Blang is right on the money, and I'm going to take it a step further who think its not fair to Carter to be compared to Anderson/A DE's production. Let's set Anderson aside and examine other top DTs (penetrating 3T/5T, non NT) going back as far as 2010 (so the past 12 years) and their college production who were drafted highly the way we assume Carter will be compared to a guy people think is a top 5 pick. Guys like Quinnen WIlliams, JJ Watt, Donkeyretard-cheapshot 'boy named' Suh, Sheldon Rankins, Fletcher Cox, Gerald McCoy, Tyson Alualu, and hell--I'll throw in a 340 lb beefcake NT Marcel Daraeus taken a few spots ahead of JJ Watt. If we want to comp a DT to someone similar/his own position in order to better see his value, here's a myriad of names drafted somewhere between 2 (boy named Suh in 2010) to as deep as 12 (Fletcher Cox and Sheldon Rankins). I've left Aaron Donald off this list intentionally because size-wise he's a unicorn that shouldn't be as good as he historically has been but for the record--Donald at Pitt blew Carter's stats out of the water too. Shockingly enough, Pitt has another unicorn named Calijah Kancey set to be drafted this year at 6'0, 280 lbs, also better production than Carter, right now projected as a 2nd/3rd rounder. Surprise surprise--each name I've listed has better production than Carter in college. Some by a a little like Fletcher Cox when he came out of Mississippi State. Then you have guys like 'boy named' Suh and Quinnen Williams who just blew the whole damn house and block down with their stats, lapping guys like Carter 2/3 times. Carter doesn't compare to them. Williams being all-the-more impressive given he only played 2 years then came out in the draft and the Jets probably don't regret taking him. Put these three together and ask who doesn't belong as a top 5 pick based on stats and its pretty clear Carter doesn't belong. Yet some pundits say he should go #1 if the bears stay there? So IMO now you really need to sell ability of Carter to proceed with him being a justifiable top 5 pick and you're already shooting yourself in the foot right out of the gate if you're in the 'pro-draft Carter' team, because he was invisible in the biggest games of this year for UGA and outside of him wrecking things alongside former UGA dawg Jordyn Davis in 2021--I don't see it, I'm not the only one who does, and the burden of proof shouldn't be on those who question the guy to prove he belongs in the conversation compared to his peers listed above. Even if you wanted to cherry pick Fletcher Cox, who coming out of college was slightly better statistically than Carter/the closest comparable to Carter--as the basis for wanting Carter--it still isn't good. Cox was far more polished than Carter and you could rely on his health. I also get Cox has been around for almost a decade so he obviously fixed his small things--not to say Carter can't--but I among several am/are missing something with Carter. I have an open mind about it because at this stage, I don't want to be in the crowd pissed off that the team drafted the wrong guy. I'll root for the guy no matter what. But my schpiel is a long-winded way of saying when we examine statistics and collegiate production (which for the record isn't the entire story of a prospect), Carter doesn't look like he belongs in the top 12 of the draft. Just on statistics alone. Ability is where he and those who want him will have to argue his value, and disappearing in 2 huge college playoff games (with a slight pass from me for the TCU game given he was doubled/tripled most of the time) along with pointing to past years starts the argument of being 'pro Carter' off to a bad start.
We have every right to be pissed if we draft the wrong guy with our first pick. This is the most important draft in memory. If Poles goes Carter he better have a damn good reasons for doing so, even if it's not obvious to us. Given that it's the second to last overreaction Monday of the season, let me say that I'm wondering if it's better to go o-line now instead with our first pick. Watching Burrow under constant pressure yesterday (yes I realize their o-line was banged up) reminded me of the Super Bowl 2 years ago when the Bucs harrassed Mahomes all day. Then you look at how well the Eagles run the ball all season with a 3 RB rotation (btw their RBs were drafted in the 2nd, 5th, and 6th rounds) and it's all about o-line. Especially since Poles is fine with the QB situation. Shouldn't protecting him be priority #1?
