Moderator: wab
There will unquestionably be many more returns.southdakbearfan wrote: Wed May 01, 2024 9:00 pmI think it’s actually going to be the opposite. Much higher number of returns with the new rules.Bears Whiskey Nut wrote: Wed May 01, 2024 3:18 pm
Kick-offs will be a total non-factor this year with the new rules.
Bears GM Ryan Poles on taking punter Tory Taylor in fourth round: 'I didn't expect him to get much further'
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The Chicago Bears' 2024 NFL Draft class -- small in number as it might well have been -- was going swimmingly until a fourth-round splash that had pundits aplenty scratching their heads. That's when the Bears became the first team to select a specialist, going with Iowa punter Tory Taylor.
Taylor going at No. 122 overall was the earliest a punter has been drafted since the San Francisco 49ers selected Mitch Wishnowsky in 2019 at No. 110, also in the fourth round. Bears general manager Ryan Poles, who was working with just four total picks at the time and ended the three-day festivities with five total selections, didn't see Taylor falling further and believes the booter can be a game-changer for Chicago.
"I didn't expect him to get much further. Definitely didn't think I'd be able to pick him up when we got into the fifth round," Poles said Wednesday when speaking to a former All-Pro punter on The Pat McAfee Show. "And, really, the thought process there is to make anyone we're playing really uncomfortable. I didn't play much in the NFL, but I know running onto the field and having the ball spotted inside the 10-yard line is a very uncomfortable feeling. It's disheartening at times. And I love taking advantage of field position. And, really, that should help us with points, as well."
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There is no denying Taylor's field-switching prowess.
The Iowa product was a two-time All-American who collected the Ray Guy Award as the nation's top punter on his way out of the cornfields to the Windy City. In his award-winning 2023 campaign, Taylor aired out an NCAA single-season record for punt yardage with 4,479. He averaged 48.2 yards per punt in his final year, had a career-long 70-yarder and, along with his mighty leg, is adroit at pinning opponents in their own territory -- evidenced by his 30-plus punts inside the 20 in each of his last three years.
Still, as NFL.com draft analyst Eric Edholm wondered aprint on Saturday, "with so few picks this year, was this the best value for the Bears?"
The quandary will remain unanswered for at least a few autumns to come, but history isn't all that comforting for Chicago.
Taylor is the third-earliest punter taken in Bears common draft history (since 1967). Chicago used a third-round pick on Chris Gardocki in 1991 and a second-round selection on Todd Sauerbrun in 1995. Sauerbrun was a multi-time All-Pro and Pro Bowler, while Gardocki was also an All-Pro and won a Super Bowl. None of those accolades came while either was on the Bears, though.
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Taylor's clearly the No. 1 punter after his draft standing. Not to mention, the Bears waived punter Trenton Gill on Wednesday, clearing out any competition for the Aussie.
The Bears' 2024 NFL Draft class will go down as a historic one for the franchise -- whether good, bad or ugly. Just how positive or negative a footnote the talented Taylor becomes punting in the Windy City will be something worth monitoring starting as soon as the 2024 season kicks off.
Full article: https://www.nfl.com/news/bears-gm-ryan- ... ch-further
Unfortunately, yes.HisRoyalSweetness wrote: Thu May 02, 2024 7:49 amDoesn't that sum up most of Walter's career?Grizzled wrote: Thu May 02, 2024 5:06 am I was at the game in which Sweetness set the then single game rushing record and I can tell you, it sucked. Except for him. Neither the Bears nor Viqueens did a thing offensively except for Walter.
As Mr Dylan once sang, the times they are a-changin'...
Could be exciting. Fields might be the return guy for Pittsburghsouthdakbearfan wrote: Wed May 01, 2024 9:00 pmI think it’s actually going to be the opposite. Much higher number of returns with the new rules.Bears Whiskey Nut wrote: Wed May 01, 2024 3:18 pm
Kick-offs will be a total non-factor this year with the new rules.
Well that’s definitely interesting.Arkansasbear wrote: Thu May 02, 2024 1:49 pmCould be exciting. Fields might be the return guy for Pittsburghsouthdakbearfan wrote: Wed May 01, 2024 9:00 pm
I think it’s actually going to be the opposite. Much higher number of returns with the new rules.
https://www.sportsmockery.com/chicago-b ... ittsburgh/
Post draft all of those "analysts" magically turn into critics where not only is every teams draft graded but in some instances like this one, every single pick. We already had more DB than will make the final roster but Poles should've drafted another anyway instead of upgrading another position? There are 32 GM positions in the NFL. How many "analysts" ever get hired as NFL GMs?Rusty Trombagent wrote: Thu May 02, 2024 8:43 am Still, as NFL.com draft analyst Eric Edholm wondered aprint on Saturday, "with so few picks this year, was this the best value for the Bears?"
NFL Draft analysts for months: "the back half of this upcoming draft is fucking garbage"
Also NFL Draft analysts: "probably not a great idea that the Bears drafted a premier player at a position of need when they could have rolled the dice on a backup safety."
Yogi da Bear wrote: Wed May 01, 2024 4:36 pmAnd Bates. Don't forget Bates.The Marshall Plan wrote: Wed May 01, 2024 4:32 pm
I look at it like he drafted Caleb Williams and Rome Odunze along with "drafting" Montez Sweat and Keenan Allen.
He can take a punter in the 4th.
You're looking at a possible six starters as a direct result of this one draft.
Who is the hot blonde?HisRoyalSweetness wrote: Wed Jun 26, 2024 7:02 pm Time to learn more about our new punter and for our American members a chance to learn some Aussie slang:
I hope someone has been designated the "Peanut M&M Supplier" just in case Taylor forgets to pack some!
It's a good watch. All fluff but 'tis the season for it.The Marshall Plan wrote: Thu Jun 27, 2024 2:30 amWho is the hot blonde?HisRoyalSweetness wrote: Wed Jun 26, 2024 7:02 pm Time to learn more about our new punter and for our American members a chance to learn some Aussie slang:
I hope someone has been designated the "Peanut M&M Supplier" just in case Taylor forgets to pack some!
Thank you Ryan Poles for drafting interesting people.
Even if this guy sucks, OK fine, our punter sucked last year, at least he has a funny accent and is interesting.
Crocodile Punter needs to do a presser after every game with that accent. Amazing.
When the hot blonde wanted to play Punt Or Go For It I was like alright you go for it. Even if it's 4th and 20 you go for it with that one.
The Peanut M&Ms are a good choice. I like the Reese's Peanut Butter Cups or a Butterfinger every once in a while, but yeah the Peanut M&Ms are solid.
She says her name like 5 seconds into the video and it's literally in the name of her segment.
Ok fine. Twist my arm. I’ll watch it again.wab wrote: Thu Jun 27, 2024 2:16 pmShe says her name like 5 seconds into the video and it's literally in the name of her segment.
Surely you don't expect TMP to actually listen to a "hot blonde" whilst ogling her do you wab?!wab wrote: Thu Jun 27, 2024 2:16 pmShe says her name like 5 seconds into the video and it's literally in the name of her segment.
