Bears Bullets: Freeman is Optimistic, Sims Weighs in on Drafting Shaheen, Burton is Old-School, More

The countdown to training camp continues:

https://twitter.com/ChicagoBears/status/872083159826841601

If you really think about it, 50 days isn’t a lot. It will jump up on us and be here before we know it.

  • Linebacker Jerrell Freeman enters his second season on the Bears with an optimistic vibe. Freeman, who was the Bears’ best player by Pro Football Focus’ grading scale in 2016, recently told The Spiegel and Parkins Show that he likes the defensive potential this unit could have to offer in 2017. The Bears ranked 15th in yards allowed last year, but 24th in points per game, so there is plenty of room for improvement. Freeman could be joined by as many as four new starters, and the return of a healthy Eddie Goldman in the interior of the defensive line. A re-tooled defense could bump the Bears up in the rankings this coming year.
  • On the other side of the ball, tight end Dion Sims gives the Bears’ selection of fellow tight end Adam Shaheen a big thumbs up. Sims, who left the Miami Dolphins to sign a three-year deal with the Bears in free agency, explained to JJ Stankewitz of CSN Chicago what Shaheen brings to the table and how his potential to be a matchup problem could help aid the Bears’ offense and move it in the right direction. As Stankevitz points out, Sims has a certain level of job security by virtue of his free agent contract; however, with Zach Miller in the final year of his deal, Sims and Shaheen could see a lot of playing time together if the Bears choose to deploy sets featuring multiple tight ends.
  • Over at the Chicago Bears’ official website, Larry Mayer writes about new fullback Michael Burton, who is proud of the old-school style he brings to the table. Teams have scaled back the use of fullbacks in recent years, with the Detroit Lions being the latest team to do so – which is why Burton was made available in the first place. The Bears seem to be one of those teams who have cut back on fullback usage too, for what it’s worth. Paul Lasike, who was the team’s fullback in 2016, played only 76 offensive snaps – or 7.52 percent of the team’s offensive plays.
  • Patience has paid off for outside linebacker Willie Young, who is one of the few players acquired by former GM Phil Emery who has stuck around for the Ryan Pace-John Fox era. CSN Chicago’s Chris Boden sees the veteran Young (who turns 32 in September) as a quality piece for a young team that could use a combination of production and stability. Indeed, Young has turned out to be a good catch for the Bears, picking up 24 sacks in three seasons and earning average or better grades from PFF in each of his last two seasons.
  • Cornerback Brandon Boykin, who signed with the Bears in 2016 but did not play a down for the team after being placed on injured reserve, has signed on with the Baltimore Ravens.
  • FOX Sports will soon make their hiring of the NFL’s former officiating chief Dean Blandino official. Blandino will join Mike Pereira on FOX’s NFL broadcast team as a rules and officiating expert.
  • As the last round of OTAs wraps up, let’s leave on a highlight:
  • 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

    Bears Draft Yale Offensive Tackle Kiran Amegadjie With Pick 75 in the 2024 NFL Draft

    The Chicago Bears used their first pick on quarterback Caleb Williams and their second on wide receiver Rome Odunze. So it makes sense to see the Bears continue their offseason trend of building around the quarterback with their third pick....

    The Story Behind the Michael Penix Jr. Pick is One Bears Fans Know All Too Well

    While Chicago Bears fans bask in the glow of two highly celebrated top-10 picks, the Atlanta Falcons are straight-up having a weird draft. First, they selected quarterback Michael Penix Jr. with the No. 8 overall pick. One day later, the...

    The 2024 NFL Draft (6:00 CT): Bears Picks, Needs, Broadcast Info, More

    Who's ready for another round of NFL Draft watching as a Bears fan? OK, well, how about two rounds? We've got Rounds 2 and 3 coming up. Let's get it popping, friends! 2024 NFL Draft Info Location: Detroit Dates and rounds:...

    Ryan Poles Had the Best Quote From Draft Night

    I'ma let Jim Harbaugh finish, but Ryan Poles had the best quote from Night 1 of the 2024 NFL Draft. Chicago Bears General Manager Ryan Poles was beaming last night. Could you blame him? Poles just pulled off the ideal...

    WATCH: The Moment Caleb Williams Found Out He Was Going to the Chicago Bears

    Unless you were off the grid last night, then you already know that we are officially in our Caleb Williams era. Even if you were off the grid last night, anyone with even the smallest amount of sense knew this...

    It’s a Calebration! Rome and Caleb’s Meet-Cute, NFL Draft Thoughts, and Other Bears Bullets

    There have been several moments this morning where I've pinched myself to make sure I wasn't dreaming. It turns out last night wasn't a dream. The Chicago Bears are so, so, sooooo back. Here it is. The moment Caleb Williams...

