What to Watch For in Football’s Quiet Season, Cohen’s Expectations, London Notes, and Other Bullets
The Cubs have won more than they have lost when I have been in attendance this year, but the last three losses I have seen in person have featured Brad Brach getting charged with a run that results in the Cubs losing a lead or a tie getting un-broken. Figure it out, guy. I’ve had enough.
Next stop: Training camp! It’s officially summer, which means the NFL is about to head into a quiet period. All of the marquee free agents have signed, as have a bulk of the draft picks. The only thing left to watch for is if Robbie Gould signs a long-term deal before July 15. If Gould doesn’t sign a multi-year contract with the 49ers, he’ll be stuck playing on the Franchise tag and cannot be given a long-term deal until after the end of the regular season. And since Gould has expressed a desire to be traded, it’s tough to envision he and the front office execs in San Francisco coming together on a deal before 3 p.m. CT on Monday, July 15.
While Gould watch is on our mind, I suppose we should circle November 12 on our calendars. Players who are on the Franchise tag who aren’t signed by this date will be ineligible to play in the 2019 season. And while it doesn’t happen often, it happened last year with Le’Veon Bell. Would Gould wait it out and sit out a year like Bell in 2018? Because Bell did what he did last year, I suppose it can’t be ruled out.
From a guy Bears fans wish was on their team to one who other teams wish was on theirs, I’m looking forward to seeing what Tarik Cohen will do in Year 3. At this point, not only has Cohen answered questions about what he can do on the field, he has left us wondering if there’s anything he can’t do. Based on how Head Coach Matt Nagy used him last year, I think we know our answer:
Cohen did a little bit of everything in his first season playing in Nagy’s offense. So what’s next, how about more of the same?
Cohen believes he’ll be doing the same things he was last year, telling SiriusXM NFL radio: “My role is not going to change. I still have to be the receiving back, come in be the change of pace back, running the ball, be that speed guy. I’m just prepared for anything.” If Cohen is preparing himself to be ready for anything, defenses have to be ready for it too. Good luck gearing up to stop Cohen when options such as David Montgomery and Mike Davis will also be sharing time with him on the field, too.
Brent Sobleski (Bleacher Report) names Bradley Sowell as the Bears’ most intriguing project heading into the 2019 season. Sowell is transitioning from being a swing tackle to a tight end in 2019, but it’s not as extreme of a change as you might otherwise think. Sowell was used as a tight end in heavy formations last year and even caught a touchdown. The tight end position has its question-marks, so it should come as no surprise that the Bears are going to great lengths to find answers.
I’m ready for Anthony Miller’s comeback SZN:
Getting used to seeing Ha Ha Clinton-Dix in a Bears uniform is still a work in progress:
https://www.instagram.com/p/BzBCucXlhTH/
Are you worried about the residual effects of the Bears going to London? If so, you’re (apparently) not alone. In Larry Mayer’s Chalk Talk at the team’s official site, a question was asked about how frequently teams have teams who play in London make the playoffs that season. I understand the concern, especially since athletes are creatures of habit and overseas travel does wonders to break your routine. HOWEVER, Mayer shares some good news in that 16 teams (8 division champions, 8 wild-card spot-earners) who have played in the 24 regular-season London games since 2007 have made the postseason. One (the 2007 Giants) even won a Super Bowl. You can take it how you want, but I’m hoping the Bears see the past and embrace the moment. Win in London. Win the Super Bowl. Win everything.
The Rolling Stones kicked off their tour at Soldier Field last night and are selling these neat Bears-themed shirts:
Whatever you say, Coby:
Baseball’s rules are weird:
