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Scott & Flows recap the Bears 33-6 Preseason win over the Buffalo Bills, a good debut performance from Caleb Williams & more
Jarrett and Brian are back to discuss the falcons first week of camp and their joint practice with the MIami Dolphins.
As the summer heat in Lake Forest intensifies, so do some familiar challenges for the Chicago Bears. Stop me if you’ve read this before: the defense is off to a strong start and the offense is mired in growing pains. This time, however, there’s a new factor in the mix—Caleb Williams. With the highly touted rookie quarterback now at the helm, the Bears are aiming to move beyond simply competing and hope to become true contenders. The arrival of Williams brought with it a surge of optimism, as fans and analysts alike anticipated a revitalized offense. Yet, as the third week of training camp wraps up, we're left with more questions than answers, especially on the offensive side of the ball. Early in camp, Caleb Williams was releasing the ball quickly and decisively, even when a pass was tipped, or a turnover occurred.
His confidence and speed were evident. However, as camp has progressed, we’ve started to see more indecision from him. Plays are taking longer to develop, and the ball is lingering in his hands. As a result, the offense has become sloppy, and turnovers have begun to mount. On August 8th’s practice, Caleb threw two interceptions during the offense vs. defense series. Fans are understandably concerned, with some taking to Twitter, commenting on the 79th and Halas page with remarks like “shoulda kept Fields” and “it was a fun 4 months.” While the panic is setting in for some, the Bears' players see things differently. One of those viewpoints, came from veteran tight end Marcedes Lewis. During post-practice interviews, I was able to ask his own perspective on the offensive struggles:
“Well, I think for one, that’s what camp is for right? It’s just building up those callouses for war. When you say struggle it just depends on what vantage point you’re looking from, right? So, one day the defense can have an amazing day and the next day the offense can have an amazing day and then sometimes, we’re just gonna meet in the middle. I look at it as just experience and lessons.”
From my vantage point as a member of the media, I understand both perspectives. While I never competed professionally, I vividly remember the grueling two-a-days and training camps from my time at Curie High School as a member of the Condors. Some stretches of practice saw the defense dominating the offensive unit I was a part of. Others saw the offense consistently “beating on” the defense. On the other side of things, I sympathize with the fan who’s ready a significant change on offense.
Today’s camp saw members of the United States military taking what little free time they had to watch the offense compete with the defense. As mistakes piled up for the starters, audible groans could be heard from the bleachers. For many of the spectators, this might be an indication that things are not going according to plan, and I can relate to that feeling, remembering my own experiences from when I was younger. That being said, I believe the Bears are in a much different situation than in previous eras.
Fans should take a step back and hit “pause” on the panic button. This is not an endorsement of the Bears' current makeup but rather an understanding of how football works. Training camp is designed for these exact situations. The Bears' defense has had a year to come together as a unit, learning each other's strengths and weaknesses and Matt Eberflus' late takeover of the defense last year made for an easier transition to new defensive coordinator, Eric Washington.
On the other side of the ball, however, the offense is dealing with new wide receivers, new tight ends, a new running back, and a new quarterback, all under the guidance of a new offensive coordinator. A logical deduction would suggest the offense would naturally lag behind the defense. This is not to say that the Bears don’t have room for improvement or that fans shouldn’t stay vigilant for progress—both things should happen. But perhaps, some grace should be given to the Bears right now.
While the offense is under the microscope, the defense is not without its own concerns. This week, injuries have sidelined key players like defensive backs Kyler Gordon, Jaquan Brisker, and Tyrique Stevenson, along with defensive lineman Montez Sweat. Head coach Matt Eberflus has listed these injuries as “day-to-day,” and judging by the players’ presence on the sidelines, participating in exercises, the prognosis seems cautiously optimistic. While these absences do raise questions about how prepared the Bears will be for Saturday’s preseason matchup against the Buffalo Bills, Matt Eberflus has confirmed that available starters will play, which should provide some clarity on the team’s readiness.
With both sides of the ball facing their own challenges, Bears fans find themselves at a crossroads, unsure whether to lean into cautious optimism or brace for potential disappointment. Patience is a virtue that has worn thin, and the anticipation for a breakthrough season is palpable. While uneasiness and even panic might start to creep in, the consensus within the organization remains one of optimism. I suggest that fans do the same. Knowing that only time will reveal how prepared the Bears are or aren’t.
Jarrett and Brian preview the Atlanta Falcons training camp on both sides of the ball.
Scott & Flows are back to give thoughts on the important half of the Bears first preseason game, thoughts on the Hard Knocks trailer, Flows sit down interview with Bears starting linebacker TJ Edwards, DJ Moore's extension & much more!
Scott & Flows recap the first week up at Halas Hall for Bears training camp
Four years covering the Chicago Bears.
