I Think We Already Know the Bears First Play of the Season (And Other Bears Bullets)

I’ve long ranked Ms. Pac-Man and NBA Jam as my two favorite arcade games, with NFL Blitz in a distant (but nevertheless entertaining) third. But in recent years, I have grown to love pinball.

Maybe it’s because I was too preoccupied with Ms. Pac-Man, shattering backboards with dunks, and getting away with all the late hits one could possibly imagine, but there is something that tickles me about the flashing lights, sounds, and never-ending ball movement that pinball brings. To be clear, pinball games are not supplanting Ms. Pac-Man or NBA Jam … but a shiny new toy (that isn’t new at all) has come to play.

A fun nugget from ESPN fantasy football guru Matthew Berry, who dipped his toe in the water in an attempt to get a feel what was happening in the Bears’ quarterbacking world:

I asked a Bears insider who will be under center for the first play of the 2020 season. The answer? “Mitchell Trubisky, and it’s a handoff.” And then they laughed. The expectation is the Bears will bring in a veteran to compete with or back up Trubisky, but while the leash is short, it’s still Mitch’s job for now.

Good to know the Bears plan on getting off the bus running in 2020, though, it’s worth pointing out the Bears ran the ball on the first play from scrimmage in each of Nagy’s first two season-openers. But still … it would be neat to see Nagy give the offensive line an opportunity to set the tone from the outset, allow David Montgomery to run downhill, and then work with whatever comes open via the play action passing game. It’s just a thought.

Please note that Berry did not make a mention of Eli Manning. And for good reason. Word that Manning and the Bears had dinner last night have since been debunked. Brett chipped in with the update this morning. As Brett explained in the original post, there was no expectation that a dinner was about wooing Manning out of retirement to be the dude who pushes Trubisky. But because it’s Eli Freaking Manning – owner of two Super Bowl rings and a winning record against the Packers in the playoffs – it became a thing. Frankly, it jumped the shark .. and I’m not really happy about it. Rumor SZN is generally a fun time around these parts. It gets chatter going among fans, analysts, commentators, and everyone throughout the realm of sports. Come on! In the last 24 hours, we’ve had the head honcho at UFC pitch Tom Brady on joining the Raiders in a phonemail that was being recorded on IG live and a former NFL Network employee turned Cubs studio host tweeting about the Bears having dinner with Eli Manning. This is the stuff that only happens this time of year in the NFL. Embrace it, for crying out loud!

Perhaps this should serve as a nice reminder of a lesson I learned from a journalism professor/advisor/mentor I had during my college days: “If your mother says she loves you, check it out.”

No, seriously … that’s a thing.

I’m not a car guy by trade, but I totally vibe with this:

In examining possible veteran QBs the #Bears could acquire this offseason, @robertkschmitz got some help from our resident car expert, @SamHouseholder, to put together their Chicago Bears Blue Book of Used Quarterbacks. #CaveatEmptor https://t.co/LtzquBhkPn pic.twitter.com/tLYYoYj7gI

— Windy City Gridiron (@WCGridiron) March 4, 2020

There’s always money to be made (and lost) on the betting circuit:

If the Jaguars trade Nick Foles, which team will he be playing for Week 1 of the 2020 season?

Colts +300
Bears +500
Patriots +700
Titans +900
Bucs +1200
Eagles +2000https://t.co/oSemzLKeIz pic.twitter.com/8oJ4ryDQuB

— SportsLine (@SportsLine) March 4, 2020

Oh my. Away we go …

Specifically, player voting will close at 11:59 pm ET on Thursday, March 12.

— Dan Graziano (@DanGrazianoESPN) March 5, 2020

Here is the full, 456-page CBA that the NFLPA distributed to players this morning for a vote on ratification: https://t.co/5w0r5iWdXl

— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) March 5, 2020

Our statement on the CBA voting process: pic.twitter.com/YdYnBQxqWy

— NFLPA (@NFLPA) March 5, 2020

This is worth a read:

https://twitter.com/DavidBakhtiari/status/1235287332552667136?s=20

Former Bears linebacker Sam Acho explains why he has voted to ratify the proposed CBA:

As a current member of the @NFLPA Executive Committee, I went on @GetUpESPN to inform the #nfl players & the world the truth behind the NFL’s CBA.

Here’s why I voted yes: pic.twitter.com/1tlzEC8icG

— Sam Acho (@TheSamAcho) March 5, 2020

One of football’s best offensive tackles is about to hit free agency:

pic.twitter.com/YjZlPTYtj5

— Philadelphia Eagles (@Eagles) March 5, 2020

No matter where he lands, seeing Jason Peters not in an Eagles uniform is going to be weird. Maybe it’s because I am a sucker for guys who play their entire career in one uniform, part of me hopes that – after exploring the options in free agency – that both sides come together on a deal for a 12th season together.

If not, I know a team that could use offensive line help and has a long-time Eagles offensive line coach on its staff.

More offensive line movement:

Here is the trade that tentatively has been agreed to: pic.twitter.com/rnLDsTK4Qp

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 4, 2020

Another trade that doesn’t involve the Bears or a quarterback. Yawn.

Can’t sleep on a Northern Illinois pro day:

NFL teams at Northern Illinois pro day on Wednesday:

Packers, Chargers, Bears, Texans, Jaguars, Jets, Broncos, Cardinals, Buccaneers, 49ers, Panthers, Lions

— Eric Edholm (@Eric_Edholm) March 5, 2020

Conflicting reports out of New England are conflicting:

Belichick not particularly warm and fuzzy in first hookup with Brady https://t.co/ToAVNHTHTH

— Karen Guregian (@kguregian) March 4, 2020

Bill Belichick and Tom Brady have spoken recently, but those talks were not yesterday and the tone of their discussion was “business as usual”, per source. Still many questions left to answer.

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 4, 2020

I refuse to accept this:

I have just accepted the Bears will not have a better quarterback in my lifetime. pic.twitter.com/anmi0QVgHn

— Super 70s Sports (@Super70sSports) March 5, 2020

Also, Jay Cutler wasn’t a figment of my imagination … right?

Will Mike Ditka get a win in 2020 before Matt Nagy? Stay tuned …

Mike Ditka to co-manage Chicago Dogs season opener https://t.co/cJaRColeJC

— WGN TV News (@WGNNews) March 5, 2020

Ending Bullets on a high note:

https://twitter.com/ComplexSports/status/1235333110390280194?s=20

While I was out at dinner, Jim Boylen got angry after a Bulls game:

This is most angry Boylen has been postgame all season. Said he challenged his team to be tougher and more physical. Said they gave up too many offensive rebounds and lost 50-50 balls.

— K.C. Johnson (@KCJHoop) March 5, 2020

If Boylen thinks he’s angry he should see all us Bulls fans.

— Bleacher Nation Bulls (@BN_Bulls) March 5, 2020