Can We Take Anything from the Combine Drills That Begin Today? And Other Bullets

A Napoleon is a French pastry that’s all sorts of flaky and sweet, but not too heavy (i.e. the perfect combination). Unfortunately, I haven’t been able to find a good one since my favorite Chicago bakery closed its doors two years ago. I suppose I could learn to make my own (I even found a recipe online), but I’d prefer to get it from someone who does it well.

Basically … I’m open to all (Chicagoland-based) suggestions. Please and thanks. Okay, now BEARS stuff.

• Drills and on-field workouts begin today at the NFL Scouting Combine. First up, the running backs, offensive linemen, and special teamers are working out today, which means it’s a day for Bears fans to stay in-tune with what’s going on in Indianapolis. The USA Today pieced together a primer for today’s action and it’s fitting that running backs David Montgomery, Benny Snell Jr., and Miles Sanders are among their key prospects to watch at their respective position. All have been connected to the Bears through the interview process or via mock drafts. I’m looking forward to seeing how things shake out for these possible Bears targets.
• Speaking of prospect meetings, here are some things to keep in mind:

Disclaimer: don’t read too much into players meeting with teams at the combine. That said: Wazzu RB James Williams, who had more than 80 catches last year, met with the #Bears.

— Patrick Finley (@patrickfinley) February 28, 2019

Annual reminder: The Bears can meet with 60 players at the Combine. They can invite up to 30 players to Halas Hall leading up to the draft. They’ve met with tons of prospects already at college all-star games and will continue to do so at Pro Days. They can only draft 5.

— Kevin Fishbain (@kfishbain) February 28, 2019

• The Bears meeting with a player doesn’t mean they’re definitely going to draft him. And it doesn’t necessarily mean that they’re talking to a player to throw up a smoke screen, either. Chicago’s front office is in that sweet spot where it’s gathering information on anyone and everyone who could be of interest. This process should be thorough and detailed because bad things can happen if it isn’t both.
• While the idea of a thorough process is on my mind, let’s not forget that the kickers are in action, too. The folks at NBC Sports Chicago offer up the three kickers at the combine who will be worth keeping tabs on today:

https://twitter.com/NBCSBears/status/1101502352039665664

• For what it’s worth, I don’t necessarily have a leader in the clubhouse just yet. Utah’s Matt Gay has been described as having a “big, booming leg” and has an All-American pedigree from his time with the Utes. Cole Tracy’s accuracy and confidence could take him a long way this weekend, especially after having a solid season in the SEC while kicking for LSU. Austin Seibert did it all at Oklahoma (place-kicking, punting, kick-offs) but kicked just three attempts that were from 50+ yards. We’ll see if any of these prospects will do anything to make waves today.
• In case you missed it, we took a deeper dive into special teams prospects at the Combine in early February.
• Let’s go back and re-visit the baby-face version of the Pretty Boy Assassin:

https://www.facebook.com/BleacherNationBears/photos/a.1325244567521699/2198639233515557/?type=3&__xts__%5B0%5D=68.ARCDl_mer97lCGiB4KCCMQJ2IaaclxR0RtTCEJ3ZhYbiKFAdNXy-gCrc02QkwM6cm1Luxy1QsCD1JwCcxnQe_JUuGF-1CFDlZLEGMPaEQcgKmPqiqE3xYTSNOn0ah1I-Q7RIWX7Uckmcz7UdL_XXilt7QndsDp7kMcMf038XEi6nVsa7nlFrpGpLRHQEprx-W2uwifCpLE-3VbvlNJEPUNkMm_QCWCCHKumT2069yMsxAZxZCVedPyyHfYwjNFZ1eg-44SX3QS5pVR3zzL7Az5mF2e4V0iwbKfaDfifbxalbCXR0sRRWoHubJNggg0SB9xBhQBsuDGfrSOaQY2v48cnnGkhE&__tn__=-R

• I must find someone who looks at me the way Matt Nagy looked at Mitch Trubisky at the 2017 Combine. Call it Tru love.
• It’s a major award:

https://twitter.com/ChicagoBears/status/1101301477962858496

• The Bears wouldn’t be where they are without the scouts they have in place.
• I took a trip in the not-so-way-back machine and found this post we did sharing Summerville’s thoughts on Roquan Smith, a player who was on his scouting radar. It’s certainly a unique perspective.
• Oh my!

Guaranteed money in contract
Bryce Harper ($330M)
Manny Machado ($300M)

Matt Ryan ($100M)
Aaron Rodgers ($98.2M)
Matthew Stafford ($92M)
Total ($290.2M)

Those are the 3-largest contracts in NFL history. Play baseball, kids.

— Paul Hembekides (@PaulHembo) February 28, 2019

https://twitter.com/TarikCohen/status/1101316871645745152

• My alma mater has a new logo and ex-Bears tight end MyCole Pruitt is digging it:

@SIUSalukis new logo swag. I’m feelin it 👍🏽👌🏽👌🏽 pic.twitter.com/GWzPO9WfKL

— MyCole Pruitt (@flyyCole_x4) March 1, 2019

• Over in the basketball world, Adam, Myles, and I discuss Lauri Markkanen becoming The Dude and Kris Dunn being the absolute antithesis of that on our latest episode of Talkin’ Toros.
• Fancy speakers, pressure washers, and much more are your Deals of the Day today at Amazon.