“Live Free or Die Hard” tends to be a forgotten chapter in the Bruce Willis led action series. But the 2007 film still slaps 13 years later. And it makes for good viewing on an outdoor projector on a Saturday night with friends and neighbors.
• ICYMI: The Bears were forced to move practice after nine (9!) false-positive tests for COVID-19. But they weren’t alone:
Story on the NFL's COVID-19 testing issue (via @SeifertESPN). #Jets were in the middle of a virtual team meeting last night when they received word of 10 positive tests, which proved to be false. It forced them to cancel a walk-through last night. https://t.co/b8jjL39G78
— Rich Cimini (@RichCimini) August 23, 2020
#Steelers GM Kevin Colbert statement on recent COVID-19 testing/results: pic.twitter.com/WwSvIXk7Ip
— Burt Lauten (@SteelersPRBurt) August 23, 2020
Mike Zimmer said the Vikings had 8 players, 1 coach and 3 staff members have presumptive positive COVID-19 tests that stem from the New Jersey lab that is currently under investigation. Those specific people will not be at practice today.
— Courtney Cronin (@CourtneyRCronin) August 23, 2020
#Bills GM Brandon Beane on #Zoom: Bills are “one of 10-11 teams” dealing with lab/COVID-19 issue that league identified earlier. Said #BUF “will be missing some key players at practice” as result. Considers this “more of a lab issue” also approach is “very cautious.”
— Kim Jones (@KimJonesSports) August 23, 2020
Updated: #Browns cancel practice today after double-digit COVID-19 tests from Fri came back positive today. Multiple #Browns players, coaches & support staff. Same NJ lab other #NFL teams have had false positives from. Retesting today https://t.co/KFkzn2KDuT
— Mary Kay Cabot (@MaryKayCabot) August 23, 2020
• Early reports have 10-11 teams impacted by COVID-related testing irregularities. That’s nearly one-third of the league. Through that lens, this news is alarming. But on the other hand, that the league (and its teams) are taking an abundance of caution regarding this matter is important. This could ultimately prove to be a test run on how things need to be handled should this happen in the regular season. As a football fan, my hope is that this is only a small hurdle in the process. Better to figure it out now, so games don’t have to be canceled if (when?) this happens during the regular season.
• Tashaun Gipson Sr. isn’t guaranteed a starting role on this defense. But whether he’s in the starting lineup or not, that he’s already using the word “elite” makes me feel tingly all over. “I think that’s the first word that comes to mind when you think about joining a defense like that,” Gipson said (ChicagoBears.com). “Obviously, you see the names on the paper. You see the statistics behind each individual guy and things like that, but being able to see these guys up close and personal and just seeing behind that, I mean, it’s crazy.” It’s pretty awesome to name-drop the likes of Eddie Jackson, Kyle Fuller, Akiem Hicks, and Khalil Mack as teammates. Now, imagine adding someone like Gipson – who has a knack for forcing turnovers and has a Pro Bowl under his belt – to that mix. Giggity!
• There’s a reason they call him Big Nick:
You don't see too many 6'6" QBs 😳 pic.twitter.com/yFd26DNsAt
— B/R Gridiron (@brgridiron) August 23, 2020
• I’m looking forward to giving this a listen:
You can listen to the whole convo right here. Mike was really open and honest about a lot of things: https://t.co/WF3JcKv87F
— Laurence Holmes (@LaurenceWHolmes) August 23, 2020
• If the Bears don’t target a quarterback in the first-round next year, my preference might be to draft a stud offensive lineman to protect whoever is slinging the rock. Perhaps one of these SEC stars could be a fit:
The All-SEC offensive line is LOADED with talent💪 pic.twitter.com/ilY0s15nqK
— PFF College (@PFF_College) August 22, 2020
• I was encouraged to see the Chiefs were trying their hand at hosting practice with fans at Arrowhead Stadium. Unfortunately, Michael David Smith (Pro Football Talk) writes photos and videos on social media showed fans not wearing their masks when in their seats. And while it was expected for fans to wear masks except when they were eating and drinking, social media shares showed fans who weren’t wearing masks when not eating or drinking. This could be problematic for the Chiefs, who plan to have games with limited capacity.
• This Earl Thomas story is wild:
My understanding is the #Ravens told Earl Thomas to stay home today after sending him home Friday following the practice altercation with teammate Chuck Clark. No decisions yet on his status, but keeping Thomas away for now buys time for Baltimore to evaluate its options.
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) August 22, 2020
Earl Thomas posted this video to his Instagram of the coverage breakdown that led to the altercation with fellow S Chuck Clark. He works to clear the air on the matter in this post: https://t.co/RK5GnkpqVl pic.twitter.com/Dc4JY5DRwa
— Field Yates (@FieldYates) August 22, 2020
We have terminated S Earl Thomas’ contract for personal conduct that has adversely affected the Baltimore Ravens.
— Baltimore Ravens (@Ravens) August 23, 2020
• Hope for the future:
Here Are the Potential Bulls Targets for the No. 4 Overall Pick in the 2020 NBA Drafthttps://t.co/DxG8WIdNVO
— Bleacher Nation Bulls (@BN_Bulls) August 22, 2020
• The Cubs are going through some stuff:
When the Cubs Stink for a Week https://t.co/3yWuIzHS6Q pic.twitter.com/xVmNOzVZSP
— Bleacher Nation (@BleacherNation) August 23, 2020
• The BN Dogathon fundraiser for Make-A-Wish is off to a great start, and next week is going to be a lot of fun (especially for people who want to laugh at Brett). Please check it out and support a great cause!