If anyone needs me, I’ll be playing Taylor Swift’s Evermore album on loop all day.
• Terry Bradshaw said he watched “some of the worst” “boringest” offense he’s ever seen … and he wasn’t talking about the Bears:
Terry Bradshaw refers to the Patriots offense as "boringest." pic.twitter.com/FbaGfMrHFG
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) December 11, 2020
• The Patriots’ receiving corps is whack, so I’ll give you that. But an offense led by Cam Newton and orchestrated by Josh McDaniels shouldn’t look like this. Admittedly, I’m not totally up with what’s going down in New England, but this year has been quite the disappointment for a great many reasons. Ah, well … tough break. There’s no rest for the weary and no pity for a dynasty at the end of its rope.
• Because he is one of the most dynamic and charismatic players I’ve ever seen, I hope this isn’t the beginning of the end for Cam Newton. His stat line since returning from the Reserve/COVID-19 list: 65.2% completion rate, 1,458 yards (162 yards per game), 3 TD, 8 INT, 74.3 passer rating. Newton does have 78 rushes, 302 yards, and 7 TD in that time. But it’s gone downhill over the last nine games. My gut says he’ll get another shot, but the recent numbers suggest we’re seeing one of the most entertaining quarterbacks to do it nearing his end.
• Transitioning while on the topic of quarterbacks Bears fans wanted, but never landed, Chuck Pagano really likes Deshaun Watson:
#Bears DC Chuck Pagano on Deshaun Watson: "A top two, three player in this league as far as I'm concerned."
— JJ Stankevitz (@JJStankevitz) December 10, 2020
Bears DC Chuck Pagano says he would like to be able to use 13 players on defense this week so he can assign two of them to stay on Deshaun Watson.
— Jason Lieser (@JasonLieser) December 10, 2020
• Based on the last few weeks of defending the pass, I think I’d rather have one of those extra dudes back in coverage. I mean, that is if the league even allows Pagano’s proposal. Make it happen, Chuck. We’re all rooting for you!
• Speaking of defensive coordinators we’re rooting for:
If the Bears have a coaching search to conduct next month, Rams defensive coordinator Brandon Staley should be one of the top candidates.
The former Bears assistant has proven himself as a defensive mastermind in Los Angeles, and has familiarity in Chicago.
— Chris Emma (@CEmma670) December 11, 2020
• I’m more bothered that the Bears let a good defensive coordinator (and a potential head-coaching candidate) like Brandon Staley walk away after the 2018 season than I am about watching Leonard Floyd walk, then star for the Rams. Chicago was going to be crunched against the cap with Floyd’s fifth-year option. And there was an argument to be made that the team could’ve been better served upgrading the pass-rush opposite of Khalil Mack. But the mistake wasn’t letting Floyd go. It was more about how they re-allocated the funds upon his departure. With desperate needs at quarterback and offensive line, the Bears signed Robert Quinn. Ultimately, that could be the final nail the seals GM Ryan Pace’s fate.
• To be clear, I liked what Robert Quinn potentially brought to the table. The track record is what it is. But the needs at offensive line and quarterback are still there. So not only does Pace have to still fill those voids, he’ll need to do so while navigating Quinn’s mega-deal. Or maybe he won’t because he won’t be here? Four more games must come and go before we fully dive into that discussion.
• Pain:
Leonard Floyd now has more sacks (8) than Khalil Mack and Robert Quinn (7.5) this year.
— JJ Stankevitz (@JJStankevitz) December 11, 2020
• If the Bears pull the plug on the Pace era, perhaps checking in on the Bills tree isn’t a bad idea after the team extended GM Brandon Beane:
The #Bills locked up their GM Brandon Beane, signing him to an extension through 2025 that richly compensates the man who built this Bills juggernaut. pic.twitter.com/4FPRFXpNnt
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) December 11, 2020
• Perhaps Lake Dawson, who interviewed with the Bears back in 2015 for the GM gig vacated when Phil Emery was fired, could be a target? Dawson was the Titans Vice President of Player Personnel at the time. Leaving Tennessee in 2015, Dawson has thrived as the Bills’ Assistant Director of College Scouting. In addition to his front office work, Dawson played four seasons with the Chiefs after being picked in Round 3 of the 1994 NFL Draft. Just a name to throw out there for future reference.
• There was a moment in which I was really looking forward to the DeAndre Carter revenge game angle. Carter won’t play because he’s on the Reserve/COVID-19 list.
• For your listening pleasure:
New POD EPISODE! We break down what the #Bears should do this offseason plus preview the Houston game with @aaronjreiss. Give it a listen here:https://t.co/2US798dp8p
— Bear Report (@BearReport) December 10, 2020
• I am exactly the same person as JJ Watt in every way:
#Texans star JJ Watt has been thinking about @portilloshotdog for days: https://t.co/vb3H435HjT
— Patrick Finley (@patrickfinley) December 11, 2020
• The rook is GOOD:
Leaders in pass breakups (all DBs):
1. Jaylon Johnson – 13
2. James Bradberry – 13
3. Carlton Davis – 12
T- 4. Jessie Bates – 10
T-4. Ronald Darby – 10 pic.twitter.com/32JYOfmvhc— PFF (@PFF) December 11, 2020
• I love art:
https://twitter.com/ChicagoBears/status/1337426922725400577
• If you’re from Chicago, then you already know:
“I believe Mr. Hollingsworth had the best of intentions … sort of like Mitch Trubisky quarterbacking the Chicago Bears,” the lawyer for the “Dread Head Cowboy” said. https://t.co/FgoddIgMkq
— Chicago Sun-Times (@Suntimes) December 11, 2020
• Well, then …
New Orleans Saints, in partnership with the city of New Orleans, have agreed to roll back their previously announced capacity for the Dec. 20 Kansas City Chiefs game from 15,000 to 3,000.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) December 10, 2020
• Congrats to all nominees:
One of the most prestigious awards the NFL gives: Below are the 32 nominees for the Walter Payton Man of the Year Award pic.twitter.com/duZM69zJ6a
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) December 10, 2020
• A very 2020 headline:
Ben & Jerry's honors Colin Kaepernick with new flavor: 'Change the Whirled' https://t.co/X3a5BdkM4E
— WGN TV News (@WGNNews) December 10, 2020
• Da Bulls are back, and much has changed since they last played:
The last 276 days, the Bulls …
• Ended GarPax
• Hired AKME
• Hired more new FO faces
• Added player development
• Hired a new head athletic trainer
• Hired one of the most qualified HC’s available
• Fixed rest of coaching staff
• Picked Pat WilliamsIT’S TIME TO PLAY!
— Bleacher Nation Bulls (@BN_Bulls) December 11, 2020