NEWSLETTER
I’m still pretty steamed about yesterday’s Anthony Rizzo trade. And only a little bit of it has to do with the Cubs’ failure to acquire Yankees prospect Luis Medina.
Rizzo was the type of player that a self-proclaimed die-hard Cubs fan (who happens to own the team) would keep around because they understood what they meant to the fan base at both a baseball and emotional level. One of the perks of transitioning away from a soulless corporation ownership like the Tribune into one with a human face was that the human element would do things a conglomerate wouldn’t. Boy, do I feel duped. And judging by the reaction of Cubs fans yesterday, I don’t think I’m alone. Frankly, anyone who doesn’t understand that won’t, so don’t feel obligated to explain to them what’s up. In the words of urban wordsmith Pusha T: “If you know, you know.”
• I can’t front. Yours truly was one moment away from putting together a “Help me, Justin Fields. You’re my only hope.” Star Wars/Bears meme mashup yesterday. Our eyes now turn to QB1-of-the-future:
Your daily Justin Fields… pic.twitter.com/lxzCJx7wvV
— Mark Grote (@markgrotesports) July 30, 2021
Andy Dalton and Justin Fields working in drills. #Bears pic.twitter.com/t3CeGoKRlu
— Zack Pearson (@Zack_Pearson) July 30, 2021
Justin Fields working on that seven-step drop. pic.twitter.com/vSIMiW0tld
— Sean Hammond (@sean_hammond) July 30, 2021
Justin Fields to Cole Kmet. pic.twitter.com/iqGbId7kv9
— Nicholas Moreano (@NicholasMoreano) July 30, 2021
.@justnfields to @JuiceHerbert!#BearDown pic.twitter.com/AGunHK5BxV
— Braggs In The Stands (@BraggsInStands) July 30, 2021
• Here’s a thing I needed to see at a time when I needed to see it:
https://twitter.com/DBro_FFB/status/1420906176049553411
• Also important, The MMQB’s Albert Breer tweets: “[I]n his presser coach Matt Nagy mentions QB Justin Fields was solid in his first full camp practice—got to his 3rd progression a couple times where he knew where he’d go pre-snap.”
• A reality check from Adam Hoge, who writes Andy Dalton and Justin Fields look you’d expect after one full day of training camp.
• Updates on opposite ends of the injury front. On the not-so-great side, rookie left tackle Teven Jenkins remains out while dealing with back tightness (Brad Biggs). Head Coach Matt Nagy correctly points out we have so much time ahead of us, there is no reason to go overboard with overreactions when it comes to Jenkins not practicing. We’re so early in the game, the right/smart thing to do is prioritize health and safety with eyes on Week 1. Anything else is malpractice. Get these guys in football shape. Once you get there, keep them healthy.
• On the other end of the spectrum, Akiem Hicks is back in action after a foot issue kept him out of yesterday’s practice. And while this is just one tweet, it looks like nature (and Hicks’ foot) is healing:
Yeesh. Akiem Hicks got through the line easy on first replace of 11 on 11s. Overhead from #Bears D sideline “Somebody better block that man!”
— Zack Pearson (@Zack_Pearson) July 30, 2021
• Elsewhere on defense, we learned (via NBC Sports Chicago’s Alex Shapiro) that Khalil Mack and Vic Fangio helped steer free agent pass-rusher Jeremiah Attaochu to the Bears. Between the familiarity that came in playing in Vic Fangio’s scheme in Denver and Mack’s recruitment efforts, it was pretty easy to make a fit happen. Attaochu, 28, is fixing to play an underrated role in the defense. That third edge rusher does a lot of grunt work throughout the year. If Attaochu can make the most of being on the field while attention is going to Mack, Robert Quinn, Akiem Hicks, and Eddie Goldman, then this defense will still be good.
• Good news for fans who take in the game via the radio, as Jeff Aggrest (Sun-Times) reports Jeff Joniak and Tom Thayer will hit the road again for broadcasts. As baseball fans can attest, the game is relayed differently when you’re embedded with the team and in the stadium than when you’re broadcasting off what you see on a TV set.
