Don’t Be Offended By Matt Nagy’s Compliment and Other Bullets

Patrick Corbin’s signing with the Nationals broke the ice on MLB’s hot stove and the Michael-and-Brett tag team was on it. Corbin reportedly received a contract worth $140 million over six years. Or in other words, $1 million less than what Khalil Mack received from the Bears, which was the biggest contract ever handed out to a defensive player in NFL history. Puts things in perspective, doesn’t it?

Bears Head Coach Matt Nagy was drilled for this and I’m not sure why:

Nagy on the Bears negative runs: "Some are mental errors, execution wise. Other times we could put @walterpayton back there and not get any yards." #Bears

— Josh Frydman (@Josh_Frydman) December 3, 2018

If you think that was some sort of sneak-diss aimed at Walter Payton, then take a chill pill. If anything, it was a compliment to Payton as he was trying to come up with the best back he could think of to put a relate-able face on the situation. What did you want him to say? “Our blocking has been so bad at times, not even the G.O.A.T. could gain positive yards” wasn’t going to go over well in the locker room.

But perhaps Nagy is onto something:

When Matt Nagy said there were some plays vs. New York on which "we could Walter Payton back there and he’s not getting any yards," this first run of the second half is an example. Nobody blocks Giants DT Dalvin Tomlinson, and there wasn't much Jordan Howard could do. pic.twitter.com/vZQvcQhFl7

— JJ Stankevitz (@JJStankevitz) December 4, 2018

The inconsistency in run-blocking has been frustrating and it has kept Jordan Howard from establishing himself the way we expected. There are times where Tarik Cohen’s shiftiness and ability to turn chicken poop into chicken salad can make up for the line’s issues, but you know you can’t bank on that all the time.

For some, the simple solution is to run, run, and run some more. But that’s just not how this offense operates and I don’t think I want it operating in that way either because that’s exactly how last year’s offense became un-done quickly. The concept of doing the same thing over and over again until something good happens, even though evidence suggests it would be wise to try something else, is what aggravated all of us last year. Why would we want the Bears to re-visit it again?

Losing sucks, but as Defensive Line Coach Jay Rodgers suggests, there is so much to learn in defeat. “Why did that happen? Did it contribute to the loss? How can we fix this? Was it communication or alignment? There are a lot of things you can learn, Rodgers said, via the Chicago Tribune. “You’d like to learn from winning, but that’s not always the case. Sometimes when you fail, you learn a lot more.” Well said, coach.

For what it’s worth, Nagy said as much earlier in the year when discussing the aftermath of the Packers loss. It’s not about how hard you fall, it’s about how you get back up that ultimately determines what kind of team you are in this (or any) league.

Take some time to read through this:

ICYMI, this week’s Bears All-22 film review includes insight from assistant coaches on 9 key plays, like Odell’s TD pass and Tarik Cohen’s big catch https://t.co/ei7GXs5KC6 pic.twitter.com/2KENjcufu1

— Kevin Fishbain (@kfishbain) December 5, 2018

There is always so much to learn from defeat. Beyond the fact the loss to the Giants was humbling, tough defeats often serve as motivating factors because no one wants to go out and make the same mistake two weeks in a row in back-to-back losses.

For our friends who want to spice things up with a wager on the game:

I don't bet but I would go under 52.5 on Rams-Bears, especially if Trubisky remains out. The Bears have a stout run defense and a league-high 21 interceptions, and Rams scored 23 points in frigid Denver. It will be in 20s in Chicago.

— Rich Hammond (@Rich_Hammond) December 4, 2018

The Broncos have under-performed this year, but they still have Von Miller lurking on the edge and Chris Harris Jr. in coverage to make things difficult for quarterbacks and pass-catchers. If anything, the Bears should study the tape of how the Broncos kept Jared Goff (14/28, 201 yards, 0 TD, 1 INT, 58.5 rating) in check.

Interesting strategy:

Interesting – the Lions used UDFA rookie Mike Ford to shadow Brandin Cooks and occasionally had Darius Slay travel with Robert Woods yesterday.

— Mike Clay (@MikeClayNFL) December 3, 2018

The Bears have not used shadow coverage at all this year, according to Pro Football Focus. But it’s worth noting that the Vikings shadowed Brandin Cooks with Xacier Rhodes, limiting him to three catches and 42 yards while holding him out of the end zone. When Rhodes wasn’t on him, Cooks caught 4 of 5 passes thrown his way for 74 yards and a touchdown. In the end, someone better cover that guy.

This is why Harry Hiestand gets paid the big bucks:

Today's @kfishbain #FunFact: Harry Hiestand has been tasked with developing a blocking scheme for Aaron Donald once. Notre Dame's offensive line limited him to one tackle and one QB hit in a game in 2013. pic.twitter.com/APLoXGnu0Y

— JJ Stankevitz (@JJStankevitz) December 3, 2018

In case you needed clarity on who your second favorite team is (after the Bears, of course) this weekend:

#Bears fans are obviously rooting for Seattle this week but they should be rooting for the #Eagles as well. A Dallas win + Bears loss puts Cowboys at 3-seed in NFC.

— Zack Pearson (@Zack_Pearson) December 4, 2018

Damn Daniel:

.@ChaseDaniel is the swaggiest backup QB in history. 😂 (via jbellamy15/IG) https://t.co/XY7INFOyAZ

— The Checkdown (@thecheckdown) December 4, 2018

I’ll be on the look-out for the video on Friday:

Khalil Mack knows the deal | #RefreshYourGame 🎥 with the All-Pro linebacker drops this Friday!

Nike AF 1 LV8 "Team Orange" | https://t.co/XFXrKJ3NIs
Microbrand Hoodie | https://t.co/9rJTYzbM20 pic.twitter.com/ntUTUrdXTR

— Champs Sports (@champssports) December 4, 2018

Mock drafts from Pro Football Focus and Bleacher Report’s Matt Miller mean less to us now because the Bears don’t have a first-round pick, but we’ll keep an eye on them because – as of right now – NFC North foes Detroit and Green Bay have top-10 picks.

I don’t like the idea of the Packers getting to reload with a top-10 pick. So save for the game against the Bears, I’m essentially at a point where I want the to come agonizingly close to making the playoffs, miss them, and hurt their draft position all at the same time. But to be clear, I sure as heck don’t want them beating the Bears.

OK, cool:

Probably for the best. #Bears https://t.co/o6mqBdnfKF

— Aaron Leming (@AaronLemingNFL) December 4, 2018

Maybe this guy wants Mike McCarthy’s job:

Packers fan asks judge to order Bears to let him wear Green Bay gear on Soldier Field sidelines https://t.co/TqmfnlAHAp pic.twitter.com/pmYSKyDPaq

— ChicagoBreaking (@ChicagoBreaking) December 4, 2018

Ah, well … nevertheless:

Redskins’ HC Jay Gruden said Colin Kaepernick was discussed to bolster the team's depleted quarterbacking ranks, but said "we'll probably go in a different direction" because of the compressed time frame and the need to get someone ready quickly.

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) December 4, 2018