I asked the all-knowing ChatGPT to breakdown the strengths and weaknesses of Jalen Carter from the University of Georgia and Will Anderson from the University of Alabama. Here's what it said: Jalen Carter (University of Georgia): Strengths: Athleticism: Carter has impressive athleticism and quickness, allowing him to quickly get off the ball and make plays. Versatility: Carter can play multiple positions along the defensive line, adding value to his team. Power: Carter has a strong lower body, which enables him to play with good leverage and power against offensive linemen. Weaknesses: Technique: Carter needs to work on his technique and improve his hand placement when engaging with offensive linemen. Pass Rush: Although Carter has athleticism and quickness, he needs to develop a more effective pass rush move set. Consistency: Carter has shown flashes of brilliance but needs to be more consistent in his play. Will Anderson (University of Alabama): Strengths: Length: Anderson has impressive length, which allows him to disrupt passing lanes and contest passes. Physicality: Anderson plays with good physicality, using his strength to overpower offensive linemen. Run Stopper: Anderson is a solid run stopper and does a good job of holding the line of scrimmage. Weaknesses: Speed: Anderson lacks top-end speed and struggles to chase down ball carriers from behind. Pass Rush: Anderson needs to improve his pass rush skills, as he has struggled to get consistent pressure on the quarterback. Flexibility: Anderson could benefit from improving his flexibility, which would make him a more effective pass rusher.
So, it's no secret that the Bears will need some defensive linemen this off-season, and while we've talked plenty about potentially taking a guy like Carter early, I wanted to see what other options were out there. Someone suggested I watch Mazi Smith, out of Michigan. So, I watched his TCU tape from the end of this season. I really hope he has better tapes.
Ev and I have been screaming this for months. The eagles got Jason Peters’ best years before transitioning to Lane Johnson as their next bookend tackle. They draft OL early and get their best years. They don’t draft preinjured players and put them at every position except the one they played/looked good at in college. It’s why I’ve been dying on a hill from my LT from northwestern and will continue to even though I know it’s pointless. Why’s it pointless? It’s the bears. They’re not preinjured and the bears won’t play them at tackle anyways. They have 100 mil to spend, we know most of it is going to defense. Not that a decent chunk shouldn’t, because the DL especially needs help and there should be some names on the right side of 30 available. They may buy a name or draft an IOL, and probably sign a guy to replace Reiff, who I wouldnt hate if he came back. But that’s the most I expect. I also expect us to be wondering why the bears passing game sucks because teams will plan to take away Fields rolling away from bumass Braxton Jones so he has 3 seconds to throw.
There is an argument to be made over the value of both Carter and Anderson Jr. The stats are not there for Carter BUT he is pretty much unblockable. If you want to go by hit percentage DT’’s have been one of the safest bets early in the first round. Carter is as a consensus top 5 pick as you will find. Easy safe pick if he is there when the Bears pick. I still don’t want him because the FA market for interior DL is richer than edge rusher, cb and o line. As for Anderson JR. If he is available when the Bears pick I take him and never look back. IMO he is the perfect mix of high motor, high production athlete you want chasing QB’s in a Bears uniform for the next 10 years. Now I only want Anderson if we trade down with say the Colts. This still is not my number 1 preference. What should really happen is either Poles moves down multiple times or moves down to say 7 or 9 and gets a much better haul. He can then take Pat’s boy Skoronski or maybe one of the top corners or one of the other highly touted edge defenders to go along with at least a high 2nd rounder and multiple other ‘23 lower round picks plus an extra 1 st rounder next season +. I agree that Jones isn’t a sure fire HOFer but there have been a lot of OT’s taken much higher that struggled more than he did last season and went on to improve and become top end talent. Doesn’t mean you don’t take a tackle high in this draft, just think you’re being a bit hard on the kid. Besides if there isn’t a massive upgrade at C it won’t matter how good your tackles are.
Why can’t two things be true at the same time? It was a weak OT draft class, and Jones performed admirably given his circumstances (and had the health) but also was par for the course on his best day (second packers game) while cringeworthy bad most days—on the worst team in the league now with the #1 pick in the draft. If the bears plan is to suck, I see why you keep rolling him out as a starter. If you’re serious about trying to get better, I don’t know why he isn’t a name needing replacement. But otherwise it makes no sense to me when people say “Fields needs more protection and weapons” but you still want to roll with a guy who an undrafted rookie from Detroit along with many others rag dolled around when it comes to a 3-5 step drop?
