Will Lance Briggs Return This Week? And Other Bullets

Briggs

Feeling a bit under the weather, so I apologize in advance for the abbreviated content today.

  • As relayed by many (including Mark Potash of the Sun-Times) Lance Briggs said on his radio show that he thinks he’ll be cleared to return this weekend. Obviously a player saying that about himself is a lot different than an actual medical clearance, but it’s certainly a lot better than if that player said he didn’t think he’d be returning. If Briggs is cleared, I think that’s an instant upgrade; I think an 80% Lance Briggs might still be the best linebacker on the roster.
  • ESPN’s Eagles beat writer Phil Sheridan writes that Philadelphia defensive coordinator Bill Davis thinks that facing the Chicago offense will be their “biggest challenge of the season.” I’m not sure that too many opposing defensive coordinators have said that before. As I noted on Twitter, going purely off of yards gained/allowed, the Bears are the 7th-ranked offense and 27th-ranked defense, while the Eagles are 2nd in offense and 30th in defense. Both offenses can score. I think this game will be similar to the Dallas game; if the Chicago defense can force even one or two extra stops it might be all the offense needs. (Having written all of this, it will probably finish 6-3.)
  • As ESPN Chicago’s Michael C. Wright reports, the Bears waived safety Sean Cattouse. He was brought up from the practice squad and active against Minnesota a few weeks ago, but hadn’t appeared since then. Wright also notes that the Bears had former Panthers safety Sherrod Martin and former Packers safety Jerron McMillan in for a workout; I’d think it’s a safe bet that they sign someone to fill the roster spot. Wright also mentioned that the Bears worked out offensive tackle Michael Ola, who spent the previous two seasons playing for the Montreal Allouettes of the CFL, so Marc Trestman is obviously familiar with him.
  • I missed this when CSN Chicago’s Evan Moore first brought it up last week, but back in 2009 Chris Low of ESPN’s SEC Blog profiled Alshon Jeffery and his recruitment. In the piece (fascinating as a whole, as well) there’s an anecdote about Lane Kiffin, then the Tennessee head football coach, who apparently told Alshon that if he went to South Carolina, “he would end up pumping gas for the rest of his life.” First of all, whenever I read recruiting stories, I want to take a shower. (Pete Carroll’s tactics also play a role in this story.) Second, hard to be more wrong. I hadn’t heard this story until I saw this clip from yesterday’s Dan Patrick Show, in which Alshon didn’t seem to appreciate the question about the story. Hard to blame him.
  • Pro Football Focus has this look at the Bears game from Sunday. They note that Shea McClellin has performed very poorly this year, against both the run and the pass. (As best exemplified by this play, in which he completely lost his containment. There’s a reason the Browns ran their two wildcat plays right at him.) He just doesn’t seem to know what’s going on out there, which is dangerous as the Bears attempt a run at the postseason. With Shea’s physical gifts, pursuing the run and holding backside containment assignments should be a strength; he’s fast enough to prevent opposing running backs from getting to the edge. But not if he has zero awareness.
  • Bill Barnwell’s Thank You for Not Coaching column is up on Grantland; no praise or criticism for Marc Trestman this week, although he does make mention of an aggressive Chip Kelly call. Considering the strengths and weaknesses of the Bears and the Eagles, I think we might see quite a few aggressive fourth down calls from Chip on Sunday.
  • written by

    Brett Taylor is the Lead Cubs Writer at Bleacher Nation, and you can find him on Twitter at @BleacherNation and on LinkedIn here. Brett is also the founder of Bleacher Nation, which opened up shop in 2008 as an independent blog about the Chicago Cubs. Later growing to incorporate coverage of other Chicago sports, Bleacher Nation is now one of the largest regional sports blogs on the web.

    more bears news

    My Favorite 2024 NFL Schedule Release Videos

    Schedule release day in the NFL is one of my favorite non-game days of the year. NFL social media teams work hard to create entertaining videos revealing their teams' schedules for the upcoming season. Here are my favorite 2024 NFL...

    Ope! The Bears Also Announced Their 2024 Preseason Schedule

    ESPN's Monday Night Football team will call the first game of the Caleb Williams Era when the Chicago Bears play the Houston Texans in the Pro Football Hall of Fame Game. This will mark the first time the Hall of...

    Yes! EA Sports College Football 25 Has A Release Date!

    Last week, I wrote about the leaked cover for the deluxe edition of EA Sports College Football 25. This week, the game has an official cover and an official release date! The long-awaited return of EA Sports’ college football video...

    Bears Bloopers, Primetime Schedules, Old Friends Find New NFL Homes, and Other Bears Bullets

    Things are a little groggy for me today because allergies and a cold did quite a number on me last night. It'll be a chicken noodle soup day (recipe courtesy of my friend Jim) for me. The Chicago Bears 2024...

