NEWSLETTER
Balancing The Bachelor and the Bulls on a Monday is why I’m glad I bought two televisions for the same space.
• I think there’s legitimate beef here:
Fritz Pollard Alliance: NFL’s ever evolving hiring standards are mind-boggling https://t.co/eQB3MZ8XTK
— AJC Sports (@AJCsports) January 19, 2021
Had many conversations over the weekend with Black NFL assistant coaches and officials. There’s a lot of frustration, pain and anger out there. @nflcommish @TroyVincentSr and others have put in the work, they tell me. But owners don’t care. https://t.co/lnsrEuyj2z
— Jason Reid (@JReidESPN) January 18, 2021
• The coach-hiring period began with seven head-coach openings. All but two of said openings have been filled, and none by Black coaches. This after an offseason in which the NFL pushed for more inclusivity and open-mindedness in the interview and hiring process. I don’t have all the answers, but I know when something doesn’t look or feel right. My hope is that the NFL’s talk of change was more than just that. With that being said, I encourage reading the pieces in the tweets above.
• For the record, the Bears shouldn’t be exempt from this — even though they aren’t hiring a head coach. So while I’m glad the Bears have requested an interview with Cowboys Senior Defensive Assistant George Edwards, my hope is that he gets serious consideration for the gig. Moreover, I hope this isn’t an interview with the intent of skating past the league’s interview rules. For what it’s worth, Edwards was the only known Black candidate the Bears interviewed for their head-coach opening in 2018. I hope he’s not the only one who gets a call for the defensive coordinator vacancy.
• Whomever the Bears hire to run the defense better understand coverages:
#Bears top coverage rates (% of coverage snaps)
• Cover 1 — 33.1% (21st)
• Cover 2 — 19.2% (8th)
• Cover 3 — 18.3% (21st)
• Quarters — 11.8% (12th)Blitz rate — 21.5% (23rd) https://t.co/lh2JTxYTGF
— Matt Bowen (@MattBowen41) January 18, 2021
#Bears 2018 top coverage rates (Fangio) —
• Cover 1 — 30.8% (24th)
• Cover 3 — 20.6% (26th)
• 2-Man — 16.7% (2nd)
• Cover 2 — 15.1% (10th)
• Quarters — 12.0% (9th)Blitz rate — 19.5% (24th) https://t.co/qVV3DQOjHc
— Matt Bowen (@MattBowen41) January 19, 2021
Fangio in ‘18 — 16.7% 2-Man snaps (2nd in NFL)
Pagano in ‘20 — 9.7% 2-Man snaps (8th in NFL) https://t.co/DAMs78epJ7
— Matt Bowen (@MattBowen41) January 19, 2021
• Sigh. Another Roquan Smith snub:
The @PFWAwriters’ All-NFL team pic.twitter.com/GKTxWjPmmJ
— Adam Jahns (@adamjahns) January 18, 2021
• What changes will occur on the other side of the ball are yet to be determined, but the need to shake things up is undeniable. Over at Bear Report, Andrew Freeman breaks down areas where the offense improved (yes, they exist!):
• Yikes:
"[The situation between Deshaun Watson and the Houston Texans] is worse than what's being reported. It's worse than what can be said on television."
—@danorlovsky7 pic.twitter.com/vWjsNjNLJG
— Get Up (@GetUpESPN) January 18, 2021
• For your listening pleasure:
https://twitter.com/NBCSBears/status/1351184046534103043
• Well, that sounds painful on several fronts:
Saints’ WR Michael Thomas is likely to have surgeries on both the torn deltoid and other injured ligaments in his high ankle this offseason, per source. He knew it was likely Drew Brees’ last year and didn’t want to miss out trying win a Super Bowl with him.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) January 19, 2021
• We discussed Justin Fields entering the NFL Draft, but he wasn’t alone in making the big decision at Ohio State:
Recap of Ohio State's underclassmen decisions today:
Declaring for NFL
QB Justin Fields
OG Wyatt Davis
DT Tommy TogiaiReturning to OSU
WR Chris Olave
TE Jeremy Ruckert
DE Tyreke Smith— Dane Brugler (@dpbrugler) January 19, 2021
• I’m surprised (and a bit disappointed) to see Chris Olave return to campus. Then again, another strong year for the Buckeyes would cement his status as a first-round receiver. Had Olave declared for the 2021 NFL Draft, I think he would’ve been one of those first-round caliber talents who slipped to Round 2. On the other side of the ledger, Wyatt Davis is an excellent offensive line prospect whose stock we’ll keep tabs on in the lead-up to draft day. There was a point when Davis was mocked to the Bears, which is always something we like to be mindful of as we accumulate knowledge on prospects.
• Bob from the cult classic Office Space has a question for Bears President/CEO Ted Phillips:
.@JohnCMcGinley joined @DannyParkins to reflect on the legacy of "Office Space" and his great career.
He also shared some terrific stories — as well a #Bears-related "What would you say you do here?" line for the ages.
Listen on Rewind: https://t.co/rglNRIL5au pic.twitter.com/AUdOb15p3U
— 670 The Score (@670TheScore) January 18, 2021
• Get in line, you two:
Jared Goff-Sean McVay relationship needs "marriage counseling" heading into offseason (per @wyche89)https://t.co/J8GvfB95zS pic.twitter.com/W4xslqVerJ
— Around The NFL (@AroundTheNFL) January 18, 2021
• Oh …
Source: Tennessee #Vols got sloppy with recruiting. They were handing recruits cash in McDonald's bags when they visited campus.
Also a name to look out for to fill the Head Coaching vacancy: Jason Witten pic.twitter.com/HKDd02rldz
— Dan Patrick Show (@dpshow) January 19, 2021
• (Michael: But my fantasy season was already ruined …)
Saints’ WR Michael Thomas is likely to have surgeries on both the torn deltoid and other injured ligaments in his high ankle this offseason, per source. He knew it was likely Drew Brees’ last year and didn’t want to miss out trying win a Super Bowl with him.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) January 19, 2021
