Monthly Archives: March 2015

Like the Packers, the Bears Are Drafting for the Long Haul

Posted on March 31, 2015 by Tom Shannon

Pete Dougherty at the Green Bay Press-Gazette thinks that Ted Thompson‘s draft strategy reflects the fact that there’s not much difference in drafting ability among NFL teams and that chance accounts for most of that difference. The smartest strategy is … Continue reading →

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Time Is a Quarterback’s Best Friend. And Other Points of View.

Posted on March 30, 2015 by Tom Shannon

Bears Brad Biggs at the Chicago Tribune interviews new Bears cornerback Alan Ball. Ball is a big defensive back at 6-2, 197 lb. You can’t have too many of them. Bears general manager Ryan Pace would seem to agree. Patrick … Continue reading →

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Winning and Losing on Your Own Terms

Posted on March 30, 2015 by Tom Shannon

Jeff Legwold at espn.com thinks the transition from former Broncos and current Bears head coach John Fox will be made easier for new Broncos head coach Gary Kubiak (above) by the retention of six of Fox’s assistant coaches – five on … Continue reading →

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Chip Kelly: Beauty or Beast?

Posted on March 30, 2015 by Tom Shannon

One of the most interesting off season stories has been head coach Chip Kelly‘s of the Philadelphia Eagles. Kelly (below) has made a flurry of moves including trading star runningback LeSean McCoy for linebacker Kiko Alanso and quarterback Nick Foles … Continue reading →

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Ineptitude, Thy Name Is “Dolphins”

Posted on March 30, 2015 by Tom Shannon

Want to know what a dysfunctional franchise looks like? Ordinarily I’d point to the Browns but sometimes I think the way the Dolphins are structured at the top with competition and rivalries amongst coaches and front office personnel make for … Continue reading →

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The Bears and the Butterflies

Posted on March 29, 2015 by Tom Shannon

Bears defensive end Jared Allen gives an honest assessment of his year last year and how draining it was emotionally to Dan Wiederer at the Chicago Tribune as he holds his baby daughter Lakelyn in his arms: “With each ugly … Continue reading →

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NFL Draft Analyst in the Know Thinking Defense for the Bears

Posted on March 29, 2015 by Tom Shannon

Bucky Brooks (above), a draft analyst at nfl.com, has special insight into the mind of Bears head coach John Fox. “‘Look for them to take a defensive player to get them back on track,’ Brooks said. ‘ … (Fox) wants … Continue reading →

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New Defense Maximizes the Chances That Players Will Make an Impact

Posted on March 28, 2015 by Tom Shannon

Rich Campbell at the Chicago Tribune desccribes where he thinks the position of edge rusher is as the Bears remake their defense into a 3-4 base: “Take your notions about a 4-3 end and save them for sub packages. While … Continue reading →

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Clausen as the Starter? Not Likely. But Not as Unlikely as People May Think.

Posted on March 27, 2015 by Tom Shannon

Some will deride the suggestion that Jimmy Clausen (above) could compete with Jay Cutler for the starting quarterback job despite John Fox‘s suggestion that there will be an “open competition” (via John Mullin at csnchicago.com). And I’m not laying money on … Continue reading →

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How Did Jay Cutler Actually Come to Be the Bears Guy in 2015? And Other Points of View.

Posted on March 27, 2015 by Tom Shannon

Bears Rich Campbell at the Chicago Tribune reports that Bears head coach John Fox will appoint five permanent captains rather than switching every week the way that former head coach Marc Trestman did. There will still be one appointed by … Continue reading →

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