Around the League: Fangio is No Carpenter, Trash Talk, Combustible Raiders, Crummy Kickers, More

In 99 days, we’ll be gearing up for Bears-Packers putting the 2019 NFL regular-season in motions. It gives me butterflies just thinking about it.

  • Vic Fangio is still speaking his truth in Denver. When discussing top tight end prospect Noah Fant, The Athletic’s Nicki Jhabvala captured a quote that is so Fangio. “Yeah, he can run,” Fangio said. “We all knew that. That was easy, but now he has to learn how to be a tight end in the NFL. He’s got the tools, but you know I can go into Home Depot and walk out with a bunch of nice tools and I’m not a carpenter. We have to teach him how to be a tight end in the NFL, and he’s working great at it.”
  • I don’t think I speak for just myself when I say Bears fans will miss Fangio’s dry wit and clear-cut honesty. Treat him well, Denver.
  • You can make a case that the Raiders are the most interesting team in football heading into the 2019 season. They spent a bunch of money, turned over the roster, cut some dead weight, added some stars, and added depth through the draft. They also added some combustible personalities, with the latest being offensive lineman Richie Incognito. Between Incognito, wide receiver Antonio Brown, and linebacker Vontaze Burfict, it doesn’t take a football wizard to see how things could go south quickly. Incognito has been voted by his fellow players as among the dirtiest players in the league on multiple occasions. Burfict has missed 10 games over the last three seasons because of various suspensions. Brown didn’t have a bad rap until things went haywire at the end of his run in Pittsburgh. If you seek drama, this is the team to follow.
  • With OTA season here and training camp approaching, it’s a good time to share this:
  • You don’t have to tell Bears fans how much special teams matters. We have seen the best of times (Robbie Gould! Devin Hester! Dave Toub!) and the worst of times *gestures at the Bears special teams units since 2015* and it’s not something we should ever take for granted again.
  • Tom Brady showing off leadership skills, even after missing OTAs:
  • Unfortunately, Brady will be without his top tight end target to start the regular season:
  • Saquon Barkely wants all the smoke, telling the Giants website there is no limit to how many touches he can get. “I don’t think any number is too high for me personally,” Barkley told the Giants’ official site after a recent round of OTAs. “At the end of the day, I know I sound like a broken record, but you will hear this for as long as I am in the NFL, as long as I take care of my body, my body will take care of me. … Whether it is 350 touches, 400 touches or less touches next year. Whatever I have to do to have this team compete for a championship, I am going to do.”
  • There were some issues with how Giants Head Coach Pat Shurmur used Barkley, with the biggest criticism being he didn’t get the ball enough. Good luck telling that to Bears fans after watching Barkley last season.
  • CHA-CHING:
  • Talk your talk:
  • https://twitter.com/nflnetwork/status/1133176089231204352

  • I’m always up for sharing things that go toward a great cause:
  • https://twitter.com/tae15adams/status/1131358793042976769

  • Look who’s moving up the Giants’ depth chart:
  • When finding an Eli Manning replacement goes too far:
  • As for New York’s other football team, the Jets are setting up interviews for candidates:
  • Hey! It’s not just the Bears who have a crummy kicking situation:
  • SOON:
  • I’m pulling for either the Raiders or Lions. Embrace the clown car act!
  • written by

    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.

    more bears news

    REPORT: Bo Nix Will Be the First of the 2024 NFL Draft First-Round QBs to Sign

    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...

    WATCH: Bears Rookie Camp Highlights With Caleb Williams, Rome Odunze, Tory Taylor

    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...

    Around the NFL: Jared Goff Extension High Priority for the Lions, Rookie Camps, WRs on the Move, More

    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...

    I Love This Caleb Williams Quote About Leadership

    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...

    EA Sports College Football 25 Cover Leaked

    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...

    Don’t Freak Out, But Bears Rookie Kiran Amegadjie Will Miss Offseason Practices

    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...

    There Is No Competition: Caleb Williams is the Chicago Bears QB1

    The Caleb Williams Era is officially underway. So says Chicago Bears Head Coach Matt Eberflus: https://twitter.com/BrendanSugrue/status/1788962639520960945 MORE: Caleb Williams Wasted No Time Organizing Team Activities You'll remember this moment for as long as you're a Bears fan. The Caleb Williams...

