Would You Be Willing to Make Another Trade with the Raiders? And Other Bullets

Oct 05, 2018

I’m baking a birthday cake today. And while the person getting the cake knows it’s coming, I can’t divulge the type, because 1) it’s a surprise and 2) they might read this. Nothing like a quality tease on a Friday morning (for two very specific people).

The Pro Football Focus Analysis Team put together a list of trades they’d like to see made now that we’re a quarter of the way through the season. And much to my surprise, they have suggested the Bears pick up the phone and dial up Jon Gruden and the Raiders again with the idea of poaching starting guard Gabe Jackson. While another deal with a Raiders would be kinda funny, it wouldn’t make sense. Trading any asset (in the case of PFF’s example, a fourth-round pick) for a short-term stop-gap when there is a long-term fix (who was a second-round choice in the most recent NFL Draft) waiting in the wings is nonsensical. Then again, so is trading Khalil Mack.

LOL. Here’s Melvin Gordon telling you how he and the rest of the AFC West feels about not facing Mack:

We got you @Melvingordon25 – he’s the NFC North’s problem now. pic.twitter.com/Jr5T98wXAX

— Chicago Bears (@ChicagoBears) October 4, 2018

And because I know you’re curious, the Bears and Raiders are scheduled to play each other in 2019. That should be fun.

After seeing what Mack has done to teams early this season, Gordon’s thoughts should come as no surprise that his former opponents in the AFC West are (still) celebrating his departure from the division. Wanna bet those guys partied hard when they heard the news?

One of the most unique things about having a game-changing superstar on the defensive side of the ball is that it allows for some unexpected surprises from otherwise anonymous players. Take Sherrick McManis as a shining example of this. Brent Sobleski of Bleacher Report sees McManis as a hidden gem of the Bears. If it weren’t for Mack, I don’t think we’d be viewing McManis in this way. Just check out this interception:

The Bears aren't done yet!

McManis with the dive to get the INT! #CHIvsAZ pic.twitter.com/7TQm1HPUxE

— FOX Sports (@FOXSports) September 23, 2018

The pressure generated by Mack forced Sam Bradford of the Bears defense helped McManis, a cornerback by trade, come up with a huge interception against the Cardinals. McManis carved his niche as a special teams ace long ago, but deterioration in the secondary has forced him into in some late-game high-leverage spots. So even when Mack doesn’t make the play, his simple presence helps those in position make things happen.

Speaking of the Mack Factor … LOL:

What if NFL teams had a group chat? (Week 4 Edition) pic.twitter.com/yc9ZCDeo54

— Pick Six Podcast (@picksixpod) October 3, 2018

A more obvious example might be Mack’s impact on the front seven. Look no further than defensive lineman Bilal Nichols. The fifth-round pick has seen a slight increase of playing time and had an extended look after Akiem Hicks’ suspension. Bears Defensive Line Coach Jay Rodgers tells the Sun-Times Nichols is “just doing his job” by playing sound football from a technique perspective and making plays when the opportunity presents itself. And there have been plenty of opportunities because of the attention that has to be paid toward Mack.

Super Bowl odds keep movin’ on up:

Updated odds to win Super Bowl 53 via @BovadaOfficial #Rams 10/3#Patriots 7/1#Chiefs 15/2#Jaguars 11/1#Saints 11/1#Eagles 16/1#Ravens 18/1#Packers 18/1 #Vikings 18/1#Bears 20/1#Steelers 20/1#Chargers 25/1 #Bengals 28/1#Panthers 33/1

— SportsLine (@SportsLine) October 5, 2018

ESPN has created what it believes to be better pass-rushing and pass-blocking metrics than what’s already out there but that Mack is nowhere to be found in the top of their “Pass Rush Win Rate” stat is nothing short of befuddling. I’m all for meaningful and objective stats for positions that aren’t easy to quantify, but I think this one needs a tweak.

*NFL furiously takes notes*

And that’s how you legally sack a quarterback in 2018 pic.twitter.com/mQPKYvYfwb

— Chris Hassel (@Hassel_Chris) October 3, 2018

Now, this is a flashback:

3 Chicago Bears QBs, 1948. Lujack, Luckman, and Lane @ChicagoBears @Chicagohistory2 @PhilHecken @UniWatch @NFL_Journal @nflthrowback @gregcosell pic.twitter.com/40gHjUM2rq

— ManCave Pictures (@ManCavePhotos) October 3, 2018

written by

Luis C. Medina

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.

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