I made snow angels last night after shoveling snow. Admittedly, they still need some work. But on the other hand, it’s good to see that devil horns didn’t pop up on ’em when I was done.
• This is tremendous, yet sobering, content:
Over the years, some of you have heard/seen me reference the #Bears grades I keep for my own checks and balances.
For the first time, I compiled these grades into a full roster review, with analysis on every player. Hope you enjoy:https://t.co/i5ZQrgQHN9
— Adam Hoge (@AdamHoge) January 20, 2021
• One grade that stands out above the others is Eddie Jackson’s. It’s both wholly accurate and disappointing at the same time. Jackson getting the big contract and performing at that level was a punch in the gut. And if 2021 wasn’t a blip, it paints a bleak future for the secondary. Jackson getting that contract was a sign of his importance moving forward. If he can’t play at that level, it’ll be bad news for a Bears team that’s handcuffed from a cash spending perspective.
• Anthony Miller’s grade was accurate and bad, too. Seeing that big red block on the graphic above was painful. But Miller didn’t get the major deal and isn’t necessarily viewed as critical to the Bears’ long-term success. After all, he has just one year left on his rookie contract. Nevertheless, seeing Miller grade out so poorly is depressing. A self-made All-American performer at Memphis, Miller has the tools, skills, and swag to be an impact performer at the NFL level. HOWEVER … the inconsistencies that plagued him as a rookie continue to dog him three years into his professional career. I don’t want to give up on Miller, as I am not one to bet against raw talent. But this year was supposed to be one in which he took a leap. He didn’t, and the passing game suffered for it.
• For your listening pleasure:
https://twitter.com/bearly_pod/status/1351884334110826497
• Teammate love:
So proud of my guy @TheJimmyGraham for his @NFL Walter Payton Man of the Year nomination! Thank you @Nationwide for recognizing Jimmy's work in the community. He deserves this! #WPMOY #NationwideAd pic.twitter.com/MZshk5R5h0
— Mitchell Trubisky (@Mtrubisky10) January 19, 2021
• Ch-ch-ch-changes:
Dan Campbell and the #Lions have agreed in principle to a six-year contract, per source. The #Saints assistant head coach is expected to take Aaron Glenn with him as defensive coordinator.
— Jeremy Fowler (@JFowlerESPN) January 20, 2021
Lions introduced a new GM and it felt different, if not encouraging.
Because there was a different undercurrent at play. An acknowledgement that the way the Lions have been doing things — oh, for the last half-century — hasn’t worked @freepsports https://t.co/jB0jcGREGv— Jeff Seidel (@seideljeff) January 20, 2021
• For his sake, I hope this ends better than the last time Trent Baalke worked with a high-profile college coach in the pros:
The #Jaguars are expected to hire Trent Baalke as their GM, sources tell me and @MikeGarafolo. The top internal candidate, he stays to work with new coach Urban Meyer. The deal isn’t done and official, but it is slated to be soon.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) January 20, 2021
• I’ll try to clear some time to listen to this:
🎙Former Bears’ DC Chuck Pagano reflects on his NFL coaching career and his retirement.
🎙Bills’ owner and president Kim Pegula shares what it’s like in Buffalo during championship week.
🎙@EpKap on Sunday’s conference championship games.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) January 19, 2021
• An old friends finds a new home:
Former #Panthers, #Bears DB, Ricky Manning Jr hired onto Robert Salah’s staff with the NY #Jets.
Manning worked his way up the coaching ranks. He spent a year as HC at his alma mater H.S. before spending time on the following staffs
-Fresno City College
-Fresno State
-Seahawks https://t.co/5PASxgbUxC— Christian Shanafelt (@ChrisShanafelt) January 19, 2021
• Good to see:
The first of many charitable endeavors planned in honor of the late Vaughn McClure.
The Vaughn McClure Foundation is up and running and accepting donations in Vaughn’s memory. https://t.co/IPCio8kWBWhttps://t.co/iXSqv1LMX1
— Jeff Dickerson (@DickersonESPN) January 20, 2021
• Philip Rivers retired, leaving one heckuva statement on his way out the door:
Philip Rivers’ statement to ESPN is dadgum tremendous: pic.twitter.com/30KaEFGy0X
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) January 20, 2021
• More importantly, he leaves the Colts as a team that needs an immediate quarterback fix. Had Rivers returned, we’d look at the Colts as a team that drafts for a developmental type who could take over in a year. Instead, let’s view the Colts as an active participant in the upcoming quarterback hunt.