Winning at the Line of Scrimmage, Playing Smart, Ravens Flock to Fry, and Other Bullets

Hating the fantasy football team I drafted is a tradition unlike any other, and this year was no exception:

For what it’s worth, I hate this team less now than I did when I first drafted it because I’m starting to realize how much upside it has at running back and wide receiver. Having the top two tight ends is neat, too. My major weakness is at quarterback, where I was targeting Mitch Trubisky and Kyler Murray late, but that proved to be a mistake. Perhaps Josh Allen (who was the top-scoring fantasy quarterback over the final six weeks) puts up top-12 numbers against a whack AFC East (save for the Patriots) and a third-place schedule.

  • This Andrew Luck related tidbit really got me thinking about the Bears’ offensive line situation:
  • I didn’t share the tweet above to pile on former Colts GM Ryan Grigson, who’s already being dragged throughout social media for how he drafted around Luck. Instead, I wanted to provide perspective with what the Bears have done to build their offensive line. Bears GM Ryan Pace hit a home run with Cody Whitehair (a second-round pick who was a Week 1 starter as a rookie and grew into a Pro Bowl center) and James Daniels (who was brought along slowly, but took off once he joined the starters). If the Bears are to continue to keep their window of contention open, they’ll need to continue using the early portion of the draft to build a winning combination at the line of scrimmage.
  • This isn’t to say there is something wrong with late-round fliers along the offensive line, it’s just that your quarterback’s hope to get proper protection shouldn’t be pinned on too many late round picks. Guys like Charles Leno Jr. don’t come around every draft. And even when they do, it takes years for them to develop.
  • That brings me to how this ties to the Bears, who just claimed Northwestern product Tommy Doles off waivers to beef up their reserve linemen. One area of concern that popped up this preseason is the lack of solid depth among the reserve tackles. Tayo Fabuluje (6th round, 2015) and Jordan Morgan (5th round, 2017) should have had those spots on lock down, but neither made it past their first year with the team. It says a lot about Pace’s drafting that we have to dig this deep to find a place that has been problematic. And yet, the issue remains.
  • Perhaps the Bears have a solution in undrafted rookie free agent Alex Bars. JJ Stankevitz (NBC Sports Chicago) digs into his past as a Notre Dame reporter to discuss Bars as an answer to the trouble at swing tackle. I have long been intrigued by Bars, who would have been a middle-round pick in the 2019 NFL Draft had a season-ending ACL/MCL injury not shortened his season. Bears Offensive Line Coach Harry Hiestand had an eye for talent in the trenches while with the Fighting Irish and had first-hand experience working with Bars. There were times Bars stood out for the right reasons at camp, so it wouldn’t surprise me if he has taken enough steps to merit consideration for a spot on the 53-man roster. Bars has mostly played guard this summer, but if can prove to be an adequate tackle, it would go a long way toward securing his spot on the roster.
  • Alright, so what do the Ravens know about Elliott Fry that the Bears do not:
  • The Ravens signed Fry to replace Kaare Vedvik (who didn’t look great in his Vikings debut) as the guy who takes the preseason kicks in order to ensure Justin Tucker’s health heading into the regular season. Fry won’t last long on the Ravens, but because Baltimore has a lengthy history of finding and developing kicking talent, I can’t help but shake the idea that they think highly of their new camp leg.
  • Hey, maybe the Vikings will trade a fourth-round pick to get Fry!
  • Chuck Pagano is pure class:
  • iPads, coffee brewers, and more are your Deals of the Day at Amazon today.
  • I ain’t scared:
  • Smart football:
  • What an image:
  • View this post on Instagram

    What goes up… must come down in @jhorsted's hands.

    A post shared by Chicago Bears (@chicagobears) on

  • I hope he got that sandwich:
  • written by

    Luis C. Medina, who you can find on Twitter at lcm1986, has been covering the Chicago Bears at Bleacher Nation since 2017. Since then, he has written about 3 head coaches, 5 play-callers, and 11 starting quarterbacks. Previously, Luis wrote about the Cubs and MLB at BN (2015-16) and worked in the Chicago Tribune sports department (2011-16). He also co-hosted a Cubs postgame show, Outside the Ivy, in 2019.

    more bears news

    There is a Growing Consensus on How Bears Will Use the No. 9 Pick

    As part of his latest NFL Draft notebook, CBS Sports NFL insider Jonathan Jones shares what he has heard about the Chicago Bears plan on doing with the No. 9 pick. "Sources around the league seem to believe the Chicago...

    Things You Love to See: Rome Odunze and Caleb Williams are Already Getting Along

    Caleb Williams will be the starting quarterback for the Chicago Bears next season. We've known that for some time, and it will become official on Thursday. The only question that remains is who's joining him? There's a strong chance that...

    Chicago Bears 2024 NFL Draft Fits: Wide Receivers and Tight Ends

    The 2024 NFL Draft begins Thursday. Chicago Bears General Manager Ryan Poles, Assistant GM Ian Cunningham, Head Coach Matt Eberflus, and others will put their heads together to come up with a winning plan for the team's four picks (Nos....

    What Happened to Bears’ Arlington Move? Watch Out For Cards, New and Texans Unis, and Other Bears Bullets

    This afternoon's forecast in Chicago calls for afternoon rainstorms, which means I need to tweak my schedule to get my regularly scheduled walk in without getting soaked. Wish me luck! The Chicago Bears are reportedly set to announce lakefront stadium...

