Pushing clocks forward an hour is tedious busy work that I’ll have to do today. Why can’t the stove, microwave, and VCR (yes, I still own a VCR) update themselves?
Football is coming:
No need to wish to spring forward to football season, it’s around the corner. We are eight days from the opening of the NFL’s “legal tampering” period in which teams can talk to the representatives of players who will be free agents when the new league year begins on March 18. Football news and transactions are going to be front-and-center in 11 days. So be patient, for crying out loud.
Worth noting: There are just 48 days until the Bears go on the clock with the first of their two second-round picks in the 2020 NFL Draft. Unless, of course, the Bears trade up to get into the first round. In that case, there are just 47 days until the start of the NFL Draft. See … I told you football was coming!
The stretch of time between the end of the Super Bowl and the start of the Scouting Combine can be a drag. But the turnaround from the Combine to free agency, followed by the pivot to the NFL Draft feels quick. But the blur is fun. I’m ready to take on the blur. Bring it on!
Benjamin Solak (The Draft Network) offers up the biggest “boom-or-bust” prospects who will be available in the draft. What caught my eye about the post is that it features a pair of players who have been sent to the Bears in various mock drafts. Both players could land in Round 1 with the buzz they’ve created, but it is conceivable that either (if not both) could be available in the early portion of the second round. An edge defender with tools and upside, but lacks consistency? That’s Yetur Gross-Matos, a Penn State product who is a top-100 prospect in Solak’s eyes, but still has some work to do to reach his potential. Fellow Penn State standout K.J. Hamler is a receiver prospect whose speed is going to help him skyrocket up draft boards. But Solak points out Hamler has inconsistencies in his game, and unless he cleans them up, his big-play potential will be limited. None of it is to say these prospects aren’t worthy rolling the dice on, but the post serves as a reminder that even your favorite college players come with a certain amount of risk.
Gotta give the people what they want, right?
There are plenty of things Bears fans aren’t in agreement on these days, but Allen Robinson’s future isn’t one of them. There seems to be a consensus among fans that Robinson needs to be a part of this team’s long-term future. He catches everything. Doesn’t fuss about his quarterback’s inconsistent play. Doesn’t dial up any drama like some receivers might do elsewhere. And he is invested in the community. Credit to GM Ryan Pace for targeting Robinson in free agency back in 2018 and landing him with a contract. Robinson won’t be a free agent until after the 2020 season, but why wait? Let’s strike a deal!
I’ll offer up this as a cautionary nugget: Pace has made it quite the tradition to sign player extensions in the summer. And he hasn’t been shy about doing so for players going into the final year of their respective deals. Extensions for Charles Leno Jr., Akiem Hicks, Eddie Goldman, and Cody Whitehair come to mind when I think about extensions handed out by Pace in recent years. With that in mind, part of me envisions an offseason that ends with a Robinson extension before Week 1 opens up — well after the Bears have spent their money on the trade and free agency markets, and long after the draft has been decided. Don’t get me wrong, my preference would be to get this done sooner, rather than later. But I will try my best not to freak out when a deal isn’t done at 3:01 p.m. CT on March 18 when the new league year opens up.
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This was unexpectedly refreshing:
Accountability for mistakes? Real consequences for officials? What a concept! What a league!
NFL fans are conditioned not to see accountability from the league when it comes to blown calls, so what the XFL did in the wake of its biggest officiating blunder of the year is unique. And that they did it publicly in this manner is also impressive. Transparency is a good thing. More, please!
Look … we’re used to players getting benched, coaches fired, and front offices removed from power because of mistakes. But officials getting disciplined? That’s not something we see often. Don’t get me wrong. I don’t want to have to see statements released regarding officials being reassigned because of mistakes they’ve made. And I certainly don’t want to advocate for hard-working people to lose their jobs. I just want an entertaining product that is fairly and properly officiated. That’s not asking for too much … is it?
Here’s some perspective:
https://twitter.com/PFF/status/1236396201680834560?s=20
One way the Bears could help bolster a secondary that will be without Prince Amukamara next year has nothing to do with signing or drafting the best corner on the market. Bulking up on the front lines could go a long way toward further beefing up the defense. When the Bears defense was at the peak of its powers in 2018 (and spots throughout the 2019 season), the group was getting pressure up front with its base personnel. Edge defenders, defensive linemen, and linebackers were doing work at the point of attack. When the big guys are making a mess for opposing offenses, it makes things easier on defensive backs who can play more aggressively.The Bears have strong building blocks in Hicks, Goldman, and Khalil Mack, plus a solid rotational piece such as Bilal Nichols … but something is missing. Leonard Floyd is a fine player, but doesn’t get to the passer enough to make the type of impact that could make a DB’s life easier. Finding another edge rusher and/or defensive end who could cause havoc on the front lines could bring the defense to another level.
But also, let’s not overlook the importance of another cornerback starting opposite of Kyle Fuller. I’m sure Kevin Toliver II, Duke Shelley, and Michael Joseph will get their chances to make the roster in 2020. And former CFL stud Tre Roberson is an interesting dart throw for the Bears. But going into the season without a starting-caliber corner who was added in free agency or the draft would be an awful risk — one the Bears shouldn’t be willing to make.
Ending Bullets with a chuckle:
NEWSLETTER
