Post by JABF on Feb 22, 2023 12:18:46 GMT -6
I really believe Mooney is still that guy if Claypool (in his first full off-season and regular season with Fields) clicks with Fields. I think there is a very good possibility that Claypool will be solid this year with Fields. If that happens then I think we'll see a 2021 version of Mooney (or better). I'll take that and be happy.
I'm just going to watch what Poles does in regard to adding a WR. He could do anything, including adding a good WR in the draft who ultimately could be better for the Bears than signing a guy like Hopkins. Hopkins dropped almost to the 2nd round when he was drafted. Higgins was a 2nd round pick. Kupp a 3rd round pick. My only point is that maybe Poles has a guy he believes can be a great WR for us, and that guy is in this draft, and the best move for the Bears could be to go with the young guy. We really don't know. And nothing is a sure thing - even adding an aging injury prone guy like Hopkins (who missed 14 games the last two seasons) is a guaranteed slam dunk. In the end I'm just going to trust Poles and Cunningham to get the WR unit upgraded the best possible with the available resources.
“Waddle was the Bears go-to guy on 3rd downs and made so many tough catches over the middle that he became a fan favorite and even earned a place on the “All-Madden” team.”
We all loved Waddle back in those days. I am sure you remember him. He was not drafted, because he was very slow in the 40-yd., but he made up for it with precision route running. He meets my standard (butkus) for “very good” route runner.
I agree that Mooney has the potential to be 1,000 yard receiver again if they move him outside where he belongs and bring in a slot receiver who is a better route runner…not saying he is bad or “meh” at it, only that I want BETTER.
+1
I totally get what you are saying. We all just want to see a stronger WR unit, and I think that will happen this year. What exactly that will look like, I have no idea. But there are a lot of ways that Poles can upgrade both the WR and OL units. Regarding describing a standard for who we need, I figure I'm going to be okay with getting a guy who compliments the WRs we now have, and makes the unit better. And of course we all want a guy who can get separation, run good routes & catch the ball reliably. I think we will get that guy, but it's going to be a time for us to be patient (FA and draft both being executed by the Bears well). Right now it's frustrating having to wait. But we all realize there isn't a way around the wait.