With the Bulls long gone from the playoff picture, the Talkin’ Toros podcast has shifted gears to focus on the quality basketball that’s taking place between good teams. On our latest episode, Myles, Adam, and I discuss the Rockets losing their cool, Damian Lillard’s excellence, the Bucks’ Game 1 let-down in Round 2, and Jrue Holliday as a Bulls point guard option. Give us a listen!
This group has the potential to be all sorts of fun:
When the Bears were at their worst, it felt like they were drafting without a plan. Every team has their off-the-board picks that force you to wear out your keyboard in search of answers, but too many of those players turned out to be worth the time we put in to research them. That has changed in recent years. Not only are the Bears drafting players who put together good tape, they seem to be choosing guys who fit a particular mold. That is a tell-tale sign that a plan rooted in something bigger is in place. That warms the heart on a cool, rainy morning.
Speed has been made a priority by this front office. Kerrith Whyte Jr. Stephen Denmark, and Duke Shelley put up quality 40 times , and in the case of Whyte and Shelley, it showed on tape. Watching Denmark’s tape can be a bit rough because it’s not all that sharp. But a 4.46 40-yard dash time speaks to having some juice.
In the case of Riley Ridley and David Montgomery, top-end speed isn’t their game. Instead, football IQ and pure ability speaks to why they were drafted. Ridley is a sharp route-runner who doesn’t waste movement or time getting open. Montgomery does everything well out of the backfield and is as well-rounded as a draft prospect as they come.
This draft class represents a mix of what good teams should be looking for out of prospects: It’s a little bit of proven football skill, athletic traits that can be built on, and considerable upside.
The Bears backfield is offering up a little bit of something for everyone in 2019. Not only can I not wait to see how they’re all incorporated in the scheme, I want to see them on the field at the same time. That will totally drive defensive coordinators wild.
Shiny new things are fun:
You can’t put a number on how much better Bears drafts can be now that they have a state-of-the-art facility with a brand-new draft room. HOWEVER, it can’t hurt that the upgrades have brought the team into the new millennium. Look good, feel good, draft good, win good. Or something like that.
I have little doubt Chicago’s receivers were the most improved position group in the entire NFL in 2018. A year later, that squad is a little bit stronger because it is crazy deep:
Bears WR Depth:
• Allen Robinson • Anthony Miller • Taylor Gabriel • Cordarrelle Patterson • Javon Wims • Riley Ridley • Emanuel Hall
That’s an outstanding group with lots of competition throughout.
So much speed. So much route-running skill. So much pass-catching ability. It’s all there for Mitch Trubisky moving forward. It will soon be time to capitalize on it.
I don’t think the Bears are going to carry seven wide receivers this season, so there is a chance that the team will cut someone fans like. These are first-place problems, but we don’t need to cross that bridge until we get there.
You’re pounding the over on Bears wins in 2019, right?
2019 NFL Regular Season Win Totals
Ari 5 Atl 8.5 Bal 8.5 Buf 6.5 Car 8 Chi 9 Cin 6 Cle 9 Dal 9 Den 7 Det 6.5 GB 9 Hou 8.5 Ind 9.5 Jax 8 KC 10.5 LAC 9.5 LAR 10.5 Mia 5 Min 9 NE 11 NO 10.5 NYG 6 NYJ 7.5 Oak 6 Phi 9.5 Pit 9 SF 8 Sea 8.5 TB 6.5 Ten 8 Wsh 6.5
We have seen the Bears projected at 9.5 wins elsewhere, so I was a bit surprised to see them dropped to 9 here. If it dips to 8.5, then it’ll be impossible to not play the “over.” Even then, I still like the Bears’ chances of winning at least 10 games in 2019.
Positive vibes tend to be at their highest after a team’s draft, so perhaps there is value here in taking an under for a team that isn’t quite all the way there just yet. I’d need to do some more research before I stuck my neck out on the line and made that pick, though. Give me some time and I’m sure we’ll loop around to it between now and the start of the season.
There is one less free agent kicker on the market:
End of an era.
Sebastian Janikowski is retiring after 19 years in the NFL, per @AdamSchefter.
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.
Are you ready for the premature panic on social media because Caleb Williams and the Chicago Bears offense had a tough day in shorts and tee shirts on May 23? Prepare yourself because it happened. The word out of Lake...