Four years. It can be bewildering to put into perspective all the work that this endeavor has entailed. It’s not a small number, yet not truly a large one either. Four years. What precedes those years are three decades of love and admiration as a fan. True “fan-ship” where Sundays as a child were a paradox between worshipping God at church but also getting home in time to watch the Bears play. Combine those and you have twelve thousand, four hundred and eighteen days of watching, cheering, crying, covering, contemplating, and sometimes wishing that this organization would truly change.
I’ve seen cultures introduced then fall apart. I’ve seen hope turn to dread, dread turn into hope, dazzling displays of skill, and perplexing displays of incompetence. It's this “merry-go-round” that is the hallmark of what it means to be a fan of the Chicago Bears. It's believing in a team that doesn’t seem to believe in itself and loving a team that will consistently break your heart. Having experienced this for so long, we’re left with the question of why one would continue to come back after all this inconsistency and why would this year be any different? It crosses all the boxes of a typical Bears season. New quarterback? Check. A staff that is poised to have a breakout season? Check. A defense that is amongst the best in the league? Check.
The question you’ll have for me is then, why are you writing this article at all if nothing’s changed? You’d be right. From an outside perspective, nothing has changed. But after having spent years covering this franchise, I can tell you that everything has changed. Not only in the player personnel department, but in the highest echelons of this team. While not perfect, the echoes are change are evident.
Three years ago, I sat at my computer during a season-ending interview with George McCaskey. He spoke about change and what was next for the organization, and there was a snarky grin on my face. Sort of a “here we go again” feeling as déjà vu crept into my mind. After another disappointing season, the Bears “brass” assured stakeholders that change was coming, but all fans could feel was discontent. Fast forward three years later, and an ineffable feeling of change is in the air.
This year seems to be different, and not the “this year is our year” difference that is the rallying cry of fans of Chicago sports, but a distinctive cultural and environmental shift. It could not have been clearer than it was today, as I walked from the Abbott parking lot into Halas Hall on Day 1 of the 2024-2025 Chicago Bears training camp. Fresh faces that I’ve never seen, from all walks of life, with a distinctive and confident grin on their faces that says, “something’s changed”.
The Bears not only spoke about creating a successful and diverse organization, but they’ve created it. It echoes George McCaskey’s insistence that fair opportunity is key to a successful organization. What’s most striking is that at the top of the forefront of this change was a black general manager in Ryan Poles and a black team President in Kevin Warren. We’ve seen instances of the Bears declaring they changes they’ve made and how they’ll improve, but something is different.
I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention the lightning rod of this seismic shift, quarterback Caleb Williams. His selection in of itself is a shift for a team; an electric, Heisman winning QB taken with the number one pick. While he’s not the first young QB expected to shake up the organization (as fans have seen this before), the situation that he’s found himself in is considerable. Three bona fide no.1 receivers next to him in DJ Moore, Keenan Allen, and Rome Odunze and a defense that ranked amongst the best in the league in the latter half of last season. The position Caleb Williams’ finds himself in has catapulted him into role where he’s looked upon as a symbol of hope for the city. He represents a promise of skill and confidence that Bears fans have desperately craved and whether he understands it or not, there is a considerable amount of pressure on him to change the Bears’ fortunes.
This is not a declaration of a guaranteed change, in fact, it’s far from it. We’ve seen how far promises of change can take this organization. However, after covering the Bears for four years and seeing the highs and lows, the moments of brilliance, and the stretches of mediocrity. There is a different feeling that I can’t shake—one that suggests that the Bears might finally be on the right track. This season isn’t just about proving doubters wrong; it’s about proving to themselves and their fans that they are capable of greatness. That hopeful feeling that permeates the atmosphere cannot be denied but whether it’s justified or not, remains to be seen.
On the Monday edition of I'm Not Gon Hold You, Scott, J.R. Bang & Mariano kick off the show joined by friend of the program & Gridiron Gals' own Reeta The NFL Chick to get her thoughts on the NFL's schedule & how the Ravens can bounce back, then Pavy joins in Weekend In The Association to recap this weekend's NBA action & preview both Conference Finals series, Cousin Dan joins for the final Cousin Dan segment of the season & then Courtney joins for the latest in MLB talk on The Hot Corner.
On the Monday edition of the show Scott & crew recap what looks like the end of the Drake & Kendrick Lamar battle, last night's Roast of Tom Brady, a recap of this weekend's playoff action and a second round NBA Playoffs preview.
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It’s April 27th,, and I’m currently at work proctoring an ACT exam for the students that I regularly teach. Their heads are glued into the exams with a nervousness that shows as their eyes dart from answer to answer. Yet, despite this nervousness, in the back of all their minds is an important thought: how will this affect my future?
It's a defining Saturday—a day of reckoning not only for my students, absorbed in the decisive moments that will shape their future, but also for the Chicago Bears, who last week stood at a moment in time where the entire franchise could change.
