Last week of TC. Here is some info from Hoge/Jahns/Fishbain

On the podcast:

Hoge/Jahns

on scrimmage: it was confusing to try and figure out what to take b/c it was all scripted and 1 qb worked w/the 2nd team and wr's that won't make the squad the entire time. Mitch had 2 picks, but one was not a real pick b/c it was a sack and the coaches asked the qb to continue on w/the play and throw the ball even if they were sacked. Problem is the throw was to a rookie kid that won't make the team that stopped playing, along w/most of the rest of the team, but Fuller didn't. The 2nd was a tip at the line and Fuller got another pick from it. *Mentions Fuller has beasted all TC*. Said they don't want to make excuses for him, but at the same time seemed unfair to have the backup OL/WR's vs the first team def. Mentioned that Fole's best day(weds) was b/c he had to great throws to Ridley/Wims who both beat the 5th rd rookie CB when he was in on substitutions. Said they should beat that kid easy and they did; gave credit for Foles for spotting it and taking advantage, but he won't get that in the real season when the CB's in this div aren't going to be 5th rd rookies. Said the OL is not looking great, nor is depth at WR, specifically stating that Wims/Ridley haven't taken the next step even though they've both looked good in camp, and the Bears need them to take that next step. Mooney has looked good but has had a few drops, said don't expect much from Rookies. Said Nall is likely the primary RB if Monty isn't ready for wk1, or Pierce; and they didn't put that in a good light. Said Def is going to be fine, really didn't say much about Foles good or bad, other then no picks in scrimmage, but didn't necessarily win the job in scrimmage either. Also pointed out, after dogging the OL, that it's hard to judge the OT's b/c they aren't really allowed to hit in TC/practice the way they would in games.

Fishbane article w/Jahns Risers and Fallers:

Riser Graham, all pro/pro bowl? No better then Burton or any other TE last year yes.

Kmet, again not all pro/pro bowl but can be a legit threat in the O from day 1, the Bears now have 2 legit TE's. *Something this Offense requires is a legit stud at TE, the Bears have lacked that, might still, but at least have NFL talent there now.

Nichols: Goldman will be missed, but Nichols has been one of the better D players in camp and has spent a ton of time in the backfield.

RRH: if it wasn't Nichols it was RRH wreaking Havoc for the Def.

Mooney: first step/speed is visable. The fact he spent a ton of time w/the first team O is a huge tell w/how comfortable the Bears coaches are w/him.

Skrine: eventually Johnson is going to take the starting outside CB role, but the coaches are obviously okay w/Skrine there for the time being. In sub packages he'll get moved inside, but the coaches and his play have shown he's capable of handling the outside role

Wims: starting camp looked like the odd man out, after camp he's taken advantage of Robsinson/Miller being out and has been the best deep ball threat on the field for them.

James Daniels: for all the steps that Nichols/RRH took, he has also

Falling:

Foles: not an inspiring TC for him, to many check downs. Not near enough accuracy or zip on the ball. A few nice deep balls but not enough. Expectations to high b/c of the high praise the coaching staff had for him?

Mitch: wasn't consistent enough to possibly overtake Foles who the coaches seem to be more drawn to. Was better then last year, especially deep but not enough. But still not sure how to grade/judge the plays this year, really by either qb, when playing w/guys that won't be on the team(ie time w/the 2's).

Eddie P: not 1 kick in practice, inj is the main issue, but is he inj prone now?

Coward: There was never a competition here, it was Efeidi from day 1 as the starter. Might not be a "faller" but might be a bubble player w/Bars stepping up his play. Coward might be more valuable as he is more versatile.

Tolliver: didn't take advantage of the shots w/Burns going down, not enough plays made.

Horsted: Saubert was more noticeable on the field, Horsted only had one big play in TC, and that was a nice pass from Tru in scrimmage. Definitely will end up at least on PS.

Neither fall/rise

Ridley: didn't take advantage the way Wims did, or how the coaches apparently expected him to do. Not a bad camp, but not great either

Gipson: coaches said moving him to OLB was the correct move, but not enough chances to shine, and what little he had he didn't, just to many OLB's in front of him.

DHarris: considering expectations were so low, almost made Risers, he'll be a good blocking TE and occasional mismatch as a target.

My thoughts:

Bears are drafting a qb in rd 1 next year, probably could have this year if they hadn't traded so many picks previoiusly.

WR's outside of ARob and Mooney are nothing special; maybe Miller if he takes a step and can stay healthy

Bears media/fans are going to look really dumb for all the TE grief they gave the team

RB is going to be a problem until Monty is there

Goldman might be regretting sitting out this year if Nichols/RRH are looking as good as they have been.

OT is going to be another early draft selection, Massie/Leno haven't stood out

Def is going to be scary good.

Kicker ? Eddie wouldn't be in this position if he could stay healthy but here we are again. Why Santos, and not the kid that was actually brought in as "competition". How bad was he that  Eddie w/out ever taking an attempt beat him

From the sounds of it, the NFCN is going to be tough again top to bottom, ya even the Lions. Also heard praise about the Vikings offseason again, and they said they like their O more b/c it's more QB friendly, so even though they don't like Cousins more he's in a better position to succeed.

Still think the Team is better then 8-8 or worse, Guessing 10 wins but this year is going to be all sorts of screwed up so nothing will surprise me.