It had been a while since I attended a Chicago Bulls game, but Tom Thibodeau’s team led by Derrick Rose and Taj Gibson did not disappoint.
Wait … what do you mean those guys aren’t members of the Bulls any more? Maybe someone can do a podcast explaining this.
A mic’d up Mitch Trubisky reveals how much love QB1 has for everyone:
I lost count of how many hugs and handshakes Trubisky handed out in that clip. There is no denying how much positive energy that guy has and brings to the field. And while there isn’t a statistic that can prove it, I think Trubisky’s vibes are permeating through his teammates. Isn’t that how leadership is supposed to flow?
When discussing the change from John Fox to Matt Nagy, we often found ourselves discussing the major difference in styles and how messages were sent. And after checking out a mic’d up Trubisky, I think that idea also can apply to the quarterback. Trubisky’s extroverted style is a stark contrast compared to the last quarterback the franchise hitched its wagons to as their franchise signal caller. All things considered, that’s probably not a coincidence.
Trubisky is quietly having a pretty awesome second half of the season. Since suffering back-to-back losses against the Dolphins and Patriots, Trubisky’s last seven games have been pretty solid. He has completed 67 percent of his passes, thrown for 1,466 yards, 11 touchdowns, and 6 interceptions, while posting a 94.8 passer rating. Extrapolated over 16 games, we’re looking at 3,351 yards, 25 touchdowns, and 14 interceptions. This set of numbers are certainly encouraging.
The most encouraging numbers might be 7-0 … as in that’s the Bears record in Trubisky’s last seven starts. They’re rolling!
You can see why Akiem Hicks (finally) made it to the Pro Bowl this season:
Sherrick McManis has done well in his role filling in for Bryce Callahan as the Bears’ nickel corner:
https://www.instagram.com/p/Br5ScZ2HW4V/
It’s a small sample, but McManis has a 90.0 coverage grade via Pro Football Focus in 143 coverage snaps. That would put him at an elite level by PFF’s standards. Somehow, ex-Bear Marcus Cooper has a 90.4 coverage grade in 24 pass-defense snaps with the Lions. I didn’t see that coming.
Back to McManis, who played just 52.7 percent against the 49ers. San Francisco didn’t really test him the way I expected and he wasn’t on the field as much as I thought he would be, but that might have been decided on the Bears trying to match personnel to what the 49ers were putting on the field. That’s good coaching on the Bears part.
A surprise to be sure, but a welcome one:
The Vikings-Bears line has moved considerably. The Vikings opened as 7-point favorites. It is now down to 4.5.
One way to read that is oddsmakers really do believe the Bears are playing their starters to win the game #Eagles
What a difference a year makes for the #Bears. This time last year going into Week 17 vs Vikings They has 5 wins, were going to finish 4th in the division for the 4th-straight year, were winless in divison, Trubisky had no legit No. 1 or 2 WRs, John Fox/Dowell Loggains were toast
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.
I was rounding up this morning's set of Bears Bullets when I saw this note from the Chicago Tribune's Dan Wiederer on rookie wide receiver Rome Odunze sitting out Saturday's practice with hamstring tightness and I knew I had to...
It's Mother's Day today. And while my mother passed away in 2017, I try to use this day to remember and honor her memory. Do something nice for the moms in your life today. You only get one. Chicago Bears...
I'm off to Springfield to play the role of Uncle Lu this weekend, so we'll have an abridged version of Bears Bullets today. Caleb Williams survived his first practice as Chicago Bears QB1. And all was right with the football...
There will be no punter hold out this summer. Tory Taylor is officially locked in: https://twitter.com/chicagobears/status/1789283410294321438?s=46&t=9_XcB6r0ywNyv4WuAOFkLA The Chicago Bears announced Tory Taylor’s signing on Saturday morning. And in doing so, made him the first of the team’s five 2024 NFL...
Caleb Williams might've gone first overall in the 2024 NFL Draft, but it looks like Bo Nix will be the the first of the first-round quarterbacks to sign their NFL contract. Nix, who the Denver Broncos selected with the 12th...
It's never too early to share Chicago Bears highlights. And while I realize it is probably a stretch to call these "highlights" but I'm not going to turn down an opportunity to share Caleb Williams and Rome Odunze clips when...
The Lions are making an extension for quarterback Jared Goff a "high priority." The Cardinals, Texans, and Giants added wide receivers this week. More in today's NFL Notes. Lions Making Jared Goff Extension a "High Priority" Two weeks after securing...
The first Caleb Williams minicamp press conference is in the books, and without a glitch. Whew! Limiting the drama this season is atop of my Chicago Bears 2024 wishlist. Caleb Williams had some interesting things to say in his first...
I've written about this a few times since EA Sports first announced the return of the long-awaited College Football Video game. And while part of me is keeping my hopes tempered until that game is actually downloaded onto my XBOX...
I am going to preface this by saying there isn't a reason to freak out over news that Kiran Amegadjie will miss the Chicago Bears upcoming rookie minicamp practices. And there is definitely no reason to be alarmed about a...
The NBA playoff schedule today, which includes the Boston Celtics squaring off against the Cleveland Cavaliers as one of two matchups, is not one to miss.If you're looking for NBA prop bets for today's games, we're here to assist you....
Meaning no offense to Kyle Hendricks, but if you had to choose a veteran right-handed in the Cubs' rotation to face the Atlanta Braves this week, you're probably going with Jameson Taillon. We may never know if that was part...
The Chicago Cubs versus the Atlanta Braves is a game to catch on a Monday MLB slate that has 14 thrilling matchups.MLB prop bets for today's games are available, so if you're interested in placing a bet or building a...
The Baltimore Orioles (26-13) and the Toronto Blue Jays (18-22) face off at Oriole Park at Camden Yards on Monday at 6:35 PM ET, starting a three-game series.The probable starters are Corbin Burnes (3-2) for the Orioles and Jose Berrios...
The Boston Celtics and Cleveland Cavaliers are playing in the second round of the NBA Playoffs, with Game 4 next to come.Last time out, the Celtics bested the Cavaliers 106-93 on Saturday. Jayson Tatum paced the Celtics with 33 points,...
There is something about seeing Cubs players homer with pink bats that makes me smile extra wide. I suppose it's PROBABLY at least a little because this is one of my favorite Cubs memories: https://twitter.com/ChiSportsDay/status/1788291377333170611 Javy Báez, with the pink...
The Denver Nuggets and the Minnesota Timberwolves take the court in Game 5 of the second round of the NBA Playoffs. The Nuggets are favored by 4.5 points in the contest, which airs on TNT at 10:30 PM ET. The...
The New York Knicks are slight 2-point favorites heading into Game 5 of the second round of the NBA Playoffs against the Indiana Pacers at Madison Square Garden on Tuesday, beginning at 8:00 PM ET on TNT. The series is...
The Dallas Mavericks are slight 1.5-point favorites heading into Game 4 of the second round of the NBA Playoffs against the Oklahoma City Thunder at American Airlines Center on Monday, starting at 9:30 PM ET on TNT. The Mavericks hold...
Anytime goal-scorer odds are listed in this article, with two Stanley Cup Playoffs Second Round games on the NHL calendar Monday.Watch the NHL on Fubo!Today's Top Anytime Goal OddsNathan MacKinnon (Avalanche) -115 to scoreAvalanche vs. StarsGame Time: 12:00 AM ET...