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What the Bears' Shakeup Means for Caleb Williams and Thomas Brown's Climb
2024-12-06
The Chicago Bears' recent coaching shuffle has raised numerous questions and sparked intense discussions within the football community. On Monday, as Bears president Kevin Warren and general manager Ryan Poles addressed the media, an NFC executive watched with a plethora of queries. Why was the press conference delayed three days after firing head coach Matt Eberflus? Why didn't the Bears act sooner after the Washington Commanders' Hail Mary play? And now, why are they reassigning the offensive coordinator?

Unraveling the Bears' Coaching Moves and Their Impact on Caleb Williams

Section 1: The Press Conference Delays and Coaching Changes

After firing Matt Eberflus, the Bears found themselves in a state of flux. Caleb Williams became the third straight quarterback drafted first overall to lose their head coach during the rookie season. Trevor Lawrence lost Urban Meyer in 2021, and Bryce Young lost Frank Reich in 2023. Now, Williams has endured yet another coaching change.The decision to delay the press conference and the subsequent shuffling of the coaching staff have left many puzzled. Only three games had passed since firing offensive coordinator Shane Waldron, and now Thomas Brown has been promoted to offensive coordinator and interim head coach. This leaves Williams with his third offensive coordinator in just 13 professional games.

Section 2: Brown's Impact on the Offense

Despite the coaching changes, Brown has shown his capabilities. After elevating him to play-caller, the Bears saw a significant improvement in their offensive statistics. From 24th in offensive EPA to ninth in the past three weeks, their total yards jumped from 30th to 13th, and their third-down conversions improved from 31st to sixth. Williams' passer rating also rose from 79.3 under Waldron to 118.2 with Brown.However, in a season where the Bears' top priority should be supporting their franchise quarterback, these changes have raised eyebrows. Are they risking Williams' long-term development? Brown was not directly communicating with Williams a month ago, but now he is the top line of communication.Williams himself views this as an opportunity. "I wouldn't say that it will affect my development. I think this is a stepping stone of development, to be able to have all of this in my first year. I wouldn't say I'm happy for it. But having these moments is definitely something that will help me in the future."

Section 3: The Jets' Similar Experience and the Risks Involved

The Jets took a similar risk by firing head coach Robert Saleh and promoting defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich to interim head coach. This midseason change disrupted the defensive play-calling and structure, and the team's performance suffered. They slipped from fifth in defensive EPA to 30th and from second-best scoring defense to 16th.The Bears are now taking on the same risk by promoting Thomas Brown. They already have lost six straight and face tough opponents. Williams and his teammates have emphasized improved communication and transparency, but Brown now has more on his plate.Brown downplayed the concerns, stating, "I am not the sole person responsible for Caleb's development. He has a big part in that. My job is to be an effective communicator, be honest and be direct about what he's doing well and what he's not doing well."

Section 4: Brown's Future Opportunities

League sources are divided on what this opportunity means for Brown's career. One camp believes continuing as offensive coordinator would be the best for his career, while the other believes the experience in organizational leadership will give him a head start.Brown is focused on the present, saying, "If you're bad at your job, they move on from you. If you're good at your job, they give you an opportunity to stick around. And if you're great at your job, you get elevated. So my thought process was always to be the best I can be."

Section 5: Preparing for the San Francisco 49ers

When it comes to preparing for the San Francisco 49ers, Brown is reminding his players of the importance of physicality and mental toughness. He emphasizes that the goal is not perfection but excellence."I try to tell him every day that he has an obviously very difficult job as the quarterback position and at times he gets frustrated. Wednesdays are heavy install days. A lot of verbiage, a lot of alert criteria. So being able to understand how to challenge yourself but also give yourself grace, breathe. And if you mess it up — get back in the huddle and we'll make it right. Breathe."The road ahead for the Bears is not easy, but Brown is determined to get the best out of each coach and player.
New Salem-Almont's Holsteins Dominate, Bishop Ryan Holds On
2024-12-06
On Thursday, December 5, at Bishop Ryan High School, a thrilling wrestling event took place. With four schools in attendance, the Lions grapplers welcomed Beulah-Hazen, Harvey-Wells County, and New Salem-Almont to their den. Each team engaged in three duel matches, kicking off the evening of wrestling.