Al-Something Muhammad has been cut. This is a great move that works on a number of levels. 1- He straight up stunk and deserved to be cut on that simple basis alone. His stats for the year make very quick reading, incredible really just what a non-factor he was, run or pass. Rapsheet said he'll have plenty of interest(lol). I think he'd look great in piss yellow. 2- They clear nearly $4mil in cap space with this move, all good. And it doesnt create an extra whole cos the guy was a walking hole whenever he was on the field anyway. 3- More snaps for a young guy to develop, or a vet who can actually play. 4- Possibly most importantly, this was a HCs guy that got cut and i love that cos it suggests no favourites and you earn your roster spot or you are out, exactly as it should be but isnt always. Now, we don't actually know how much Eberflus was on board with this move, but i think its a safe bet he was on board to at least a pretty large degree. Im feeling generous so im gonna say that. Either way, we know Poles was on board cos he made the call so, in this case, well done GM.
This point is perfectly illustrated in the bizarre amount of love Jones seems to be getting in the national media. They have no one else to shout about at that position from that draft class so they boost Jones. Late round pick who never misses a snap but also happens to be largely poop, the comparison is unavoidable. FS did we just get another Charles Leno.
Cutting bum ass mohammed was the right move, and should have been done on black Monday. But I also think the bears need to completely overhaul the DE position. Don’t stop there. Trevis Gipson and this rookie Robinson were equally useless and disappeared quickly, without the stupid penalties. I think the bears have to buy 2. There’ll be plenty of names on the right side of 30 available in the upcoming couple weeks. Think the FA negotiating window opens march 7 and actual FA March 15. That’s the exact comparison I see. Even the stupid offsides/timely holding we said it in the game threads. His best “pass blocking” plays came when the QB rolled away from him. That’s just not what a team trying to run a modern offense does. That’s the kid unprepared for class trying to copy homework/scribble off the kid’s desk next to him before he wonders why he’s failing class. And we are in a losing predicament in that the vast majority of this stupid fan base (go to ccs and Reddit to have your brain cells be cruelly and unusually punished) is content with that level of play, and don’t think there’s need to get better because WR separation somehow fixes the shittiest OL in the NFL. Speaking of Charles Leno…
Gotta be honest, im a little surprised we haven't heard about even 1 extension by now. I thought at least 1 of Mooney, Monty, JJ or even Kmet would've got paid, not least because if gives you a better idea where you are with FA approaching. FAs a little later this year, maybe they still will. Personally i think Mooney is a lock to get paid, partly cos i dont see him asking for crazy money giving both sides room to make something work. JJ will probably get paid...if he doesnt take the piss. But if he demands top10 money, hard to see how thats gonna fly. I think he's gonna demand top10 money despite the fact he is most definitely not top10. I like JJ, but he aint that. Kmet def got better last year. Personally i wouldn't be paying him big cos i think he's very near his ceiling now and you can pick up TEs like him in the 4th round of any draft. I suspect the Bears are higher on him than that tho. Given what Poles said about Monty in the end of season presser i really felt they were gonna bring him back. But its been very quiet and i've even seen an article or two saying the Bears are gonna let him walk. Now, it may be that whats taken place up to now was the Bears helping Monty understand his true market this offseason and if that were so then i'd be impressed with Poles cos it would be good GM'ing. You guys know i'm a Monty fan, but put his numbers together with a stacked RB FA market and his true value is what it is. This talk or $10mil per is laughable to me, just not happening. Much as i like him i wouldn't pay him 7. Ideal outcome is Monty comes back on a very affordable contract. Its never easy when money's involved but there's reasons to think that can happen. Maybe im giving too much credit, but i like to think Poles is playing this very well. But time will tell...
Payne gets the tag. Boooo! Mariota just got released. I wouldn’t mind him as a backup one but. As for signing our own JJ would be my top priority. You can’t have enough good corners.