    You’re Gonna Want to Watch This Caleb Williams Hype Video

    Who needs coffee when this Caleb Williams hype video exists? The NFL Draft is in 2 days. Soon, the Chicago Bears will be on the clock with the first pick. At this point, Chicago choosing USC quarterback Caleb Williams with...

    REPORT: Bears to Announce Lakefront Stadium Plans on Wednesday

    The Chicago Bears stadium saga has as many plot twists as my abuela's favorite telenovelas. And the latest suggests that a move to Arlington Heights that once felt inevitable isn't in the cards as WGN reports that plans for the...

    The NFL Penalizing the Falcons For Tampering With Kirk Cousins Would Do the Bears a Favor

    At first, the NFL tampering case involving the Atlanta Falcons and Minnesota Vikings got a "ha ha" out of me because former Chicago Bears GM Ryan Pace and wide receiver Darnell Mooney were secondary characters in the story. But little...

    There He Goes: The Jets Are Trading Zach Wilson to the Broncos

    And then there was one. There were five quarterbacks taken in the first round of the 2021 NFL Draft, and only Trevor Lawrence remains with the team that selected him. That will be the case once the Zach Wilson trade...

    Chicago Bears 2024 NFL Draft Fits: Quarterbacks

    The 2024 NFL Draft begins Thursday. Chicago Bears General Manager Ryan Poles, Assistant GM Ian Cunningham, Head Coach Matt Eberflus, and others will put their heads together to come up with a winning plan for the team's four picks (Nos....

    2024 NFL Mock Draft: Bears Get Bold & Go All In On Offense

    It's Draft Week! After months of anticipation, the NFL's premier offseason event is finally here. We know how the first overall pick will go, but beyond that, we have a ton of unpredictability. Who will Washington take second? Will Arizona...

    Latest News

    Kawhi Leonard Player Props: Three-Pointer Props and Odds vs. the Mavericks – NBA Playoffs Game 2, Tuesday, April 23, 2024

    Kawhi Leonard needs to make two 3-pointers to beat his over/under when the Los Angeles Clippers play the Dallas Mavericks on Tuesday at 10:00 PM ET, in Game 2 of the opening round of the NBA playoffs.Kawhi Leonard's Three-Pointer Prop...

    2024 Zurich Classic Sleeper Picks: Target These Two Longshot Teams

    Zurich Classic Sleeper Picks - The Zurich Classic, a thrilling and unique team event on the PGA Tour, is set to take place at the picturesque TPC Louisiana in Avondale, Louisiana. This Pete Dye design, renowned for its water hazards...

    Cubs with a Flurry of Roster Moves Involving SIX Players

    We've been trying to piece this series of Cubs roster moves together all day, but we didn't have the full picture until now. There are a lot of moving parts - and we already have a dedicated article on the...

    2024 Los Angeles Chargers Big Board: Potential First-Round Fits Including Wide Receiver & Tackle

    The 2024 NFL Draft is upon us, and the Los Angeles Chargers hold the coveted fifth overall pick. With a young, dynamic quarterback in Justin Herbert, the Chargers are poised to make a serious playoff run. But to take that...

    FanDuel Promo Code: $5 Bet on NBA Wins You $150 Including Bucks vs Pacers

    In the dynamic world of sports betting, the FanDuel promo code stands out as a great way to start on a premier platform for enthusiasts looking to elevate their NBA betting experience. With the NBA season in full swing, the...

    Paul George Player Props: Three-Pointer Props and Odds vs. the Mavericks – NBA Playoffs Game 2, Tuesday, April 23, 2024

    The Los Angeles Clippers play the Dallas Mavericks on Tuesday at 10:00 PM ET in Game 2 of the opening round of the NBA playoffs, and if the Clippers' Paul George drains four 3-pointers, he'll beat his prop.Paul George's Three-Pointer...

    James Harden Player Props: Three-Pointer Props and Odds vs. the Mavericks – NBA Playoffs Game 2, Tuesday, April 23, 2024

    The Los Angeles Clippers face the Dallas Mavericks on Tuesday at 10:00 PM ET in Game 2 of the opening round of the NBA playoffs, and if the Clippers' James Harden drains three 3-pointers, he'll beat his over/under.James Harden's Three-Pointer...

    Kyrie Irving Player Props: Three-Pointer Props and Odds vs. the Clippers – NBA Playoffs Game 2, Tuesday, April 23, 2024

    Kyrie Irving needs to make four 3-pointers to beat his over/under when the Dallas Mavericks play the Los Angeles Clippers on Tuesday at 10:00 PM ET, in Game 2 of the opening round of the NBA playoffs.Kyrie Irving's Three-Pointer Prop...

    Luka Doncic Player Props: Three-Pointer Props and Odds vs. the Clippers – NBA Playoffs Game 2, Tuesday, April 23, 2024

    Luka Doncic needs to make five 3-pointers to beat his prop when the Dallas Mavericks meet the Los Angeles Clippers on Tuesday at 10:00 PM ET, in Game 2 of the opening round of the NBA playoffs.Luka Doncic's Three-Pointer Prop...

    2024 NBA Draft: Which Big Names Have Already Declared?

    The 2024 NBA Draft is fast approaching! We're just about two months away from the NBA's premier offseason event. While we don't quite know the order of the teams selecting yet, we're starting to get commitments on who will be...

    more bears news