New Salem-Almont's Dominance as a Team

The Holsteins from New Salem-Almont emerged as the top team, topping each of the other teams. Bishop Ryan, on the other hand, had only seven wrestlers competing in the 13 weight classifications.

It was a tough challenge for Bishop Ryan, but their wrestlers showed great determination. Sophomore Peyton Seay at 114-lbs, eighth grader Afton Ost at 121, senior Riley Weeks at 127, sophomore Nolan Braun at 133, freshman Zachary Spain at 145, senior Drew Zwak at 172, and junior Cade Okeson at 285 all had three matches each on the night.

The most intense match of the evening was the final one for Zwak at 172 against New Salem-Almont senior Brock Norton. Both wrestlers entered the match with a 2-0 record. Norton kept the pressure on in the first two periods and took a 4-0 lead at one point. However, Zwak patiently worked the clock and the tempo, eventually getting a takedown and an escape to build a lead and secure the win.

Afton Ost's Comeback Victory

Another captivating match was between Ost at 121 and sophomore Brody Jones from Harvey-Wells County. The Hornet had Ost down 6-0 and seemed to have the match in hand. But Ost pulled off a move that gave him control, and he went from zero points to a win by pin in his first matchup of the evening.

This showed Ost's resilience and ability to turn the tide in a tough situation. It was a moment of excitement for the Bishop Ryan team and their fans.

Bishop Ryan had a close team score with Beulah-Hazen, but the six forfeits at the empty weights classifications of 107, 133, 139, 152, 160, 189, and 215 affected the overall results. New Salem-Almont went 3-0 at the event, Harvey-Wells County went 2-1, and Beulah-Hazen took a 1-2 record as a team.

Exhibition Matches for Entertainment

In addition to the team matchups, several exhibition matches between non-varsity wrestlers and girls teams from Harvey-Wells County and New Salem-Almont kept the fans entertained in between the varsity duals.

It was a great opportunity for the younger wrestlers to showcase their skills and for the fans to enjoy some additional wrestling action.

Bishop Ryan will continue their season at the Velva Invitational today, December 6, and tomorrow, December 7. Fans can look forward to more exciting wrestling action as the teams battle it out on the mat.

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Cade McNamara Transfers to Seek 7th Season of Eligibility
2024-12-06
Cade McNamara, a key figure in Iowa's football scene, has made a significant announcement. He started Iowa's first eight games at quarterback but has now decided to enter the transfer portal and seek a seventh season of eligibility from the NCAA. This move comes after a series of events that have shaped his career.

Unraveling Cade McNamara's Football Odyssey

McNamara's Early Years at Michigan

In 2019, Cade McNamara began his college football career at Michigan. He started the last game of the 2020 season and went on to start all 14 games in 2021. During this time, the Wolverines achieved great success, winning the Big Ten championship and advancing to the College Football Playoff. However, his journey took a turn in the CFP semifinals when he was benched during a 34-11 loss to Georgia.This experience was a turning point for McNamara. It made him realize the challenges and uncertainties that come with being a quarterback. Despite the setback, he continued to work hard and prepare for the future.

Transfer to Iowa and Injuries

In 2023, McNamara transferred to Iowa. Unfortunately, he sustained a quadricep injury during preseason practice and later tore an ACL in the fifth game. These injuries have been a major setback for his career at Iowa.But McNamara has shown remarkable resilience. Even with these setbacks, he has remained focused on his goal of continuing to grow as a player, leader, and person. He has also expressed his deep gratitude for the experiences he has had at Iowa and the relationships he has built.

Recent Concussion and Future Plans

In the first half against Northwestern on Oct. 26, McNamara suffered a concussion and was unable to play again. Despite these challenges, he remains optimistic about his future.He wrote, "I will truly miss this program and state, and they will always hold a special place in my heart. With that being said, I will be entering the transfer portal. I'm looking forward to this offseason, being the healthiest I've been in years, and continuing my growth as a player, leader, and person. I am excited to see where God takes my football journey."This shows McNamara's determination and faith in his ability to bounce back and achieve his goals. His story is a testament to the resilience and perseverance required in the world of college football.
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