NFL News

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Chris James: What Went Right for the Bears

The Chicago fan base has longed for something on which they can hang their proverbial hat. The 2017 draft ended up being that thing as the Bears moved on from the teams of Urlacher & Briggs. Though slight in selections, the Bears hit on all five draft picks.

The Trubisky selection seemed odd after paying Mike Glennon 19 million in guaranteed money. We soon saw positive signs from their rookie QB. Another unheralded player from a less than “premier” position came on late in Adam Shaheen, the TE out of Ashland. They also nabbed two playmakers in the 4th that affected all three phases of the game. Eddie Jackson showed his worth throughout the season accounting for 2 defensive TDs. Tarik Cohen was the early darling of the NFL season as he made exciting play after exciting play. Cohen ended up accounting for 4 TDs in four different ways. He had a receiving TD, a rushing TD, a punt return TD, and a passing TD.

The last thing that went right was the organization parting ways with the previous coaching staff. Things became stale. The offense looked far too stale for a couple of seasons and was only helped by the talent that’s been added to the roster. An offensive minded coach the likes Josh McDaniels or Pat Shurmur could be helpful.

Follow Chris on Twitter @cjflorida9

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Gene Clemons: What Went Wrong for the Bears

Chicago paid 16 million dollars to find out what we already knew about Mike Glennon, he’s a backup. They moved up one spot and gave up two, third round picks and a fourth round pick and will discover their “franchise quarterback” is a young Josh McCown.

The quarterback play, or lack thereof, essentially fired John Fox. They had a defense, special teams, and running game good enough to win. Many blame the receivers, and while they are definitely due for some upgrades, the quarterback ineptitude can’t be ignored.

Now the Bears find themselves without a head coach and an overall direction direction for the team. The winter should be chilly once again in Chicago.

Follow Gene on Twitter @geneclemons

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Brandon Howard: Grading the Bears Rookies

Chicago Bears B

The Bears will need to focus on acquiring more weapons for rookie quarterback Mitchell Trubisky in 2018 but the team did not do a poor job of collecting young talent last offseason. Running back Tarik Cohen proved the Bears’ brass correct for taking him in the fourth round. The Bears also found tight end Adam Shaheen out of Ashland in the second round who posted three touchdowns in his rookie season. Safety Eddie Jackson has a nose for the football and will give Chicago’s offense extra possessions with his range and ball skills.

Follow Brandon on Twitter @bhoward_81

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Turron Davenport: Where Do the Bears Go From Here

The first thing the Bears need to do is figure out who would be their head coach. They are already connected to Eagles quarterbacks coach John DeFilippo and defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz.

With young franchise quarterback Mitchell Trubisky in place, it’s not likely that Chicago will go for a defensive minded head coach. That’s where DeFilippo comes into play. It’s well documented how DeFilippo has been instrumental in the development of Carson Wentz.

The Bears would like to see that same kind of growth from Trubisky. They will need to replicate what the Eagles did by adding playmakers to help the young quarterback.

At No. 8 overall, they could entertain a wide receiver in the second round where Washington’s Dante Pettis should be a target. The Bears could also add a veteran receiver such as Jeff Janis if he doesn’t re-sign with the Packers.

Chicago is in a good position running back wise. They have a thunder and lightning combo of Jordan Howard and Tarik Cohen that is more than capable of carrying the load. Left tackle is a position that could be filled with their first-round pick.

The Bears need to address their cornerback situation, however. Their 2014 first-round pick Kyle Fuller fell out of favor and will be given the green light to walk via free agency. With the No. 7 overall pick, Alabama’s Minkah Fitzpatrick could be an option to come in and join former college teammate Eddie Jackson in the Bears’ secondary.

Letting former head coach John Fox go means they’ll likely lose defensive coordinator Vic Fangio. That could spark a change in personnel if the next regime doesn’t utilize a 3-4 defense. That being said, the Bears may need to have some changeover at defensive end and linebacker if they implement a 4-3 front.

Follow Turron on Twitter @TDavenport_NFL

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What We Thought about the Chicago Bears Entering the 2017 Season

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Chris James: What Went Right for the Bucs

I’ll start by admitting that this was my pick to win the NFC South. The Bucs were the ONLY team that didn’t have a chance to take the division this season; MY BAD. So, what went right for the Bucs in a season that saw them underperform constantly?

