NEWSLETTER
It’s been a while since I’ve done something impulsive. And while I have ideas to do something to shake things up, it’s like I have a cartoon angel on my shoulder cautioning me against it. But on the other hand, I have a Homer Simpson-like presence on my other shoulder who says “Stupid risks are what make life worth living.”
Oh, to find the happy medium…
• On this date in 2018, the Khalil Mack trade went down. Mack has 30 sacks, 29 tackles-for-loss, 45 QB Hits, and reels full of highlights over the last three years. But beyond the stats, Mack has been the Bears’ most influential player since his arrival. The trade changed the direction of this franchise. The deal aided in creating a top-10 NFL defense by DVOA’s standards for each of the last three seasons, helped spark two postseason appearances in three years, and gave GM Ryan Pace quite the leash. At a minimum, it positioned Pace to see the end of his second major QB acquisition and allowed him to take a third swing at the position. And it all began with that trade.
• The Mack trade is arguably the biggest reason Bears Twitter is waiting on pins and needles to see what moves on the margins the team can made after dropping its initial 53-player roster. Let’s be real with each other. We all see an aging defense that has lost key pieces, an offense that hasn’t taken off under new leadership, and a roster that looks to be on the precipice of turnover. In other words, we’re seeing the closing of whatever window the Mack deal opened for this franchise. So, while we’re getting to see it through to its finish, the end might get ugly. And the only thing that could help soften the landing is if this team’s stars play like it. Naturally, it begins with Mack at the top of the pecking order.
• Let’s briefly discuss Waiver Day. Teams can put claims on players starting at 11 a.m. CT. From there, we’ll see how rosters shake out. An hour after the waiver period expires, teams can start building out practice squads. So, in other words, the 53-player roster we saw yesterday afternoon is likely to change. In fact, there is a real chance it changes multiple times between now and when Week 1 kicks off. It’s just that I don’t expect any Mack-sized deals.
• Also, with the Bears sitting at the 20th spot in the waiver order, don’t expect for them to land whichever name makes the splashiest entrance to the wire. Sorry to harshen your buzz this early.
• And yet, here I am providing some options at three positions of need:
⇒ CORNERBACKS: Jimmy Moreland (WFT), Nickell Robey-Coleman (Lions), Cre’Von LeBlanc (Dolphins)
⇒ RECEIVERS: Antonio Golden-Gandy (WFT), Keke Coutee (Texans), Travis Benjamin (49ers)
⇒ OFFENSIVE LINE: Matt Skura (Dolphins), Tyrell Crosby (Lions), David Sharpe (WFT)
• There is so much to dive into when it comes to this initial 53. Colleen Kane (Tribune), Kevin Fishbain (The Athletic), Chris Emma (670 The Score), Adam Hoge (NBC Sports Chicago) and Jason Lieser (Sun-Times) have insightful breakdowns of what went down on Tuesday afternoon. You’ll want to clear some time in your schedules to give those pieces a read for a bigger picture feel for what the Bears have going on right now.
• I can’t shake the issues I have with this roster construction, even as I try to caution against going overboard knowing this won’t be the roster come Week 1. It’s just that cornerback, which we have been discussing as a concerning position group since March, is more of a problem now than it was back when we first brought it up. The offensive line, which has been problematic for quite some time, remains that as we enter the 2021 season. When the Bears were at the peak of their powers in 2018, the offense had effective blockers, while the defense was led by an aggressive pass-rush and ball-hawking secondary. As we step into 2021, only one of those three key areas is a strength. That is annoying as heck because we’ve known these would be problem spots. And yet, here we are still talking about them as problems.
• Shot:
Jaguars’ HC Urban Meyer said his team considered players’ vaccination status in today’s final cuts:https://t.co/AN1zgIANHM
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) August 31, 2021
• Chaser:
Statement from the Jaguars: pic.twitter.com/S5Wn1Crgqe
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) September 1, 2021
• If the NFL will penalize teams in situations where an unvaccinated players who cause a breakout which leads to a game cancellation, then we would be foolish to think coaches won’t consider vaccination status on cut-down day. Maybe Urban Meyer shouldn’t have said the quiet part loud. Or perhaps we simply weren’t ready for that kind of honesty from a first-year NFL coach. This isn’t Gainesville or Columbus any more, Urban.
• Meanwhile, Bill Belichick handles the question with ease:
Was Cam Newton's vaccination status a factor in his release? Bill Belichick says "no." Then points out the number of players that have tested positive for COVID this summer that have been vaccinated. #Patriots
— Michael Giardi (@MikeGiardi) September 1, 2021
• Now, I’m wondering how Belichick would’ve answered a question about how missing 5 days of practice due to COVID protocols impacted Cam Newton’s chances of making the team.
• The folks at Awful Announcing provide a rabbit hole worth exploring with the stories covering the Bishop Sycamore high school football ordeal, which feels like something out of an episode of MTV’s Catfish with each passing day. But at least the memes are on point.
• Extension alert:
Blackhawks Sign Connor Murphy to a Four-Year Contract Extensionhttps://t.co/ew2halQqsv
— Bleacher Nation Blackhawks (@BN_Blackhawks) August 31, 2021
• Every schedule has its challenges, but I’m looking forward to seeing how this Bulls roster gets after it:
How Tough is the Chicago Bulls 2021-22 Schedule?https://t.co/a6xF1xVmyL
— Bleacher Nation Bulls (@BN_Bulls) August 31, 2021
• When the Cubs’ season is done, can the Bears borrow Matt Duffy as a pass-catcher? Because his tracking skills on this over-the-shoulder grab are of high quality:
Matt Duffy Just Made an Unreal (and Potentially Game-Saving) Double Play – https://t.co/7edKpua53r pic.twitter.com/qFCWFKj5UW
— Bleacher Nation (@BleacherNation) September 1, 2021
