Latest on Robinson, Landry, Other Receiver Targets, QB Questions, and Other Bullets
I know Brett and Michael are reading this and 100 percent on board with the potential Bleacher Nation/Ten Yard Line cross promotional stuff, so here is possible free-agent-to-be and probable Bears target Allen Robinson wearing a Cubs jersey (Michael: Sign me up, baby!):
Here’s hoping the next uniform he puts on is that of Chicago’s football team.
- The Jacksonville Jaguars cleared space with weekend cuts and an extension of Blake Bortles’ deal, which could make keeping Robinson easier. Still, the Jaguars need more space in order to retain Robinson and make improvements elsewhere on the roster. But with some of the heavy lifting out the way, NFL Network insider Ian Rapoport tweets the Jaguars are preparing to move on and hammer out a long-term deal to keep Robinson in the fold. Last we checked on Robinson, he and the Jacksonville Jaguars had yet to engage in contract talks. If they can’t come to a deal, Jacksonville has until 3 p.m. on March 6 to designate Robinson as their franchise player and keep him on a one-year deal worth more than $16 million.
- And then there’s Jarvis Landry, who the Miami Dolphins surprisingly gave the franchise tag to last week. Sources indicate to ESPN’s Adam Schefter that the team is set to meet with Landry’s agent on Wednesday in Indianapolis. There was a belief the Dolphins tagged Landry with the intent to trade him, thus, ensuring his departure wouldn’t come without some sort of compensation. Schefter’s sources believe the Dolphins are indeed interested in dealing Landry. Pro Football Weekly’s Arthur Arkush reports Landry is looking for $30 million guaranteed and at least $14 million per year, which would be too rich for a Dolphins team running up against cap problems. Of course, Dolphins could pull back the franchise tag offer at any point after March 14. Stay tuned, this situation could get even more interesting.
- Speaking of the franchise tag, Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune answers questions in his mailbag and hints at the Bears possibly using that or the transition tag to keep cornerback Kyle Fuller. We’ve previously discussed the implications of giving Fuller the transition tag and discussed the belief held by some insiders that Fuller would get the franchise tag at some point before March 6. For a big-picture look at the franchise tag and what it could mean for the Bears, this here is for you.
- It’s not like the Bears were hurting for salary cap space in order to squeeze Fuller onto the roster, but the team cleared some room by cutting outside linebacker Pernell McPhee and safety Quintin Demps. It was a move that was certainly inevitable. McPhee tells the Chicago Tribune he was disappointed in himself as he reflected on his career with the Bears. “I probably would have made the same decision Pace did,” McPhee told Brad Biggs. “But I can’t act like it isn’t tough because it is.” Things weren’t the same for McPhee after his Bears career got off to a hot start.
- Get your calendar ready:
#Bears announce some offseason dates:
April 17-19: Voluntary Veteran Minicamp
May 11-13: Rookie Minicamp
May 15-17: OTAs
May 22-24: OTAs
May 29-June 1: OTAs
June 5-7: Veteran Minicamp— Zack Pearson (@Zack_Pearson) February 27, 2018
- Speaking of offseason dates of note, some Bears employees will be moving out of Soldier Field offices into some new downtown digs. The vacated office space will be re-purposed as conference rooms, so it’s not as if that space will go unused. Everything should be squared away and ready to go this summer.
- With their coaching staff officially finalized, the Bears are ready to roll at the NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis. Larry Mayer of the team’s official website provides a run-down of what to expect from the Combine as far as tests, drills, and athletic evaluations are concerned.
- Over at CBS Chicago, Greg Gabriel offers up a NFL Scouting Combine primer. Gabriel’s perspective is a valuable this time of year, especially from a talent evaluation point of view. A long-time scout and former Bears College Scouting Director, Gabriel’s insight – as well as a list of players the Bears might find intriguing – could definitely come in handy.
- The Bears aren’t in the market to draft a quarterback high, but shoutout to reader/friend Tommy, who put this piece in which teams share their burning questions regarding the top quarterbacks in the draft to NFL Network insider Tom Pelissero. It’s a fun read on several levels. Learning about the quarterback prospects on the horizon is always informational and it’s so much easier to read when you’re not worrying about your team trying to pick from the group. Clear some time on your schedule to give this a read.
- More NFL Combine prop bets? Sure, why not:
2018 #NFLCombine Props
Highest Vertical Jump:
OVER 42.5 Inches (-130)
UNDER 42.5 Inches (-110)Most Bench Presses:
OVER 39 (-110)
UNDER 39 (-130)Fastest 40 Time:
OVER 4.29 Seconds (-120)
UNDER 4.29 Seconds (-120)Odds via @BovadaLV pic.twitter.com/akaHuK1rzW
— OddsShark (@OddsShark) February 27, 2018
