Why do you think Fox is above average? Why should we Keep him this bad?
I don't see it. Our Team wasn't injured to start the year and they were bad coached. Fox seems to lose Fangio as his DC. We have a 9-20 Record under him. That's worse than Trestman who lost the room and hasn't had a Fangio D.
Here's the better question, why do you think this team is capable of doing anything more than it's doing right now?
Their first 3 games were against an Eagles team that was 5-0 before it's first loss to a Washington team who was on a 4-0 run. A loss to a Cowboys team who only has 2 losses, which happen to be to the same team, and a Texans team they probably should have beat, but a Texans team who nonetheless has 7 wins this season. Some of you act like we played a bunch of bums those first 3 games. Now I'm not saying Fox is infallible, but this was not a play off team this year, and with the injuries it's even less of one.
As for Fangio, I'll believe it when I see it. Till then I think it's nothing more than a media base that has had it in for Fox for a year using their MSU doctorates. Fangio CHOSE the Bears over going to the Redskins...and a year later he wants out? Sorry...doesn't pass the sniff test.
So yes...IT CAN BE WORSE THAN IT IS NOW! Be careful what all of you are wishing for...you just may get it.
Unless you're talking about a winless season, I really don't see how it could be worse than it is right now.
We had the 2nd easiest schedule in the league (3 wins only!), 9-20 overall, top 5 pick...
Btw, we can laugh at the 49ers all we want, but the fact is they had the most difficult schedule this year. Also keep in mind we have more talented players than SF.
T-1 Frisco: 0.555 - 1-12 record T-30 Bears: 0.461 - 3-10 record
What does that tell you? Can you imagine how this season would be like if we had the 49ers' schedule this year?
You may want to update that strength of schedule ranking. Pre-season rankings are nice, but they don't take into account what a team has done during the off season, just what they did the previous season...but it all changes once games are actually played. See below ranked from easiest to most difficult
STRENGTH OF SCHEDULE (Weeks 1-14) Team W L T Pct Detroit 66 89 1 .426 Miami 66 87 3 .433 New England 67 86 3 .439 NY Jets 70 83 3 .458 Arizona 71 84 1 .458 Tennessee 72 84 0 .462 San Francisco 71 82 3 .465 Seattle 73 83 0 .468 Dallas 73 80 3 .478 Tampa Bay 75 79 2 .487 Baltimore 75 79 2 .487 NY Giants 76 78 2 .494 Indianapolis 77 79 0 .494 Cincinnati 77 79 0 .494 Carolina 76 78 2 .494 Chicago 78 78 0 .500 Denver 78 77 1 .503 Buffalo 77 76 3 .503 Los Angeles 78 76 2 .506 Minnesota 80 74 2 .519 Jacksonville 81 75 0 .519 New Orleans 82 73 1 .529 Cleveland 81 72 3 .529 Philadelphia 81 71 4 .532 Kansas City 83 73 0 .532 San Diego 84 72 0 .538 Green Bay 83 71 2 .538 Atlanta 83 71 2 .538 Washington 84 71 1 .542 Pittsburgh 84 70 2 .545 Oakland 85 71 0 .545 Houston 85 71 0 .545
I cannot argue the reasoning, but this team is closer than a three win season would suggest. The secondary is subpar, no depth at OT, more impact OLBs could not hurt, John Fox is a douche, etc.
However, the biggest problem keeping this team down right now is scoring points. No other position can change that quicker than a talented quarterback.
Jay Cutler is so over this team and vice versa.
Matt Barkley is a young Brian Hoyer and Brian Hoyer is Brian Hoyer.
Make a serious quarterback change and watch the spark light.
I know that Barkley is not a great QB but he has played well enough the last three games. To me the biggest issue other than QB is WRs. With competent WRs they would have won those games. The Bears need to add more talent at the WR position too. Getting Jeffery back and White staying healthy could go a long ways but they're going to need some more depth. What they have now has proven to be not enough.
Barkley has played well enough to be considered a young Brian Hoyer instead someone that would be hanging dry wall this time next year.
And yes, it sucks when we are stuck with fourth and fifth string recievers. All the same...I think a QB change would provide a major spark.
More so than any receiver, pass rusher, cornerback, coach or McCaskey can do.
"They have real problems with edge guys and could use upgrades on both sides,'' he said."