In the focused silence of this exam room, I see an echo of the Bears' past season—weeks marked by hopes of evolution and dominance yet mired in the marsh of outdated tactics and underperformance. Just as my students grapple with questions that will mild their academic futures, the Bears' recent choices in the 2024 NFL Draft have been a test of strategy and foresight, leaving fans yearning for a revolution in the team's circumstances.
How did we reach this point in time? Let's revisit the day of December 31st, 2023. On The Carolina Panthers lost 26-0 to the Jacksonville Jaguars, plummeting to a god awful 2-14 record, which secured them the No. 1 pick. Due to a trade that delivered the Panthers the young quarterback, Bryce Young, the #1 pick in the 2024 draft belonged to Chicago and the Bears found themselves with the chance to make a potentially franchise altering decision.
The choice was between “a rock and a hard place”: you stick with starter Justin Fields, whose playmaking and passing abilities were starting to develop into the player that fans had been dreaming of or you reset the “quarterback clock” by potentially acquiring Heisman Trophy winner Caleb Williams out of the University of Southern California.
Such decisions, fraught with the need for change, divided the fanbase, media, and outsiders alike. Some, including myself, believed that Fields was on the cusp of being “a guy”. The desire that fans had envisioned upon him when he was drafted to the Bears. Yet, others contended that too much time had elapsed, and a fresh face was needed to lead the team.
Now, let’s fast forward to March 16th, 2024. On this day, Chicago Bears have embraced a new chapter. Justin Fields, who was once considered the cornerstone of this franchise, has been traded to the Pittsburgh Steelers, a movie that signaled that the Bears were ready for a new start. It’s a shift that feels familiar, akin to the nervous anticipation my students face with their ACTs—where they face a mixture of apprehension and the weight of potentially promising future.
The Bears history since the lauded 1985 Super Bowl winning season has been a tumultuous one, often falling short of fans (sometimes unreasonably) high expectations. To cope with this knowledge, some fans have elected to remain paranoid of the possibility of future disaster as the errors of the Bears past envelop their minds.
On the opposite end of the coping spectrum, there's a faction of the fanbase that see a franchise reborn, unburdened by the echoes of past failures and disappointments. I find myself in the middle, not oblivious to the errors of the past but filled with a reasonable hope of a bright future.
This hope has come not in the belief that every player will be a star but in the decisions made by Chicago Bears General Manager Ryan Poles. His tenure, while not perfect, has been marked by patient and strategic decisions—from bolstering the defense with talents like Kyler Gordon and Jaquan Brisker to savvy acquisitions in DJ Moore, Montez Sweat, and Keenan Allen.
This bolstering culminated on April 25th, 2024 with the drafting #1 pick Caleb Williams and the selection of the 9th pick in Rome Odunze out of the University of Washington. Calculated moves such as these paint a portrait of an organization not just dreaming of greatness, but laying its groundwork. This moment in time leads me to following question for fans of the navy & orange: When do we let go of the fear of past failures and embrace the potential of a new era?
The Bears, reflective of my students' earnest approach to taking the ACT, have approached the future with determination and thorough preparation. The only action left for both of them is to await the results with a hopeful anticipation.
On the Friday edition of I'm Not Gon Hold You, Scott kicks off the show with plea to Drake to respond to the flood of disses coming his way, then the crew go over OJ Simpson's complicated legacy coming off his death, was this the worst regular season in NBA history?, what Giannis injury means for the rest of the Eastern Conference, the latest updates in the Ohtani scandal, is this the last run for the NBA's old & current guard? plus Cousin Dan joins the show.
After a 2 week hiatus Scott & the gang are back to recap the events of the big sports weekend & more!
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This week Jarrett and Brian are back to recap Atlanta’s latest FA signings & give their options on what the Falcons should do with the number 8 pick.
Scott & Flows breakdown Ryan Poles trading Justin Fields to the the Pittsburgh Steelers, how Poles has done this offseason so far & much more.
This week on the pod Brian & Jarrett give their thoughts on the Falcons signing their new franchise quarterback Kirk Cousins.
Jarrett and Brian are back to discuss Combine Week and the Falcons search for a Franchise QB.
Brian & Jarrett are back to break down the opening press conference for Falcons new head coach Raheem Morris and more.
Scott & Flows are back to go over the talk going on at the Senior Bowl & why its starting to feel like Caleb Williams will be a Bear more & more with each passing day, Flus solidifying his coaching staff, what the Bears should do at pick #9 and much more.
We are finally back streaming live! This week, Some Dude taps into Yassin Bey aka Mos Def's apology and convo around Drake's Hip-Hop Cred the battle between some of the biggest women in Hip-Hop, and how the NBA's new rules around load management and post-season awards might bite them in the ass.
Maywood is on the move and so is Doc Rivers. The Maywood Native is headed to his college home of Milwaukee to become the new head coach of the Bucks. Mike and Bang react to the firing of their former HC Adrian Griffin and how this move is "So Maywood." Some Dude also talks about the weird spot the NBA could be in with their new post-season award rules, NFL predictions and Mike finds closure in the Dallas Cowboys.