Chisoxfn

I will also point out - Beckham was one of the players I was more wrong about - in terms of how their career panned out. I thought he was a shoe-in for 2000 hits and at a minimum a long above average career. That rookie year his swing was compact, with power to opposite field. Dude was an extra base machine, but between his rookie year and following year - something happened mechanically and he could never get back to that short swing he had. Defensively he had plenty of great plays.

Haha - I just assumed when he was commenting on games that hew as already officially retired. Little did I know he was hoping to get one final call to play some more 2B.

Tabor headed to Panthers for the same rule. Kind of bummed cause I think special teams was pretty solid. That said - can't blame Tabor for going there and maybe the new HC was going another direction anyway. I would have thought if Tabor could stay in Chicago he would have preferred it - more safety with Eberflus vs. Rhule (who is clearly on the hot seat).

Congrats - I really wish Lavine somehow was starting too. He really has been so unselfish and welcome of Demar. Lavine will obviously be on the team though.

Reports that Poles has targeted Ian Cunningham, director of player personnel from the Eagles for a high ranking front office job in Chicago. I don't know much about Cunningham, other than despite some dysfunction between GM & HC - they have largely done a pretty good job on the talent front (IMO). I will also note that Cunningham has been with Eagles prior 5 years and before that was a scout in the Ravens org. Without knowing whether Cunningham is good or bad - I like the fact that while Poles/Cunningham evidently are close - his hire wasn't purely someone from his own org and Cunningham has worked in two orgs that are known for finding some talent. I am curious whether this will be an add or is it a replacement. I am hoping to see a bit of an expansion of the front office (from what it was). I am also curious to see what happens with Poles/Champ Kelly.

I'm not going to lie - if Kubiak was interested in being a HC - he would have been my #1 choice (presuming he is healthy/willing to do it). But if he was actually committed to being an OC and his body could handle the stress - nothing would excite me more. Master of zone blocking schemes and presuming he's kept up with the game I have no doubt he can figure out a way to maximize offense around Fields. But even as a consultant - not a bad thing...but I don't really I know that "consultants" help out much. Now if I am playing name that coach - Caldwell as the OC, with Kubiak as the run game coordinator would be very intriguing. Kubiak builds the entire rushing unit and scheme - Caldwell handles QB development, the play calling, and the passing attack. Pep Hamilton as the QB coach.

That makes more sense.

Re: Eberflus - I didn't realize this (and maybe this isn't true and I misread this) - but I believe beyond just being the defensive coach, he was actually passing game coordinator in Dallas in '16 and '17. So I would think both being very good at defensive scheming + his time serving as a coordinator (whatever that means) - at least positions him to have good viewpoints on what he wants for that offensive role. I assume it is either one of the coaches still coaching (Rams OC / Niners OC) who would view this as an upgrade, or a former HC who was a HC (Caldwell or something like that). But beyond OC - they got to get a full strong team that can maximize the playbook for Justin and do all the little things to put him in best position to excel.

I think Beli is very involved in game planning - but lets the day to day go on. That said - I get the impression his is more around - this is our team, our personell etc - so thisi s the strategy we should employ so that the 3 phases play together. I do think during regular season - he may be more hands off on parts than others - but by weeks and the broader overall strategy/tone set - he has his fingers all over. But that is my hypothesis - kind of a - here is your guidelines as a DC/OC (and I thin khe is pretty specific) - but they can do what they want within those guidelines. Than he'll refine them over course of the year and if he sees things he doesn't like - he will zoom in on those and focus there. But he is very unique too with the clout he has built up. Shanny is definitely close to McVay - but I think he has a lot of CEO to him as well, but he has a scheme that he believes in and will work and has a vision that is going to go through. Clearly pretty hands on with the offense.

