NEWSLETTER
I’m going to do something to change up my routine this weekend. No, I don’t know what it will be … but it will be something! And if you’re feeling that there is a haze around you as we go on 10 weeks worth of quarantine, then I would encourage you to shake something up, too.
• Whatever it takes:
Call me crazy but I just figured out the bears #mitchell pic.twitter.com/uWyLLyYQTf
— Kyle (@Ky1eLong) May 21, 2020
• From here on out, it’s Mitchell Trubisky. And if that’s what it takes to get him to flip the switch and play like a guy taken with the second overall pick in the draft, so be it. I’m willing to sacrifice having to type out a few extra characters on a weekly basis.
• Fantastic perspective in talking about the Bears’ quarterbacking situation:
https://twitter.com/nflnetwork/status/1263303500538281985?s=20
• Meanwhile, Mitchell Trubisky’s pass-catchers aren’t getting much love. Over at Pro Football Focus, Ben Linsey ranks Chicago’s receiving corps 27th. And in a 32-team league, that’s simply not good enough. Allen Robinson II gets some love, with PFF noting that his 84.9 career receiving grade shows his greatness despite sub-par quarterback play. But beyond Robinson, there are question-marks regarding developing draft picks Anthony Miller, Javon Wims, and Riley Ridley that need to be answered. Bringing in Ted Ginn Jr. and Jimmy Graham in free agency, plus Cole Kmet and Darnell Mooney via the draft figures to shake things up, but there’s a long way for this unit to go just to get to the middle of the pack.
• There isn’t a lot of love for the pass-catchers of the NFC North’s presumed contenders on Linsey’s list. The Packers rank 26th, which is surprising considering Davante Adams’ excellence. But if Robinson’s mere presence can’t lift the Bears out of the bottom third of the league, Adams wasn’t going to single-handedly move the Packers out from the bottom either. Meanwhile, Minnesota comes in at 24th after trading Stefon Diggs to Buffalo.
• The Lions’ collection of pass-catchers gets a resounding amount of love from PFF, ranking sixth entering the 2020 season. Kenny Golladay and Marvin Jones Jr. are superb receivers, while Danny Amendola continues to be a nuisance out of the slot. I imagine some of this grade is based on the future projection of tight end T.J. Hockenson, because he didn’t do that much as a rookie. Sure, Hockenson caught six passes for 131 yards and a touchdown in his NFL debut. But he put up just 236 yards and one touchdown on 26 catches in the 11 games that followed.
• This is too easy:
Top 5 LBs of all-time?
1. __________
2. __________
3. __________
4. __________
5. __________— PFF (@PFF) May 22, 2020
• Butkus. Urlacher. Singletary. George. Buffone.
• Alright, maybe it’s not *THAT* easy. Lance Briggs deserves a mention. George Connor and Joe Fortunato are guys old-heads will tell you about as all-time greats who played well before my time. Wilber Marshall, Otis Wilson, and Rosevelt Colvin all deserve some shine. Ultimately, it’s safe to say the Bears have no shortage of guys who are worthy of consideration.
• You got next, Roquan?
#Bears linebacker Roquan Smith only missed 3.8% of his tackle attempts in 2019, the third-lowest rate for any player with over 100 tackles.
He doesn't get as much attention as some of his teammates, but Roquan has developed into one of the best young linebackers in the NFL.
— Jacob Infante (@jacobinfante24) May 20, 2020
• For your listening pleasure:
New Podcast alert! We break down Matt Nagy's press conference, Trubisky vs. Foles and the latest media predictions for the #Bears. Give it a listen here:https://t.co/XfUFTIMHDQ
— Bear Report (@BearReport) May 21, 2020
• This is unsettling:
Per @fboutsiders, the #Bears OL were charted with 124 blown blocks last season. Will be interesting to see the impact new OL coach Juan Castillo will have.
— Zack Pearson (@Zack_Pearson) May 21, 2020
• Some deep pulls here from Nicholas Moreano of The Chicago Audible:
https://twitter.com/NicholasMoreano/status/1263548301279989761?s=20
• Well, this is encouraging:
After speaking with people around the league, implementing a sky judge has plenty of support, while the 4th-and-15 alternative to onside kick might be too stark a change for some. pic.twitter.com/XsXcCSY2NG
— Jeremy Fowler (@JFowlerESPN) May 22, 2020
• ICYMI: The NFL’s owners will soon vote on the sky judge and alternative onside kick rule changes next week. I’m pleased to hear there is early support for the eye-in-the-sky official. Adding an extra set of eyes could help officiate a game that is getting bigger and faster by the year.
• I’m still holding out hope that an alternative to the onside kick gets approved at some point down the line. The league might point to the safety issues the onside kick presents as a reason to move away from it. But from a strategic and game-play perspective, making offenses earn the right to stay on the field and forcing defenses to make a stop to take over the possession would make for high drama late in games. And isn’t that what the viewing public wants?
• Here’s an update regarding the specific language in the rule:
Here’s the updated language of the proposed rule change on an alternative to the onside kick – and it *doesn’t* specify that a team must be trailing to attempt it. Limit of two tries per game, but this would open up strategic options. NFL teams will discuss next Thursday. pic.twitter.com/VsLm0NI7XJ
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) May 22, 2020
• A mind-blowing stat:
NFL kickoff stat.
In 2010, there were 2,033 kickoff returns league-wide.
In 2019, in the same number of games, there were 938.— Paul Pabst (@PaulPabst) May 22, 2020
• Good work
As part of our $1,920,000 commitment to local COVID-19 relief efforts, we are providing $160,000 in total donations & matching grants to five more organizations.
— Chicago Bears (@ChicagoBears) May 21, 2020
• Give us a like on Facebook:
• May this legend rest in peace, and may his family, friends, loved ones, and fans find peace in this time:
Legendary Bulls Player and Jazz Coach Jerry Sloan Has Passed Awayhttps://t.co/TIphqt7bYL
— Bleacher Nation Bulls (@BN_Bulls) May 22, 2020
• A COVID-19 and sports update:
COVID-19 Sports Update: NHL Voting on Pure Playoff Proposal, Japan Can Begin Baseball Planning https://t.co/99FEGjV9rT pic.twitter.com/K9LQKkSBTc
— Bleacher Nation (@BleacherNation) May 22, 2020
