NEWSLETTER
I have a song stuck in my head. And while it’s not a bad song, I’d like for it to get un-stuck from my head. Perhaps sharing it here will help. Or it will get it stuck in your head. Let’s mess around and find out:
• When I saw news that New England was terminating Julian Edelman’s contract, I wondered how long before he would be healthy enough to join Tampa Bay. It turns out that won’t happen, as Edelman is retiring. The 34-year-old receiver was drafted as a seventh-round quarterback out of Kent State in 2009, but carved out a niche as a slot receiver from 2009-2020. Edelman never made a Pro Bowl or earned All-Pro honors, but he did snag 620 passes, gain 6,822 yards, and score 36 touchdowns. He had three 1,000-yard seasons and was a premier performer in postseason play. I doubt his résumé is that of a Hall of Famer, but it’s definitely one of the most unique career arcs anyone has traveled.
• This is what goodbye looks like:
Foxboro Forever pic.twitter.com/x3SDDPJoTX
— Julian Edelman (@Edelman11) April 12, 2021
• As for the Bears, they appear to be on the brink of needing a new slot receiver of their own. We’ve already seen Anthony Miller’s name pop up twice on the offseason trade block. That both ESPN’s Adam Schefter and NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport make it seem like a deal is coming at some point this offseason makes me think two things. Firstly, the Bears are shopping Miller hard. Secondly, they’ll likely pursue a receiver upgrade early in the upcoming NFL Draft. Maybe assuming an early swing at a receiver is presumptive, especially knowing Darnell Mooney was a fifth-round steal in 2020. However, the crop of receivers available in Rounds 1 and 2 is so darn tantalizing.
• I hope whatever path Chicago chooses to replace Miller isn’t viewed through the lens of a one-for-one swap. A versatile receiver who can play inside or out could really diversify the offense. Don’t get it twisted. I like the idea of drafting a player who can plug and play from the slot. But it sure would be nice to move Allen Robinson II inside often enough to create mismatches against any number of defenders. Think about how the Packers deploy Davante Adams. I’d love if the Bears did that with Robinson in 2021 (and beyond).
• While upgrading at receiver is important, it’s not the Bears’ biggest need. Instead, NFL.com’s Grant Gordon lists Chicago’s top need being at quarterback because duh. Between prioritizing quarterback and needing to fill in for Kyle Fuller, whose departure is deemed the Bears’ biggest offseason loss, this team has big shoes to fill at important positions. Gives me the nervous shakes just thinking about it.
• Bleacher Report’s Kristopher Knox highlights five prospects worth avoiding in the 2021 NFL Draft. Among them is Kellen Mond. But that’s less about his skills and more about being a fit for this team/coaching staff. Knox lauds Mond’s ability to throw accurately on short and medium routes, athleticism, and developmental upside. But also, lands on a comparison to Mitchell Trubisky because of his erratic throwing numbers when targeting deep targets and guys outside the numbers. GULP.
• And yet, there seems to be a mutual admiration between Mond and the Bears. It’s worth monitoring, especially after Mond opened eyes with his self-written Pro Day script.
• This is too dang funny:
If a movie ever got made about Matt Nagy, rest assured we have the perfect actor to portray him. https://t.co/gL15SWuJdi pic.twitter.com/R2OWQhbnmq
— Brendan Sugrue (@BrendanSugrue) April 12, 2021
• Speakers, projectors, belts, soaps, and kitchen stuff are all among your Deals of the Day at Amazon today. #ad
• The Blackhawks were busy ahead of the NHL’s Trade Deadline:
Blackhawks Trade Carl Söderberg to Avalanche for Josh Dickinson and Ryder Rolstonhttps://t.co/IPQmYOUKg5
— Bleacher Nation Blackhawks (@BN_Blackhawks) April 12, 2021
Blackhawks Reportedly Trading Mattias Janmark to the Golden Knights, Sharks Also Involvedhttps://t.co/khMXDGkTXx
— Bleacher Nation Blackhawks (@BN_Blackhawks) April 12, 2021
The Blackhawks Stuck to the Plan at the NHL Trade Deadlinehttps://t.co/Wc3F6yrbVZ
— Bleacher Nation Blackhawks (@BN_Blackhawks) April 12, 2021
• Meanwhile, the Bulls have been slumping of late:
Another Three-Game Losing Streak: Grizzlies 101, Bulls 90 – April 12th, 2021https://t.co/yKzBX8aOfU
— Bleacher Nation Bulls (@BN_Bulls) April 13, 2021
• And this movie is something we’ve seen from the Cubs since October 1, 2018:
The Cubs Offense is on Pace to Set Some Records! – https://t.co/2qpzef4L8H pic.twitter.com/toP7h1bozs
— Bleacher Nation Cubs (@BleacherNation) April 13, 2021
• It was good to hear Silvy back in the studio. A welcome voice back in his old digs after fighting the good fight:
Sports talk radio host Marc Silverman returned to ESPN 1000's studio on Monday after a year away fighting cancer amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
"This is a big, big day and I appreciate everyone allowing me to indulge in today."https://t.co/PCD6IbYCSV
— Chicago Tribune Sports (@ChicagoSports) April 12, 2021
