Pro Day Awesomeness, Questioning Bears Regret, Cairo is Crazy Like a Fox, and Other Bears Notes

I’ve given up eating meat on Wednesdays as part of my Lenten sacrifice. So when a friend recommended getting tacos for dinner last week, I thought to myself: Maybe I’ll get tacos on a day when I can eat meat. But I haven’t gotten tacos since and it is bothering me nearly a week later.

•   In lieu of having a centrally located Scouting Combine, Pro Days are taking an increased importance around the country. On top of that, some of college football’s top prospects are showing out. A sampling of recent efforts:

https://twitter.com/StaceyDales/status/1374364780350300162

. @moore_rondale is freaky athletic… at a 5’7” measurement today, just launched this 42.5 inch vertical.@nflnetwork @BoilerFootball #ProDay 🚀🔥💪 pic.twitter.com/l0WovALjRR

— StaceyDales (@StaceyDales) March 23, 2021

Florida TE Kyle Pitts running a 4.46 40 (per the caption from @level40 on Instagram) is just the latest example of how different this dude is. pic.twitter.com/GM60Iyr1I5

— Field Yates (@FieldYates) March 22, 2021

https://twitter.com/IlliniFootball/status/1372269023728181257

•   Of course, not everyone is a fan of Pro Days:

“I won’t watch it. I couldn’t care less.”@MelKiperESPN goes OFF on why he dislikes Pro Day’s so much, and doesn’t learn anything from them. #KJZ pic.twitter.com/1uvA5q0CvZ

— Keyshawn, JWill & Zubin (@KeyJayandZ) March 23, 2021

•   I’m looking forward to what comes of Mac Jones’ efforts at Pro Day, as well as his looming showcase:

From @gmfb: Several of Alabama’s top prospects won’t participate in Part 1 of pro day today, but QB Mac Jones will throw about 40 balls. He’ll also run a 40 and throw another 60 balls next week. A showcase. @nflnetwork pic.twitter.com/5gQ2nYqSoe

— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) March 23, 2021

•   As is often the case, the truth is somewhere in the middle. Pro Days are unique events that show off a player’s athletic ability. Teams can use this data however they see fit. I’m curious to see how some teams will value the data that comes through Pro Day. Will talent evaluators see good performances as a sign that players took advantage of their downtime? Could they consider under-performance as something that works against a prospect? I don’t think there’s a right or wrong answer. But I think it’s something that’s up for discussion.

•   Contract details for some new Bears:

Jeremiah Attaochu (Bears) four years, two voidable $5.5M, $2.825M, $1.6M signing bonus, salaries $1.25M (gtd), $2.45M; $250K 3rd day 2022 lg yr roster bonus, $1.55M playtime, sacks escalator 2022; up to $750K playtime, sacks incentive annual,

— Aaron Wilson (@AaronWilson_NFL) March 22, 2021

Angelo Blackson (Bears) two years, $5.5M, $3M gtd, salaries $1.5M (gtd), $2.25M, $250K 5th day 2022 lg yr roster bonus, annual $00K playtime, sacks incentive

— Aaron Wilson (@AaronWilson_NFL) March 18, 2021

Germain Ifedi (Bears) one-year, $4.25M, $2.25M signing bonus, salary $2M, $750K Pro Bowl incentive

— Aaron Wilson (@AaronWilson_NFL) March 17, 2021

•   Chris Roling (Bleacher Report) writes the Bears’ signing Andy Dalton is a move the team could come to regret. And yet, in reading his explanation, I don’t understand how. “Maybe it works out, but Dalton will need to be propped up by his surrounding pieces,” Roling explains. “which could backfire and play a part in spurring a long-term rebuild.” So what you’re telling me if the Dalton thing works, it will be because players added elsewhere help the thing happen. But if it doesn’t work, the result could be a long-term rebuild — which is something this franchise could arguably use? This sounds like a win-win scenario to me.

•   Roling adds that if it wasn’t for the Dalton signing, then giving the Franchise Tag to Allen Robinson II would’ve been the offseason move the Bears would regret. To which, I say: Huh? If retaining your best and most respected offensive player who is a locker room leader is something the Bears could regret, then I’d wish for them to make more moves of that nature.

•   Cairo Santos is crazy like a fox:

Bears kicker Cairo Santos admits he likes kicking at Soldier Field: "It's crazy to say, but, that's fair."

— Mark Grote (@markgrotesports) March 23, 2021

•   Goodbye, old friend. May the Force be with you:

The final message from Hillary Gallagher, the fiancée of @Mtrubisky10, to the city of Chicago. Trubisky signed his #Bills contract today. pic.twitter.com/3CAxANGVjx

— Ryan Fedrau (@the_fed_23) March 23, 2021

•   Speaking of old friends, NFL Network insider Ian Rapoport tweets Barkevious Mingo is signing with the Falcons. In Atlanta, he’ll be reunited with familiar faces such as Charles London and Dave Ragone. In addition to having a name that sounds good when it hits your ear, Barkevious Mingo was a solid contributor on special teams who also chipped in on defense. Things are lining up for Jeremiah Attaochu — an awesome name in its own right — to take the snaps Mingo leaves behind.

•   A fun factoid: Barkevious Mingo’s teams have made the playoffs in four of the last five seasons: Patriots (2016), Seahawks (2018), Texans (2019), and Bears (2020). Just something worth keeping in mind.

•   Another ex-Bear joins the Falcons, as running back Mike Davis signs a two-year deal to take his talents to Atlanta. So … I take it as a sign there are no hard feelings between Davis, Ragone, and London. Ragone will be Davis’ offensive coordinator in Atlanta. While London, who was Davis’ position coach while in Chicago, serves as the Falcons’ QBs Coach. An interesting dynamic, to say the least.

•   Everyone has their reasons to do anything at any time. However, I still don’t see the downside to restructuring contracts if all things are equal. But I suppose I can appreciate Tyreek Hill’s perspective on the matter:

Tyreek Hill explains why he turned down the Chiefs’ request to restructure his contract

(via @RCFOX4KC, @PatMcGFox4KC)pic.twitter.com/YGyc6vB7JC

— B/R Gridiron (@brgridiron) March 22, 2021

•   I wonder how the NFL will handle this as lawsuits and allegations continue to pile up:

A 14th lawsuit alleging sexual assault and inappropriate conduct was filed against Deshaun Watson by a woman who says he is a "serial predator."

The incident allegedly took place in California, the second allegation to take place outside the Houston area. https://t.co/bJIhPUfYHP

— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) March 23, 2021

•   Wireless chargers, art supplies, pillows, and more are your Deals of the Day at Amazon. #ad

•   Teams asking for Bulls rookie Patrick Williams can go get bent:

The trade deadline is just two days away.

I expect (hope?) several more interesting Bulls rumors to come to light, but here is where things currently stand: https://t.co/Ob74zbUQdW

— Bleacher Nation Bulls (@BN_Bulls) March 23, 2021

•   The Blackhawks are hanging around:

After the Hurricanes 3-0 win over the Blue Jackets tonight, the #Blackhawks are back in fourth place in the Central Division based on points percentage. Sound the alarm. pic.twitter.com/hKZKE59Rl7

— Bleacher Nation Blackhawks (@BN_Blackhawks) March 23, 2021