NEWSLETTER
There are 27 days until Justin Fields takes his first preseason snaps at Soldier Field. And, sure, Andy Dalton will also be in attendance. He might even get some snaps. But I’m curious as to how things get split between QB1 and QB1-of-the-future. I suppose Matt Nagy and friends have a little less than a month to figure it out.
• Admittedly, I have my concerns about the Bears’ offensive line. However, I imagine training camp and the preseason will allow those issues to work themselves out with a hearty competition. But on the other side of the line of scrimmage, I have no such hang-ups. That’s because that group is led by two of the best in the game:
My newest article open for all to read: The top 50 trench players entering 2021.https://t.co/Mb52RxGoAt
— Brandon Thorn (@BrandonThornNFL) July 16, 2021
• Brandon Thorn is a fun follow on Twitter who provides perspective and insight into line play. With that being said you’ll want to dive into Thorn’s top-50 trench players list. Here, you’ll find Khalil Mack and Akiem Hicks as the only Bears representatives. That’s fitting, too. Those two command all the respect for what they do at their respective positions. And because of their presence, the Bears defense is one of the best in football. Moreover, having two studs controlling the trenches gives Chicago’s football team a puncher’s chance at winning games (so long as the quarterback(s) can generate some points when the offense has the ball).
• In case you are curious, things are lining up for the Bears to face 23 of the top 50 players on this list. This includes multiple games against top offensive linemen David Bakhtiari (8th), Elgton Jenkins (27th), and Frank Ragnow (28th). As well as a pair of top-tier defenders in Za’Darius Smith (23rd) and Danielle Hunter (26th). The Bears in the trenches have their work cut out in 2021.
• Justin Fields dropping dimes and such:
https://twitter.com/justnfields/status/1416503780200300547
• Passing along our best wishes to Tarik Cohen and his family:
Congrats to @TarikCohen on having a boy!! But let’s be honest that reaction was all of us on draft night when we got Fields. #BearsNation pic.twitter.com/GWfeAM6qmF
— Bears Nation (@BearsNationCHI) July 18, 2021
• Who in their right mind is putting anything on the Bears at +2800 to be Aaron Rodgers’ next team?
Doubt this market is too efficient as it’s not very liquid. But FWIW people are on Aaron Rodgers back to Green Bay. pic.twitter.com/gBN05SAbR4
— Adam Levitan (@adamlevitan) July 18, 2021
• That’s one way to deliver a non-answer:
Asked Friday during a call on the team’s finances whether Aaron Rodgers would report to camp, Pres. Mark Murphy answered: “I appreciate the question. This is really limited to questions regarding financial statements. I would just say there’s nothing new to update on the issue.”
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) July 17, 2021
• Ted Ginn Jr. could probably tell some awesome stories now that he has hung ’em up:
not sure exact Hall of Fame standards…
but Ted Ginn caught passes from Tyler Thigpen, Trent Green, Troy Smith, Ryan Lindley, Colin Kaepernick, Derek Anderson, Nick Foles, Drew Stanton, John Beck, Cleo Lemon, Chad Henne, Teddy Bridgewater, Drew Brees, Alex Smith & Cam Newton
— Warren Sharp (@SharpFootball) July 16, 2021
• It’s been a year:
It has been a year since Washington dropped its longtime name and Indian head logo after decades of criticism that they were offensive to Native Americans. The subject is still evolving across the US, from K-12 schools to the pros.
by @swhyno
https://t.co/mtZtmvopYB— AP NFL (@AP_NFL) July 18, 2021
• *rubs hands together in anticipation*
REPORT: Bulls Expected to be “Big Spenders” When Free Agency Opens Up – https://t.co/sSvQVOqJaN pic.twitter.com/16EVWGay2x
— Bleacher Nation Bulls (@BN_Bulls) July 18, 2021
• The NHL Expansion Draft is coming. Take a look at which Blackhawks found themselves on the Protection List:
Here’s the Blackhawks Protection List for the Seattle Kraken Expansion Drafthttps://t.co/K1K81tJEAs pic.twitter.com/PxF21BCCUE
— Bleacher Nation Blackhawks (@BN_Blackhawks) July 18, 2021
• Lance Lynn is a perfect fit for the White Sox, so it makes sense the two sides came to an agreement on an extension:
White Sox Extend Impending Free Agent Lance Lynn – https://t.co/MeFAC6jTx4 pic.twitter.com/eGuyZctZEn
— Bleacher Nation (@BleacherNation) July 17, 2021
• I wonder if Allen Robinson II sees other Chicago athletes get new deals and wonders what he’s gotta do to get one of his own?
