Storm images are so powerful. I couldn’t help sharing this one with friends:
First strike of the night at 750pm in Chicago. #storm #weather #news #ilwx #chicago #lightning pic.twitter.com/f1dyVqjoB9
— Barry Butler Photography (@barrybutler9) August 11, 2021
It’s like art work from a movie poster, but real.
• Joint practices with the Dolphins begin today, and I will not be making the obvious joke to start this set of Bullets.
• The Bears kick off the season in 32 days. David Montgomery wears No. 32. This provides me an angle to think about what this year could mean for Montgomery. Last year, he stormed to a strong finish to pick up his first 1,000-yard rushing season. That’s solid on its own. But for me, it’s that he ran at a 1,595-yard pace over the final six games of the season that truly catches my eye. And he did it in so many ways, too.
• It isn’t lost on me that Montgomery became the focal point of Chicago’s offense during that stretch. He was averaging 23 touches and 136 scrimmage yards, doing it on the ground (19 carries, 99 yards average) and as a pass catcher (4 catches, 37 yards average). Sometimes, we get too bogged down in thinking Matt Nagy needs to give Montgomery X amount of rushes to make an impact. But we shouldn’t. Instead, Nagy needs to figure out how to get him the ball in a variety of ways — keeping defenses on their heels and allowing Monty to become an impact player. I don’t expect Nagy to show his hand with what he wants to do this preseason, but I’m hoping he sticks to his guns here.
• All this brings me to the recent news of Nick Chubb’s contract extension with the Browns. Chubb, a second-round pick in 2018, is coming off back-to-back 1,000-yard rushing seasons and would have been a free agent after this season. With 3,557 rushing yards and 28 ground scores under his belt after the first three seasons, Chubb was due a healthy raise. Browsing through OTC’s data, Chubb’s extension comes with a total value of $36 million, an AAV of $12 million, and $20 million in guarantees. Those numbers will serve as new markers for future backs to hit. I’m not sure Montgomery will hit those because RB contracts are tough to get a grip on. But it’s something to think about if Montgomery has another good season.
• It is certainly plausible that Khalil Herbert could rise to RB2 ranks by the end of this year, as Bryan Perez (Bears Wire) hints at in his most recent post. Herbert reminds me of a Jordan Howard type of runner, but a little quicker and more agile. Think of how Howard ran in his first two years with the Bears and less of how he ran in 2018 or in the years that have since followed. Herbert runs like a bowling ball going down the lane. And much like a bowling ball after gaining some momentum, Herbert can be hard to stop. I’m not wholly convinced Herbert can get there by year’s end. Damien Williams still has juice. And we can’t ignore Tarik Cohen’s return. But, in the end, I can see where Herbert takes RB2 responsibilities in 2022.
• I, too, want to evaluate Justin Fields more:
Andy Dalton will play fewer snaps in preseason game this week, Nagy says, because he feels great about where Dalton is and they want to evaluate Justin Fields more
— Eric Edholm (@Eric_Edholm) August 11, 2021
• This probably isn’t a shot at Mitchell Trubisky…
Matt Nagy going into the 2021 season: "I'm as calm as I've ever been in my life." Feels like he has a fresh start, leaving the last three seasons behind him.
— Jason Lieser (@JasonLieser) August 11, 2021
• … but after Trubisky was talking sideways about the Bears yesterday, I won’t rule anything out.
• What if I told you an Olympic Gold Medal Watch Party helped take the Bears defense to another level?
Alec Ogletree was in Chicago visiting his friend Robert Quinn and came to Halas Hall to watch Jasmine Camacho-Quinn win her gold medal. He was able to chat with some coaches there and the #Bears decided to sign him. Five practices later, he has six interceptions.
— Adam Hoge (@AdamHoge) August 10, 2021
• You can’t ever say Robert Quinn didn’t bring anything to the table while as a member of the Bears. Sometimes, it’s more about who you know than what you know. And clearly, there was value in a pre-existing relationship between Quinn and Alec Ogletree that is helping ease the free agent’s transition. At this point, I’m sure Ogletree has a spot on the season-opening 53-man roster (given he stays healthy). It just makes too much sense to fortify the roster around the edges with quality experience.
• ICYMI: The first depth chart of the year is OUT. It even includes a rookie starter. But it might not be who you’re thinking about.
• It’s good to see logic prevail:
Worth noting: As in the past, only players on the 53-man roster after cutdown are eligible to be designated for return from IR (or NFI). Limits “stashing” scenarios. So, this year that’s anytime after 4 p.m. Eastern on Wednesday, Sept. 1. Full memo here: pic.twitter.com/E5sbXasEbQ
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) August 10, 2021
• If the Bears don’t draft Brodarious Hamm and Dylan Deathrage to bolster their offensive line, we riot:
What's in a name? 🤔
With college football now just 18 (!!!) days away, I present to you the 2021 College Football All-Name Team: pic.twitter.com/TvJevlDJx2
— College Sports Only (@CollegeSportsO) August 10, 2021
• Even though his time as a host on GMFB is coming to an end, it sounds like we’ll see Nate Burleson on a bunch of different platforms in the future. And you just have to love seeing the glow up in a business where it’s hard to find a lane (let alone grow):
It's not goodbye, it's see you later.
So proud of our guy @nateburleson. pic.twitter.com/tgBBAauKCf
— GMFB (@gmfb) August 11, 2021
• Summer League Bulls continue to keep Eli busy:
• Ayo in transition is also 🔥.
• Marko played well again. Efficient 5-8 from the field and even flashed the midrange jumper. Strong screens too and plenty of hustle.
• Everyone played defense, and it was refreshing.No notes post tonight. Will add more tomorrow in bullets!
— Bleacher Nation Bulls (@BN_Bulls) August 11, 2021
• Hey, Siri — Play “Guess Who’s Back?” by Scarface:
We're back, ya'll! Ep 50 (!) is now live. @Mphelps11 @SouvenirCity and @lcm1986 talk #Bulls FA moves with Lonzo and Carushow. Plus thoughts on the DeMar deal – was it too much? https://t.co/sPEMkseAki#BullsNation #NBA
— Talkin' Toros (@TalkinToros) August 11, 2021
• I’m very much #TeamRoboUmps:
Things have gone too far this year. It’s time for a new era in baseball.
WE NEED ROBO UMPS.https://t.co/vfQoRmMxfZ pic.twitter.com/1ZPLnJgXBF
— OBVIOUS BASEBALL SHIRTS (@obvious_bb) August 11, 2021
• A Chicago hockey legend passed away on Tuesday:
Blackhawks Legend and Hall of Famer Tony Esposito Passes Away at 78https://t.co/Path7r3jvb
— Bleacher Nation Blackhawks (@BN_Blackhawks) August 10, 2021