Find 12 Early and Often, Line Moves, Running Backs in Action, and Other Bears Bullets

This is an undeniable fact:

Good morning.

The last time the #Cubs & #WhiteSox threw no-hitters in the same year, the #Bears made the playoffs.

Just saying… pic.twitter.com/It8YMGl88p

— Bleacher Nation Bears (@BN_Bears) June 25, 2021

I just wanted all of you to have a heads up. That’s all.

•   The Bears are 79 days away from opening their 102nd season. How many no-hitters will happen between now and then?

•   This might be the best advice Chad Ochocinco has ever given out:

Justin I’m always open but since I’m busy Allen Robinson is as well, no matter what the play call is you can always change it at the los & throw to him to make year 1 easy https://t.co/yWyqkiUKIf

— Chad Johnson (@ochocinco) June 25, 2021

•   When in doubt, find No. 12 wearing the same color jersey as you. I have to be specific now that defensive backs can wear all sorts of different numbers. But now that we’ve gotten that in the clear, the objective for Justin Fields (or even Andy Dalton) should be to find Allen Robinson II. The guy lines up everywhere in any formation, runs every route on the tree, and catches pretty much anything. Need a first-down? Throw it to Robinson. Touchdown? Robinson. Over the middle? Robinson, again. Back-shoulder fade against the sideline? You guessed it … Robinson! There is value in volume in throwing it to No. 12.

•   And it’s not that the volume is what is valuable. Robinson runs all the patterns out of every slot on the field. In other words, the volume of routes he can run because he is so versatile makes him tough to guard. You can’t play him one particular way because there are other ways to beat a defender. It’s unique and unlike anything I’ve ever seen from a Bears receiver. Truly fascinating stuff.

•   A changing of the guard in Pittsburgh:

DeCastro has been having his ankle evaluated recently, sources said. He’s had issues with it for quite some time. Had surgery on it before last season. He’s evaluating his future. https://t.co/pzokwBJ3CT

— Mike Garafolo (@MikeGarafolo) June 24, 2021

Former Pro-Bowl guard Trai Turner and the Pittsburgh Steelers have agreed to terms on a one-year deal, per his agent @DrewJRosenhaus.

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) June 24, 2021

Former #Steelers Pro Bowl G David DeCastro tells ⁦@JoeStarkey1⁩: “I’d have no problem calling it a day.” … More on his ankle issues and a possible retirement plan 👇🏻👇🏻👇🏻 https://t.co/XzfaWhvHOw

— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) June 25, 2021

•   I can’t front. My ears perked up when I saw the initial news that Pittsburgh was releasing David DeCastro. I like the Bears’ interior line situation, but flanking a center (James Daniels? Alex Bars? Sam Mustipher?) with two Pro Bowl caliber guards would’ve been dreamy. And to do so with DeCastro would’ve been dope. The 31-year-old guard is a six-time Pro Bowler, two-time first-team All-Pro, and an anchor on the offensive line. But I did not realize injuries were something that could put him off the Steelers. That Pittsburgh moved quickly tells me everything I need to know about the severity of the issues. Get well soon, sir. And if this is the end of your career, enjoy retirement.

•   Fun fact: DeCastro is one of four first-team All-Pros and five Pro Bowlers chosen after the Bears took Shea McClellin with the 19th pick of the 2012 NFL Draft. Far from Phil Emery’s best decision.

•   For the record, Morgan Moses is still a free agent — despite buzz about him inching toward an agreement with the Jets. There’s still no deal and I think I can make an easier pitch to add a tackle than guard right now. Just saying…

•   As much as I’d like the Bars to become some high-flying passing attack, it would be neat to have true balance. With that in mind, this piques my interest:

top 5 rushers in college rushing yards over expected in 2020:

1. trey sermon
2. khalil herbert
3. michael carter
4. javonte williams
5. tyler allgeier

insane that UNC featured the 3rd and 4th best running backs in college last year

— Michigan Football Analytics (@mfbanalytics) June 24, 2021

•   David Montgomery is going to get his 1,000 yards. And he’ll make his contributions in the passing game, too. But what happens behind him on the depth chart will tell us so much about how great this offense can be. Things can get interesting if the Bears can give Monty a breather with Damien Williams and Khalil Herbert carrying some of the freight. And this is before we factor in what Tarik Cohen can bring to the table. I just don’t want to put too much on his plate too soon. After all, we’re talking about a player coming off a serious ACL injury. No need to rush him back into action. Especially not with this depth.

•  And yet, I can’t wait to see Tarik Cohen back in action doing stuff like this:

Chicago Bears rookie running back, and @ncatsuaggies alumnus, Tarik Cohen got absolutely ROBBED of this 73-yard game-winning touchdown! pic.twitter.com/YcvPVWUDhn

— Aaron Dodson (@aardodson) September 24, 2017

Zach Miller with the touchdown catch from Bears rookie … Tarik Cohen? https://t.co/WMDmfRbnZl pic.twitter.com/t8HKP0eiKt

— The MMQB (@theMMQB) October 15, 2017

Tarik Cohen’s first Touchdown of the season!!! #Bears100 pic.twitter.com/eSkUqzToYo

— Joseph 🇵🇷 (@JRodriguez_1521) September 29, 2019

•   Here’s this for your listening pleasure:

Is the Bears bid on Arlington Park legit? Or just a negotiating tactic? @ThatsDavis and @strobes312 discuss with special guest @LaurenceWHolmes on the latest Under Center Podcasthttps://t.co/r7MjzTLpcc

— Justin Fields Talk (@NBCSBears) June 24, 2021

Debating the best plan for Justin Fields with Dan Pompei https://t.co/53qVkJTfMA

— The Athletic Chicago (@TheAthleticCHI) June 24, 2021

•   TE University Class of 2021:

The guys from @te_university wore #PlayForTJ shirts to support Greg Olsen's foundation The HEARTest Yard.

The foundation helps Greg's son TJ and others kids who were born with heart defects. ❤️ (via @gregolsen88) pic.twitter.com/MNCtgomR4k

— NFL (@NFL) June 25, 2021

•   For more on that aforementioned no-hitter:

Fun With the Cubs No-No: First(s) in History, Kimbrel and Chafin Didn’t Even Know, All 27 Outs, More – https://t.co/BWud80MKla pic.twitter.com/yKga9da3p3

— Bleacher Nation Cubs (@BleacherNation) June 25, 2021

•   Kevin Durant vs. Scottie Pippen isn’t the showdown I had in mind this summer:

Grab Your Popcorn: Scottie Pippen And Kevin Durant Are Going At It Onlinehttps://t.co/GrNGWsgBx1

— Bleacher Nation Bulls (@BN_Bulls) June 24, 2021

 

•   It’s time to take a good, hard look at the Blackhawks organization from the top to bottom:

Report: Former Blackhawks Player Says “Every Guy on the Team Knew” About Sexual Abuse Allegations https://t.co/idgksW7aJi

— Bleacher Nation Blackhawks (@BN_Blackhawks) June 25, 2021