The quest for finding a DT outside of the top 3-5 spots in the draft continues. Mazi Smith was a middle round guy, so I figured I'd take a look at one of the guys mock drafts keep showing as a first round pick, behind Carter at the position: Brian Bresee from Clemson. I watched his 2022 tape against FSU. First and foremost - why the fuck isn't he on the field??? I'm not sure that he took even half of his team's defensive snaps. This is a giant red flag for me. It's one of my hard rules - if they're not good enough for the college team, why would they be in the NFL? For example, Trubisky couldn't win a starting position from behind a guy that never had the talent for the NFL, and wasn't exactly lighting things up. That's not #2 pick material. If Brian Bresee is so good, why isn't he on the field? Sure, Clemson has lots of talent, but a first round draft pick shouldn't be a backup / rotational guy at his college program. So, when he was on the field... I see some of what has people excited. He's big, he can get downhill, he's strong... But I didn't see a guy who dominated. In fact, I saw him get locked up 1 on 1 a couple times, which is saying something considering how relatively few snaps he had. He had an ACL tear in 2021, so the question is, is 2022 Brian Bresee just who he is, or is this a step in his recovery and he's poised to get better at the next level? We all know how Jerry Angelo would answer that. If a team takes him in the second or third, I could get it. I don't see a first round pick. Again, maybe I picked a bad game for him. Seems I do that a lot... On to the next one.
Annoying, but expected unfortunately. There are still other good options in FA and the Bears have to land one. At DE a guy i'd like them to target is Zach Allen of the Cardinals. He really caught the eye last year, every time i watched one of their games he stood out. The FA DE market is full of very ageing names so i do wonder if that is gonna lead to Allen getting overpaid. I'm not convinced the Bears are just gonna outbid for every player they have a semi boner for this FA. Despite all the talk about Jalen Carter, when you look at the respective talent pools in FA & the draft, even after Payne, there's a real case that the Bears should be focusing on DT over DE in FA and DE or DT in the draft, at least in terms of that first defensive selection.
And I can’t help laugh when former beat writers with integrity turned into hot take provocateurs like Brad Biggs and Dan Weiderer said cutting Leno was one of Paces biggest mistakes. Fully disagree. Medicare eligible Jason Peters in his deteriorated state was better on the blindside. Payne was to be expected. Teams don’t let 25 year old players playing at an elite level walk away. No. No. No. no. Fuck no. God no to Marcus Mariota. Stop the nonsense. This idea is all over CCS and Reddit. Trevor Simien makes 1.84 million next year. The bears don’t need a back up who will want in the range of 8-10 mil like what he got in Atlanta when they already have one with starters experience making under 2 goddamned million, whom Fields said he learned from that one week watching him get rid of the ball quickly. That, and Ryan Pace is gone. Samson Ebukam from San Francisco is another name. Really liked him week 1. He made Borom and Jones look equally stupid. As did Bosa, who SF has to pay and has next to zero cap to keep 26 year old Ebukam this year. There will be DT in FA, but the bears will have to reach for late-20s options. Stealing 29 year old Dalvin Tomlinson from the cash strapped Vikings short term isn’t a bad move. Take a good piece away from a division rival. Can also try with Ogunjobi again or David Onyematta from NO is another name. I get none is a 25 year old wrecking ball like Payne. But DC is also a team to keep watching for another year. They paid Jon Allen big money at 3T. They tagged Payne now. They have to do something with Montez Sweat and Chase Young as both are set to be FA next year. Will they keep all 4? He had knee reconstruction surgery from a major knee injury in 2021, and he’s been Percy ‘Sniffles’ Harvin at DT ever since, seemingly having small issues all of 2022. Pre-injury he was near unstoppable and I get why people saw/projected him as a 1st rounder. He’s preinjured, so I expect him to be on Poles’ radar. If the bears came away with one of these two, Brandon Dorlus from Oregon or Keanu Benton from Wisconsin, I’ll be a happy camper. They’re my favorite 4 DT for this upcoming draft. Tuipolutu worries me. Think he’ll sneak into the end of the 1st because of his flexibility to be a disrupting 3/5 tech, hands down DE, or 3-4 edge standing up and how usc wrecked teams moving him around to the weakest link on opposing OLines.
Wow. How to tank your own draft stock. Jalen Carter is a tard. Report: Jalen Carter was present at teammate’s fatal crash, misled police about it
