There were quite a few times where Brax was pushed straight into his own QB in under 2.5 seconds. It's not a Fields issue. It’s a Jones issue. And technically, I count that as interfering with the QB's space to throw - the issue is some others don't, even though he still has significant anchor issues.
It happens. As I said, there’s still room for improvement against bull rushers. It will not be a serious problem with Fields gone. We now have a QB and WRs to get the ball out fast. You should be more worried about the middle of this OL.
I do have concerns about the middle of the line - but that doesn't mean I don't have concerns about LT as well.
At least they have a guy in Amegadjie who, if he can be developed properly and pans out, actually fits a more prototypical LT mold.
It happens. As I said, there’s still room for improvement against bull rushers. It will not be a serious problem with Fields gone. We now have a QB and WRs to get the ball out fast. You should be more worried about the middle of this OL.
I do have concerns about the middle of the line - but that doesn't mean I don't have concerns about LT as well.
At least they have a guy in Amegadjie who, if he can be developed properly and pans out, actually fits a more prototypical LT mold.
I’d like to see Brax report to camp at 315 pounds.
I do have concerns about the middle of the line - but that doesn't mean I don't have concerns about LT as well.
At least they have a guy in Amegadjie who, if he can be developed properly and pans out, actually fits a more prototypical LT mold.
I’d like to see Brax report to camp at 315 pounds.
I don't remember who it was, but back in the late 90s or early 2000's, there was a Bears player, who ironically was also a LT, whose career trajectory also followed the same pattern as Jones thus far - he was a guy who the team saw traits in, but his body type and anchor were terrible - he just wasn't in NFL-ready shape, and it took 2 complete off-seasons to completely remold his body and for him to learn the proper techniques. He was absolutely awful year 1, in year 2 he improved but still wasn't great (let people get by about 50% of the time rather than 90-95%, going by my standards for a block), but in year 3, his anchor was improved incredibly and he was their mainstay LT for a good 5-7 years I think.
So, I am not discounting that Braxton couldn't make a similar jump. However, Kiran more fits the mold, and based on his college game tape already shows a greater depth of understanding on how to handle the position, even with limited technique - he always redirects guys wide, whereas Jones still is lacking that part of his game, which is super important for a tackle.
I like that there is a potentially better prospect waiting in the wings at that spot, who just might need a season of refining before seriously challenging - not to mention Poles already said that they will allow Kiran to compete against Jones for the spot this year as well; when I heard that, I knew immediately Poles sees the same things, both good and bad, with Jones that I do.
(Edit: I did a little digging, and I believe it may have been Andy Heck - he was the LT for 5 years).
Post by mightyjoeyoung on Jul 13, 2024 9:24:11 GMT -6
You know - in digging into the historical starting lineups to look up Andy Heck's name, I think I came across something that explains another reason why Chicago can't develop a QB over the years...
When I look at the LT position, which is the position that is by most NFL circles the 2nd most important player on the team next to QB because he keeps your QB comfortable, since Jimbo Covert and then Andy Heck, you haven't had any LT last more than 3 years until the terrible Charles Leno Jr, who inexplicably played for 6 years starting at LT despite being abused by any elite pass rusher he faced.
The Bears just have never invested in LT. Of course your QB won't develop if you don't have someone who can protect his blind spot and make him feel comfortable - he's always going to be seeing ghosts.
And by investing, I don't always mean free agency. Say what you will about Braxton Jones, but Poles invested in a guy right behind him in this draft who may end up a better player than Jones, and at a bare minimum, will push Jones to improve if he wants to keep that starting spot. THAT is what I mean by investment. Looks like the Bears are finally doing some things right - and truly giving Caleb a chance to develop.
Now let's hope Bates is as good a player as the Bears hope he is.
I’d like to see Brax report to camp at 315 pounds.
