How close are the Bears to being competitive?

[BaBaBlacksheep]

Especially since we had to spend a 4th rounder on a 1 year rental.

I wouldn't be surprised if Keenan is back with the Chargers next year.

I was fine with the 4th when I thought we were getting one of the leagues best WR’s.

This years version looks every bit his age.

 

[BaBaBlacksheep]

The new qb and oc would have been the change in scenery…

Yeah Waldron would have done him wonders.

 

[Montucky]

The issue is no one he could have taken high in the draft has actually been significantly better.

Just like no one at C Bears fans wanted has been significantly better than Shelton as of late.

Charles Cross. Who would’ve been available to the Bears had they not made the calamitous Justin Fields trade.

But yup, you are correct that unless you are pretty pretty high up in the draft or get pretty lucky you can’t really get a good player for that particular position, and even then the success rate is pretty dismal.

This is why I am so skeptical that the Bears can just snap their fingers and fix this offensive line in one offseason.

 

[remydat]

Charles Cross. Who would’ve been available to the Bears had they not made the calamitous Justin Fields trade.

But yup, you are correct that unless you are pretty pretty high up in the draft or get pretty lucky you can’t really get a good player for that particular position, and even then the success rate is pretty dismal.

This is why I am so skeptical that the Bears can just snap their fingers and fix this offensive line in one offseason.

Cross has given up 15 sacks, 13 QB hits and 122 total pressures. Jones is at 11, 8, 94. Give him same number of passing snaps as Cross and it would be 15, 11, 130.

So again not really significantly better especially when one is a top 10 pick and the other is a 5th rounder.

 

[modo]

I have always said next year was when “the window” opens and they wouldn’t truly be competitive until then.

I still feel that way. Build the lines some more this offseason. Get a new HC. CW keeps improving.

It’s not a given. They still have to make the right moves. But nothing that I’ve seen so far has dissuaded me from thinking good times are a year away.

Am I wrong?

(For the purpose of this discussion I will define competitive as a team that can make the playoffs and have a shot at winning a game)

If I am wrong how far away are the Bears? Total tear down stage? Two years?

They actually are not far...

However, I believe they have the wrong coaching staff. And if Poles' priority isn't the o and d line next year, the wrong GM

 

[Montucky]

Cross has given up 15 sacks, 13 QB hits and 122 total pressures. Jones is at 11, 8, 94. Give him same number of passing snaps as Cross and it would be 15, 11, 130.

So again not really significantly better especially when one is a top 10 pick and the other is a 5th rounder.

Charles Cross is going to the Pro Bowl this year, possibly All Pro. The guy has fully arrived, took him a bit but he’s everything they wanted. Another reason why this fool’s errand of fixing multiple spots across the offensive line is so impossible, these guys take so much time to develop and there are some rough spots you have to endure.

 

[remydat]

Charles Cross is going to the Pro Bowl this year, possibly All Pro. The guy has fully arrived, took him a bit but he’s everything they wanted. Another reason why this fool’s errand of fixing multiple spots across the offensive line is so impossible, these guys take so much time to develop and there are some rough spots you have to endure.

I guess we will see but so far not much difference. Even this year Cross has 2 sacks, 4 hits and 30 total pressures compared to 2, 2 and 22 for Jones. Again giving Jones the same number of pass rush snaps and it is 3, 3 and 33.

 

[Montucky]

I guess we will see but so far not much difference. Even this year Cross has 2 sacks, 4 hits and 30 total pressures compared to 2, 2 and 22 for Jones. Again giving Jones the same number of pass rush snaps and it is 3, 3 and 33.

No, there’s a massive difference. Both in pass protection and the run game. Cross is now one of the top five-ish premier left tackles in the league (though probably on the lower end of that tier) while Braxton Jones is just a guy. He played well against Green Bay, typically when he does that he regresses the next week. Minnesota is third in the NFL in sacks.

I’m sure if those worthless PFF grades had them even close you’d be trumpeting them.

 

[remydat]

No, there’s a massive difference. Both in pass protection and the run game. Cross is now one of the top five-ish premier left tackles in the league (though probably on the lower end of that tier) while Braxton Jones is just a guy. He played well against Green Bay, typically when he does that he regresses the next week. Minnesota is third in the NFL in sacks.

I’m sure if those worthless PFF grades had them even close you’d be trumpeting them.

I didnt post PFF grades because you guys cry about them.



But Jones was better tbeor first 2 years and Cross has been better this Year. Still not a significant difference from a pass blocking perspective and still more of the season to go.