    The Rookies Are Here, Local Rooting Interests, What’s Your Chipotle Order? And Other Bears Bullets

    I'm trying to put myself in a mindset where I don't take it for granted that I made it to Friday. Not everyone does, so be mindful of that as you go throughout your day. Caleb Williams, Rome Odunze, and...

    Ex-Bear Buster Skrine Reportedly in Trouble With Canadian Police

    Sometimes, a tweet will come across my screen that stops me in my tracks. This collection of words, which happen to include the name of former Chicago Bears cornerback Buster Skrine, did just that: https://twitter.com/ProFootballTalk/status/1788666160486944996 Former NFL player Buster Skrine...

    A.I. Predicts How the Bears Wide Receivers Will Fare in 2024

    The Artificial Intelligence revolution is unavoidable. But using it to cook up projections for the upcoming Chicago Bears season isn't something I had on my 2024 BINGO card. And yet, here we are with The 33rd Team consulting A.I. to...

    Latest News

    Dodgers vs. Padres: Start Time, Streaming Live, TV Channel, How to Watch

    The Los Angeles Dodgers (26-13), with James Paxton on the mound, visit the San Diego Padres (20-20) who will counter with Matt Waldron, at 8:40 PM ET on Saturday.The article below will give you everything you need to know to...

    How to Watch Royals vs. Angels: Live Stream or on TV

    Bobby Witt Jr. and the Kansas City Royals (23-16) visit Taylor Ward and the Los Angeles Angels (14-24) on Saturday, with first pitch at 9:38 PM ET.The article below will provide you with everything you need to know to watch...

    Enhanced Box Score: Cubs 7, Pirates 2 – May 10, 2024

    Although I'm sure Craig Counsell would've preferred not to have to use Ben Brown today, just in case Jameson Taillon can't go on Sunday. But *if* you were going to have to use Brown today, that was an absolute best-case...

    Rangers vs. Rockies: Start Time, Streaming Live, TV Channel, How to Watch

    On Saturday at 8:10 PM ET, Marcus Semien and the Texas Rangers (22-17) play Ryan McMahon and the Colorado Rockies (9-28) at Coors Field.Keep reading to find out how to watch the Texas-Colorado matchup in the article below.When is Rangers...

    Brewers vs. Cardinals: Free Live Stream, TV Channel, How to Watch

    The Milwaukee Brewers (22-15), who will give the ball to Freddy Peralta, host the St. Louis Cardinals (15-22) with Kyle Gibson on the mound, Saturday at 7:15 PM ET.See how to watch the Milwaukee-St. Louis matchup below.When is Brewers vs....

    Blue Jays vs. Twins: Start Time, Streaming Live, TV Channel, How to Watch

    The Toronto Blue Jays (17-20), led by Justin Turner, host Ryan Jeffers and the Minnesota Twins (22-15) at 3:07 PM ET on Saturday in a series opener.Find out how to watch the Toronto-Minnesota matchup below.When is Blue Jays vs. Twins...

    Cubs vs. Pirates: Free Live Stream, TV Channel, How to Watch

    Justin Steele takes the mound for the Chicago Cubs (22-16) when they visit starting pitcher Paul Skenes and the Pittsburgh Pirates (17-21) at 4:05 PM ET on Saturday.Keep reading to find out how to watch the Chicago-Pittsburgh matchup below.When is...

    Braves vs. Mets: Start Time, Streaming Live, TV Channel, How to Watch

    Max Fried will take the mound for the Atlanta Braves (22-12) when they visit starting pitcher Christian Scott and the New York Mets (18-18) in a series opener on Saturday, with first pitch at 4:10 PM ET.The article below will...

    How to Watch Red Sox vs. Nationals: Live Stream or on TV

    Jarren Duran and the Boston Red Sox (19-18) host C.J. Abrams and the Washington Nationals (18-18) at 4:10 PM ET on Saturday.The article below will provide you with everything you need to watch Boston take on Washington.When is Red Sox...

    How to Watch Orioles vs. Diamondbacks: Live Stream or on TV

    John Means will take the mound for the Baltimore Orioles (24-12) when they host starter Ryne Nelson and the Arizona Diamondbacks (18-20) on Saturday, with first pitch at 4:05 PM ET.Keep reading to find out how to watch the Baltimore-Arizona...

    more bears news