Post by JABF on Mar 27, 2024 18:39:20 GMT -6
What do 'ya think? Are we gonna shock the NFL world this year?
LINK
With Caleb Williams making magic, Chicago Bears will be NFL's Cinderella team of 2024
In the seven previous years that I've done this, I've made selections that look good (the 2017 Jaguars, 2018 Bears, 2019 Bills and 2022 Dolphins all went on to make the playoffs) and, well … not so good (the 2020 Cardinals, 2021 Chargers and 2023 Saints did not). But one thing I've never done before? Choose a squad that is likely to be helmed by a rookie quarterback.
I still cannot believe general manager Ryan Poles nabbed Keenan Allen from the Chargers in exchange for a fourth-round pick -- that was an amazing steal. Allen might be about to turn 32, but he's still a great receiver coming off a monster season (108 catches, 1,243 yards, seven receiving TDs). He's an experienced, ultra-reliable veteran with great hands, route-running skills and leadership capabilities. I love how he'll mesh with DJ Moore, a king of yards after the catch and highlight-reel plays. The Allen-Moore pairing is going to be a terrific, dynamic 1-2 punch. The offensive improvements weren't limited to Allen. Don't overlook the underrated signing of Gerald Everett, who should make a solid partner for budding stud Cole Kmet at tight end. And new running back D'Andre Swift is a good runner with reliable hands out of the backfield -- I liked his addition before, but it looks even better now that Allen is in the fold.
Caleb Williams isn't just a solid prospect -- he's sensational. Dreamy. He's the kind of quarterback Bears fans have been waiting on for a lifetime or longer, since the days of Sid Luckman. I interviewed him after he won the Heisman Trophy in 2022 with a college football season for the ages at USC (4,537 passing yards, 42 passing TDs, five picks, 10 rushing TDs), and his smarts, humility, team-oriented nature and leadership skills poured through. In fact, as I've written before, I think Williams is one of the best QB prospects of the past 25 years -- and I think he's going to have the greatest rookie season ever by a No. 1 pick at quarterback... It's amazing to see how much progress Poles has made following the disastrous 2022 trade for receiver Chase Claypool. Claypool flamed out, but Poles has mostly pulled the right levers since. He and Eberflus have this organization ready to take a step forward -- and Caleb Williams is about to change everything.
With Caleb Williams making magic, Chicago Bears will be NFL's Cinderella team of 2024
In the seven previous years that I've done this, I've made selections that look good (the 2017 Jaguars, 2018 Bears, 2019 Bills and 2022 Dolphins all went on to make the playoffs) and, well … not so good (the 2020 Cardinals, 2021 Chargers and 2023 Saints did not). But one thing I've never done before? Choose a squad that is likely to be helmed by a rookie quarterback.
I still cannot believe general manager Ryan Poles nabbed Keenan Allen from the Chargers in exchange for a fourth-round pick -- that was an amazing steal. Allen might be about to turn 32, but he's still a great receiver coming off a monster season (108 catches, 1,243 yards, seven receiving TDs). He's an experienced, ultra-reliable veteran with great hands, route-running skills and leadership capabilities. I love how he'll mesh with DJ Moore, a king of yards after the catch and highlight-reel plays. The Allen-Moore pairing is going to be a terrific, dynamic 1-2 punch. The offensive improvements weren't limited to Allen. Don't overlook the underrated signing of Gerald Everett, who should make a solid partner for budding stud Cole Kmet at tight end. And new running back D'Andre Swift is a good runner with reliable hands out of the backfield -- I liked his addition before, but it looks even better now that Allen is in the fold.
Caleb Williams isn't just a solid prospect -- he's sensational. Dreamy. He's the kind of quarterback Bears fans have been waiting on for a lifetime or longer, since the days of Sid Luckman. I interviewed him after he won the Heisman Trophy in 2022 with a college football season for the ages at USC (4,537 passing yards, 42 passing TDs, five picks, 10 rushing TDs), and his smarts, humility, team-oriented nature and leadership skills poured through. In fact, as I've written before, I think Williams is one of the best QB prospects of the past 25 years -- and I think he's going to have the greatest rookie season ever by a No. 1 pick at quarterback... It's amazing to see how much progress Poles has made following the disastrous 2022 trade for receiver Chase Claypool. Claypool flamed out, but Poles has mostly pulled the right levers since. He and Eberflus have this organization ready to take a step forward -- and Caleb Williams is about to change everything.
