NEWSLETTER
My thoughts, prayers, and well wishes are with the friends and family of Bill Recktenwald, who passed away on Friday. Reck, as he was affectionately called, was a great investigative journalist, wonderful professor at SIU, and mentor who was a guiding force in my career (and others). May he rest in peace.
• Justin Fields ended this week of practice on somewhat of a sour note…
Fields picked again. Rough start to 11 on 11 for the rookie. #Bears
— Zack Pearson (@Zack_Pearson) August 19, 2021
Rough start for Justin Fields with an INT by Tashaun Gipson.
— Jason Lieser (@JasonLieser) August 19, 2021
Picked again, this time by Joel Iyiegbuniwe.
— Jason Lieser (@JasonLieser) August 19, 2021
• … which is why how he bounces back is the one thing I care about seeing today. Mitchell Trubisky’s return is on the back burner. The potential Jake Fromm-Justin Fields battle of former Georgia quarterbacks, while juicy, is a sidebar (h/t Brendan Sugrue) to everything else happening at Soldier Field. I don’t grade the best players by how they fall, but instead by how they get back up. Fields will have some rough days. Every good quarterback does. However, the best ones shake it off, bounce back, and move forward. I’m curious to see how Fields rebounds from Thursday’s practice dud.
• This piece from Adam Hoge (NBC Sports Chicago) has me willing to run through a wall for Fields. Specifically, this quote from QBs Coach John DeFilippo after Thursday’s practice stinker is making me feel some things:
“He had me take him out (to the field) and go through the whole practice script again. Just little things like that, I don’t want to say wow you, because I know the player, I’ve gotten to know him over time, and that doesn’t shock me that he wants to do that, but at the same time, how great he wants to be — it’s really impressive.”
• Talent, skill, athleticism, and ability are all important. But quarterbacks need to have a stubborn willingness to work through issues in order to reach their full potential. I’m not surprised that Fields is showing that edge in practice. It’s just that to see it this early brings a smile to my face.
• We’ll obviously care about what happens with Andy Dalton, whose handling of the pressure of being the guy fans want to bench in favor of Fields has been nothing but professional. That Dalton can strike a balance between it being his time and knowing that Fields’ day will come is impressive. Admittedly, the Dalton signing didn’t strike true to me. But as this spring and summer have progressed, I understand how and why the front office came to the conclusion to sign him. Then again, Dalton needs to prove that he can be the place-holder the front office desires. If that doesn’t happen, we could see a changing of the guard sooner, rather than later.
• Tarik Cohen has some thoughts on how to treat an opposing quarterback:
If you boo Mitch tomorrow you a lame and a weirdo
— Tarik Cohen (@TarikCohen) August 20, 2021
• Cohen and Trubisky weren’t just teammates from 2017-2020, the two were draft classmates. So I understand where Cohen is coming from with his perspective. In the end, I won’t tell fans how to feel about Trubisky’s return. Instead, my suggestion is to let whatever feelings out today and allow yourself to move on to the Justin Fields era. Today has vibes that are similar to a post-breakup drink with an ex. Show that you can be adults about how things ended, enjoy an adult beverage, share some laughs, then move on to the next stop.
• A non-QB worth keeping eyes on today is cornerback Duke Shelley. The 2019 sixth-round pick made a case for the starting slot corner gig with a solid performance last week. Shelley made some stops and had a pass breakup while playing mostly in the slot before moving outside. This is a big summer for Shelley. If he can stack good practices, then turn around and put together good tape during the exhibition season, a starting role could be his.
• The Bears offensive line seems settled now with the addition of Jason Peters to the group. But should the team feel a need to look elsewhere, there are options who could be in play:
#Eagles OT Andre Dillard talking to OL coach Jeff Stoutland before tonight’s game. Dillard has been out for a week-plus with a knee injury but is close to returning to action. @Jeff_McLane reported teams have called about Dillard. Can’t see Howie Roseman dealing him anytime soon. pic.twitter.com/oIIMFgBZHF
— Mike Garafolo (@MikeGarafolo) August 19, 2021
Teams are eyeing a move for Connor McGovern in a potential trade, but the Cowboys would be reluctant to deal him. They see him as a starter even if he does not open season as one. Mike McCarthy: "He had a tremendous finish as far as his growth as a player throughout last year."
— Todd Archer (@toddarcher) August 20, 2021
• Had the Bears not already brought in Peters, I’d likely be banging down the door and pushing for a trade of one of these two players. Andre Dillard was an Eagles first-round pick in 2019 who could be under team control through 2024. It seems as if he has fallen out of favor in Philly, which makes me think he could be had if the price is right. The Bears should be looking at change-of-scenery types who have first-round pedigrees to round out the roster when possible. Connor McGovern was a third-round pick of the Cowboys in 2019, but didn’t debut until 2020 when Dallas was dealing with a decimated line. McGovern made eight starts and played well enough to make the Cowboys reluctant to deal him. Nevertheless, as cutdown dates approach, these are the types of players to keep tabs on.
• A heads up to Bears fans going to today’s preseason game: Citing guidance from the CDC, facial coverings are a requirement in public indoor settings in Chicago. This applies does not apply to the open-air areas of Soldier Field, such as the seating bowl. HOWEVER, it does apply to bathrooms, closed-air concourses, and areas that fit the bill.
• Remember that it’s preseason for us, too. So, with that in mind, some reminders from the Bears for those of you attending today’s game.
• Retired Bears QB Jim McMahon is celebrating a birthday today. McMahon is an all-time great storyteller, so I had to share this one:
• The Bulls are soooooo back:
The 2021-22 Chicago Bulls Schedule is Officially Here (12 Nationally Broadcasted Games)!https://t.co/gJQiTfyig2
— Bleacher Nation Bulls (@BN_Bulls) August 20, 2021
• After this past offseason’s moves, we can no longer say Jeremy Colliton wasn’t given a fighting chance to succeed as head coach:
Jeremy Colliton Speaks: Blackhawks Offseason Moves, High Expectations for 2021-22, and Morehttps://t.co/cEENxbXBMQ
— Bleacher Nation Blackhawks (@BN_Blackhawks) August 20, 2021
• Relief pitchers are creatures of habit. So I don’t think it’s a coincidence that the White Sox’s odd usage of Craig Kimbrel isn’t working or getting desired results right now:
Tony La Russa Pulled Craig Kimbrel in the 8th Inning … for a Match-Up Lefty? – https://t.co/Q2C4lQBzb3 pic.twitter.com/P28UG0LKGT
— Bleacher Nation (@BleacherNation) August 21, 2021
