags:  4 games played, all late, zero starts 

119:  Mason McCormack:  Week 4 started, started rest way for Pittsburgh who also drafted 2nd round Center started all year

122 the horror, BEARS drafted a PUNTER. (I can't find it, but I remember seeing some insider that said they loved McCormack but when they couldn't trade up to get him, they pivoted to Taylor just saying, but can't find it.  

126 Giovanni Manu Lions ZERO games played 

5th round:  

141:  Sedrick Van Pran-Granger Bills  PAT guy, started week 18 in a loss to the Pats when all back ups played 

144:  Bears traded back into the draft to take a developmental player talent in Booker ( most pundits said if he stayed he is minimal 2nd round talent) 

159:  Hunter Nourzad Chiefs:  Hey look, another guy who played only on PAT team zero starts 

162  Christian Jones: Arizona 2 games played, week 17 and 18, with 18 being a start 

163:  Jacob Monk Packers 10 games, zero starts 

this starts the vaunted 5th round supplemental picks, you know, you get a extra pick in rounds 3,4,5,6,7 for losing FA or if you lose a front office guy who goes off to get a another promotion elsehwere, like IAN CUNNINGHAM, could be in line for GM job, Bears will get an extra pick the day that happens.  

172:  Trevor Keegan Eagles 1 game played, not started week 18, you know when they rested all their starters 

6th round time 

177:  Walter Rouse: Vikings  NEVER PLAYED A SNAP 

179:  Santaoa Laumea Seahawks NEVER PLAYED A SNAP 

190 Dylan McMahon Eagles: this one is good, Drafted, but waived to practice squad, then picked up Mid Sept off practice squad and got into exactly 1 game by the RAMS who took him in Sept, and yup, that's right week 18 back up starter rest week around the NFL 

202:  Travis Glover Packers:   Played the last 7 games, ZERO starts, assuming PAT guy 

204. Tylan Grable. Bills:   Played weeks 1 2 and 3, on PAT team, then not again to a week 18 start, as team back up squad week. 

207:  Michael Jerrell Seahawks:  Classic D2 flyer taken from FINDLEY, best of the bunch so far, probably because he is from the HOOSIER state, ( Go PIke Go ).  Didn't play OT until SR year of HS, where he was back up TE, no offers , 4 D2 offers, to 6th round pick, played 10 games, started 3, including week 18.   

6th Supp time, how exciting, see who is up next here

210:  Christian Mohagony:  Lions   played week 12-18, no starts, PAT guy 

215:  Jarrett Kingston San Fran, well they felt so high on him, he wound up with Carolina and played in looks like 8 games no starts, btw, he didn't make it to SEPTEMBER in SF before he was cut, I mean waived. 

217:  Beaux Limmer:  Rams:  Now we actually have a legit player here it seems.  started about 90% of the games for the Rams.   I WOULD FINALLY AGREE, HE SEEMS TO BE A PLAYER WHO CAN HELP THE BEARS NOW. 

220:  Elijah Klein Bucs< this rounds out the supp in round 6.  17 games played, zero starts, great PAT guy 

7th

221:  Travis Clayton: Bills  This one is fun one too, Drafted a RUGBY PLAYER, went on IR, in August, guess Pads hurt his game

228:  Nick Samac Ravens DID NOT SEE THE FIELD 

230:  Michael Jergens Vikings found himself on the field 3 times all year 

233:  Nathan Thomas Cowboys IR In August 

237.  Matt Lee.   Bengals 18 games on PAT 

239:  Josiah Ezirim Saints Waived, then resigned, never left practice squad 

248 CJ Hanson Chiefs Finally got on the field week 18 back up time but didn't start 

249 LeDarius Henderson Texans,   Put on Non football related injury report in July 

SUPP

254. KT Leveston  Rams. IR Auguest 

and MR OL IRRELEVENT GOES TO

256 Nick Gargiulo Bronchos, Cut, resigned practice squad:  NOT BROCK PURDY 

True Mr. Irrelevent is pick 257 

 

Welp, GM SPARTY:   When presented with this, what OFFENSIVE LINEMAN did we miss out on again that changes the outlook of the Chicago Bears Offenve line in 2024?    

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Anthony Munoz out of retirement 

[Coach Nowlin]

3 minutes ago, Sparty said:

Anthony Munoz out of retirement 

If only that easy !!!   

You think Mark Bortz can still walk ? 

 

[Sparty]

13 minutes ago, Coach Nowlin said:

If only that easy !!!   

You think Mark Bortz can still walk ? 

 

Him too

[Sparty]

Poles with some interesting words on who they are searching for in their hc hire.  Sounds like a dead man walking lip service.  

[Muda69]

Rumor are swirling that Ryan Kelly has played his last game as a Colt.  Is he someone the Bears should pursue?

 

Edited January 8, 2025 by Muda69

[Coach Nowlin]

2 hours ago, Sparty said:

Poles with some interesting words on who they are searching for in their hc hire.  Sounds like a dead man walking lip service.  

I disagree 

I watched last night entire press conference of Poles.  Warren and George 

Did you invest the 43 total mins or coming to that conclusion from AM radio clips ?   

