NEWSLETTER
I’m late to the last breakfast of guys weekend. Hope there’s something left for me to munch on!
• Here’s to hoping the Bears’ offensive line is ready to block this guy in Week 1:
Remember when @AaronDonald97 put up 20.5 sacks in 2018?!
Happy birthday to the 3x DPOY & 7x Pro Bowler! 💪🎂 pic.twitter.com/o7ZGdnHcEz
— NFL (@NFL) May 23, 2021
• Aaron Donald has followed his ridiculous 20.5 sack 2018 season with 26 sacks, 52 QB hits, 34 tackles-for-loss, and 6 forced fumbles in 32 games. So he’s still a monster. And is just 30 years old. The middle of Chicago’s offensive line is in flux right now. Where is Cody Whitehair playing? Does James Daniels still have a starting spot? Did Alex Bars or Sam Mustipher do enough to etch their names into the starting lineup? Will someone like Larry Borom or Germain Ifedi end up sliding inside? These are questions the Bears must answer before trying to figure out how they’ll slow down Donald. Good luck with that.
• The good news about Chicago’s O-Line situation is that there are options. And with options comes competition. Ideally, with competition will come the emergence of the best group-of-five the Bears can come up with by the time Week 1 arrives. I also like the versatility of this group. Rookies Larry Borom and Teven Jenkins each have collegiate experience at multiple spots on the line. Cody Whitehair, James Daniels, Germain Ifedi, and Elijah Wilkinson each have professional starting experience at multiple spots. As does Alex Bars, albeit on a smaller sample scale. Sam Mustipher is a true center, but I wouldn’t put it past him to be able to hold down a guard spot in a pinch. All in all, this isn’t the worst place to be when it comes to line talk.
• This Whitehair video is from December 2016. And the Daniels vid is from May 2019. But in both cases, I appreciate the perspective from two linemen discussing position switching from the recent past:
• A bunch of the Bears’ centennial gear was pretty fresh. So, if I was Justin Fields, I’d be twisting some arms to get what I can:
Interesting that Justin Fields is wearing a 100-year anniversary Bears shirt.
The Bears celebrated 100 years two seasons ago (cc: @UniWatch) pic.twitter.com/fUwpnuuM5g
— Matt Eurich (@MattEurich) May 20, 2021
• Some important perspective to keep this (and every) month:
.@Jaguars receiver @DJChark82 reveals his struggles with anxiety and depression, and explains the crucial ways he’s managed to cope with the pain.
For more information or to seek help, visit https://t.co/NLwmIMDBdD. #MentalHealthAwarenessMonth pic.twitter.com/9xn6EMQolL
— NFL (@NFL) May 21, 2021
• I’d bet every Bears beat writer (and blogger) wishes this would’ve been on Chicago’s schedule:
A pair of November games in California 😎
📰: https://t.co/xj9fOwXsjr pic.twitter.com/FeYaS9H9Jq
— Minnesota Vikings (@Vikings) May 21, 2021
• Even if it falls flat, this should be interesting to follow:
Tim Tebow last played an NFL game Dec. 30, 2012. According to @EliasSports, six players have gone at least eight years between games played in the NFL, so Tebow could become the seventh. pic.twitter.com/uxnKeut6z6
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) May 21, 2021
• The first win at Soldier Field in 2021 belongs to the fútbol team that takes up residence by the lake:
Win No. 1 For 2021! @ChicagoFire FC beats Inter Miami CF 1-0 for their first victory of the season tonight at @SoldierField. @WGNNews pic.twitter.com/oQ3Mn4hspm
— Larry Hawley (@HawleySports) May 23, 2021
• Based on the tease and headline, I want to read this later:
Before the networked world put sports scores at our fingertips, there was the uncertainty and anticipation—followed by heartbreak or jubilation—that is the magic of fandom https://t.co/Z06zgGTV1b
— The Wall Street Journal (@WSJ) May 23, 2021