• I’ve got a good feeling about RB1:
If you’re looking for players who are totally locked in, start your list with RB David Montgomery. Has been impressive with his practice habits and in articulating why taking on a leadership role means something to him.
— Dan Wiederer (@danwiederer) July 30, 2021
• At several points this offseason, Nagy has discussed a target number of 20 carries per game for Montgomery this season. If Montgomery lands north of that number, I’ll feel good about the Bears’ chances. Three years worth of trends suggest Nagy likes running the ball to ice games. Therefore, if Montgomery is getting 20+ carries, Chicago’s football team is likely winning. But, hey, don’t be afraid of calling some of those runs early. Just a friendly suggestion.
• Some quality notebook stuff from the Sun-Times, Tribune, and The Athletic.
• Cole Kmet side-stepped questions about vaccination during OTAs. But on Thursday, his answer came through loud and clear:
Bears TE Cole Kmet unmasked for his presser, indicating he is fully vaccinated.
Said last year he was always worried, not about getting sick necessarily, but about testing positive and having to miss time for it.
— Jason Lieser (@JasonLieser) July 29, 2021
• As we discussed in yesterday’s Bullets, there figures to be a sentiment among players who will ultimately get the vaccine because they don’t want to let their team/teammates down. It’s only human to do something for the greater good of community. Let’s be real. These guys go to battle with each other and for each other year round. No one wants to be the guy who lets down their “brother” who is next to them. To be clear, I know not all players will fall under this umbrella. But I think there are more than we might have otherwise expected.
• Something worth jotting down:
Yes. It's a $14,650 fine for an unvaccinated player to be mask-free in the building. https://t.co/CZoKHE3AXY
— Jason Lieser (@JasonLieser) July 29, 2021
• Offensive linemen are criminally under-represented in the Pro Football Hall of Fame. So I’m glad Jimbo Covert is getting his day in the sun:
When Jimbo Covert reflects on the journey to the Pro Football Hall of Fame, he thinks of the people. Those he encountered along the way were the mile markers of his six-decade trip. https://t.co/reN0i6kyy2
— Dan Pompei (@danpompei) July 30, 2021
• This makes sense. I mean, have you seen this offense in recent years?
According to a survey done by SportsHandle:
1) Chicago Bears fans are ranked fourth in the NFL as the “booziest” fans, averaging 4.5 drinks per game.
2) Bears fans were also ranked fourth in the NFL for being the biggest pregamers.
— Daniel Greenberg (@ChiSportUpdates) July 29, 2021
• Way to go, Chuck Pagano:
https://twitter.com/ACwishtv/status/1420903196038414336
Tonight at Chuckstrong I put my friend Chuck “The Pearl” Pagano on the foul line for the IU-Simon Cancer Center and committed $100k for every free throw he made. HE BURIED 10. THEN he drained a bonus $1 mil free throw! DEADEYE! $2 mil total I’m sending for cancer research.
— Jim Irsay (@JimIrsay) July 30, 2021
• I share a special bond with Eli, as there have been moments where covering the Bulls and Bears has been a complete slog. Jim Boylen and John Fox. Wendell Carter Jr. and Mitchell Trubisky. I could go on. But for the sake of our souls, it’s best that I stop. Instead, I want to look forward. Because, after getting a preferred prospect in the draft, the vibes are trending in the other direction:
WELCOME HOME: Bulls Select Guard Ayo Dosunmu With The 38th Pick!https://t.co/nPTbHg1OCf
— Bleacher Nation Bulls (@BN_Bulls) July 30, 2021
Who did the Chicago Bulls just draft?
A Chicago-native who was one of the most clutch players in college basketball. That’s who.
pic.twitter.com/xdzvbgFeLe— Bleacher Nation Bulls (@BN_Bulls) July 30, 2021
“It’s Destiny:” Watch Ayo Dosunmu React to Being Drafted By His Hometown Teamhttps://t.co/S375WcQytl
— Bleacher Nation Bulls (@BN_Bulls) July 30, 2021
