The Chicago Cubs are playoff bound. And while I understand that this is a weird and unprecedented baseball season, I’m also old enough to appreciate a fifth playoff appearance in six seasons. You will not take this joy from me.
• Waking up to read the unfortunate news of Gale Sayers’ passing isn’t going to be easy for Bears fans who watched him star for the franchise in his amazing, but injury shortened, career. For those of us who didn’t have that honor, I’ve collected some highlights from the web to share:
https://twitter.com/nflthrowback/status/1308781114182467584?s=20
https://www.instagram.com/p/CFe745UAu-e/
• There’s never a bad time to share Gale Sayers highlights. But I think we all needed that this morning.
• Will Larkin, one of my favorite co-workers from my time at the Tribune, wrote this last year as part of his re-visiting of the greatest players in Bears history. I would nudge you in hopes you read it:
“He gave me a fake, and my body went one way, my mind went the other way, and something happens to your motor when that happens.”
Chicago Bears great Gale Sayers was born on this day in 1943.https://t.co/8kFFRFx0bl
— Chicago Tribune Sports (@ChicagoSports) May 30, 2020
• Watching clips and reading about Sayers over the years has long had me being of the opinion that he could have starred in any era. The way Sayers glides with the ball, dodges defenders, eludes would-be-tacklers, and finds the end zone at such a high clip is something else. That is what a transcendent talent looks like. And while I wasn’t alive to see him at the peak of his powers, I’m happy for those who did and am glad he is part of the Bears’ storied franchise. May Sayers’ family find inner-peace during these difficult days and may he rest in peace.
• Elsewhere on the Chicago sports landscape, this is a HUGE story:
Billy Donovan Is The Next Head Coach of the Chicago Bullshttps://t.co/NCXxrsDCxu
— Bleacher Nation Bulls (@BN_Bulls) September 22, 2020
• I’m ridiculously excited for Eli and our BN Bulls outfit. There are few things that are as energizing as a new coach hire. And that it’s someone with Billy Donovan’s résumé makes it that much more fun. The Bulls hiring a coach with previous head-coaching experience is a narrative-buster that reminds me of when the Bears hired Matt Nagy despite narrative history suggesting they wouldn’t pursue the “hot, offensive-leaning coaching candidate from a well-decorated coaching tree.” It’s simply something the team hadn’t done. Here’s to the best of times moving forward, BN Bulls.
• Let the big dawg eat:
https://twitter.com/ChicagoBears/status/1308534661916880896?s=20
• But also … maybe stop ignoring penalties that can be called against guys trying to block him:
.@ChicagoBears the life of @FiftyDeuce . It’s just not right. Make the offense learn some damn techniques and at least try to be a legitimate blocker. He never complains so I will do it for him. #BaldysBreakdowns pic.twitter.com/HQJNxrgn49
— Brian Baldinger (@BaldyNFL) September 22, 2020
• This gives me feels:
.@ChicagoBears this looked like “Bears Football” Smothered the @Giants in the first half. Looked like a fun party to be invited to #BaldysBreakdowns pic.twitter.com/m1bBpdDWAe
— Brian Baldinger (@BaldyNFL) September 22, 2020
• The gang was really putting in that work:
#Bears pressures vs #Giants, per @NextGenStats:
▪ Khalil Mack – 7 pressures
▪ Akiem Hicks – 5 pressures
▪ Robert Quinn – 4 pressures (2 of which forced NYG turnovers)— Adam Hoge (@AdamHoge) September 23, 2020
• On the other side of the line, I love watching James Daniels shove dudes around:
Hello, James Daniels pic.twitter.com/ozhYq0PtpO
— Kevin Fishbain (@kfishbain) September 22, 2020
• I still have a quiet confidence that the Bears and Allen Robinson will come to an extension agreement at some point. And even after getting his own deal done, Tarik Cohen made sure to leave something for his teammate:
Bears RB Tarik Cohen says he "left some money on the plate" for WR Allen Robinson.
— Jason Lieser (@JasonLieser) September 22, 2020
• Of course:
https://twitter.com/TheAthleticCHI/status/1308547045905575937?s=20
• For your listening pleasure:
https://twitter.com/BrendanSugrue/status/1308755869270671361?s=20