I don't remember who it was, but back in the late 90s or early 2000's, there was a Bears player, who ironically was also a LT, whose career trajectory also followed the same pattern as Jones thus far - he was a guy who the team saw traits in, but his body type and anchor were terrible - he just wasn't in NFL-ready shape, and it took 2 complete off-seasons to completely remold his body and for him to learn the proper techniques. He was absolutely awful year 1, in year 2 he improved but still wasn't great (let people get by about 50% of the time rather than 90-95%, going by my standards for a block), but in year 3, his anchor was improved incredibly and he was their mainstay LT for a good 5-7 years I think.
So, I am not discounting that Braxton couldn't make a similar jump. However, Kiran more fits the mold, and based on his college game tape already shows a greater depth of understanding on how to handle the position, even with limited technique - he always redirects guys wide, whereas Jones still is lacking that part of his game, which is super important for a tackle.
I like that there is a potentially better prospect waiting in the wings at that spot, who just might need a season of refining before seriously challenging - not to mention Poles already said that they will allow Kiran to compete against Jones for the spot this year as well; when I heard that, I knew immediately Poles sees the same things, both good and bad, with Jones that I do.
(Edit: I did a little digging, and I believe it may have been Andy Heck - he was the LT for 5 years).
I see Brax as Pro Bowl quality if he can continue to add lower body strength and maybe 5 pounds of solid weight.
The rookie might end up at right tackle. Wright weighs 335, slow feet, short arms. I think he’s better suited to play guard, if we’re just talking about prototypical proportions.
I don't remember who it was, but back in the late 90s or early 2000's, there was a Bears player, who ironically was also a LT, whose career trajectory also followed the same pattern as Jones thus far - he was a guy who the team saw traits in, but his body type and anchor were terrible - he just wasn't in NFL-ready shape, and it took 2 complete off-seasons to completely remold his body and for him to learn the proper techniques. He was absolutely awful year 1, in year 2 he improved but still wasn't great (let people get by about 50% of the time rather than 90-95%, going by my standards for a block), but in year 3, his anchor was improved incredibly and he was their mainstay LT for a good 5-7 years I think.
So, I am not discounting that Braxton couldn't make a similar jump. However, Kiran more fits the mold, and based on his college game tape already shows a greater depth of understanding on how to handle the position, even with limited technique - he always redirects guys wide, whereas Jones still is lacking that part of his game, which is super important for a tackle.
I like that there is a potentially better prospect waiting in the wings at that spot, who just might need a season of refining before seriously challenging - not to mention Poles already said that they will allow Kiran to compete against Jones for the spot this year as well; when I heard that, I knew immediately Poles sees the same things, both good and bad, with Jones that I do.
(Edit: I did a little digging, and I believe it may have been Andy Heck - he was the LT for 5 years).
I see Brax as Pro Bowl quality if he can continue to add lower body strength and maybe 5 pounds of solid weight.
The rookie might end up at right tackle. Wright weighs 335, slow feet, short arms. I think he’s better suited to play guard, if we’re just talking about prototypical proportions.
Wright will end up being the best tackle we've had here in decades.
I see Brax as Pro Bowl quality if he can continue to add lower body strength and maybe 5 pounds of solid weight.
The rookie might end up at right tackle. Wright weighs 335, slow feet, short arms. I think he’s better suited to play guard, if we’re just talking about prototypical proportions.
Wright will end up being the best tackle we've had here in decades.
If that’s the case, we should see a BIG jump this year from 7 sacks and 11 penalties in 2023.
We will. He is no longer a rookie. He is an elite talent. Elite athlete.
Okay. Trent Brown — 3 sacks, 2 penalties in 2023. That’s elite.
Give me a specific prediction for 2024.
2025 Pro Bowl. He will be one of the top-10 RT's this 2024 season (which is pretty good for a 2nd year kid). And he will have better numbers than Brax (who should have a good year himself). Here is a good article on Wright, talking about his 2024 year: Chicago Bears Rising Star Darnell Wright: Key Player Analysis for 2024