Talkin’ Watson, Peanut’s Super Surprise, Remembering Super Bowl XX, and Other Bears Bullets
The Venn diagram of people who love snow, but don’t have to shovel it, is a circle.
• Warm up some hot cocoa, pull up a chair, make yourself comfortable, and prepare to dive into the idea of the Chicago Bears pursuing Deshaun Watson:
OK, fine. Let’s talk about Deshaun Watson and the Bears.
Back and forth on the possibility with @adamjahns https://t.co/cGaN6FBXt0
— Kevin Fishbain (@kfishbain) January 26, 2021
• Kevin Fishbain and Adam Jahns of The Athletic view the Watson situation through the lens of a Bears team that (1) needs quarterback help, (2) has insinuated it will make a splash, and (3) is expected to be “big players” on the upcoming quarterback carousel. Jahns and Fishbain serve up reminders that Chicago’s ownership isn’t opposed to green-lighting big swing trades, offering the approval of the Jay Cutler deal in 2009. It’s impossible to avoid the similarities of where Matt Nagy and Ryan Pace are now and where Lovie Smith and Jerry Angelo were in 2009.
• Much like the Cutler trade, there are so many loopholes and scenarios to sort through. There is also a field of desperate teams with the desire to trade for Watson themselves. But that’s what makes this all fascinating to watch. There is no shortage of teams that could use Watson. And Watson will have his choice of the litter. But there’s no team that provides the unique challenge that comes with being QB1 for the Chicago Bears.
• Off the field, Watson continues to be a beacon of light in the community:
New #Texans from Texas Sports Nation — Texans' Deshaun Watson pledges college scholarships to 4 reading challenge winners https://t.co/XSwe04Nepd
— Chronicle Texans (@ChronicleTexans) January 26, 2021
• Speaking of doing good stuff in the community and giving back:
• Good stuff on the Amazon Deals of the Day today, from toiletries to Beyblades to charging gear to massagers. #ad
• On this date in 1986, the Chicago Bears won the Super Bowl. And today, we remember greatness:
"Twenty-three years have passed since the 1963 #Bears won Chicago's last title in a major professional sport. At last, the Second City can chant 'We're No. 1' without fear of flying too high." —@olyphil
(Chicago Tribune, Jan. 27, 1986)https://t.co/HXKeLhi7ZN pic.twitter.com/1gmiNS6AYg
— Kori Rumore Finley (@rumormill) January 26, 2021
Jim McMahon and The Fridge combined for three touchdowns during the Super Bowl — and a classic Coke ad during the commercial breaks. #DaBears pic.twitter.com/fZz9BD1y3T
— Midway Minute (@MidwayMinute) January 26, 2021
• The Super Bowl XX winners aren’t walking through the doors at Halas Hall anytime soon. But there are still pieces of a Super Bowl caliber defense hanging around. Adam Jahns (The Athletic) and Chris Emma (670 The Score) underscore the challenges awaiting new Defensive Coordinator Sean Desai.
• Over at Da Bears Blog, Jeff Hughes reels in Brandon Robinson — the author of that informative Vic Fangio-Brandon Staley defensive concepts thread. Robinson dives deeper into all that good stuff with some written word analysis at DBB.
• Stats that make me want to curl up under a weighted blanked and sob my way to sleep:
— @SpainandFitz wants to know…
What’s the most depressing Tom Brady-related stat when compared to your team?
I'll start… Tom Brady has won as many playoff games in the year 2021 as the Chicago #Bears since '95. @jasonfitz pic.twitter.com/lDgLX5XvpM
— Sarah Spain (@SarahSpain) January 26, 2021
• *Pretends to be shocked*
This graph shows which teams benefited the most from penalties on third down to get first downs…draw your own conclusions pic.twitter.com/B3hm5MNlMG
— Bad Sports Refs (@BadSportsRefs) January 25, 2021
• Ah, yes, an example of strong culture from a Super Bowl participant:
All @MecoleHardman4 needed was a boost from @PatrickMahomes and @tkelce 🔋 @Chiefs #ChiefsKingdom pic.twitter.com/l0jQb2kMVb
— Inside the NFL (@insidetheNFL) January 25, 2021
• Former Bears running back Cyril Pinder passed away at the age of 74 over the weekend. Pinder started 10 of the 25 games he appeared in for Chicago from 1971-72. He gained 611 rushing yards and scored four touchdowns. In addition to his Bears career, Pinder also dabbled in the World Football League (1974 Chicago Fire, 1975 Chicago Winds). May he Rest In Peace.