NEWSLETTER
Happy Game Day! It feels good to type those words again.
• Indeed, the bye is over. The Bears are back. So is Mitchell Trubisky. There are some injury concerns we’ll be monitoring for updates later. But overall, I’m ready to get back at it.
• The football story of the weekend played out during Saturday’s Vanderbilt-Missouri game when Sarah Fuller dropped a successful squib kick to start the second half to the game between the Commodores and Tigers:
Making history. #PlayLikeAGirl | #AnchorDown pic.twitter.com/57ffStmje9
— Vanderbilt Football (@VandyFootball) November 28, 2020
Glass. Everywhere. #AnchorDown pic.twitter.com/RR0rYJb2Lr
— Vanderbilt Soccer (@VandySoccer) November 28, 2020
“I just want to tell all the girls out there that you can do anything you set your mind to.” – Sarah Fuller pic.twitter.com/e0Fcjl5Yh4
— CBS Sports (@CBSSports) November 28, 2020
• With the squib, Fuller became the first woman to play college football in a Power-5 conference game. That’s a pretty big deal. It wasn’t a splashy debut, but it was a darn cool moment in history. One that could impact future generations:
My 8yo daughter Riley’s absolute dream in life is to play in the @NFL. Talks about it daily. Text from her this morning: “OMG IM SO EXCITED! Daddy a girl is playing football.” Thank you for the inspiration @SarahFuller_27. #PlayLikeAGirl pic.twitter.com/f6kLqwmkyT
— Brandon Faber (@FaberBrandon) November 28, 2020
• Elsewhere on the college scene, all eyes were on quarterbacks because [ gestures everywhere]. And frankly, it was a mixed bag. At minimum, it was a reminder that one shouldn’t pin their hopes and dreams on a college quarterback fixing everything. There are so few good ones on campus. And the best ones are most likely out of the Bears’ current draft range. This isn’t to say hope isn’t on the horizon. All it takes is one to change a franchise’s fortunes. However, Saturday was a sobering reminder that there’s no guarantee that the Bears (or any quarterback-needy team) can find a slam-dunk fix in college. Nevertheless, we’ll keep searching.
• My affection toward Alabama’s Mac Jones continues to grow:
Mac Jones' pocket presence here is awesome.
The Crimson Tide is rolling. pic.twitter.com/mOHXM5jshn
— CBS Sports (@CBSSports) November 28, 2020
• Kyle Trask continues to look good at Florida:
https://twitter.com/espn/status/1332783110589702148
Highest-graded P5 QBs of Week 13
1⃣ Kyle Trask, Florida – 90.7
2⃣ Trevor Lawrence, Clemson – 90.3
3⃣ Phil Jurkovec, BC – 86.3
4⃣ Mac Jones, Alabama – 84.8
5⃣ Ian Book, Notre Dame – 84.5 pic.twitter.com/nPPWlJ1tEG— PFF College (@PFF_College) November 29, 2020
• And in case you forgot, there isn’t a better college quarterback than ticked-off Trevor Lawrence:
Trevor Lawrence hadn’t played for over a month before returning tonight.
No biggie. He’s out here looking like he never left. Throws like this are why he’ll be the No. 1 pick. pic.twitter.com/RUoAVjVWnM
— Jacob Infante (@jacobinfante24) November 29, 2020
Trevor Lawrence is literally a quarterback instruction video pic.twitter.com/KtrkuG1Lw3
— Aaron Torres Sports Podcast (@AaronTorresPod) November 28, 2020
They called this one back but that shouldn't stop all of us from admiring this BEAUTIFUL throw-and-catch from Trevor Lawrence to Amari Rodgers.
A work of art.
(watch live on ABC or WatchESPN) pic.twitter.com/k7odkduDWB
— Clemson Football (@ClemsonFB) November 28, 2020
• On the other side of the quarterbacking spectrum:
Syracuse just spiked the ball on 4th & Goal to end the game…
— PFF College (@PFF_College) November 28, 2020
• Jacob Infante, who does wonderful work at Windy City Gridiron watching and observing the prospect scene, has six quarterbacks among the top-50 draft-eligible players. That’s certainly good news if you’re a Bears fan. Because even if the team declines to take a quarterback (again), it could land a stud player at a premium position because quarterbacks will be pushed up on the board.
• Dueling perspectives on the Bears’ future situation from The Athletic this week. Robert Mays lists the Bears as a logical suitor who should trade for Sam Darnold. It makes sense. Darnold has post-hype sleeper written all over him. He so clearly needs a fresh start if he’s going to start reaching for his potential, and the Jets will likely give it to him because they’re probably taking Trevor Lawrence with the first overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft. Should the Bears retain GM Ryan Pace and/or Head Coach Matt Nagy for another season, Mays views the Bears as a fit.
• Meanwhile, teammate Dane Brugler believes that North Dakota State’s Trey Lance “is the quarterback expected to be within striking distance” among draft picks. From Brugler’s perspective, going into the draft and pulling Lance is a fitting choice.
• Not to be left out of the discussion, Brugler also highlights Northwestern offensive tackle Rashawn Slater as a possible first-round Bears target should they desire to go elsewhere in their quarterback pursuit. Slater has first-round buzz and Chicago has needs along the offensive line. I can see a fit here.
• If Daniel Jeremiah is saying this about Slater, then he has my full attention:
Spent the last few weeks studying OL for 2021 NFL Draft. Here’s my top 5 so far—
1) Rashawn Slater (Northwestern)
2) Penei Sewell (Oregon)
3) Alijah Vera-Tucker (USC)
4) Christian Darrisaw (Virginia Tech)
5) Teven Jenkins (Oklahoma St)— Daniel Jeremiah (@MoveTheSticks) November 28, 2020
• An old friend is back in a familiar role:
We have elevated QB Tyler Bray from the practice squad to the active roster.@Hyundai | #DaBears
— Chicago Bears (@ChicagoBears) November 28, 2020
• I imagine this means Nick Foles will be unavailable tonight. Foles was doubtful to play because of hip/glute injuries. Kyle Sloter remains the Bears’ practice squad quarterback for the time being.
• Keep an eye out on No. 92 tonight, he’s fun:
• For your listening pleasure:
https://twitter.com/bearly_pod/status/1332741536077975555
• Ah, yes. Another story of a team liking Patrick Mahomes in the 2017 NFL Draft … but not enough to draft him. Welcome to the party, Bruce Arians. Please use the available hand sanitizer around the house. The keg is out back.
• Amazon has started its Cyber Monday early, so poke around here for dealz. #ad