He isn't the name I would have hired - but - with that said - I think we all pretend like there is some script and these are the guys that succeed. When you really think around the league - I think the best coaches, with a limited exception - all of them are more of the set the tone, instill the vision, rules around discipline, put their stamp on game plans, etc, but very few are necessarily successful because they are the self proclaimed guru at their craft. McDermott - CEO type; Very good DC too - but very big picture in his head coach role Tomlin - CEO Type; Obviously defense is his background but if you looked at him - he had a lot of very strong DC's underneath him (so it wasn't like he had a bunch of raw, DC in name only coaches) Belicheck - CEO type - unique; No one can operate like Bill and get away from it (at least not early in their career); He can do so much more because of his rings (to his own credit); But he leans pretty heavy on his DC and OC - but where he spends his time is really the architecture - what vision he has for the teams and gameplanning; in particular - I think he dials in his involvement in gameplanning during post-season but regular season more hands off; Additionally - I think more of the visioning is applied during the off-season - setting tone for make-up and strategy of best use for players -but than letting day to day get ran by its people. McVay - Genius type - but he has had good offensive minds and seems to be one of the few that toys the line. Andy Reid - Genius type, but as a CEO - but he also relies on his coordinators and is very comfortable in his own skin. Carroll - CEO type; He's a good defensive guy - and e will put his stamp on things, but is a less intense mini belicheck in how he handles things. Or more like McDermott. Rivera - CEO type - same way (not sure Rivera belongs on this list). Arians - Genius - very unique / own style

So I haven't seen this name floated - but what happened to Jay Gruden. I thought he was a pretty good offensive mind. Could he be an option as an HC. I am sure someone will tell me he is already one somewhere in the league - but it felt like he disappeared from football after he got canned in Washington.

I can't complain - want to see what he does from a staffing perspective; He is a seasoned coach and seems to be a good teacher and I suspect will be very comfortable in his own skin. His defenses have been good and he seems to preach discipline, etc. I do think for Justin Fields sake - it will be important to find him a nucleus of coaches that can excite him in his development.

Either tomorrow they hire one of the 3 or we see another candidate come in. Will be interesting. Three days ago everyone assumed Daboll would be hired by Giants - he still hasn't been and now some reports that he has emerged as front runner in Miami.

Not a pretty 2nd half - but nice to be going streaking again and against a likely playoff team in the Raptors

What are they?

Supposedly these 3 candidates were Poles finalist. So highly likely one of these 3 is the head coach. I also got the impression from reports that Poles was allowed to talk to various candidates (other candidates might have as well) - so he had a pretty good idea getting into this point of who he wanted (which was these 3 - but he has full atanomy to expand the list if interested). It did sound like Daboll's interview did not go well. Got the impression from some of the rumors that he came off too much as an OC and not someone who had / could really articulate the bigger picture around being a head coach. Could be because he was burried gameplanning for a playoff game, could be that this whole experience (interviewing for HC) is still pretty new to him relative to vast majority of candidates the Bears met with (many of whom had material #'s of interviews in previous cycles and/or are previous head coaches). Leftwich was one name who might make his way back - sounded like he was pretty impressive but there was a lot of uncertainty surrounding the staff that left him (at least initially) on the outside of the finalist pool.

In many ways I think of it similar to you - it is why I think someone like Harbaugh (ST coach) has done so good with the Ravens. He was used to having to really work with the various functions to pull that collective unit together and with that in mind maybe better positioned for that. They do need to think strategy and vision - ensure they have an offense that fits the personell and style more collectively with the team (and vice versa with the defense). But than obviously rely on the experts below but be able to in my opinion provide the healthy check with those leaders - give them the space but at same time be there to help them where they have issues, where you need to tackle bigger items - create that safe space for real challenge that should get the best out of the collective. It is why I think coaches can improve in a 2nd go round because I think they learn this. I also get the impression that this might be where Leftwich and Daboll didn't impress. From reports it sounds like Leftwich was fairly impressive in his interview - but lacked the vision around coaching staff...not something to overcome cause that is why you have others with connections + agents that can help, but certainly a small red flat (at a minimum). With Daboll - it just sounds like he was flat in his interview (if I believe the reports). Maybe he hasn't had enough time to think of that broader vision and is too focused on here is how I will run the offense (which is important for someone you are hiring for that expertise and vision - but you can only do so much in those situations as well - although part of that depends on what sort of HC they are going to be - McVay still has a tight grip on that offense, especially early in his time as does Andy Reid - but they learn what they need to keep ownership on and what they empower others for, etc and if they are taking on a bigger grip in those areas - than you need to really lean on others to fill the gap in other spots. I do wonder with Daboll how much his lack of preperation had to do with multiple interviews and fact that you have a playoff game the next day (vs. some of the other candidates who were more impressive). Quinn had the same challenges as did others (around preperation) but they also have done this rodeo a heck of a lot more so there ability to show up and shine is less surprising than a candidate who is more green in the interview process (doesn't necessarily mean they won't succeed/excel at the job). We have all interviewed people that are great sales people but have no substance underneath (i.e., Nagy) and there are the alternatives - but as a HC you do need to be able to articulate that vision and show an ability to lead the bigger pitcher and empower others - if you can't do that you will absolutely fail (and in those cases - that is why sometimes your ceiling really is being a great OC).

