NEWSLETTER
After missing out on the fun of watching professional sports in person last year, I’m making up for lost time. My appearance at last night’s White Sox game was my third ballgame in two weeks. And I sure did miss the sights, sounds, and smells at the ballpark. There is nothing like watching the Cardinals kick the ball around the field, listening to fans boo Joe West’s calls, and the intoxicating aromas of grilled onions on an all-beef hot dog.
I can’t wait to experience that at Soldier Field, which will be able to open at full capacity starting in the preseason.
• Here it is! Our first look at Mitchell Trubisky … throwing with another team:
bah gawd that's mitchell trubisky music pic.twitter.com/YbPxnsgykn
— Matthew Bové (@Matt_Bove) May 25, 2021
• It’s a different look for Trubisky, to be sure. Red instead of orange. A different shade of blue. That familiar No. 10, because Emmanuel Sanders — originally slated to wear 1-0 in Buffalo this year — took advantage of the NFL loosening its number restrictions to roll up with a single-digit number. That had Trubisky going from wearing No. 8 to being back with his familiar 10. All things considered, I’m looking forward to not obsessively watching Trubisky’s practice throws. Considering some of the reactions to the sharing of this post throughout Twitter, it’s a reminder of how much both sides needed a clean slate entering 2021.
• Trubisky has a real chance to press the reset button in Buffalo. He won’t be asked to do much at the outset. Being the clear backup to Josh Allen allows him ample time to soak in everything about the offense without the pressure of needing to jump into action and carry a team. From there, he can take notes on how Allen turned himself from being a project with tools to a Pro Bowl quarterback with the ability to lead an offense to the conference title game. If Trubisky can put together good practices (and even some good preseason tape), you’ll start hearing buzz about him next offseason when teams are looking to unearth the next Ryan Tannehill. But so much needs to happen between now and then for that scenario to start playing out.
• Speaking of number swaps, this is an all-timer:
Patriots post photos of today’s voluntary OTA, and this @EricJAdler shot of Mac Jones shows the top pick practicing in temporary No. 50.
A reminder to all rookies, from Bill Belichick, to focus on the important stuff.
Full slideshow on @PATRIOTSdotCOM: https://t.co/v4suL0wn0a pic.twitter.com/dIzNZEpCUR
— Mike Reiss (@MikeReiss) May 25, 2021
• Bill Belichick is a master manipulator. No one plays head games like him. Not in this league. And I’m sure not in any professional sports league. So to see the Patriots give quarterback Mac Jones No. 50 as a reminder to not to sweat the non-important stuff is just another example of being on another level. Whether this will make Jones the long-term QB solution the Pats desire remains to be seen. But we know how important it is to be mentally there at that position. I’m curious to see how that whole situation plays out.
• Michael Strahan and Staley the Bear is a tag team I didn’t think I needed until right now:
GOOD MORNING, CHICAGOOO! @michaelstrahan channels his inner Ferris Bueller while exploring the Windy City! #RiseAndShine https://t.co/i9rZzYvW4s pic.twitter.com/1iwyCQOOil
— Good Morning America (@GMA) May 26, 2021
• Why show up to *voluntary* practices in Green Bay when you can post chill shots in Hawaii?
https://twitter.com/theMMQB/status/1397546033131950081
• ESPN’s Adam Schefter highlights how Aaron Rodgers wasn’t alone in missing Tuesday’s OTAs. Other non-participants include Davante Adams, Marquez Valdes-Scantling, Allen Lazard, Devin Funchess, and Equanimeous St. Brown. And as far as I’m concerned, if they want to follow Rodgers’ dream of hanging out in Hawaii and hosting television shows, then who am I to stop someone from pursuing their dreams?
• This seems like a great idea that can provide exposure to HBCU student athletes and the schools themselves:
The Reese’s Senior Bowl is honored to be collaborating with the National Football League to host the inaugural HBCU Combine in Mobile, Alabama. @NFL345 @NFL @NFLFootballOps @TroyVincentSr
https://t.co/Oew3hak5ce pic.twitter.com/R330rGew3g— Reese's Senior Bowl (@seniorbowl) May 26, 2021
• Holy cow, this tweet is an adventure:
Years after Spygate, a question lingers: Who dangled campaign cash if U.S. Sen. Arlen Specter would ease off his investigation into the Pats? Now Specter's son and ghostwriter are providing an answer:
It was Donald Trump.
The latest from @DVNJr and me:https://t.co/VBEqOEdJxr— Seth Wickersham (@SethWickersham) May 26, 2021
• Spygate simply won’t ever go away, will it?
• Thank the Raven, nevermore:
Ravens took Rashod Bateman at 27 thinking Packers would take him at 29. https://t.co/H1XN74TZKw
— ProFootballTalk (@ProFootballTalk) May 25, 2021
• The Jets are making an unconventional hire that I believe has been years in the making:
The #Jets have hired former #Dolphins DC Matt Burke for a game-management role, source says. Burke, who most recently served as #Eagles run game coordinator and DL coach, brings 15 NFL seasons’ experience as a defensive coach but will help on both sides of the ball.
— Mike Garafolo (@MikeGarafolo) May 26, 2021
• As NFL Network insider Mike Garafolo notes, Matt Burke’s gig will have him knee deep in situational football. In other words, the Jets are hiring a coach whose focus will be on managing red-zone situations, 2-minute drills, and other facets that seem to go overlooked. And here I am wondering why this hasn’t been done before? Hiring a coach whose expertise is clock management, risk assessment, and situational football is something that has been long overdue.
• I suppose it’s never too early to start checking out future draft prospects:
Doing work on the LSU offensive line this morning and a few reps in, LT Dare Rosenthal blesses us by snatching a soul. Dude has my attention! #NFLDraft pic.twitter.com/aG6pUUMyd5
— Joe Marino (@TheJoeMarino) May 26, 2021
