On the latest episode of Talkin’ Toros, Myles shares an epic rant on Dwyane Wade, Adam says smart things about the Raptors’ role players getting off early, and I share which team and fan base I would never play for under any circumstance. This might be my favorite episode. Check it out! Also, if you like the Bulls, we now cover the Bulls here at Bleacher Nation! I’ll be doing some writing over there, myself. So, you know. Go Bulls.
Now Bears stuff.
A Mic’d Up Danny Trevathan has me geeked up about what the Chicago Bears defense can bring in 2019:
Does the regression monster even have a chance when this guy is roaming in the middle of the Bears defense? I don’t think so.
Lining up across from Mack is Leonard Floyd, who appeared primed to break out before the game-changing deal brought an All-Pro rusher to play along side him in Chicago. Instead, Floyd suffered a preseason hand injury that limited him early in the season. But Floyd picked up the pace once he was healthy and flashed down the stretch. Ted Monachino, his new position coach, believes Floyd “has a bigger toolbox” than anyone on the team (which is saying a lot because Khalil Mack is still employed by the Bears) and is ready to unleash it because of his athleticism. “There’s a whole bunch of guys that are great hammers and guys that have the pass-rush gene that have that dominant trait,” Monachino explained to The Athletic’s Kevin Fishbain. “This is a rare athlete for the position. I’ve coached a bunch of good ones. I’ve coached big ones, I’ve coached smart ones, I’ve coached fast ones. I’ve never coached an athlete like this.”
Floyd wasn’t a top-10 pick for no reason. He has desirable physical and athletic traits that project to be a high-end pass-rusher at this level. It was always going to be a work in progress for Floyd. But after spending years piecing it together, it’s about time for him to bring it all in and unleash it on the opposition. If he can do that, then it’s going to be danger time for opposing quarterbacks in the NFC.
From one Georgia product to another, linebacker Roquan Smith solidified the middle of the Bears defense last year, but is just scratching the surface. JJ Stankevitz (NBC Sports Chicago) caught up with two Bears defensive coaches to get a feel for what Smith will bring to the table in 2019. In short, things are going quite well for the second-year linebacker. Smith is leaving strong impressions during the offseason training program, with new Bears Inside Linebackers Coach Mark DeLeone raving about how fast he plays the game. As for Defensive Coordinator Chuck Pagano, he kept it simple: “The guy doesn’t make mistakes.”
On the back end of things, Pagano puts a ridiculous comp on Eddie Jackson as he admits to seeing former pupil Ed Reed in the Bears’ All-Pro safety. “From a talent standpoint? Very, very similar,” Pagano told Patrick Finley of the Chicago Sun-Times. “Great instincts. Great range. Great ball skills. He’s only three years into it. Ed has a lot more time on task, obviously. He’s got a lot of the same traits. He loves football. He’s a football junkie. And again, the sky’s the limit for a guy like that.”
STUDDDDDDDD:
Eddie Jackson was a ballhawk in 2018 – his 14 combined PBUs and INTs led all safeties pic.twitter.com/layglDeIIl
Pagano coached Reed in Baltimore, and coached with Reed as recently as this past January. In that being, it would’ve been fun to add Reed to this coaching staff and allow him to put his hands on Jackson. But as we all know, you can’t get everything you want.
Look, the concept of regression is real — there is no denying it. HOWEVER, that demon won’t have much of a chance if Smith and Floyd can take their respective games to the next level this season, or if Mack and Jackson maintain their excellent levels of play. Bring it on!
And to think, Mack did all that damage last year without the benefit of working through OTAs and training camp. As Rich Campbell (Chicago Tribune) points out, Mack believes a full dose of offseason workouts will have him lined up for an even better season than the one he put together last year. Opposing offenses should be shaking in their cleats.
Nice to see the guys having some fun at Halas Hall:
https://www.instagram.com/p/ByGAER3l-8L/
The Tribune’s list of top-100 Bears players begins with long-snapper Patrick Mannelly. I can imagine Mannelly being a controversial inclusion in some circles because — c’mon, he’s a long snapper! But his 245 games played in a Bears uniform are the most in franchise history, which can’t be overlooked. Also, we never had to once worry about a long snapper throughout the duration of his 16-year career. I suppose there is something valuable in not having to worry about a snap getting to a holder or punter, which isn’t something every team can say.
I can’t get enough of old-school Gale Sayers highlights. Can you?