I think we've had such horrible offensive lines over recent years that we now see mediocre tackles as being great. To their credit, Leno and Massie are mediocre. And that is certainly better than in the past. But the Bears should always be on the lookout for improvement. Yes, we have greater needs than the DL and OL. But that doesn't mean the Dline and Oline should be forgotten and considered "fixed" permanently.
In fact, I wouldn't be upset if we picked a lineman this year in one of the first two rounds, if that guy was clearly the BPA when we pick. That is better than over drafting a guy just because we have a need & we pick a mediocre guy instead of an impact player. And yes, linemen can be impact players too. Few will agree with me on that though :-)
"They have real problems with edge guys and could use upgrades on both sides,'' he said."
I think we've had such horrible offensive lines over recent years that we now see mediocre tackles as being great. To their credit, Leno and Massie are mediocre. And that is certainly better than in the past. But the Bears should always be on the lookout for improvement. Yes, we have greater needs than the DL and OL. But that doesn't mean the Dline and Oline should be forgotten and considered "fixed" permanently.
In fact, I wouldn't be upset if we picked a lineman this year in one of the first two rounds, if that guy was clearly the BPA when we pick. That is better than over drafting a guy just because we have a need & we pick a mediocre guy instead of an impact player. And yes, linemen can be impact players too. Few will agree with me on that though :-)
Why are they only medicore? The only time they suck is when cutler is in there. RB's have holes, and QB's, not named Cutler, don't get pressured. I'm not saying they are all pro's, but they are far better then mediocre. Right now this OL, which is beat up has given up about 1/2 a sack a game when Hoyer and Barkley are at qb. I'd say that's better then mediocre.
In fact, I'd say the exact opposite is true, the fans are so used to beating up the OL b/c of how bad it's been they don't understand that these guys, now that Cutler isn't in there sucking balls, are very capable.
I think we've had such horrible offensive lines over recent years that we now see mediocre tackles as being great. To their credit, Leno and Massie are mediocre. And that is certainly better than in the past. But the Bears should always be on the lookout for improvement. Yes, we have greater needs than the DL and OL. But that doesn't mean the Dline and Oline should be forgotten and considered "fixed" permanently.
In fact, I wouldn't be upset if we picked a lineman this year in one of the first two rounds, if that guy was clearly the BPA when we pick. That is better than over drafting a guy just because we have a need & we pick a mediocre guy instead of an impact player. And yes, linemen can be impact players too. Few will agree with me on that though :-)
Why are they only medicore? The only time they suck is when cutler is in there. RB's have holes, and QB's, not named Cutler, don't get pressured. I'm not saying they are all pro's, but they are far better then mediocre. Right now this OL, which is beat up has given up about 1/2 a sack a game when Hoyer and Barkley are at qb. I'd say that's better then mediocre.
In fact, I'd say the exact opposite is true, the fans are so used to beating up the OL b/c of how bad it's been they don't understand that these guys, now that Cutler isn't in there sucking balls, are very capable.
The same argument could be made for Barkley... in fact some are already saying we may have our starting QB. I think it boils down to how good of a player we feel we need (QB or DL or OL or wherever). When is "good enough" not the end-all answer? I would have zero problem upgrading either tackle or both over the next couple years. And if a stellar guy drops to us in the early rounds of this coming draft I would be fine pulling the trigger on that guy.
I get it that we have some glaring needs at some positions. But I think a smart team is always looking and open to upgrading the Dline or Oline if a great player is available.
Who is saying should be the starter? None of the beat writers are saying that, none of the sports guys I listen to are saying that. There is a ton of questions about Barkley that need to get answered before you can say that.
Glaring needs on this team right now, and come the draft: QB/backup QB(only Cutler has a contract and he should be cut day 1 after the season ends) WR possibly #2 WR(AJ might not be back, White is an unkown, the rest are depth nothing more or less) TE(Miller isn't capable of finishing a season, as proof of the fact that he never has, he's also not a 2 way TE, something you need for a run first team) DE(another 5 tech on the other side of Hicks and Goldman would do wonders, Unrien isn't very good, and the guys behind him aren't better then him, don't believe me, where has David been w/the PFF scores of his boy Corny? My guess is it wasn't very good and then Corny was replaced again by Unrien the moment he was healthy again) 2 CB's 2 S's, Amos and porter are the best of the bunch, and they are barely passable, which is why it's so easy to pass on the Bears, the Bears have a bunch of run stopping safeties, and not a one can cover a WR or TE). OLB depth, Young and Floyd are the only OLB's that are any good and that can be relied on to stay healthy, McPhee is the starter, but a situational guy at best b/c of his legs, and Houston is likely cut next year. RB Howard is a beast, but having someone better then Carey and Langford would be huge OT's This is where tackles rank on the list of team needs, very capable startres OG's OG's are better then the OT's OCs OC's are likely better then the OG's if only b/c you have 2 high round picks here ILB is set
I know that Barkley is not a great QB but he has played well enough the last three games. To me the biggest issue other than QB is WRs. With competent WRs they would have won those games. The Bears need to add more talent at the WR position too. Getting Jeffery back and White staying healthy could go a long ways but they're going to need some more depth. What they have now has proven to be not enough.
