NEWSLETTER
I’m doing a group thing with fellow vaccinated friends next week and I just want to cook and bake everything for them/us because it’s been so long since we’ve been able to enjoy each other’s company. My kitchen is going to look like it went through an audition for one of those cooking challenge shows, isn’t it?
• Tomorrow’s only a day away:
NFL’s schedule release is Wednesday night on ESPN. NFL season scheduled to kickoff Thurs, Sept. 9, with the regular season running through Sun, Jan. 9, 2022. The defending Super-Bowl champion Bucs are expected to host the Thursday night opener on Sept. 9 in Raymond James Stadium.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) May 11, 2021
• There isn’t a sport where a schedule-release is more anticipated than in the NFL. Part of it is because the NFL makes an event out of everything. Almost to the point of exhaustion. Does *EVERY* month need a signature event? Of course it does, per the league offices. But I won’t complain. Building up buzz for a schedule release puts me in the mindset of figuring out where I want to watch football in 2021. And because I missed out on a year’s worth of traveling last year, I’m looking forward to making up for lost time. I don’t imagine I’m alone in feeling this way.
• The Bears’ list of opponents includes games at Soldier Field against the Cardinals, Ravens, Giants, Niners, and Bengals. When Chicago hits the road, it will see the Browns, Steelers, Buccaneers, Rams, and Seahawks. Of course, they’ll see division foes at home and on the road. And let’s not forget the addition of the Raiders game making it 17 contests this season. There are plenty of worthwhile subplots to dive into, but we’ll wait until tomorrow before we get into it.
• Chicago’s football team hasn’t been the most analytical inclined franchise in recent years. Or ever, if we’re truly being honest with each other. But perhaps the Bears are starting to turn a corner. Seth Walder, ESPN’s football analytics lead voice, speaks highly of Chicago’s trade-up to select Justin Fields:
“Let me start off by saying that trades are not a zero-sum game and this deal is a perfect example: It’s a win-win. The value calculation changes for a team trading up for a quarterback — the upside of “hitting” on the pick is dramatically higher than hitting on a non-quarterback — and so the Bears paying this premium for Fields is, in my view, not only acceptable but worthwhile.”
• No one loves a good “win-win” deal more than I do. After all, there’s a reason folks in fantasy circles call me Trader Lu. But this Bears-Giants trade really takes the cake. Chicago gets its big swing at a premium prospect with upside. New York receives future value in draft capital. What’s not to love? Granted, what happens in the future will shape how we discuss the trade among ourselves and with others. But at its most basic level, it’s a great deal because both sides get something they want.
• And then we have the Broncos, who passed on drafting Fields and didn’t accept a trade-up that would have net them a haul of picks. Why? Well, because teams’ “horny” levels didn’t add up. Per Michael Silver, the NFL insider who has the scoop from Broncos camp:
In the days leading up to the draft, Paton had received preliminary overtures from the Eagles (picking 12th overall in Round 1), Vikings (14th overall), Bears (20th) and Saints (28th). As he sat in his office early Wednesday morning, Paton wondered if he might receive an exorbitant offer when the Broncos were on the clock that he’d be tempted to take, perhaps from a team desperate for a quarterback.
“Maybe we get a haul,” Paton said. “Maybe we can take advantage of a team that is, as Vic would say, ‘horny.’ I don’t know why he always uses that word, but it cracks me up.”
• I … um … alrighty, then.
• As a long-timer supporter of student journalism, I’d approve of the effort and execution here from Nicholas Moreano of The Chicago Audible
For my TV News Reporting Class, I made a package on the #Bears drafting quarterback Justin Fields. I was able to include three great interviews for the assignment. Make sure you check it out. https://t.co/tMDF6Oxf69
— Nicholas Moreano (@NicholasMoreano) May 10, 2021
• This saga has more drama than abuela’s telenovelas:
From NFL Now: The #Packers and QB Aaron Rodgers have a complicated relationship. And it could go in any direction right now. pic.twitter.com/nnlAEpjBhI
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) May 10, 2021
• An interesting observation from NFL Network insider Ian Rapoport:
Since 2011, removing special teamers:
— 7 WRs drafted in the first round made 30 combined Pro Bowls.
— 11 WRs drafted in the second round made a 20 combined Pro Bowls.
— 4 WRs drafted in the third round made a combined 10 Pro Bowls. https://t.co/VsdwU0f3pt— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) May 10, 2021
• I wonder if we’ll hit a point where receivers in the Draft are viewed in the same light as running backs. Still incredibly valuable, particularly if you have depth at the position. But because productive ones can be unearthed at various points in the Draft, becomes a position that becomes de-prioritized on Day 1.
• A worthwhile nugget: Five of PFF’s 10 highest-graded receivers last season were *NOT* first-round picks. Davante Adams, A.J. Brown, and Allen Robinson II were second-rounders. Stefon Diggs was a fifth-round choice. Adam Thielen went undrafted. Justin Jefferson, DeAndre Hopkins, Julio Jones, Will Fuller V, and Corey Davis were first-rounders. In other words, there’s early-round value to be had with the right pick. But recent trends suggest there is real value in waiting it out because of the volume of talent at the position.
• As NFL Primetime remains one of the most entertaining football programs, it rolls on with a familiar face hosting:
Chris Berman signed a multi-year extension to continue to host "NFL PrimeTime".https://t.co/w0sTWee1UL
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) May 10, 2021
• Vacuums and puppy toys are among your Deals of the Day today at Amazon. #ad
• We’re getting close to the end of the road for the Bulls. And while they’re fighting for their playoff lives right now, a year ago at this time, we were marveling at The Last Dance:
“If you don’t want to play that way, don’t play that way.” 🐐
One year ago today, the best scene in the history of television aired.
(🎥 @espn)
pic.twitter.com/KZbXpgk6by— Bleacher Nation Bulls (@BN_Bulls) May 10, 2021
• You can follow our coverage here, on Twitter, and at Facebook.
• Congratulations to Mario wrapping up his first season covering the Blackhaws here at BN. The season didn’t go as well as anyone hoped, but we had fun along the way. And after the pandemic threw the hockey world for a loop last year, I’m just thankful we were given an expanded NHL season to watch. Here’s to a healthy Jonathan Toews, a still stellar Patrick Kane, and the continued rise of Alex DeBrincat. See you crazy kids in October.
