NEWSLETTER
I have a 3.6-pound pork shoulder hanging out in my fridge this afternoon. It won’t be there long, since I plan on cooking it at some point over the next two days. My friend Jim’s instant pot BBQ pork recipe is an inspiration for those who want something easy to do with a chunk of meat on Saturday.
• It’s good to see a player like Taylor Gabriel enjoying retirement:
https://twitter.com/TGdadon1/status/1380715932478226435
• Don’t get it twisted. Gabriel was a highlight reel waiting to happen, even in his brief time with the Bears:
https://twitter.com/theMMQB/status/1176311159319908358
https://twitter.com/thecheckdown/status/1191083159514796033
https://twitter.com/thecheckdown/status/1155237253280673792
• Anyone who can make a play that makes the trip to Bourbonnais worth it will always have a place in the hearts of Bears fans.
• Gabriel’s career arc is one to remember, especially as we drive toward the NFL Draft. Even though he went undrafted out of Abilene Christian, Gabriel carved a niche as a speedy receiver who can operate in the slot and on the outside. He played 83 games (31 starts), scored 15 total touchdowns, and gained 3,051 scrimmage yards. That’s not inconsequential. Not for a player who checked in at 5-7 3/4 and 172 pounds coming out of college. In other words, keep all of this in mind when the draft wraps up and skillful players are still available. There are diamonds in the rough to be found if you’re willing to look.
• Beyond his playing skill, Mic’d Up Taylor Gabriel was a treat:
• Transitioning from an undrafted standout to a projected first-round, ESPN’s Adam Schefter tweets Virginia Tech cornerback Caleb Farley’s medicals are in a good place. Schefter passes along (via Farley’s agent Drew Rosenhaus) that the Va Tech corner “did well with his physical regarding his back and is still expected to go in the first round.” Some draftniks view Farley as this class’ top cornerback. However, a back injury is slowing that chatter (for now). A healthy Farley would go earlier than the Bears pick at No. 20. But because some recent mocks have sent Farley to Chicago with the 20th pick, this update is worth noting.
• Let’s circle back to receivers, as Michael Fitzpatrick (The Draft Network) lists the position as one of three the Bears still need to add some quality bodies to as this offseason rolls on. It’s truly disappointing the Bears haven’t added much to their offensive skill positions. Don’t get me wrong. It’s not as if they’ve done nothing. For instance, I like the depth additions of running back Damien Williams and offensive lineman Elijah Wilkinson. Addressing depth concerns was a priority this offseason. But the Bears still have question-marks elsewhere. Tight end as Jimmy Graham enters his age 35 season. And the depth chart after Allen Robinson II and Darnell Mooney leaves me wanting more. Unless the Bears become a more run-oriented offense, I’m struggling to see where the upside with this group is in the short-term.
• Because this WR class is so loaded, I think someone like Dynami Brown could be a steal without being one of the first handful of players off the board:
https://twitter.com/PFF_College/status/1380626463251128324
• Washington’s football team cut tight end Thaddeus Moss, per ESPN’s Field Yates. The son of Hall of Fame receiver Randy Moss, Thaddeus went undrafted out of LSU in 2020, spent last year on IR, and didn’t make it onto the field. Moss was one of my favorite tight end prospects in last year’s class. And considering the state of the position group, it might be wise for Chicago to kick the tires on a young player with strong bloodlines.
• I couldn’t help myself:
https://t.co/2BvJdyqyGo pic.twitter.com/s1d6xlUw9c
— Bleacher Nation Bears (@BN_Bears) April 9, 2021
• Hey, Siri: Play “Family Business” by Kanye West:
https://twitter.com/ChicagoBears/status/1380898424652988416
• San Diego made offseason trades that brought Joe Musgrove and Victor Caratini (in separate deals). After last night’s efforts, they’ll be linked together forever:
Joe Musgrove Threw the First No-Hitter in Padres History Tonight (And Victor Caratini Was Behind the Plate) – https://t.co/CydbglWYnC pic.twitter.com/kEV9MddlB6
— Bleacher Nation Cubs (@BleacherNation) April 10, 2021
• *prepares to send suggestive DM to one of Kevin Durant’s burner accounts*
Kevin Durant Has a Crush on the Bulls – https://t.co/jBRlEaEWeL pic.twitter.com/ueCpWYu3nq
— Bleacher Nation Bulls (@BN_Bulls) April 10, 2021
• The Blackhawks are trying to do things:
Keep Your Trade Radar Up: Mattias Janmark Is a Healthy Scratch Tonighthttps://t.co/4pBupbS8ZG
— Bleacher Nation Blackhawks (@BN_Blackhawks) April 10, 2021
