NEWSLETTER
I’m not sure if my greatest weekend accomplishment was getting the projector to work in the back yard or successfully making s’mores on the grill? In either case, both are unbridled victories.
• The boys are back in town:
Players only. ✌️ pic.twitter.com/48RZgl0OjV
— Chicago Bears (@ChicagoBears) August 2, 2020
• A photo gallery featuring player returns is something you love to see. Even more, the first set of practice pics are also available from the Bears’ website. Allow yourself to get lost in the magic of summertime hope.
• There is something that warms the soul when seeing return-to-camp videos and photos. For me, it’s like back-to-school … but without all of the unnecessary anxiety. In any case, it’s good to see the gang getting back together.
• A picture is worth a thousand words:
• I like this image more than I originally thought I would:
https://twitter.com/TheJimmyGraham/status/1290079616523149313?s=20
• One of the replies to our quote tweet of this image said: “Tbh, with all the other craziness going on, I forgot all about Jimmy.” Which … I totally understand. Between the real world happenings, a topsy-turvy sports environment, and everything else going on in our own lives, it’s easy to lose track of what happened with any given team back in March.
• As a reminder, Graham’s “down” year (38 catches, 447 yards, 3 TD) in 2019 was better than what the entire collective of Bears tight ends produced last year (36 catches, 416 yards, 2 TD). That’s an indictment of how poorly Chicago’s tight ends played. It’s also a troubling sign for Graham.
• I’m mildly annoyed that it took Eddie Goldman opting out with health/safety concerns for him to get recognition as a notable player:
A total of 43 NFL players have already opted out of the 2020 NFL season. A look at 10 of the most notable players. pic.twitter.com/UZu7dG3B2T
— Field Yates (@FieldYates) August 3, 2020
• In the wake of the news of Goldman’s opt-out, Jeff Hughes (Da Bears Blog) writes about the wide-ranging impact of players opting out.
• On the other side of the line, a yoked-up James Daniels gives me a new hope:
If James Daniels translates this bulk to improved play strength, he could be a legit player for the #Bears.
Daniels has the athleticism and instincts, but power has been a weakness to this point. Would be huge for their OL if he took the next step. https://t.co/miJiHpmZ3j
— Jacob Infante (@jacobinfante24) August 2, 2020
• I’ll admit it’s quite the hill to die on, but I still think this offensive line is better than what it showed last year. Maybe it’s not as good as it was in 2018, but I don’t believe it’s bottom-third-of-the-league bad as it was in 2019. For the Bears to emerge from the dredges of the offensive line rankings, they’ll need a full bounce-back from Daniels. As we have previously noted, Daniels was a stellar left guard as a rookie and graded out as a top-5 player when playing that position last year. Adding strength to his skill could take his game to another level.
• The Bears waived Napoleon Maxwell while activating Artavis Pierce from the reserve/COVID-19 list. This brings the Bears’ roster to 80 players. They’ll still need to make some moves once tight end Eric Saubert and nose tackle John Jenkins are activated from the COVID-19 list. But we’ll cross that bridge when they reach those decisions.
• Y’all really had some fun with this tweet:
Move over, Mitchell Trubisky.
Kyle Schwarber has the best throwing arm in the city. pic.twitter.com/CMUpuyJCMS
— Luis M., President of the Bryan Mullins Fan Club (@lcm1986) August 2, 2020
• Mitchell Trubisky? Nick Foles? Tyler Bray? Kyle Schwarber? Luis Robert? Tarik Cohen? Khalil Mack? Which option, if given 16 games at quarterback, gives the Bears their best shot at winning the Super Bowl this year?
• The Jets released a starting caliber offensive lineman, and I can’t help but wonder if the Bears should come calling.
• Another NFL head coach has tested positive for COVID-19:
Eagles’ HC Doug Pederson has tested positive for the coronavirus, sources told ESPN’s @Tim_McManus. Pederson convened a previously unscheduled team meeting Sunday night to share the news with his players. He did this after receiving a second positive test.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) August 3, 2020
• News of Sean Payton confirming he tested positive for coronavirus back in March feels like ages ago. But as teams report to training camps in their respective facilities, we’ll soon find out if any other players and/or coaches were infected.
• Another high-profile quarterback (and another whose team is scheduled to face the Bears this year) went on the reserve/COVID-19 list:
Another starting QB to the COVID-19 reserve list: #Jaguars QB Gardner Minshew. Yesterday, it was #Lions QB Matthew Stafford.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) August 2, 2020
• ICYMI: Lions QB Matthew Stafford also landed on the reserve/COVID list.
• An old friend finds a new home:
The Washington Football Team is expected to sign WR Dontrelle Inman, source said, a move that should be made today pending physical. The veteran played 7 games for the #Colts last year, with 12 receptions for 181 yards.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) August 3, 2020