Jameis Winston learned how to throw the ball like an NFL QB. There is plenty of time for the former top pick to progress as Winston is STILL 23 at the time of this write-up. This will be a process with Winston, but the tremendous upside is worth the effort. There was also the emergence of a match-up nightmare named OJ Howard. He will become a large piece of the offense as the coaching staff gains more comfort with him.

The defense had its stars play like stars throughout the year. Players like Gerald McCoy, Kwon Alexander, and Lavonte David stepped up. David was the clear stand out as he forced and recovered 5 fumbles in only 13 starts. Additional help was gained with rookie LB Kendall Beckwith finding his way into the starting lineup at SLB.

A massive positive for the Bucs is the glutton of young talent on this roster. Couple this talent with a high draft pick and a 4th place divisional schedule. The Bucs could be in for a great 2018 campaign.

Follow Chris on Twitter @cjflorida9

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Gene Clemons: What Went Wrong with the Bucs

Sometimes injuries hinder opportunity. Other times, it’s bad decisions made by coaches. In Tampa Bay’s case it was both!

The defense was never fully healthy all season. That included time being missed by Pro Bowl linebackers Kwon Alexander and Lavonte David, All-Pro defensive tackle Gerald McCoy, and a slew of defensive back injuries. The offensive line sustained many injuries as well, but the biggest problem was most likely made by the coach and general manager.

GM Jason Licht and head coach Dirk Koetter believed they could turn pro bowl guard Ali Marpet into a pro bowl center. While the Hobart graduate didn’t perform poorly, his loss who was truly felt at the guard position which struggle all season. In essence it took one really strong position and turn them into two weaker positions.

That lack of productivity on the line resulted in a substandard run game and spotty pass protection. Quarterback Jameis Winston took the brunt of the blame and the pain to go along with it. He missed his first games of his young career due to injury and fumbled the ball a league leading 15 times en route to a disappointing 2017 for the Bucs.

Follow Gene on Twitter @geneclemons

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Brandon Howard: Grading the Bucs Rookies

Tampa Bay Buccaneers B-

The Buccaneers acquired ultra-athletic tight end O.J. Howard in the first round of the 2017 draft and he provided another target for franchise quarterback Jameis Winston. Howard finished his rookie season on injured reserve with an ankle injury, but prior to the injury, he amassed 432 yards and six touchdowns on a mere 26 receptions. The Buccaneers added another pass-catcher in Round 3 in wide receiver Chris Godwin. Godwin averaged 15.3 yards per reception and started two games as a rookie. Inside linebacker Kendell Beckwith was the Buccaneers other third-round pick, and started eight games despite coming off of an ACL injury in his final season at LSU.

Follow Brandon on Twitter @bhoward_81

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Turron Davenport: Where do the Bucs Go From Here

The Bucs capped off a disappointing season on a high note thanks to a 31 – 24 win over their division rival the New Orleans Saints. What was supposed to be a season in which they took a step forward, fell apart under second-year coach Dirk Koetter.

Their offense sputtered despite the additions of rookies O.J. Howard and Chris Godwin as well as veteran wideout DeSean Jackson. Somehow Koetter survived the dismal season and is set to return as the head coach.

Doug Martin has a $6.75 million cap hit next year but would cost nothing if Tampa decides to release him. If they want to take their offense to the next level, drafting a back like USC’s Ronald Jones III at the top of the second round would be a good move.

Other than running back, they are set on offense. The offensive line is solid and Jameis Winston will always give the Bucs a chance to win.

It’s the defense that will need help. Boston College defensive end Harold Landry should be the selection for them with the No. 7 pick. He instantly upgrades the pass rush which is an area that needs to be addressed.

The secondary is another area that needs to be addressed. Brent Grimes is a pending free agent that should be brought back the right price. Tampa will have plenty of cap space, so making a run at a top-tier free agent such as Trumaine Johnson or Malcolm Butler could be in play.

Regardless of what happens, 2018 is a do or die year for Koetter. The third-year head coach absolutely has to make the playoffs. If he doesn’t at least do that, there will be another head coach manning the sidelines at Raymond James Stadium.

Follow Turron on Twitter: @TDavenport_NFL

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What We Thought About the Bucs Entering the 2017 Season

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