NEWSLETTER
Michael and Eli aren’t the only ones who get to enjoy college basketball this season.
My Salukis are BACK:
Nothing better than Reis, Watson and HIGHLIGHTS after a big W.#WeAreSouthernIllinois pic.twitter.com/VY121SUH71
— Saluki Basketball (@SIU_Basketball) December 22, 2020
Basketball is better when the Egyptian Hunting Dawgs of Carbondale are barking and ballin’. Here’s to some more signature wins moving forward in the Bryan Mullins era.
• Sure, I’m happy for Khalil Mack and Cordarrelle Patterson making the Pro Bowl. Both of those players deserve the recognition they received for their excellent play. HOWEVER, I’m still miffed about the snubs. More on that later today.
• The Pro Bowl is a nice reward for players. But let’s be honest with each other for a moment. The “bowl” game these players care most about is the Super Bowl. And because the Bears have put down back-to-back wins, a path to the playoffs has opened. It’s clear and doable, too. No … it won’t be easy. And they won’t control their own destiny, which makes it challenging. But I suppose there are worse ways to spend your December than being preoccupied with late-season games of consequence.
• So you’re probably wondering how the Bears even got here. JJ Stankevitz’s grades for Sunday’s win provide a glimpse into what has been going right for Chicago’s football team. Meanwhile, Adam Jahns (The Athletic) dives into some of the most important changes that sparked this recent rally. Jason Lieser (Sun-Times) unearthed the playing-time changes that are aiding in the Bears’ revival. In short, there’s no magic bullet. And while I’ll admit the competition hasn’t been elite, Chicago’s football team has handled business the last two weeks. It’s why we’re talking playoffs in the first place.
• Speak it into existence, my friends:
https://twitter.com/nflnetwork/status/1341164043856310272
• I realize there will be a “too little, too late” refrain from some. But I wonder if the apt response is “better late than never.” Seeing the likes of David Montgomery, Cole Kmet, and Darnell Mooney contribute in a big way is encouraging for future Bears teams. Watching reserves Sam Mustipher and Alex Bars solidify the interior offensive line after being on the bench earlier is a welcome development, too. Even the small sample of Duke Shelley snaps as the slot corner have been more good than bad. When all hope seemed lost after that Lions game, the one thing I wanted to see was development from probable long-term pieces. That we’re seeing it in Bears wins is all the more encouraging.
• In addition to the emergence of young players, we’ve seen Allen Robinson II cement his status as a WR1:
https://twitter.com/PFF/status/1341178416008192003
• Not to be left out of the discussion as to why the Bears look better is kicker Cairo Santos:
https://twitter.com/ChicagoBears/status/1341413187418251283
• Santos looks nothing like the kicker who struggled from 2017-19. Confidence comes with drilling as many kicks as he has this season. But what might be more important than that is his health. Remember, Santos’ first stint in Chicago ended with a stint on Injured Reserve. Groin injuries can take a long time to heal for kickers. Perhaps Santos is finally fully healed from that injury? Whatever it is, it’s nice to not want to cower in fear when Chicago’s place-kicker takes the field.
• AtBengals is a savage:
.@Vonn knocks it out from Pittsburgh TikTok star.
WATCH on ESPN pic.twitter.com/n4BNZHcJ0J
— Cincinnati Bengals (@Bengals) December 22, 2020
• Another attractive GM gig is open:
#Panthers part ways with general manager Marty Hurneyhttps://t.co/ingC1Yjlq9
— Carolina Panthers (@Panthers) December 21, 2020
• It’s been a strange few days to start the week for the Lions:
Lions interim coach Darrell Bevell explains his firing of special teams coordinator Brayden Coombs, which happened after he called a rogue fake punt. https://t.co/CLANM5nuzL
— USA TODAY Sports (@usatodaysports) December 22, 2020
https://twitter.com/RapSheet/status/1341173334147526656
The #Lions have closed their practice facility and are working remotely after learning of two positive COVID-19 tests within the organization. https://t.co/KxY0Q7zGQu
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) December 22, 2020
• The NFC North has some talented young cornerbacks:
Cam Dantzler: PFF's highest-graded CB since Week 7 (88.0) pic.twitter.com/nE0kfgmRzS
— PFF (@PFF) December 22, 2020
• As we noted in our pre-draft profile, Cam Dantzler was one of the more intriguing secondary prospects in the 2020 NFL Draft. And while his success is coming on a division rival, it makes me feel good that my eye for hypothetical Bears fits is still sharp.
• A newsy morning in our nation’s capital:
We reviewed a copy of the agreement, and key details match up with a confidential settlement that the team's lawyers are fighting in federal court to keep under wraps. https://t.co/Wn7R8xqVRV
— Will Hobson (@TheWillHobson) December 22, 2020
I’m told Washington has no plans to release QB Dwayne Haskins, who was fined for a previous COVID-19 protocol violation. Going to a nightclub without PPE is considered “High Risk COVID-19 Conduct,” punishable by a maximum fine of one week’s salary or up to four-game suspension. pic.twitter.com/yUMqpMQrWH
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) December 22, 2020
• Kevin Greene was one of the most fearsome defenders I’ve ever watched. May he Rest In Peace and may his family find peace in these times:
#PFHOF Class of 2016.
160.0 sacks (3rd all-time).
NFL 1990s All-Decade Team.Rest In Peace, Kevin Greene. pic.twitter.com/6hXj8HBauZ
— NFL Throwback (@nflthrowback) December 21, 2020
• Welcome back, basketball! Huge promo today for the return of the NBA, so make sure you check it out. And thanks for supporting BN in the process:
Don't forget: for the return of the NBA tonight, DraftKings is giving 75 points on any team you want. It's as big a no-brainer as you're going to see. Go here to sign up and boost, and thanks for supporting BN in the process: https://t.co/6ubgpxaS3K pic.twitter.com/euaq3zH8ok
— Bleacher Nation Bulls (@BN_Bulls) December 22, 2020
