An absolutely loaded sports calendar for your Saturday:
Today is an ABSURDLY GOOD sports day, one of the best we’ve had in this miserable year. Here’s a cheat sheet to the best games/biggest matchups throughout Saturday. All times below Eastern; that noon window is a dooooozy. Head on a swivel, people. pic.twitter.com/NlHT6Wps7v
— Matt Norlander (@MattNorlander) December 19, 2020
Here’s hoping all your holiday shopping is done. Otherwise, I’d get to cracking before the afternoon and evening slate get started.
• Here’s hoping they like what they see:
#Bears among the teams with a scout at today’s Big Ten Championship Game between Northwestern and Ohio State.
— Adam Hoge (@AdamHoge) December 19, 2020
• Eyes will be on the quarterbacks — Trevor Lawrence (Clemson), Justin Fields (Ohio State), Kyle Trask (Florida), Mac Jones (Alabama) — today. But it’ll be worth keeping tabs on so many others. Interested in running. backs? Najee Harris (Alabama) and Travis Etienne (Clemson) pique my interest. In search of receiver help? Chris Olave (Ohio State) and Devonta Smith (Alabama) come to mind. Curious about offensive linemen? Jackson Carman (Clemson), Liam Eichenberg (Notre Dame), and Alex Leatherwood (Alabama) are possible targets. And those are just a handful of players at places I’d consider positions of need for the Bears in 2021.
• As one might expect, Brent Sobleski (Bleacher Report) lists Bears QB Mitchell Trubisky as the starter the Bears must replace in 2021. I don’t want to wear out this topic. Instead, I’d like to note there are several other positions that should be deemed as high priority changes. For instance, right tackle is a spot where I’d consider a shakeup. Bobby Massie has back-to-back injury shortened years that could serve as a red flag for some. Over at right guard, the Bears haven’t had stability there since a healthy Kyle Long was manning the position. Chicago could use receiver help depending on what happens with Allen Robinson. What about closing the revolving door at safety next to Eddie Jackson? Just some thoughts.
• No one loves a post-hype sleeper like me, but this name gives me the heebie-jeebies:
— Tabor played 18% of the Lions’ defensive snaps in 2017 and 28% in 2018
— QBs had a 143.3 passer rating when they threw his way in ‘18
— Not a punt/kick returner— Jason Lieser (@JasonLieser) December 18, 2020
• Teez Tabor was a constant target of opposing quarterbacks when he played. And with good reason. I suppose bringing him in would be a nod to how much the front office believes in its defensive coaches, especially ones in the secondary. But it’s hard to forget the times Tabor was torched in Detroit.
• If it’s hard for Cairo Santos to watch Dan Bailey kick, imagine what it’s like being a Vikings fan:
Cairo Santos on the struggles of Minnesota kicker Dan Bailey: "It hurts to see. Hard to watch."
— Mark Grote (@markgrotesports) December 18, 2020
• Check out these ballers:
https://twitter.com/NFL/status/1340031581776437254?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1340031581776437254%7Ctwgr%5E%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fbleacherreport.com%2Fchicago-bears
• I don’t know if he could, but I’d like to see him try:
Joe Maddon Says Theo Epstein Could Lead the Chicago Bears to the Super Bowl – https://t.co/OwyqqW0TV0 pic.twitter.com/p1JqMcmjdu
— Bleacher Nation (@BleacherNation) December 19, 2020
• We half-joked, half-serious’d about it in November, and since then the Bears have won just one game and have been at the center of all sorts of rumors hinting at organizational change. A new team president? It’s on the table. New general manager? That’s an option. Changing the head coach? Yep, that’s also been kicked around. To be clear, I’d be hesitant to give Theo Epstein full reign of things. But a consultant role? Someone who can help build out the organization and give George McCaskey a path to a better process? I think that’ll play. At minimum, it’s one of those can’t hurt, could help situations.
• Oh, you guys …
Pagano on Bilal Nichols: "Not real flashy. Not real sexy. Not this, that and the other. I mean, he might tell you he’s sexy, I don’t know. A significant other might tell you that. I doubt his mom would. A couple of his teammates might tell him that. Urban – Brent might say that."
— JJ Stankevitz (@JJStankevitz) December 17, 2020
Update: Bilal Nichols says Brent Urban has never referred to him as as "sexy."
— JJ Stankevitz (@JJStankevitz) December 18, 2020
• Board games, air filters, scanners, and more are your Deals of the Day at Amazon. #ad
• Love this:
Leno Claus is comin' to town. 🎅 @charleslenojr72 & his family have partnered with several Chicago & Bay Area organizations all month to spread cheer & give back this holiday season. https://t.co/W2ZqTn9U8J
— Chicago Bears (@ChicagoBears) December 19, 2020