Reading the Halas Hall private workout tea leaves...

Of the consensus top 8 prospects (Garrett, Thomas, Fournette, Allen, Adams, Lattimore, Howard, Hooker), the Bears had all of them but Thomas and Fournette in for a private meeting/workout at Lake Forest. Thomas's absence from the private workout list is easy to explain. Like McCaffrey, he's apparently not doing them (same agent?). But Fournette's absence suggests the Bears aren't really considering him at #3. There's no real subterfuge/smokescreen benefit in not bringing him in. They are already bringing in all the other likely suspects at #3, so including him discloses nothing. On the other hand, they lose the opportunity to get to know him in depth. At #3, that's an opportunity Pace wouldn't want to give up, particularly for no apparent benefit. Meanwhile, Fournette had private workouts with three teams that are rumored to be considering him at the top of the draft, 49ers, Jags, and Panthers. A reasonable person would conclude Fournette simply isn't in the mix at the top of the Bears board.

Of the top 4 QBs, the Bears had only Kizer and Mahomes in for private workouts, not Watson or Trubisky. The same logic that applies to Fournette as a potential #3 pick applies to Watson & Trubisky as well. The Browns and the 49ers had both Watson & Trubisky in for private workouts. No subterfuge/smokescreen benefit to the Bears in not bringing either of them in, and a lost opportunity to get a better feel for them. At the QB position, and #3 pick in the draft, this would seem to be something that Pace would insist on doing. So,a reasonable person would conclude that the Bears don't have Watson or Trubisky at the top of their board either.

I don't know who the Bears will take at #3, but the Bears private workout calendar suggests it won't be Watson, Trubisky, or Fournette...

Based on Pace's history he values impact players in the 1st round. Garrett, Hooker, and Thomas are the biggest impact players of your top 7.

There is absolutely nothing to be derived from a workout calendar.

Foster & Mahomes: dinner

everyone else: no dinner

Brad Biggs‏Verified account @BradBiggs 5h5 hours ago
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Solomon Thomas made a pre-draft visit to Halas Hall and D.C. Vic Fangio attended his pro day workout. No private workout for him with #Bears

/thread

"Five thoughts for the Top 10: Niners like UNC quarterback Mitchell Trubisky, but not at two. … Don’t be shocked to see the Bears at No. 3 steal Leonard Fournette, the LSU runner, from the Jags at four" -Peter King

/thread again

only way the Fournette thing happens is if PACE rings 100% true to his word that he is gona take BPA (at any given position in each round), and has Fournette atop his draft board when Bears are on the clock

doesn't seem like a healthy way to build a team but maybe it is I duno. We have seen other teams do it in the past, when they draft a player at a position they where seemingly set at.

If they think Howard just got lucky and had a career year for a 5th round pick and he will never top it again, and grade Fournette as a generational type talent, then I guess fine, they are ones who see and work with him everyday, but I like Howard a lot, and don't mind our backups either, so as much as I like Fournette the prospect this would be a pretty head scratching move.

Mdbearz said:

There is absolutely nothing to be derived from a workout calendar.

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I get it... You're a Fournette guy. That's cool. I'd be fine with him at #3, too. But why didn't they bother to bring in him for a private meeting/workout at Halas Hall? No apparent down side, and potentially a lot of upside.

Could you imagine a rushing offense with Howard and Fournette with ~17 carries each and Glennon throwing 25-30 times a game? It would be a ridiculous backfield with two absolute monsters constantly fresh all the time.

If you do that, get the best RT you can.

bearmick said:

Could you imagine a rushing offense with Howard and Fournette with ~17 carries each and Glennon throwing 25-30 times a game? It would be a ridiculous backfield with two absolute monsters constantly fresh all the time.

If you do that, get the best RT you can.

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Fox has done it before right? Back in Carolina.

BaBaBlacksheep said:

Fox has done it before right? Back in Carolina.

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Williams and Stewart, thunder and lightning.

Howard and Fournette would be thunder and more fucking thunder. You'd be able to keep them fresh. If they can keep games close enough to run the ball in the 4th quarter, they'd be smashing some seriously tired defenses.

bearmick said:

Could you imagine a rushing offense with Howard and Fournette with ~17 carries each and Glennon throwing 25-30 times a game? It would be a ridiculous backfield with two absolute monsters constantly fresh all the time.

If you do that, get the best RT you can.

Click to expand...

I get it but you'd have to hope the dual RB could work around a weak RT. I would hate getting LF at 3, but if we do, get the best remaining safety in the 2nd.

They'd wear a defense the fuck out, especially how small they are nowadays due to the passing league the NFL has become.

I would laugh my ass off if they take Fournette at 3. The plus side is that you know that GB, MIN, DET would probably be shitting themselves about the running game. Although obviously there would be no passing game to worry about!

I surprise myself that I don't hate the pick as much as I did a few weeks ago. I'd probably be happier than if we took Lattimore for example whose injury record flat out terrifies me.

What is the benefit of not doing private workouts?

Hometown Jimmy said:

"Five thoughts for the Top 10: Niners like UNC quarterback Mitchell Trubisky, but not at two. … Don’t be shocked to see the Bears at No. 3 steal Leonard Fournette, the LSU runner, from the Jags at four" -Peter King

/thread again

Click to expand...

"Don't be shocked if"

keywords for I can throw shit up against a wall and not be held accountable for it unless it comes true, then I will take credit for knowing...

PeterMbangala said:

I would laugh my ass off if they take Fournette at 3. The plus side is that you know that GB, MIN, DET would probably be shitting themselves about the running game. Although obviously there would be no passing game to worry about!

I surprise myself that I don't hate the pick as much as I did a few weeks ago. I'd probably be happier than if we took Lattimore for example whose injury record flat out terrifies me.

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Agreed. They could get a FS (Marcus Williams or Obi) or CB in round 2, then follow it up with a TE, Edge/DL, and WR with the next 3 picks in rounds 3 and 4. I'm not sure the Bears will focus on both FS and CB high in this draft. I think they'll take 1 of the 2 positions, but not both.

I'd take Fournette at 3 without much thought. Get off the bus running. Glennon is put in the best position to succeed with the two headed monster at RB. The only question would be does Howard feel slighted by the presence of Fournette.

Massie is more than adequate in the ground game. It's in the passing game that he is weak. If the Bears are running more, the strength of the OL comes out.

bearmick said:

Williams and Stewart, thunder and lightning.

Howard and Fournette would be thunder and more fucking thunder. You'd be able to keep them fresh. If they can keep games close enough to run the ball in the 4th quarter, they'd be smashing some seriously tired defenses.

Click to expand...

LOL. I can see the t-shirts now.

HawkBear said:

What is the benefit of not doing private workouts?

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Historically there have been many teams drafting high without bringing someone in. They were in Indy and at all the pro days for the high picks, I believe. It can be smoke, as modo suggests.