Schefter: Multiple Teams Spoke w/ Bears at Combine re Howard

Mikefive · Thu Mar 07, 2019 8:57 pm

They better have a pretty rock solid replacement plan if they trade him. And they better be darned sure that our OL can power block effectively--yet undemonstrated, IMO. Consider... We trade Howard and revert to power blocking that Nagy wants... only to find out we're not so good at it. That would look pretty bad.

VA_Mountain_Bear · Thu Mar 07, 2019 9:15 pm

I hope we can get a late 3rd for him, but I expect a 4th. Best of luck to Howard if he is traded, I've liked him a lot as a Bear.

Umbali · Fri Mar 08, 2019 9:36 am

Ideally the replacement would be in the draft, where you can then have a young player with a cheap contract for 4 or 5 years. Ive always liked Howard and I found it odd that even tho he obviously worked on his hands, they still didnt throw to him much this year. Personally I would have preferred adjusting the blocking scheme, however clearly at this stage I am willing to trust Nagy! If Nagy says go, then go you shall lol

Boris13c · Fri Mar 08, 2019 10:43 am

I am also in agreement that the Jets make the most sense for him .... get back to a more conventional offense where he gets his 25+ carries a game.

Sorry to see him go, but would be happy he goes somewhere he can be productive and happy.

dplank · Fri Mar 08, 2019 11:30 am

Mikefive wrote:They better have a pretty rock solid replacement plan if they trade him. And they better be darned sure that our OL can power block effectively--yet undemonstrated, IMO. Consider... We trade Howard and revert to power blocking that Nagy wants... only to find out we're not so good at it. That would look pretty bad.

Solid point. Our power blocking sucks. Howard usually had absolutely nowhere to run, always found it odd that people blamed Howard like he magically sucked after a few really good seasons for us. Basic eye test said we couldn't move people off the ball in a power scheme. Once we flipped the blocking scheme, Howard flourished again.

DaSuperfan · Fri Mar 08, 2019 1:53 pm

Boris13c wrote:I am also in agreement that the Jets make the most sense for him .... get back to a more conventional offense where he gets his 25+ carries a game.

Sorry to see him go, but would be happy he goes somewhere he can be productive and happy.

Jets or even the Ravens who just cut Alex Collins.

G08 · Fri Mar 08, 2019 2:03 pm

Howard just didn't have the juice this offense values in running backs. I commented in the chat room nearly every game that he looked so incredibly slow, it was almost painful to watch.

Yes, he thrives in a zone blocking system but guys that's not what we're running. Why that is, schematically, I have no idea. Any offensive line buffs here that can explain why Nagy's offense prefers a man/power blocking scheme? Does it have to do with play action, etc? I do know that with zone blocking system you want to run that scheme every single play so it looks the same to the defense (think LA Rams and Shanahan's Denver Broncos). That's not what we're going for here, clearly.

britbear · Sat Mar 09, 2019 12:14 pm

There are videos on the NFL app where people are talking about trades with NO for Ingram or with Buffalo for McCoy. Cannot see the Bears doing either. Why would they go for a guy in the late twilight of his career? Even if he does fit Nagy's scheme better. No. Just no.

alexwilkins · Sun Mar 10, 2019 1:51 am

britbear wrote:There are videos on the NFL app where people are talking about trades with NO for Ingram or with Buffalo for McCoy. Cannot see the Bears doing either. Why would they go for a guy in the late twilight of his career? Even if he does fit Nagy's scheme better. No. Just no.

The Shady trade makes some sense to me. He’s entering the last year of his contract. So if we like a back in this draft, we can get a young back, and get Shady for a year with no intention of resigning him. Meanwhile the draftee has a year to learn.

The Marshall Plan · Sun Mar 10, 2019 7:33 am

alexwilkins wrote:
britbear wrote:There are videos on the NFL app where people are talking about trades with NO for Ingram or with Buffalo for McCoy. Cannot see the Bears doing either. Why would they go for a guy in the late twilight of his career? Even if he does fit Nagy's scheme better. No. Just no.
The Shady trade makes some sense to me. He’s entering the last year of his contract. So if we like a back in this draft, we can get a young back, and get Shady for a year with no intention of resigning him. Meanwhile the draftee has a year to learn.

I like that idea a lot.

Sun Mar 10, 2019 9:31 am

I guess the question would be, would you rather have McCoy in this offense for a year, or Howard?

BearsFanInMN · Sun Mar 10, 2019 1:10 pm

Since Cohen is going to figure prominently in the backfield I don't see any reason to trade for McCoy to split time. I'd rather pick up someone like Hyde on a cheap FA deal and keep our picks.

EricTighe · Sun Mar 10, 2019 6:47 pm

wab wrote:I guess the question would be, would you rather have McCoy in this offense for a year, or Howard?

Easy true professional or the Drama Queen?

I keep Howard.

Atkins&Rebel · Mon Mar 11, 2019 6:07 am

McCoy doesn't look much faster than Howard at this point in his career. He can catch better, but McCoy hasn't been a pillar of health either.

G08 · Mon Mar 11, 2019 1:19 pm

Woof...

Boris13c · Mon Mar 18, 2019 12:16 pm

what seems to be lost in a lot of the discussions about Howard is he is not a bad RB ... he just is not a good fit for what the Bears now wish to do with the RB position in their system

there are teams that could use a solid conventional type back, like the Eagles for instance ... so I think there is a market for the Bears to get value in a trade of Howard rather than simply giving hm away ... and I am quite sure Ryan Pace also realizes this

I wish Howard well wherever he ends up

Mon Mar 18, 2019 3:13 pm

With the Jets getting Bell, the best "fits" for his skillset are in Oakland, Buffalo, and Tampa Bay.

crueltyabc · Mon Mar 18, 2019 7:38 pm

Madden-type idea:

Howard + 4th
Pierre-Paul + 3rd

They clear cap space, add a starting quality RB who doesn't cost much. We get our 1 year EDGE rental and a little more draft ammo to try and move up into the 2nd.

Mikefive · Mon Mar 18, 2019 10:28 pm

alexwilkins wrote:
britbear wrote:There are videos on the NFL app where people are talking about trades with NO for Ingram or with Buffalo for McCoy. Cannot see the Bears doing either. Why would they go for a guy in the late twilight of his career? Even if he does fit Nagy's scheme better. No. Just no.
The Shady trade makes some sense to me. He’s entering the last year of his contract. So if we like a back in this draft, we can get a young back, and get Shady for a year with no intention of resigning him. Meanwhile the draftee has a year to learn.

RBs don't need a year to learn. How many rookie RBs have been outstanding? A LOT. Including Jordan Howard.

crueltyabc · Tue Mar 19, 2019 12:11 pm

Young backs can take some time to learn protections so it couldn’t hurt but I still like my idea better

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