NEWSLETTER
I promised internet friends I’d share my chicken wings recipe with them, but I’m unsure which platform is the best for sharing. If only that was the biggest problem I faced in 2020.
• In unveiling their top-100 players rankings, ESPN described Khalil Mack’s 2019 season as “mediocre.” Which … come on. Disappointing relative to our expectations? Sure. Mack had just 8.5 sacks and five forced fumbles last season, which represented a step back from his All-Pro showing in 2018. But those aren’t mediocre numbers. If they were, Mack wouldn’t rank as the site’s 21st-ranked player. Players who are ranked in the top-25 of anything shouldn’t be mediocre. If they are, well, then it’s time to re-think your list.
• While one Mack tries to bounce back from mediocrity, another is trying to make the season-opening roster. Ledarius Mack, Khalil’s younger brother, has his work cut out for him. The outside linebackers room has a slew of depth pieces who are vying for only a handful of spots. But with a mindset like this, I feel as if it’s only a matter of time before he makes his way onto the 53-man roster. “My main goal is to get what I want. And what I want is to make plays every time,” Ledarius Mack said, via the Bears’ official website. “Every play that’s mine, if I can get it, it has to be mine.”
• I can’t imagine the Bears keeping Mack’s little brother as a favor to their best player. But if the younger Mack showed in practice that he can contribute as a special teams player and as a down-the-depth-chart reserve pass-rusher, then the Bears might have a difficult decision on their hands.
• Speaking of roster crunching, the Bears have already started making their cuts. Chicago’s roster currently sits at 74 players.
• While the Bears are OK with standing pat at running back, Bucs Head Coach Bruce Arians views the position differently:
Bruce Arians, said RB is one place you can’t have enough good guys. When you can get a player as good as Fournette that’s a move you make. BA said ROJO is still the guy and McCoy will still have his role.
— James Palmer (@JamesPalmerTV) September 3, 2020
• That Bears Head Coach Matt Nagy said he is comfortable with a room loaded with inexperience while his Bucs counterpart says it’s the one place you can’t have too many players makes me feel uneasy. To be clear, the Bears didn’t need to sign Fournette specifically in order to round out the room. There are still quality depth backs out there. But that they’re still available because the Bears haven’t signed any gives me pause. I really hope this isn’t some sort of roster hubris setting in.
• While the NFL prepares for the financial hit of not having fans in the stands in 2020, we should take note that the league won’t be in financial ruin simply because stadiums will be empty. Look no further than the Packers for a glimmer of hope (via the AP): “The Green Bay Packers offer the only glimpse at NFL finances as a publicly owned team. Even with no fans all season, CEO Mark Murphy says the Packers can cover player costs with national revenue highlighted by media rights, which is about two-thirds of the club’s overall revenue. Murphy also says the Packers have about $400 million in reserve.”
• I’m not saying the NFL won’t be impacted by losses due to the COVID-19 pandemic. HOWEVER, a business that is as well-run as an NFL team should be able to operate in tough times because of its media rights deals and reserves of cash built up over the decades from profit gains.
• This is an interesting development:
The NFL Network and YouTube TV have entered into a new carriage agreement, which will bring the NFL Network and NFL RedZone to YouTube TV starting today. NFL RedZone will he offered as part of a new YouTube TV sports add-on package called Sports Plus.
— Alicia Jessop (@RulingSports) September 3, 2020
• This Bleacher Report feature highlights what it’s like to be Aaron Rodgers’ backup. And while I want to make jokes, there’s some really interesting stuff about how some of Rodgers’ backups have parlayed their time in Green Bay into coaching gigs. Reading this reminded me that your time in football (or any sport, for that matter) doesn’t have to end when you hang ’em up. There are avenues beyond playing that can be taken en route to a fulfilling life in the game. Always keep that in mind as you pursue your dreams.
• Some strongly worded messaging from the Texans:
Change is necessary and it needs to happen now. pic.twitter.com/dSeiPisL5Z
— Houston Texans (@HoustonTexans) September 3, 2020
• I don’t imagine they’ll be the only team releasing a statement like this ahead of the 2020 football season.
• Great set of Deals of the Day at Amazon today, from back to school gear to air fryers to pocket knives to laptops to cold and flu needs. #ad