While the Chicago Bears don't tend to participate much in these video drops, other teams — including the Minnesota Vikings do not shy away. In fact, this inside look at the team's first-round trade-ups is unlike anything I've seen before. Check...
Not many things would make me want to attend a White Sox game again this season, but this Caleb Williams-inspired promo could be one of them. The White Sox are offering $18 outfield tickets for their game against the Baltimore...
The folks over at Bears Wire got an opportunity to go one-on-one with rookie wide receiver Rome Odunze. In a wide-ranging conversation that touched on everything from his draft-night experience, early impressions on Caleb Williams, and the "Call of Duty:...
If you've been wondering "where's my Caleb Williams content from OTAs?" while watching teams around the league showcase sizzle reels, take a chill pill. The Chicago Bears have you covered with some snippets from this week's offseason training activities at...
In his latest Q&A installment, the Chicago Tribune's Brad Biggs fields a question about Calais Campbell as a possible player who could interest the Chicago Bears as a free agent. And while I hadn't considered Campbell to be a Bears...
The NFL announced this afternoon that the 2026 NFL Draft will be held in Pittsburgh. The announcement was part of the day's activities at the annual NFL Spring League Meeting in Nashville. https://twitter.com/steelers/status/1793302266381840827 The event will take place in Pittsburgh...
Allergies are really kicking my butt this week. Anyone else having that issue? It can't be just me... Sure, Russell Wilson has the inside track on being the Pittsburgh Steelers' starting at quarterback. But former Chicago Bears signal caller Justin...
Must-watch games, early OTA impressions, and the Dolphin's plans for training camp. That and more in today's NFL Notes. Must Watch NFL Games in 2024 The Athletic's staff put together a list of every team's most watchable matchup this season....
Vic Fangio is one of the most revered assistant coaches in football. Chicago Bears fans hold Fangio in high regards because of his time with the team from 2015-18. Fangio was the Bears' defensive coordinator under two different head coaches...
Are you ready for the premature panic on social media because Caleb Williams and the Chicago Bears offense had a tough day in shorts and tee shirts on May 23? Prepare yourself because it happened. The word out of Lake...
As the NFL season approaches, fans and bettors alike are eagerly analyzing the latest Division Winner Odds. With each division presenting its own set of challenges and potential surprises, the race for the top spot is more thrilling than ever....
The Greatest Spectacle in Racing returns this weekend as Indy Car hits the hallowed grounds of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. The Indy 500 lineup welcomes one of NASCAR’s top talents to the mix and is primed for another epic chapter...
The moment Zach LaVine opted for season-ending foot surgery was the moment the trade market fell silent. What little action there was surrounding the two-time All-Star would be put on silent until at least the offseason. And, well, here we...
Jayson Tatum and Pascal Siakam are among the players with prop bets on the table when the Boston Celtics and the Indiana Pacers meet at TD Garden on Thursday (tipping at 8:00 PM ET).How to Watch Celtics vs. PacersDate: Thursday,...
Yankees' Hal Steinbrenner is crying broke, the Padres' depth will be tested without Xander Bogaerts for the foreseeable future, and Keith Law has some strong words for the 2024 MLB Draft class in today's MLB Notes. Hal Steinbrenner Says Current...
Cade Horton made his best start yet at Triple-A as the Iowa Cubs downed Indianapolis in 11 innings on Wednesday. That and more in today's Cubs Farm Report. Cubs Farm Report | May 23, 2024 Triple-A Iowa Cubs The Iowa...
It was another tough season for the Charlotte Hornets who finished 21-61 and missed the playoffs for the 8th consecutive year. Let's take a look at the team's 2024 NBA Draft picks, future selections, and more as they build to...
The Baltimore Orioles (29-18) hope to avoid their fourth straight defeat when they visit the Chicago White Sox (15-35) Thursday at 7:40 PM ET on NBCS-CHI. The Orioles are listed as -232 favorites to snap their losing skid, while the...
Not many things would make me want to attend a White Sox game again this season, but this Caleb Williams-inspired promo could be one of them. The White Sox are offering $18 outfield tickets for their game against the Baltimore...
NEWSLETTER
