Fire Ryan Poles | Fire Ben Johnson

https://firejerryangelo.org/2023/06/14/could-the-bears-actually-have-a-quarterback-and-not-know-it/

That was written two months ago. The Bears had a quarterback and didn’t know it until the preseason started. Tyson Bagent appears to be the backup.

As we have witnessed over the years, there have been some who played well in the preseason and have sucked when the games matter. Caleb Hanie comes to mind.

But this does feel different. And as mentioned before, it’s just a matter of time before Justin Fields gets hurt. The Bears need an actual quarterback to be the backup. I was a bit pissed that they signed P.J. Walker and for the money he was given. But he could have been the third string and have Nathan Peterman fuck off for good. So Ryan Poles still fucked this up even after getting it right.

Seriously, how does a team cut someone with limited success but keeps the person with no success? It’s baffling.

Regardless, with the waiver wire sure to be full of potential signings, it’s time the Bears find yet another quarterback who has some potential. Maybe a rookie from another team that played well and didn’t make the roster there. Keep stocking those rookie quarterbacks and see what happens.

As last week goes, I’ll try to chime in when possible as I’m watching this game at work.

Another preseason comes to a close where the players are nameless and faceless. That tells you how shitty this franchise is. I refuse to say it’s me getting old as to why I can’t remember faces or names of the players. They all just suck.

First Terry Funk. Now Bray Wyatt. Two months ago, it was The Iron Sheik.

This shit is tough. While Funk was before my time, I’ve heard all the stories. I do remember him in the late 90’s when he was way past his prime. But damn.

Chucky, I saw Bray Wyatt’s last match ever at a house show in Rockford in February. Here is the picture.

https://www.si.com/nfl/bears/news/now-darnell-wright-has-a-medical-issue

I just don’t fucking get this. Why is it always the Bears? Why do they seem to have more injuries than every other team?

Now, their first pick is hurt. Just remember that Ryan Poles traded away the FIRST overall pick just to move down and get what we already know is a bust in Darnell Wright.

Meanwhile, Teven Jenkins, who was the bust from two years ago, will miss the first month of the season.

The entire offensive line is now in shambles and the season hasn’t even started yet.

Only the Bears.

I’ll be watching the game at a restaurant and won’t be able to take notes down.

But I do have a problem with this game already and that’s Justin Fields not playing. At least play a quarter to get the offense in some kind of rhythm.

This just isn’t very encouraging. I think I picked the Bears to win four games this year and not playing the starters much in these preseason games is one of the reasons. Again, at least play a quarter to try to establish some synergy.

Whatever.

I was working during this game and was still able to take down some notes. I know some reading this may think I’m “overreacting.” But let’s be real: This is the Bears. Not another team. You can’t tell me that it’s football and these things happen. It happens to the Bears much more than the average team. They went 3-0 in the preseason last year and won the same amount in the regular season. So winning and losing isn’t the issue during these games. It’s what happens during them.

The Titans start the game with the ball and go right down the field for a touchdown. You know, I’ve seen this movie before. Seriously, I know it’s just preseason. But can this fucking franchise for once in our sad lives stop an offense to open up the game? Why do we always have to witness the defense give a score on the first drive?

The Bears take the ball after and wow. D.J. Moore has speed. And he actually gained yardage on one of those awful bubble screens that was the Ron Turner specialty. I don’t ever wish to see that again. But I am sure we will when the season begins. But the Bears got the ball back after the Titans punted and another touchdown with ease. Khalil Herbert this time scores. So maybe this is progress? Certainly, I’ve been wrong before.

Okay, here’s where our Bears show their true colors: Velus fucking Jones fumbling a punt return. I cannot stand this fucking guy and his fucking butterfingers. I think one of the guarantees when watching the Bears since last year is Velus Jones fumbling the ball. I don’t ever want to see this guy on the Bears again. He should be cut right now. The Bears got the ball back on the very next play. But then, gave it right back on a P.J. Walker throw to no one with a Bears uniform nearby. Can the Bears please stop signing shitty quarterbacks? It’s their motto. Nathan Peterwhacker played the third quarter. I just don’t fucking get it. How does someone with four touchdowns and 13 interceptions in their career still have a job? Fuck these two guys.