I do think, whether Poles believes in Fields or not, the HC he brings in has to be 100% in on Fields and developing a culture to maximize his success. Just like I think Poles has to do as much too (whether he buys into Fields as a sure thing or not - he has to build a team to maximize the chances for a young QB to succeed (knowing he can always flip in a new young QB if Fields doesn't end up being the guy). But whomever the HC is - has to be 110% in. Everything they do has to be around making the most out of Fields. Not jamming some other offense or something else around him. It has to be about building the right unit for Justin Fields (and the Bears) to excel. While Caldwell doesn't excite me - I genuinely believes he has a passion to coach Fields and it sounds like he has spent a lot of time around a vision for designing an offense built around him. I still think I would love Daboll and just hope quietly Daboll has that same passion but didn't want to overplay that hand knowing that with uncertainty when he first interviewed with Bears - he had to keep his true enthusiasm close to the vest - because he knows he has a good fall back option with the Giants. I really want to read that Poles met with Daboll. Just seems crazy to hire a HC when you have a young QB like Fields, without meeting with the #1 offensive based candidate out there..and I would probably say the same about Leftwich.

I like Desai as well - so I wouldn't have an issue if we stuck with him, but I only throw out other names because no matter what I feel like the HC has to get assistants he trusts. If that is Desai awesome - he seems like a bright young coordinator...same with Graham. I am also good with someone like Fangio who probably doesn't get another HC role and you know he is really good at what he does.

If he had Fangio or someone exciting as a DC and some good young talent set to be his OC/QB guru - I could get pretty excited with Caldwell to be honest.

This is my take as well.

Yes - but I don’t reallly understand how they got that metric. How do you define the talent that was coached up to drive that stat?

If it were me I would deal both. If they were real lucky get a 2nd this year and one next year for Mack and maybe you can get a 3rd and a future 2nd for Quinn. Probably not realistic but both are old and won’t be a part of the peak Fields era (or if Fields isn’t the guy whomever the next attempt is). I may overstate the return here - Mack might still get a first (league tends to pay big for pass rushers). Mack is a steal for acquiring team since bears take the brunt of the cap issues too. If I could do that and somehow sign either a good tackle or center even better. There are both on marker and than I feel better about one of Borom or Jenkins being on the other side. Saints have good tackle that might be available.

One thing to note: Quinn and Eberflus are both 4-3 guys. Not sure what that means for certain personnel or not. I presume Roquan and Mack are studs in both and technically Quinn I believe had some of his better years in a 4-3 as well. Quan would be the MIKE in a 4-3 right?

It is kind of crazy to think - but Bears could hire their coach as soon as tomorrow. End of the day tomorrow we will get to see if Poles is extending search at all. He met with Caldwell today, no clue on whether they even interviewed Allen, and have Colts DC and Quinn in house tomorrow. Fact Quinn pushed off/delayed his Broncos interview so he could meet with Bears makes me think Quinn is announced at some point tomorrow and we will see a joint press conference on Thursday.