NEWSLETTER
Some songs are timeless, and George Michael’s Careless Whisper is one of them. I think it’s cool that the sax is being used as a TikTok bit, if only because I’m all about sharing all eras of art and music by any means necessary. I mean, I got into a bunch of soul music because of Kanye West samples. So, who’s to say a 30-second video clip can’t help get someone into something that’ll change their listening ear?
• The saga continues:
#Bears were going to re-open Halas Hall for media and in-person interviews today. The team just pivoted and will hold virtual interviews today.
That suggests there could be additional positive COVID-19 test(s).
— Brad Biggs (@BradBiggs) October 28, 2021
• Due to the surge in COVID-19 cases among the Bears, the team entered “enhanced protocols” earlier in the week. That means mandatory mask-wearing for folks at Halas Hall, as well as daily testing for players, coaches, and staffers. Per Biggs’ tweet, it appears as if they were about to put those in the rear-view. Here’s hoping this is just a precautionary measure.
• Seeing news that reserve linebacker Caleb Johnson is being activated from the COVID reserve list is encouraging. Johnson had been dealing with injury issues before landing on the Reserve/COVID-19 list late last week. Perhaps this signals his return could be around the corner. Maybe others will follow?
• My default is optimism, so I’m definitely joining Justin Fields in feeling this way:
Justin Fields thinks he's close to a breakout game:
"I can feel it." #Bears
— Mark Grote (@markgrotesports) October 27, 2021
• Sure, the Niners have a Bosa brother who eats quarterbacks for breakfast. And yet, San Fran has given up 2+ TD passing games in four of six games. Sure, Aaron Rodgers and Russell Wilson will do that to plenty of defenses. But coughing up 338 yards and 3 TDs to Jared Goff? Another two scores for Carson Wentz, plus one on the ground? C’mon, now. If the doesn’t give you hope for Fields this week, I’m not sure what will.
• Seeing that Jalen Hurts, Russell Wilson, and Carson Wentz had rushing touchdowns against the 49ers makes me think this is a good week to scheme up some designed runs for Fields. Not too many, as I don’t want to put him in harm’s way. But it would be neat to see this offense cater to Fields’ strengths.
• Maybe the offense can get it in gear with an inspired effort from the guys in the trenches. This offensive line has been taking a licking for most of the year, but kudos to Jason Peters holding it down:
Run block win rate at left tackle (x) by pass block win rate at right tackle (y).
-PBWR loving Charles Leno Jr.
-Friendly reminder Andrew Whitworth is 39
-Rashawn Slater the only rookie above average in PBWR
-Orlando Brown disappointing in PBWR pic.twitter.com/0Umo5pQwOY— Seth Walder (@SethWalder) October 27, 2021
• I’d be remiss if I didn’t point out Charles Leno Jr.’s placement on this chart being excellent. Like … that’s All-Pro worthy at this point of the season. And, frankly, Leno breaking out after leaving the Bears would be a bitter pill to swallow. Thankfully, Peters has done well enough to hold down the fort. At his age and coming off a disappointing season, I wasn’t expecting much from Peters. But he has proven me wrong, and I can respect it. No, Peters isn’t a long-term answer at the position. However, being a valuable stop-gap shouldn’t be overlooked.
• Admittedly, I let this one slip past me earlier in the week. But let’s give some more love to Juice Herbert:
Highest rushing grades in Wk 7 before MNF 👀 pic.twitter.com/75dDtcgPV0
— PFF (@PFF) October 25, 2021
• SMALL SAMPLE ALERT — Herbert’s 17-game projection based on the last three games looks like this: 311 carries, 1,541 yards, 5 rushing touchdowns. Just gonna leave that there for your consumption.
• FWIW: The Niners have given up the 17th fewest fantasy points to running backs, per Yahoo!’s scoring system. But Indy’s Jonathan Taylor put up an 18-107-1 line on SNF last week. And San Fran has given up rushing scores to RB1s in each of the last four weeks, with Aaron Jones (GB), Alex Collins (Sea), and James Connor joining Taylor in finding pay dirt. Here’s a thought: Fields and Herbert have breakout games!
• Bummer: Cardinals star defender JJ Watt needs season-ending shoulder surgery, per ESPN’s Josh Weinfuss. Watt suffered the injury during the team’s win against the Texans, his former team. Ugh. This stinks for a player who left what is turning out to be a toxic Houston organization, helps push the Cards to a 7-0 start, only to be unable to contribute in the second half. Maybe there is a small chance Watt returns for a postseason run, but he’ll need some medical opinions that would green-light that option.
• Ninja food gear, Shark vacuums, and more are your Epic Daily Deals over at Amazon. #ad
• Looking forward to watching the Bulls tonight, as the celebration of Joakim Noah’s career takes center stage:
The Joakim Noah Tribute Video Is Out and It’s Awesomehttps://t.co/cyv1r363Yy pic.twitter.com/hIYK9QPeCd
— Bleacher Nation Bulls (@BN_Bulls) October 28, 2021
• OPE:
Turns Out There Was Already a ‘Cleveland Guardians’ – And Now They’re Suing the Baseball Team – https://t.co/4B2tcylJhy pic.twitter.com/VEjoUeyH92
— Bleacher Nation (@BleacherNation) October 27, 2021
• This Blackhawks stuff is heavy, but needs to be read:
Former Blackhawks Player Kyle Beach Speaks Publicly About the Abuse He Endured – https://t.co/kwzZG0sRtY
— Bleacher Nation Blackhawks (@BN_Blackhawks) October 27, 2021
What Happens Now to Joel Quenneville and Kevin Cheveldayoff?https://t.co/f1sMXOHgSi
— Bleacher Nation Blackhawks (@BN_Blackhawks) October 27, 2021
Kane and Toews Speak: Beach, Aldrich, Bowman, Consequences, Morehttps://t.co/SRZseMizWN pic.twitter.com/7cFj4R1quC
— Bleacher Nation Blackhawks (@BN_Blackhawks) October 28, 2021
