NEWSLETTER
My thoughts, prayers, and positive vibes with family, friends, and anyone who was impacted by Sept. 11, 2001. It’s been 20 years, but that moment still impacts so many on a multitude of levels.
• This was one of the coolest things I’ve ever seen, and I’m glad the Bears were able to share this:
Capturing and sharing that moment when Jesper Horsted made the team is a phenomenal get by the @ChicagoBears TikTok. 🐻⬇️ pic.twitter.com/SkeZAAks73
— Bleacher Nation Bears (@BN_Bears) September 10, 2021
• If you were ever curious as to why I’m so hard on the Bears’ being so closed off. There are stories that need to be told. Players have personalities to share and connect with fans. Coaches have perspective that can give a morsel of behind-the-scenes coverage. It’s just that they don’t do it often enough. But when they do it, it’s great. Here’s hoping the reaction to the moment Jesper Horsted learns he made the team influences the Bears to do more content like this.
• For more, you’ll want to watch the latest installment of 1920 Football Drive, which goes inside building out that 53-player roster and the decisions that went into it:
• Let’s appreciate Matt Nagy’s attempt at making a cross-sport comp:
Matt Nagy compares Aaron Donald to a great scorer in basketball. Said Donald is going to get his points, but #Bears have to limited him to "like 8 points, 4 rebounds and 7 assists. Can't let him get that triple-double."
— Adam Hoge (@AdamHoge) September 10, 2021
• Not all triple-doubles are created equally. And when it comes to stopping Aaron Donald, it isn’t just about limiting his scoring, rebounding, and assisting numbers. Teams need to pick him up full court, which keeps him from building up a full head of steam on his way to the basket. Players need to rotate in order to stop him from making the extra pass that leads to a dangerous 3-point shooter from getting a clean look. And coaches need to attack and challenge him so he doesn’t get too comfortable early. But one thing I think we can agree on, there’s no stopping Aaron Donald. You can only hope to contain him.
• The Bears have been game-planning for this game since training camp opened its doors. And possibly before that. Nevertheless, these tweets are worth discussing as we approach game day:
– Outside-the-numbers WR bubble screens
– Play-action passes
– Vertical shots
– Toss runs
– Empty sets
– Passing on early downsThere are ways to win in 2021 without running the ball, the Bears just have to embrace them. Can’t be traditional vs LAR imho
— Robert Schmitz (@robertkschmitz) September 10, 2021
• I’m with Robert, here. A vanilla game plan won’t cut it. The Bears will need to think outside-of-the-box and attack with something no one sees coming. Otherwise, it’ll be a long night.
• Ugh. Nose tackle Eddie Goldman’s status is in doubt for Sunday’s opener.
• Your Week 1 Game Preview lives here:
More Parties in L.A.: BEARS at RAMS – September 12, 2021https://t.co/VG3FTpO1EC
— Bleacher Nation Bears (@BN_Bears) September 10, 2021
• I’m wholly convinced that Marc Tresman doing this and wrecking two years of Bears fans lives have led to fans hating that Matt Nagy does this now:
#Bears will rotate captains weekly. RB David Montgomery, LB Roquan Smith and DB DeAndre Houston-Carson will be up for Sunday night.
— Brad Biggs (@BradBiggs) September 10, 2021
• No one took issue with this in 2018. And if the Bears get back to winning like that, no one will think of it again. Well, at least until the team starts losing again.
• For your listening pleasure:
🚨New Episode Alert🚨@BearDown_Report
Got to sit down with former @ChicagoBears RB @apgsu3
We talked his career @GeorgiaSouthern, being drafted by the #Bears, blocking for Devin Hester, life in the #NFL & fatherhood
Available where you get your podshttps://t.co/ctnfEPh7o1
— Ryan Dengel (@RyanDengel) September 10, 2021
• Nyheim Hines and the Colts agreeing to a three-year extension worth $18.6 million had me thinking about last year’s Tarik Cohen deal. Hines’ usage is similar to what you’d want Cohen’s to be. Because while Jonathan Taylor and Marlon Mack get theirs, Hines finds ways to make plays with speed bursts in the passing game and in unique running ways. Whenever Cohen comes back after his IR stint, we’ll probably want to examine how Indy uses its three-headed backfield monster. Because when that group in Chicago is at full strength, the David Montgomery-Tarik Cohen-Damien Williams has potential to be something.
• The Cowboys will be without one of their best offensive linemen:
More on the five-game suspension for Cowboys’ RT La’el Collins:https://t.co/WDKHtMfvhT
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) September 10, 2021
Cowboys RT La’el Collins did not test positive for substance, source said. He declined to test. In any event, suspension stands. He’ll be docked five game checks — an amount that would be higher if not for March contract restructure, which converted some salary to signing bonus.
— Michael Gehlken (@GehlkenNFL) September 10, 2021
• Another worthwhile news nugget from Michael Gehlkin: There is an expectation WR Michael Gallup will miss 3-5 weeks after suffering a calf injury in Thursday’s Week 1 loss to the Buccaneers. This will sting the Cowboys a bit, but they still have a slew of offensive firepower. But this really hurts Gallup, who will be a free agent at year’s end. Dealing with an injury in a contract year is the worst timing for a player with his skills, and at a crowded position. And while it might be too early to dive too deep down the rabbit hole, Gallup — as a player at a position of need, still young, and with untapped upside — is the type of free agent target the Bears *SHOULD* have eyes for next offseason. We’ll monitor this in the future.
• As the NFL continues to search for new revenue streams and try to build a relationship with Amazon, this could be worth watching how this cookie crumbles:
Amazon reportedly is in talks to land Sunday Ticket. https://t.co/1Oc1AQG4j8
— ProFootballTalk (@ProFootballTalk) September 10, 2021
• I’m glad I wasn’t near a TV for the Kris Bryant return because it would have been an emotional moment for someone who followed his climb unlike anything else:
Kris Bryant Got Emotional During His Tribute Video at Wrigley Field, and To Be Honest, Same – https://t.co/QNjFf98MVT pic.twitter.com/IzJmVKlpdl
— Bleacher Nation (@BleacherNation) September 10, 2021
The Kris Bryant quote that got me most. 🥺
(via https://t.co/sERODxqkHH) pic.twitter.com/DgsZw1fL4E
— Bleacher Nation (@BleacherNation) September 11, 2021
• It is interesting seeing the push and pull when it comes to projecting the Chicago Bulls’ short-term future. But two recent power rankings are a bit more on the optimistic side of things when comparing with some other recent trends.
• Reminder on the promos! Free NFL jersey of your choice (and a $5,000 risk-free bet) when you sign up here and bet at Caesar’s. You can also get huge week one odds boosts at DraftKingsand FanDuel. These books want you in the door this season, so they make these huge promos at the start of the NFL season. Jump on it if you’re able in your state, and if you’re interested.
