NEWSLETTER
Is it just me, or is August flying by?
• Matt Nagy was looking and sounding rough during his Wednesday morning press conference. I can’t blame him, though. Rookie offensive tackle Teven Jenkins is out for a while because he’ll be undergoing back surgery later today. Elsewhere, the Bears were taking it easy with fellow rookie Justin Fields, who was dealing with a groin issue. It was a dump of bad news that was one announcement away from me reaching for a bottle of wine and a Taylor Swift playlist at 9 AM on a Wednesday. Not quite the start I was envisioning to my day.
• Here’s a speck of sunshine on an otherwise cloudy morning:
Justin Fields drops it into the bucket 🔥🔥🔥 pic.twitter.com/bXCPAhnWAm
— Jeremy (@JeromeyR0me) August 18, 2021
• And here are some more good Justin Fields things to get you in a better mental space today:
Can see Fields progress on this Dagger concept vs. another 2-high look.
This time watch Fields progress from Seam to Dig and even gives the Flat checkdown a peek before creating a bit. pic.twitter.com/UMwcSdlps8
— Nate Tice (@Nate_Tice) August 18, 2021
• And now, back to the awkward:
Here's what Bears coach Matt Nagy said about DT Akiem Hicks and his unusual exit from practice yesterday–https://t.co/EZSXNuA3fB pic.twitter.com/B75ctkFMWp
— Jason Lieser (@JasonLieser) August 18, 2021
• The good news is that Akiem Hicks is back at practice. There was no mention of an injury designation. But also, no word on why he abruptly left practice on Tuesday. And because Matt Nagy sounded like someone who was in his feelings this morning, the replies to questions were short, snippy, and uninformative. What a bummer for reporters who want to relay information about a player who has been a fan favorite since his arrival in 2016.
• As I was saying about the Hicks-fans relationship:
Not anything football related, but Akiem Hicks is such a good personality interacting with the fans. Brings a ton of energy to practice #Bears
— Andrew Freeman (@AjFreeman25) August 18, 2021
• More good news from the injury front:
Some good news: Roquan Smith and James Daniels are back today.
— Adam Hoge (@AdamHoge) August 18, 2021
• In case you’re curious or in need of a reminder, the Bears have 25 days until kickoff of a meaningful game. So, in other words, there is ample time to get guys healthy, up to speed, and in game shape. Here’s to making the most of that time.
• I realize rookie receiver/return specialist Dazz Newsome didn’t time well in speed drills, but stuff like this still pops up:
Dazz Newsome just blew past DHC in 1v1’s. His speed is going to be a fun piece for Matt Nagy to use.
So much speed on this #Bears squad between him, Byrd, Goodwin, Mooney, and more.
— Chris Maltby (@ChrisMaltbyBD) August 18, 2021
• Here is where I land when it comes to Newsome, based on what I’ve seen on tape and practices: I think Newsome is football fast. And by that, I mean he is more quick than fast when on the field. If you can, think back to Jeremy Langford. And then think the opposite of his profile. Langford ran the 40-yard dash in 4.42 seconds at the Combine, then followed with a time in the 4.3s at his Pro Day. However, that timed speed never showed up on tape. It’s one reason his career with the Bears was so short. As for Newsome, his times don’t look all that great. But he looks fast with the ball in his hands. Weird how that works.
• Cleaning stuff, kitchen stuff, desks, and more are your Deals of the Day at Amazon. #ad
• Does Eddie Jackson get thank you cards from these guys for resetting the market in January 2020?
https://twitter.com/RapSheet/status/1427691952737329152
• Raiders fans are willing to take a poke to see their team in its new digs:
Raiders diehard @gorillarilla has gone to EVERY home game since 1995 – and he's not letting the team's new vaccine policy keep him away from his rightful place in the Black Hole
"I love my Raiders, even if I have to take a vaccine shot and I'm there" ➡️➡️➡️ pic.twitter.com/vGeC8iAtZ2
— Michele Steele (@MicheleSteele) August 17, 2021
• This is some deep perspective:
"I don't want to scare anybody, but there were moments where I was like 'I don't know if I'm going to make this.'"
Dion Dawkins incredibly open and honest about his battle with COVID, one that had him in the hospital 4 days.
"Life can be over before you know it."#Bills pic.twitter.com/aXD2UqToFT
— Jon Scott (@JonScottTV) August 17, 2021
• Don’t like the taunting? Maybe have your GM choose players who won’t get stunted on after giving up chunk plays. Or better yet, you can suit up:
John Mara: Taunting is a point of emphasis because we're "sick and tired of the talking." https://t.co/7e2h2EWI0b
— ProFootballTalk (@ProFootballTalk) August 17, 2021
• Now I’m trying to imagine Virginia McCaskey tweeting about blown blocking assignments, defenders missing tackles, and receivers dropping passes:
Mets Owner Tweets About His Players, Wondering How They “Can Be This Unproductive” – https://t.co/weWUupB5M9 pic.twitter.com/KuLiWJboT0
— Bleacher Nation (@BleacherNation) August 18, 2021
• I suppose we can refer to this deal as the return of the MacK:
Chicago Blackhawks Sign MacKenzie Entwistle to a Two-Year Extensionhttps://t.co/3PN1i9h5OV
— Bleacher Nation Blackhawks (@BN_Blackhawks) August 18, 2021
