+1 And I would include Eberflus and his coaching staff in that "explaining" category too. I like Eberflus so far, but he needs to show improvement too.
Last year I gave them a pass. Not this year. The players must produce that Poles picked up. Fields have more weapons and he has to show results. The coaching staff has the players now.
The clock for improvement is now ticking!
Yeah, and of course we don't expect a finished product right way, but just show improvement. The team was tore down in 2022, and in 2023 is just beginning the first year of the rebuild, and in 2024 will build a year-2 of talent on top of this year's talent. I expect we will begin to see a MUCH better team on gamedays than lasts year's team. But all of these rookies and new players will be a work-in-progress this year too.
I'll put it this way. If the Bears finish 6 wins or less, Justin and Ryan have some explaining to do. Both of them.
+1 And I would include Eberflus and his coaching staff in that "explaining" category too. I like Eberflus so far, but he needs to show improvement too.
Fair enough
The whole rebuild plan would have to be called into question. Every element. Poles and the coaching staff aren't in danger barring a total meltdown but I do think 2023 is "put up or shut up time" for Fields. If he isn't at least 60% comp rate and min 2:1 TD/INT ratio (fewer fumbles would be good too), then yeah he deserves criticism.
This isn't the circa 1997 NFL where young QBs aren't expected to play for a couple years. And I would add that the division doesn't look particularly strong either so 3-3 in the NFCN should be the minimum expectation.
If Fields isn't the best QB in the division by years end, his future will be in doubt. He's way more talented than Cousins or Goff.
The crazy thing is, that is not out of the realm of possibility. I don't think it is probable. But it is certainly possible if these new players (draft and FAs), along with our 2nd year players (like Brax for example) have an immediate and significant impact this year.
I just can't wait for the regular season to roll around. This waiting to watch the real games is killing me. BTW, I have tickets for the KC Chiefs vs Bears game at Arrowhead in late September. That one will be a nice measuring stick to see how far we still have to go with this team. If we are at least competitive in that game, then that's going to feel mighty good.
Post by dachuckster on May 17, 2023 9:25:24 GMT -6
I see a floor for the 2023 year of 6 wins and a ceiling of 10. I'd be happy with 8 or more wins.
But more than improvements in W-L numbers, I am really looking for a lot of statistical improvements. Like reducing opponent sacks, reduced turnovers, etc.
If the offense is really improved, we should see better passing and running games. Higher completion percentage, reduced interceptions. increased passing yardage and scoring. I really want to see the number of sacks cut in half (or better). In the running game, I want to see the number of both rushing attempts and yards by Fields to get cut to maybe half of what he did last year. I would like to see more attempts by the RBs and higher yardage by the RBs. I know with Fields' freakish athleticism we will see him cut loose on a few runs per game. I hope it continues and actually hope his yards per rush attempt goes a lot higher. But Fields put a lot of mileage on his body last year. I don't think that level of running is sustainable in the long term.
Assuming that Poles gets a veteran edge rusher and our draft class works out, we should see a significant improvement in our defensive performance. I would love to see our defense go from #29 (in total yards allowed) up to above #20 in league rankings making it close to being about average for the league.
IMO those statistical improvements are more important than the W-L numbers. If at year's end we see that our offense is in the top half of the league and the defense is seriously improved, I feel that Poles' strategy is sound. i am not hung up on the specifics of a given player move.
I hope it continues and actually hope his yards per rush attempt goes a lot higher. But Fields put a lot of mileage on his body last year. I don't think that level of running is sustainable in the long term.
+1 I love that he CAN run but hope that he is smart about it. Get his yards and then get down. Avoid unnecessary wear and team on his body - and certainly don't risk a season ending (or career ending) injury as best he can. I get it, that injuries happen... it's football. But you can still be smart and do things that lessen the risk and wear to the body. We have a stout RB unit to run the ball. Fields needs to be a QB, not an RB.
I hope it continues and actually hope his yards per rush attempt goes a lot higher. But Fields put a lot of mileage on his body last year. I don't think that level of running is sustainable in the long term.
+1 I love that he CAN run but hope that he is smart about it. Get his yards and then get down. Avoid unnecessary wear and team on his body - and certainly don't risk a season ending (or career ending) injury as best he can. I get it, that injuries happen... it's football. But you can still be smart and do things that lessen the risk and wear to the body. We have a stout RB unit to run the ball. Fields needs to be a QB, not an RB.
To see the effects of a ton of running on an NFL QB all you need to do is watch Cam Newton's last couple of seasons. Personally, I believe that Fields has more skills than Newton. But I always thought that Carolina should have had better offensive design and developed Newton more as a passer. If they did, my guess is they would have won a Super Bowl or two.