NEWSLETTER
If you count Game 1 of the NBA Finals, there are nine (9!) postseason games being played today. I’m gonna need some more TVs.
• Here’s an on-field football concern for the Bears — the run defense. As Andrew Dannehy (Da Bears Blog) points out, Chicago’s overall defensive efficiency looks good. HOWEVER, the Bears’ attempts to stop the run have been futile. John Jenkins is injured and Bilal Nichols isn’t a fit at the position. The front office has brought in not one, but two flier projects who could develop into a rotational defensive lineman. Even if they find that diamond-in-the-rough who shines, it’s painfully obvious how much they miss Eddie Goldman.
• For what it’s worth, the defense is overall a net positive:
https://www.instagram.com/p/CFvB6kEAtd_/
• On the other side of the ball, NFL.com analyst David Carr gushes over the Bears’ move to Nick Foles. “Y’all already know how I feel about Nick Foles in Matt Nagy’s offense. It’s a marriage that should’ve taken place before Week 3 — and it probably would have, had we had a preseason — but I feel good about the Bears rolling with Foles moving forward. … Is Chicago making the right decision by starting Foles? Absolutely.”
• If Foles turns out to be a money player, he’s going to get PAID:
Nick Foles now has a chance to earn some extra coin:
▪️ QB rating: 95.0+ ($500K), 98.5+ ($1M), 102+ ($2M)
▪️ Playing-time: 50%+ ($500K), 65%+ ($750K), 80%+ ($1.5M)
▪️ Pro Bowl: $750K
▪️ NFL/SB MVP: $750K
▪️ 50% playing time & playoffs: ($500K + $500K for a win)$6M max total.
— Field Yates (@FieldYates) September 28, 2020
• If the Bears have to pay out the full $6 million in bonuses for Foles’ performance, then I think everyone associated with the team will be happy campers.
• Frank Reich coaches the Colts, who happen to be the Bears’ next opponent. Prior to taking over in Indy, Reich was Foles’ offensive coordinator in Philly when they won the Super Bowl. So if anyone know what the Bears’ QB is about, it’s this guy. Hence, I find his commentary here to be interesting:
https://twitter.com/StaceyDales/status/1310714815418114053?s=20
• Actually, he threw five. Only three counted:
https://twitter.com/NFL/status/1311010353065725972?s=20
• A different look at one of my favorite Bears games of all time, featuring quotes from one of my fave Bears growing up — “The Ultraback” Raymont Harris. Happy Wayback Wednesday:
It’s 90’s week @TheAthleticNFL, and while it might not have been the Bears’ finest decade, on New Year’s Day 1995, they pulled off one of two playoff upsets in franchise history.
Talked to Wannstedt, Walsh and Raymont Harris about the win in the Metrodome https://t.co/Q1gLrajF2F
— Kevin Fishbain (@kfishbain) September 30, 2020
• The BIG FALL SALE is going on at Amazon is you want to check out a whole lot of discounts. #ad
• Few people do petty as well as Bulls legend Scottie Pippen:
Since we *STILL* don't have access to @BN_Bulls, I'll share our latest bit on Scottie Pippen saying new Bulls head coach Billy Donovan hasn't proved anything in the NBA. https://t.co/O8yjdry5Kd
— Bleacher Nation (@BleacherNation) September 29, 2020