    Diagnosing the NFL Draft: Michael Penix in ATL, Bills Help KC, Raiders Surprise & Other Random Draft Thoughts

    Last night's Round 1 of the NFL Draft started out fairly chalky. That was until we got to 8th overall. The Falcons stunned the world and took a quarterback. The Bills helped out their biggest AFC nemesis. The Raiders drafted...

    Caleb Williams Already Set His First Record In A Bears Uniform

    Well, that didn't take very long! Less than 24 hours after being drafted by the Chicago Bears, Caleb Williams is already setting records. According to Adam Schefter, Caleb Williams broke the Fanatics draft-night merchandise record for any draft pick in...

    Jim Harbaugh Just Had The Quote Of Draft Night

    See. It's stuff like this that makes me sad Jim Harbaugh isn't the head coach in Chicago. We're missing out on press conference GOLD. Though, if Harbaugh is calling the shots then we might not be talking about Rome Odunze...

    2024 NFL Draft Tracker: Live Updates, Every Pick, Instant Analysis, More

    We've made it. The NFL Draft is finally here. If you're watching the NFL Draft tonight, you can use this 2024 NFL Draft Tracker to keep up with every pick in the first round, which will include instant reaction and...

    Latest News

    Astros vs. Rockies Probable Starting Pitchers – April 27

    The Houston Astros (7-19) visit the Colorado Rockies (7-19) on Saturday to kick off a two-game series at Estadio Alfredo Harp Helu. The contest starts at 6:05 PM ET.The Astros will give the ball to Ronel Blanco (2-0, 1.33 ERA),...

    Tigers vs. Royals Probable Starting Pitchers – April 27

    The Kansas City Royals (17-10) match up against the Detroit Tigers (14-12) on the road at Comerica Park on Saturday, with first pitch at 6:10 PM ET. The Royals enter the game with a four-game winning streak.This contest's pitching matchup...

    Celtics vs. Heat: Free Live Stream, TV Channel, How to Watch

    The Boston Celtics will take on the Miami Heat in Game 3 of the opening round of the NBA Playoffs.These squads match up for the second straight game after the Heat took down the Celtics 111-101 on Wednesday. Tyler Herro...

    Orioles vs. Athletics Probable Starting Pitchers – April 27

    The Baltimore Orioles (16-9) and the Oakland Athletics (11-16) square off in Baltimore on Saturday. First pitch is at 4:05 PM ET at Oriole Park at Camden Yards.This contest's pitching matchup is set, as the Orioles will send Cole Irvin...

    Rangers vs. Reds Probable Starting Pitchers – April 27

    The Texas Rangers (14-13) host the Cincinnati Reds (14-12) for a home game at Globe Life Field on Saturday. First pitch is at 4:05 PM ET.The probable starters are Michael Lorenzen (2-0) for the Rangers and Hunter Greene (0-2) for...

    Cardinals vs. Mets Probable Starting Pitchers – April 27

    The St. Louis Cardinals (12-14) go on the road against the New York Mets (13-12) on Saturday. The contest is set to begin at 4:05 PM ET.This contest's pitching matchup is set, as the Cardinals will send Sonny Gray (2-1)...

    Cubs vs. Red Sox Probable Starting Pitchers – April 27

    After winning four games in a row, the Chicago Cubs (17-9) play on the road against the Boston Red Sox (14-13) at 4:10 PM ET on Saturday.The Cubs will give the ball to Ben Brown and the Red Sox will...

    Marlins vs. Nationals Probable Starting Pitchers – April 27

    The Miami Marlins (6-21) look to end to a four-game skid as they host the Washington Nationals (11-14) on Saturday at 4:10 PM ET.The Marlins will give the nod to Edward Cabrera (1-0) against the Nationals and Mitchell Parker (2-0).Marlins...

    Dodgers vs. Blue Jays Probable Starting Pitchers – April 27

    Following a four-game losing streak, the Toronto Blue Jays (13-14) take on the Los Angeles Dodgers (17-11) on Saturday at 3:07 PM ET.This contest's pitching matchup is set, as the Dodgers will send Tyler Glasnow (4-1) to the mound, while...

    What Time Does the NFL Draft Start Today? Start Time and TV Channel for Saturday’s Round 4-7

    We saw a few more trades and some interesting picks on day 2 of the NFL Draft. Now, what time does the NFL Draft start today? It begins at noon ET as the teams finish drafting rounds 4-7. Here are...

    more bears news