Have you ever screwed something up, not realizing it in the moment, only to find yourself thinking, I can fix that … later? Welp, I’m gonna find out in short order if I can do just that. Wish me luck!
• Happy Halloween from my house to yours. And while won’t be what I expected coming into the year, I plan on making the most of it. And on the bright side, I’m so ready to chow down on this chocolate I’ve stashed as if I wasn’t already doing so.
• An update from Tarik Cohen:
Mental check in : PT killed me today , but I’m feeling great. Definitely feeling progression.
— Tarik Cohen (@TarikCohen) October 30, 2020
• The Bears haven’t been the same since Tarik Cohen suffered a season-ending ACL injury. We’ve seen the punt return game struggle and the offense regress into dark times. I understand that sometimes Cohen’s decision-making can be frustrating, but the guy is a playmaker who defenses must account for when he’s on the field. Cohen’s speed, instincts, versatility, and swagger make him dynamic with the football. He is surely missed.
• A spooky thought from JJ Stankevitz at NBC Sports Chicago, who explains how the Bears’ offensive problems go beyond Matt Nagy’s play-calling. The offense is becoming predictable, as the Bears have suddenly become the most pass-heavy team on first down since Nick Foles’ first start. First-down plays are the ones that should be least predictable, if only because the entire playbook *should* be open. Unfortunately, the Bears’ run plays on first down average 2.9 yards per carry. Not only does that land in the “not good” category, but it’s far below the league average of 4.4 yards a pop. In short, this offense is a nightmare in its current state.
• Bears Head Coach Matt Nagy has previously insisted that Cody Whitehair’s calf injury wasn’t a long-term concern. So I suppose Whitehair’s being out for Sunday’s game against the Saints is a short-term thing. Nevertheless, Chicago is kicking the tires on the waiver wire:
Former Los Angeles Rams center Aaron Neary (Eastern Washington) is in Chicago for a workout with the Bears
— Aaron Wilson (@AaronWilson_NFL) October 30, 2020
• Aaron Neary has one start game played under his belt. It was a start while on the Rams in 2017. Since then, Neary hasn’t played in a game. He has plenty of offseason and practice squad experience with the Broncos (2016), Eagles (2016-17), and Rams (2018-19. But not much professional experience elsewhere. At least his college résumé is intriguing. Neary was a second-team FCS All-American at Eastern Washington in 2015, where he earned first-team All-Big Sky honors in 2014 and 2015. That’s pretty neat. Considering that the only other healthy center on the Bears’ roster is a former rugby player, the Bears are wise to be checking out who’s available.
• Speaking of which, Brad Biggs of the Tribune tweets the Bears could call up undrafted free agent rookie Dieter Eiselen from the practice squad to be the team’s backup center on Sunday. Here’s hoping the Bears don’t have to go to their fourth center at any point tomorrow (or in the near future).
• Something scary for defenders:
Candymack… Candymack…
Happy Halloween from #DaBears & @SNICKERS! pic.twitter.com/v0zBa7tQ11
— Chicago Bears (@ChicagoBears) October 31, 2020
• I am absolutely ENAMORED with BYU quarterback Zach Wilson, whose prospect stock is soaring:
DRAFT HIM @ChicagoBears https://t.co/JlOYq2W8IV
— Luis (@lcm1986) October 29, 2020
Zach Wilson:
Biggest riser up my board this year. Accurate, mechanically sound, great footwork. His arm’s stronger than you’d expect for his size. Easily my QB3, and I don’t think the gap between him and Fields is a massive one. https://t.co/YRwLOh5Yla
— Jacob Infante (@jacobinfante24) October 30, 2020
• For those of you who are curious: Wilson’s BYU team takes on Western Kentucky at 9:15 p.m. CT on ESPN.
• A well-written piece from Jim O’Donnell on the late, great Vaughn McClure:
SUNDAY DAILY HERALD SPORTS & MEDIA (10/31-11/1) —@jimodonnell17 talks to those who knew and loved Vaughn McClure @dailyherald https://t.co/vx1YJytCJO via @dailyherald
— Jim O'Donnell (@jodonnell17) October 30, 2020