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'm starting to wonder if maybe University of Texas star Byron Murphy II fits the bill as a Chicago Bears draft target.. In his latest at NBC Sports Chicago, Bears insider Josh Schrock wonders if Chicago's football team could be...
The idea of the Chicago Bears drafting a butt-kicking offensive tackle is something that continues to pop up. Perhaps Notre Dame's Joe Alt is something on the team's radar. NFL Network draft guru Daniel Jeremiah opines Alt could be someone...
The winds of change are howling through Halas Hall. After years (decades) of searching, the Chicago Bears appear set to finally land their franchise quarterback, Caleb Williams, with the top overall pick. This signals a new era for the Bears, but the...
The Chicago Cubs finished a winning road trip with a series win against the defending NL champs. Taylor Swift has a new album that drops at 11 p.m. CT. And the Chicago Bears will usher in a new quarterback era...
Only one week remains until the biggest event of the NFL offseason — the 2024 NFL Draft. Caleb Williams is going first overall unless something totally unexpected happens. But outside of that, there are still so many questions left to...
I had a great visit with my therapist today. Between that and an afternoon cold brew, I've got enough in me to power through an evening Bears post. Let's dig into some recent mock drafts that are giving off a...
For all the discussion about the big three wide receivers who could be on the Chicago Bears radar on NFL Draft weekend, a different high-profile pass-catcher is apparently garnering some interest from the team. All-American tight end Brock Bowers had...
The Chicago Bears continue building out their organizational staff around President Kevin Warren. And their latest addition arrives to Halas Hall with three Super Bowl rings in tow. The team announced the hiring of Ted Crews, who has spent the...
Maybe it's just me, but Wednesdays are starting to feel like the new Mondays. Ick. There are just 8 days until the 2024 NFL Draft. We're almost there, friends. We've almost made it. The best pre-draft stat you'll see comes...
Even though the Chicago Bears have plugged several notable holes this offseason, one biggie remains. And it leaves me to ask a pertinent question: Who wants to play the 3-technique defensive tackle role? Perhaps Illinois' Johnny Newton is the answer....
The Chicago Cubs (11-7) are favorites (-166) on the moneyline when they square off against the Miami Marlins (4-15) Friday at 2:20 PM ET, live on BSFL.Jameson Taillon will get the ball for Chicago while Miami will counter with Andrew...
In one of the 15 exciting matchups on the MLB schedule today, the Baltimore Orioles and the Kansas City Royals take the field at Kauffman Stadium.MLB prop bets for today's games are available, so if you're interested in placing a...
The Chicago Cubs (11-7) host the Miami Marlins (4-15) on Friday to kick off a four-game series at Wrigley Field. The matchup starts at 2:20 PM ET.The Cubs will call on Jameson Taillon versus the Marlins and Andrew Jacob Puk...
The Cincinnati Reds (9-9), who will give the start to Nick Lodolo, host the Los Angeles Angels (9-10) with Tyler Anderson on the mound, Friday at 6:40 PM ET.Keep reading to see how to watch the Cincinnati-Los Angeles matchup in...
The Sacramento Kings and the New Orleans Pelicans take the court to start the opening round of the NBA Playoffs. The Kings are favored by 1.5 points in the contest, which airs on TNT at 9:30 PM ET. The over/under...
The Blackhawks put the worst regular season of more than 70 games in the history of the franchise to bed on Thursday night in a manner that sums up the season fairly well. Connor Murphy was banged up and Nikita...
It's a first-round matchup with a history of fireworks! The Dallas Mavericks and Los Angeles Clippers lock horns once again in the NBA Playoffs. This year marks the third time in five years these two teams meet in the opening...
The NBA Playoffs are here, and the Eastern Conference first-round ignites with a clash of styles. The Indiana Pacers, boasting the league's top-scoring offense, bring their high-octane attack to Milwaukee to face the experienced Bucks. Giannis Antetokounmpo's status adds further...
Bryan Reynolds and the Pittsburgh Pirates (11-8) host Jarren Duran and the Boston Red Sox (10-10) on Friday, with first pitch at 6:40 PM ET.Keep reading to find out how to watch the Pittsburgh-Boston matchup below.When is Pirates vs. Red...
On Friday, Fernando Tatis Jr. and the San Diego Padres (11-10) open a series against George Springer and the Toronto Blue Jays (10-9) at PETCO Park, with first pitch scheduled for 9:40 PM ET.See how to watch the San Diego-Toronto...
NEWSLETTER