What words exactly?  Because I thought Poles was on point on everything and he is not going to tell the entire press community and air out all the dirt inside the building that is bad business 

His comments on OL is exactly what I have outlined here 

I am still ALL IN on POLES leading this organization Football Ops.   

He was hired then 2 days later paired with Flus.   Thanks George and Phillips and Polian.  Smh 

 

2 hours ago, Muda69 said:

Rumor are swirling that Ryan Kelly has played his last game as a Colt.  Is he someone the Bears should pursue?

 

Cap causality or performance based 

 

I'm done with attempting to bandaid a guy who was cut because of being old and on last leg 🦵 n the league.   

[Sparty]

1 hour ago, Coach Nowlin said:

I disagree 

I watched last night entire press conference of Poles.  Warren and George 

Did you invest the 43 total mins or coming to that conclusion from AM radio clips ?   

What words exactly?  Because I thought Poles was on point on everything and he is not going to tell the entire press community and air out all the dirt inside the building that is bad business 

His comments on OL is exactly what I have outlined here 

I am still ALL IN on POLES leading this organization Football Ops.   

He was hired then 2 days later paired with Flus.   Thanks George and Phillips and Polian.  Smh 

 

Cap causality or performance based 

 

I'm done with attempting to bandaid a guy who was cut because of being old and on last leg 🦵 n the league.   

Tone

[Coach Nowlin]

His tone to me seem like somebody who was very upset that his team went 5 and 12 on the year and he was holding himself accountable for that. I'm sorry I'm not going to be happy with anybody in the Bears going out there smiling and doing backflips 

 

I will say he was spot on when he talked about the competitive poise in games was the downfall of the season and anybody who paid attention this year would agree that how they reacted as players on a field by the coaching they were given in competitive situations led to many losses that were on the brrink of wins 

 

 

[Sparty]

1 minute ago, Coach Nowlin said:

His tone to me seem like somebody who was very upset that his team went 5 and 12 on the year and he was holding himself accountable for that. I'm sorry I'm not going to be happy with anybody in the Bears going out there smiling and doing backflips 

 

I will say he was spot on when he talked about the competitive poise in games was the downfall of the season and anybody who paid attention this year would agree that how they reacted as players on a field by the coaching they were given in competitive situations led to many losses that were on the brrink of wins 

 

 

I’m not disagreeing with the top paragraph, but ole dude constructed the roster, didn’t he?

Coaches coach. Players play.  These lines are getting way to intermeshed (players overstepping and getting too much power)

[Coach Nowlin]

Definitely don't want the NFL nor will get to the NBA level the way it's structured with its contracts and how the ownerships are strong. I think we'll keep it away from there, but I definitely understand your sentiment there

 

This is the first time in the last 15 years or whenever they got rid of Lovie (huge mistakes still) that I felt like the Bears upper management finally figured out how to align the process and have allowed the guy. They are trusted to lead the team to lead this search and not go to Friends of the McCaskeys like Ed and Bill from the last couple years dictate who they get in front of and who they end up hiring 

And the fact I haven't heard Trace Armstrong's name is a godsend

[Sparty]

Bears just finished up their interview with Drew Petzing, whoever the hell that is.  

[Coach Nowlin]

Offensive Cordinator of Arizona 

Was with Vikings when Warren was there, was at boston college 2 years after Poles left as a player 

 

Love love love they are interviewing Matt Campbell of Iowa St as well 

 

[Boilernation]

21 hours ago, Coach Nowlin said:

Offensive Cordinator of Arizona 

Was with Vikings when Warren was there, was at boston college 2 years after Poles left as a player 

 

Love love love they are interviewing Matt Campbell of Iowa St as well 

 

Really? What do you like about Campbell as a NFL HC? I'm slightly concerned Vegas fired their GM. Granted they have no talent for Ben Johnson; however, Vegas could be appealing to Johnson if he can bring in his preferred choice of a personnel guy. I get what you're saying regarding the secrecy of Pole's contract. But, him only having 1 year left (if that truely is the case) has to be a negative for a potential HC.

[Coach Nowlin]

Matt Campbell at age 45 has brought Iowa State to new levels and has sent multiple players to the NFL the last 4 years as he is developing and sending.  What he has done at Iowa st the last 9 years from young man to grizzled 45 yr old veteran has been very impressive. Guy before him 32-55.  

Won title as OC with Mt Union in D3 shortly after his playing career concluded.  

He has an extensive background as OL coach coming up when he first got started

 

[Bash Riprock]

From a report earlier today…accurate?

Bears seek to interview Notre Dame's Marcus Freeman for head coach job: report

Edited January 13, 2025 by Bash Riprock

[PHJIrish]

Coach Freeman isn't leaving Notre Dame anytime soon!  It's the perfect situation for him and I believe he's compensated enough to take care of his needs, and those of his family, quite nicely.  

[Irishman]

25 minutes ago, Bash Riprock said:

From a report earlier today…accurate?

Bears seek to interview Notre Dame's Marcus Freeman for head coach job: report

He has a better deal in South Bend; even signing an extension through the 2030 season....I would doubt that he even interviews. 

https://www.si.com/college/notredame/football/marcus-freeman-long-term-extension-notre-dame