10 Comments

Really love the last question and answer! I would only add what happened in Buffalo, even though it involved drafting a rookie quarterback. Sean McDermott gets a lot of flack but the way he has turned that franchise from a perennial bottom feeder into a consistent playoff team and division favorite every year is to me the gold standard for raising teams from the depths.

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I had McDermott/Buffalo in my notes and somehow deleted him off my working list without capturing the organization's rise in the answer. Great catch.

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The mother of all Mailbags! Great questions and great answers!

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If Martin is, indeed, a healthy scratch again then that solidifies the “worst Holmes pick” label. Sorsdal a close 2nd.

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Regardless of coaching, some guys don't develop the same way at the same rate. That said, Martin may end up not working out and be the worst Holmes pick - somebody has to be. As impressive as BH has been, he won't win them all.

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That was due to him always being hurt. He never went through training camp healthy till this year. Martin’s done it twice and he’s playing behind my neighbor Ralph.

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remember when everyone was writing off Levi Onwuzirike at the end of his third (never mind second) season? Some guys take more time.

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A project pick in his 2nd season can hardly be fairly judged at this point?

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A DLineman (moved up to be) drafted in the 3rd round being coached by one of the best DLine coaches in the league ought to be able to contribute by now. It is NOT the same as learning to play Offensive Tackle (or Guard) as is the case with Manu. He’s been through two full off-seasons and, yes he’s been injured this year, but all we ever here about the guy is that he’s big but plays with his pad level too high. He’s likely been coached up about pad-level since HS.

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Great questions and great answers. It looks to me that the Bears often wimp out against Minny and The Pack and usually play the Lions a lot tougher. Maybe it's an illusion but I keep thinking about last year's game in Chicago. A team that has lost 8 in a row is a bit scary because you know that at some point they are going to get lucky and break their losing streak.

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