The best part about the Windy City Series being over is that we can transition from bickering about baseball to drooling over Justin Fields throws. Well, at least until the next time the two teams meet.
• Preseason football is coming THIS WEEK. Saturday marks the first time we’ll get to see Justin Fields in a Bears uniform at Soldier Field. Sure, seeing him in practice garb last week was nice. But seeing him in the flesh and in the full uniform will be a nice treat. I guess I also have an interest in seeing Andy Dalton, seeing that he is QB1 and all. However, I’d be lying to you if I said the opportunity to see Fields in action with my own eyes isn’t the thing that will get me through this week.
• I’m loving how there’s one Justin Fields throw that has the internet going nuts after each practice. In case you didn’t see yesterday’s throw, here it is:
I got footage https://t.co/SDqP5enXjW pic.twitter.com/TMPjs3H0l3
— Westside Flee (@SoIcyFlee) August 8, 2021
• In watching this video more than two dozen times, I feel like I’m finding something new with every replay. Obviously, the mobility, throw, and catch stand out. But check out the reactions from players on the sideline. What it looks like when the defender reacts to seeing what happens behind him. The sounds of the play happening. There’s a lot going on here. And without going on about this, I’ll leave this Bullet saying that it’s moment like this that make me wish training camp was accessible to more fans. You simply never know what you’ll see. Especially with someone who possesses Fields’ talents.
• Just hook these highlights directly into my veins:
• Andy Dalton, Marquise Goodwin, Darnell Mooney, Jimmy Graham, Nick Foles, Akiem Hicks, Khalil Mack, David Montgomery, Damien Williams, and that Justin Fields fellow are among those who make cameos in the video above. There is also a Kindle Vildor pass breakup and Damiere Byrd touchdown celebration that will likely grab your attention. I’m finding it more challenging with each highlight reel to not get overly excited about what’s on the horizon. But, admittedly, much of that has to do with exhibition games being so close.
• Things you just love to read: Dalton and Allen Robinson II are building chemistry as training camp rolls along. Mark Potash (Sun-Times) writes about the Bears’ top receiver having a good early experience with the veteran quarterback. Say what you want about Dalton – and I know you have, because I’ve been reading the comments – but he is undoubtedly the most accomplished QB Robinson has played with in his career.
• And while that says a lot about how Robinson’s teams have poorly gone about addressing the game’s most important position, it also puts Dalton’s résumé into perspective. Three Pro Bowl appearances. Four 10+ win seasons as part of a run of five consecutive playoff campaigns in Cincinnati. Even though Dalton couldn’t start the playoff game in 2015 due to injury, it doesn’t diminish Dalton’s achievement of leading the freaking Bengals to the postseason.
• On the other side of the field, Desmond Trufant is trying to work through some rough circumstances that held him back in recent years to earn a starting gig on what could be a top-tier defense:
#Bears cornerback Desmond Trufant has experienced bad injury luck the past two seasons. He hopes to stay on the field and earn a starting spot with his new team.https://t.co/aj5qrEj6Hu
— Hub Arkush (@Hub_Arkush) August 8, 2021
• Trufant, a first-round pick in 2013, hasn’t played in a full 16-game season since 2018 because injuries have kept him out of action. In fact, the injury bug has tripped up Trufant to the point where he has appeared in just 16 games over the last two seasons. But there was a time Trufant was a solid corner in the league. Trufant has 103 starts, 14 interceptions, and two defensive touchdowns under his belt. He also has Pro Bowl (2015) and All-Pro (2014, Pro Football Weekly) honors on his mantle. All that experience could prove to be important in a secondary that will face challenges at every turn this season.
• Kinda neat that Roquan Smith (2018 NFL Draft) and Bryce Callahan (2015 undrafted free agent) were Ryan Pace acquisitions:
A bunch of cornerbacks and Roquan Smith pic.twitter.com/Uj63qQSzBh
— DaWindyCity Productions (@dwcprodz) August 9, 2021
• Devin Hester highlights a group of Hall of Fame caliber players who are eligible for the class of 2022. And you better believe we’re banging the drum for his candidacy.
• Lonzo Ball (or is it Lonzo Bull?) is officially on his way to Chicago:
Officially Official: Chicago Bulls Announce Lonzo Ball Sign-and-Trade!https://t.co/WLQzFd4aK5
— Bleacher Nation Bulls (@BN_Bulls) August 9, 2021
• What’s a guy gotta do to get an extension around here?
Should We Tee Up a Willson Contreras Extension Conversation? – https://t.co/GumIVSMtvW pic.twitter.com/98dfrGxklY
— Bleacher Nation (@BleacherNation) August 9, 2021