Barkley has played well enough to be considered a young Brian Hoyer instead someone that would be hanging dry wall this time next year.
And yes, it sucks when we are stuck with fourth and fifth string recievers. All the same...I think a QB change would provide a major spark.
More so than any receiver, pass rusher, cornerback, coach or McCaskey can do.
I agree that a QB is needed no matter what but it doesn't matter how great your QB is when you're throwing to the WRs the Bears have right now. I know people will say that it's only because it's their 4th and 5th string receivers but if Jeffery isn't back next year and White is hurt or sucks we are still looking at the same crappy WRs. There may be bigger priorities but if they do not resign Jeffery then WR becomes a pretty big one.
Who is saying should be the starter? None of the beat writers are saying that, none of the sports guys I listen to are saying that. There is a ton of questions about Barkley that need to get answered before you can say that.
Glaring needs on this team right now, and come the draft: QB/backup QB(only Cutler has a contract and he should be cut day 1 after the season ends) WR possibly #2 WR(AJ might not be back, White is an unkown, the rest are depth nothing more or less) TE(Miller isn't capable of finishing a season, as proof of the fact that he never has, he's also not a 2 way TE, something you need for a run first team) DE(another 5 tech on the other side of Hicks and Goldman would do wonders, Unrien isn't very good, and the guys behind him aren't better then him, don't believe me, where has David been w/the PFF scores of his boy Corny? My guess is it wasn't very good and then Corny was replaced again by Unrien the moment he was healthy again) 2 CB's 2 S's, Amos and porter are the best of the bunch, and they are barely passable, which is why it's so easy to pass on the Bears, the Bears have a bunch of run stopping safeties, and not a one can cover a WR or TE). OLB depth, Young and Floyd are the only OLB's that are any good and that can be relied on to stay healthy, McPhee is the starter, but a situational guy at best b/c of his legs, and Houston is likely cut next year. RB Howard is a beast, but having someone better then Carey and Langford would be huge OT's This is where tackles rank on the list of team needs, very capable startres OG's OG's are better then the OT's OCs OC's are likely better then the OG's if only b/c you have 2 high round picks here ILB is set
I was talking about some of the fans. And that's just stuff fans are posting on the Internet. I'm not saying I agree with it, because I don't. I want to watch him perform in the next 3 games for sure. We really don't know what we have in Barkley yet.
I do know that he was an early projection to be a 1st round draft pick QB - but he chose to play at USC his last year and that dropped him to a 4th round pick. If he had come out that early draft, he could have been that year's Kizer, Trubisky or Watson.
Barkley then decided to return to USC for his senior season.[41] As early as April 2012, he was projected the No. 1 overall pick for the 2013 NFL Draft.[42][43][44] However, one month prior to the draft, Barkley's draft stock had fallen with ESPN draft analysts Mel Kiper Jr. and Todd McShay projecting Barkley to fall out of the first round.[45] Due to his shoulder injury, Barkley did not throw in the Indianapolis NFL Scouting Combine and instead took medical tests on his shoulder.[46]
Well some fans were convinced that Shea was stud at DE, and that moving him to LB would make him better. Some fans were convinced w/another year that Langford would be a stud, and there were several that thought the same about Carey before him.
I'm no more worried about what fans think then what PFF thinks. I'm more interested in what beat guys and ex nfl guys think, beat guys have sources inside HH, and ex nfl guys at least have an idea of what they are looking at.
And this is not a knock on Barkley, up until last week I was very high on him, but I said before the game he needed to prove he could continue to score, and he didn't, that put a little shade on him, and he has 3 more games to help shine a little better light.