    Chicago Bears Schedule: Dates and Times for All 17 Games, Tough or Easy Strength of Schedule, Record Prediction

    The Chicago Bears are gearing up for an exciting 2024 NFL season with a revamped roster and a favorable schedule. The Chicago Bears schedule has a mix of unique opponents this year. With the addition of Caleb Williams as the...

    Northwestern Returns to Wrigley Field TWICE This Fall

    Northwestern will be making a return to Wrigley Field not just once this season, but twice! Due to the construction of their brand new football stadium, the Cats will be playing five of their seven home games at its temporary...

    LOL: The Chargers Turned Justin Fields into a Sims Character

    With all due respect to the Chicago Bears, the Los Angeles Chargers always have the best schedule-release videos. Every year, the Chargers thread the needle between hilarious and unhinged with their NFL schedule drop vids. Of course, this year was...

    The Chicago Bears 2024 Schedule is HERE (Dates, Times, More)

    Caleb Williams, DJ Moore, Cole Kmet, Rome Odunze, Kyler Gordon, and Teven Jenkins are among the Chicago Bears players who took starring roles in the team's 2024 schedule release video drop. Here it is in all of its glory: The...

    The 2024 Chicago Bears Schedule Has Leaked — Here’s What You Need to Know

    In a series of tweets, the Tribune's Brad Biggs shared the upcoming Chicago Bears schedule for the 2024 season. Nothing is officially official just yet. And it won't be until the league drops its official announcement at 7 p.m. CT....

    It Looks Like the Bears and Lions Will Square Off on Thanksgiving Again

    Chicago Bears fans should prepare to spend Thanksgiving with Caleb Williams and friends. That is because the Chicago Bears are expected to hit the road for a Thanksgiving showdown against the Detroit Lions. Reporter Ari Meirov, who covers the NFL...

    Latest News

    Minnesota Vikings Schedule: Dates and Times for All 17 Games, Strength of Schedule, Record Prediction

    Under the helm of third-year coach Kevin O'Connell, the Minnesota Vikings embark on a new chapter. The departure of veteran quarterback Kirk Cousins, who led the team for six years, marks a significant transition. During Cousins' tenure, the Vikings attained...

    Chicago Cubs Lineup: Ian Happ Back in, PCA Sits

    CUBS LINEUP — The Chicago Cubs are back at Wrigley Field tonight against the Pirates, facing a 22-year-old fireballer who threw six strong innings against them last weekend, Jared Jones. Here's a look at the Cubs lineup for the rematch...

    Miami Dolphins Schedule: Dates and Times for All 17 Games, Strength of Schedule, Record Prediction

    The top-ranked offense in the NFL from last season is back, led by quarterback Tua Tagovailoa and wide receivers Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle. Additionally, they've bolstered their roster during the offseason by adding talent such as Odell Beckham Jr.,...

    Indianapolis Colts Schedule: Dates and Times for All 17 Games, Strength of Schedule, Record Prediction

    The Indianapolis Colts enter the 2024 season with their eyes set on the playoffs. With a healthy Anthony Richardson at quarterback and a bolstered receiving core, optimism hangs heavy over Lucas Oil Stadium. Let's delve into their 2024 NFL schedule...

    Houston Texans Schedule: Dates and Times for All 17 Games, Strength of Schedule, Record Prediction

    The Houston Texans were the surprise team of the season last year thanks to the emergence of rookies C.J. Stroud and Will Anderson Jr. and an excellent job by rookie head coach and offensive coordinator DeMeco Ryans and Bobby Slowik....

    New England Patriots Schedule: Dates and Times for All 17 Games, Strength of Schedule, Record Prediction

    The New England Patriots are coming off their worst season in over three decades and have officially turned the page on the Belichick-Brady era by hiring Jerod Mayo as their new head coach. They’ve also hit the reset button at...

    My Favorite 2024 NFL Schedule Release Videos

    Schedule release day in the NFL is one of my favorite non-game days of the year. NFL social media teams work hard to create entertaining videos revealing their teams' schedules for the upcoming season. Here are my favorite 2024 NFL...

    San Francisco 49ers Schedule: Dates and Times for All 17 Games, Strength of Schedule, Record Prediction

    Brock Purdy led the San Francisco 49ers to an NFC Championship and their second Super Bowl appearance in the last five years in 2023. Will they pick up where they left off and continue to dominate the NFC this season?...

    Ope! The Bears Also Announced Their 2024 Preseason Schedule

    ESPN's Monday Night Football team will call the first game of the Caleb Williams Era when the Chicago Bears play the Houston Texans in the Pro Football Hall of Fame Game. This will mark the first time the Hall of...

    The Cubs Are Coming Home to Face the Pirates

    Cubs vs Pirates — There's going to be a little deja vu here for the next week, as the Cubs play seven straight games against the Pirates and Braves after just wrapping up six games against ... the Pirates and...

    more bears news