NEWSLETTER
An announced attendance of 24,824 at Wrigley Field had me feeling like it was “the before times” last night. Not just because the energy matched a capacity crowd, but also because it was good to see friends. I mean, yeah, it was cool to see the Cubs win and all. Don’t get me wrong. But seeing people I haven’t seen in a year (or in some cases, longer) because we all happen to be in the same place at the same time was pretty dope. Here’s to all of you getting to experience that soon. And here’s to us getting an opportunity to do it at Soldier Field this coming season.
• Eddie Jackson is getting his own cereal:
I’m very Excited❗️ https://t.co/2lsE9gZXb3
— Eddie Jackson (@BoJack39) June 1, 2021
• I want to give it a clever name like BoJackso’s or Pick-Six Crisp, but I’m sure he has better and brighter people on the case. What’s more important is that proceeds from the cereal will benefit the Remain to Reach Foundation. It will hit Mariano’s shelves this fall around Chicagoland. Guess I’ll have to make sure to pick up a box. Firstly, because I like helping a good cause. And secondly, to add to my Chicago sports box cereal collection. That’s where Jackson would join Grandpa Rossy Crunch, Zorilla Crunch, and RizzO’s. Anybody hungry?
• In the meantime, we’ve got to put some respect on his name:
Most Defensive TD since 2017:
1. Eddie Jackson 6
2. Marcus Peters 5
3. Jadeveon Clowney 4
3. Minkah Fitzpatrick 4
5. 9 players tied 3@BoJack39 is an absolute BALLHAWK for the @ChicagoBears. pic.twitter.com/7Ut4rszLVV— NFLonCBS (@NFLonCBS) June 1, 2021
• This number could easily be in double figures with a little more good luck. Remember when he had three return TDs called back due to some highly questionable penalty calls? Bears fans remember. And I’m sure Jackson does, too. Unlocking Eddie Jackson should be Sean Desai’s top priority in 2021. That’s a leap of faith to trust a first-year defensive coordinator to do that, but I have faith in a secondary coach who is a Vic Fangio disciple. Plus, if Chicago’s pass-rush is as good as I think it is (and can be) then it will free up Jackson and others to make plays.
• A big Bears birthday today:
https://twitter.com/ChicagoBears/status/1400082343927369733
• Odd timing, but a reminder that free agent tackle Morgan Moses is set to visit the Bears today. Moses earned an 80.6 overall grade from PFF last year and was a good pass blocker (70.8 grade) and superb in the run-blocking game (85.9 grade). This is the type of player the Bears should be pursuing now that their cap situation looks better after post-June 1 cut of Charles Leno Jr. is officially through the wire.
• Should Chicago not allow Moses to leave without a deal to sign with the team and successfully make magic happen, it’s not much of a stretch to imagine shoving Germain Ifedi inside from right tackle to right guard. Remember, Ifedi began last season at guard but slid outside to accommodate changes elsewhere along the line. Having Ifedi’s versatility has its perks. And while I’m not beating down the doors to take someone out of their comfort zone, I’d love to bring in some real competition to put the best five guys on the line in front of Andy Dalton to start the year.
• Or will it be Justin Fields at QB1 to begin the 2021 campaign? The Bears are reportedly not averse to seeing Fields start the year as a starter, but he’ll have to earn it.
• Take some time out of your schedule to read this:
“When they put the card in my hand and I walked out onto the stage … I just became a mushy-brained Da Bears fan.” The story of Carlos Nelson, the Auburn Gresham leader who announced the Justin Fields draft pick, and why that moment was so special to him. https://t.co/JYhUXhkk9A
— Colleen Kane (@ChiTribKane) June 2, 2021
• Seeing a Justin Fields jersey in the wild last night was a trip:
Even the Wrigley faithful are excited about Justin Fields. pic.twitter.com/sjXqiWkDQU
— Bleacher Nation Bears (@BN_Bears) June 2, 2021
• I fully expect Fields to hit for the cycle during a 6-for-6 day at the plate while playing Gold Glove defense while playing at least three different positions:
Chase Young, Justin Fields and Micah Parsons added to #Browns Jarvis Landry’s star-studded softball game roster. June 12th Classic Park in Eastlake pic.twitter.com/WbGlSFSdTu
— Mary Kay Cabot (@MaryKayCabot) June 1, 2021
• A bunch of Prime exclusive deals today at Amazon, together with the usual Deals of the Day. #ad
• Hmmmm:
Green Bay has been tight up against the cap all offseason. But they wouldn’t need these nickel-and-dime moves if they traded Aaron Rodgers, freeing up over $16M in cap space. Clearing cap now is another indication they’re planning for the NFL MVP to be on the team in 2021. https://t.co/OR2cFuOGal
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) June 2, 2021
• Seems like a pretty big jump. And I don’t believe the Packers plan on trading Aaron Rodgers. But nevertheless, the stalemate continues.
• The Celtics are wildin’:
Celtics Head Coach Brad Stevens Is Reportedly Replacing Danny Ainge as President of Basketball Opshttps://t.co/qEv0C7L5V3
— Bleacher Nation Bulls (@BN_Bulls) June 2, 2021