That same defense that is known for giving up a score on the first drive of the half also has a long history of doing the same before halftime. They gave up a field goal. Fuck.

Hey, look. A quarterback that may actually be worth something. I’ve wanted Tyson Bagent to be the second quarterback on the team. Unlike Walker and Peterwhacker, he may actually be decent. He had a nice pass on fourth down that moved the chains in the four quarter.

Remember how the Bears have a history of giving up points on the first and last drives of each half? Holy shit, did it appear that it was going to happen again. The Titans got all the way down to the 13 when the defense actually did something worth a damn late in the game. And not just once, but TWICE in the final two minutes.

Next up is a showdown in Indianapolis.

When Mack made his debut for the Bears, he was pretty damn good. But as the season went on, he became more invisible. Then the next year, very invisible.

I’m sure the Bears feel they have nothing to lose as this is a one-year deal. We’ll see what happens.

On August 1st, 2008, a phenomenon known as “Fire Dusty Baker 2” took off. For those new folks here, we were at an old site talking baseball when the person owning it disappeared without a trace. 22 year old me stepped up and brought a majority of the readers over here on that day. We have seen so much bullshit and hey, even *some* joy when it comes to Chicago sports. After all, mediocrity was what brought us here in the first place. We’ve seen some weirdos come along and tell us we are idiots over these years and we’ve had others who have praised us for our FIRE AND PASSION. But whatever it may be, we welcomed all of it with open arms.

Since then, we have had several iterations on the banner to fire countless other hacks such as Tom Thibodeau, Lovie Smith, Jerry Angelo, Matt Nagy and Ryan Pace. And now, it’s a dual banner featuring incompetent fools Ryan Poles and Matt Eberflus.

I usually write an article like this every August 1st. Last year was different because I just simply forgot. While I love this site more than anything, it just hasn’t been popping like it was even a few years ago. But I keep paying for this site every year because of the history of it. Literally 15 years of everything I’ve ever written on this site exists in the archives. I sometimes take a look at them every once in a while. Sad to say, some shit I wrote ten years ago still applies today to some teams. Nostalgia at it’s finest, I suppose.

When this website started, I was 22 and just out of college. I was still living in a tiny apartment that the bedroom was actually as big as the living room and kitchen combined. Now, I have emerged into adulthood where I work 60 hours a week and am constantly on the go. It’s also another reason why I haven’t posted as much. When football season rolls around, traffic tends to rise and engagement is more common. When logging in, I do see the stats (cue Yeti). I am very thankful to see some people checking in.

As long as I am still able to do this, I will. I wish I could write more positive articles when it comes to my teams. But damn, they just keep being mediocre. But at least I have this outlet. We have had some glimpses of recognition in the media many years back. From Sarah Spain getting pissed off at us for telling the truth about her to getting our site mentioned in Kenny Albert’s Wikipedia page, I find it all fascinating.

I seriously cannot thank you all enough. For those who just read without posting, you are just as important as the ones who do. It’s appreciated. For the regulars who still post here, you are just fantastic human beings. Even in the times we have disagreed on something, it was always a respectful debate. I have had the (dis)pleasure of meeting and being good friends with Genrebuster and Jimmy D. Then there is Chucky and while I haven’t met him, I am sure it would be a blast seeing him walk around with a chainsaw in his hands.

I really pray I don’t forget some others. But readers such as Dave, DVX, Ernie, Pie, John, Grant, USAgent and many more deserve praise. Seriously, thank you. It’s just incredible how some of us are talking here after all of these years. I sincerely do not take anyone for granted.

Here’s to many more birthdays for this dark corner of the internet.