The Cleanest Look, BoJack Looking for the Rebound, Vikings D-Line Shuffle, and Other Bears Bullets
Another round of OTAs opens today, with mandatory minicamp. Allen Robinson is scheduled to show up and participate. That’s good news, considering it would be easy to understand if Robinson played hardball and held out after being Franchise Tagged in the offseason. Here’s hoping for a few days of positive updates regarding Justin Fields’s development. And, perhaps, more important than anything: No injuries.
• The Bears put on a fashion show of sorts, re-introducing some of our favorites (both new and old):
*chef’s kiss* pic.twitter.com/ReUYV6bCRS
— Chicago Bears (@ChicagoBears) June 15, 2021
That 4️⃣ lookin’ clean CLEAN! pic.twitter.com/LNLdUqJDmy
— Chicago Bears (@ChicagoBears) June 15, 2021
• There is a beautiful simplicity in the Bears’ uniform and color scheme. Everyone looks good in that navy top with white numbers and orange trim. It’s a timeless look that I hope no one messes with moving forward.
• Here’s hoping a new defensive coordinator provides a clean slate for Eddie Jackson to get his groove back:
There is no better match safety in the NFL than Eddie Jackson.
He has this unique ability to be fully comfortable reading route combinations work their way through while playing on his heels and driving on the football with a sudden burst you just don't see from other guys. https://t.co/Ij65rNqGym pic.twitter.com/Hi8iFhNEFT
— Brandon Robinson (@BRobNFL) June 15, 2021
• The Bears worked out Brandon Marshall at Halas Hall. No, not the wide receiver. The linebacker, you silly goose. And according to Denver reporter Troy Renck, Marshall is optimistic he’ll get another opportunity in the league despite not playing in 2019 or 2020. Chicago could use depth at the inside linebacker position, so it’s worth keeping an eye on this situation.
• The Vikings are shaking things up:
From @NFLTotalAccess: The #Vikings worked out a very smart deal with star pass-rusher Danielle Hunter, who will play in 2021 and then probably get paid again in 2022 — by Minnesota or someone else. pic.twitter.com/YZaJbW4GC1
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) June 14, 2021
• Minnesota probably dodged a problematic situation by moving money around to get Danielle Hunter in camp. Hunter did not take a snap in 2020 because of injuries. And yet, was still looking at the 2021 season as an opportunity to cash out in a big way. So rather than duke it out and risk Hunter holding out, the Vikings moved some things around in order to pacify a tremendous pass-rusher coming off consecutive Pro Bowl seasons. Hunter has at least 12.5 sacks in three of his last four healthy seasons. So, yeah, there’s a reason Minnesota tried to do right by him.
• And they’re getting Hunter some help beside him:
The #Vikings and FA DT Sheldon Richardson have now agreed to terms and he has signed. Back with Minnesota, where he had 4.5 sacks and 49 tackles in 2018.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) June 15, 2021
• This marks a return trip to Minnesota for Sheldon Richardson, who made 16 starts and collected 4.5 sacks in his first stint with the Vikings in 2018. Richardson has spent the last two years in Cleveland, coming up with 7.5 sacks over 32 games with the Browns. Minnesota is an interesting team whose inconsistency has me struggling to figure out which Vikings team will show up in 2021. Will it be the team that had the audacity to win a road playoff game in 2019? Or the team that missed the postseason two of the last three years? I guess that’s why they play the games…
• Old friend alert: Dowell Loggains, who was the Bears’ QB Coach in 2015 and Offensive Coordinator in 2016-17, is signing on to be the Arkansas Razorbacks’ Tight Ends Coach. Loggains played collegiately at Arkansas, so this is a homecoming of sorts for the 40-year-old coach. This marks his first college job after coaching in the pros from 2008-2020. No matter what happens for Loggains moving forward, we’ll always remember him for this:
17 days until #Bears football…⏳
Week 17, 2016 – Never forget the Matt Barkley/Cam Meredith connection. Crazy how far Chicago has come in only two short seasons. #Bears100 pic.twitter.com/rguQNGjJ5N
— Curt (@BearBurner) August 19, 2019
• Dowell Loggains was busting out “Philly, Philly” well before “Philly Philly” was a thing. People tend to forget that.
• What is it about Bears coaches getting trick plays yoinked from them?
• Expanding the college football playoffs could be a game-changer for a number of schools, coaches, and even players. This is a nice reminder of how much of a difference in perspective one could’ve had if the playoffs were previously more inclusive:
If the 12-team College Football Playoff had been in place since 2014, the Big Ten would lead all leagues in playoff bids, MSU's two appearances might have gone well and Jim Harbaugh would be a two-time playoff coach.
Column on a change that changes a lot. https://t.co/IVeZPHWzAc
— Graham Couch (@Graham_Couch) June 14, 2021
• I might actually buy Madden NFL ’22 this year because it’s the first time I won’t have to come up with some wacky trade scheme to get a legitimate quarterback (or QB prospect). In the meantime, here’s a teaser video that’s supposed to provide a clue as to who this year’s cover athlete will be:
https://twitter.com/EAMaddenNFL/status/1404438481460289543
• Give if you can:
https://twitter.com/GBraggsJr23/status/1403145656404004865
