NEWSLETTER
Had some fun explaining to a friend that — while I like chocolate and bananas — I do not like when bananas are dipped in chocolate. (Michael: Well, you’re fired).
• We need more offensive linemen openly discussing their gigs publicly:
It really bothers me seeing some of y’all talk about OL play. No one puts anything in perspective. Scheme fits, body types, talent, etc…Some of your best OLs fundamentals are unorthodox! The problem is most of y’all don’t even know the basics
— Orlando Brown Jr. (@ZEUS__57) February 15, 2022
• And I’m not talking about just players. We, as a football-consuming public, need more offensive linemen represented in broadcast booths on game day breaking down why plays do (and don’t) work. Let’s face it. So often these plays fall apart because of what happens in the trenches. And on the other end of the spectrum, so many of the splash plays that we crave from our offense come when everything is properly blocked. We need them on studio sets on FOX, CBS, NBC, ESPN, Amazon (they’re getting the Thursday Night Football package), and everywhere else. All for the sake of adding depth and sharing knowledge from the perspective of players who have to know their responsibilities and what everyone else around them is doing, too. I know we’ve got some, but Orlando Brown Jr.’s tweet reminds me that we could always use more.
• With that in mind, I’m digging that two of the three top-50 free-agents-to-be who are deemed to be fits for the Bears are offensive linemen. It is painfully obvious how much Chicago’s football team needs playmakers on the outside. But the only bigger need is in the trenches. It’s not as if the Bears have the worst line in the game. But there are some obvious trouble spots. Ignoring them now will only cause more problems down the line.
• Yes, Larry Borom was able to exceed the expectations that come with being a rookie who was a Day 3 pick. And I’m definitely into what Teven Jenkins projects to be based on his size, skills, and prospect pedigree. But this unit still could stand to improve. Moreover, this front office might have different visions of what its offensive line should look like than the previous regime. Heck, I hope that is the case. Whatever it was Ryan Pace and his gang were doing over seven years wasn’t working as effectively as it could have been. It’s among the reasons a new cast of characters is running the show now.
• Transitioning from offensive line to digging through data to see what it looks like when Justin Fields is throwing under pressure feels right. In the third installment of a wonderfully informative series, Johnathan Wood (Da Bears Blog) offers up the numbers showing how Fields performs under pressure. And the results are exactly what you would expect if you spent any time watching Chicago football this season.
• No matter how you slice it, Fields was feeling the heat. Pro Football Focus had Fields pressured on 43 percent of drop backs, which is the third highest rate of the 39 quarterbacks who qualify for a leaderboard that no one wants to be at the top at the end of the day. Pro Football Reference, which has different standards for pressure rates, had Fields at 27 percent — the fifth highest number. Pressure numbers should be seen as a shared responsibility, especially when discussing a rookie QB. But I can’t come away from any of that without thinking about the need to improve the offensive line.
• Given enough time in the pocket, Justin Fields can make throws like this:
An incredible play from Justin Fields to start your day off right.
Feels the heavy pressure from the blindside, sees his #1 is covered (ARob) and puts the ball deep in the exact spot it needed to be… Unfortunately the ball was dropped but a great play anyways.#Bears #DaBears pic.twitter.com/EKGitqAY2R
— Bears Nation (@BearsNationCHI) February 8, 2022
• That Allen Robinson II drop was symbolic of his season. Of note, Robinson is on Alex Kay’s list of 2022 NFL free agents whose stock took a dip because of their play in 2021. There is some real bounce-back potential on this list. But there are also players with major red flags. Proceed with caution when approaching these free-agents-to-be.
• Jeez! Ya think Fields could use some help on the outside?
Bears WR/TEs under contract for 2022:
Darnell Mooney
Dazz Newsome
Isaiah Coulter
Nsimba WebsterCole Kmet
Jesper Horsted (ERFA)
JP Holtz (FB)— Mike Clay (@MikeClayNFL) February 14, 2022
• Of those receivers and tight ends under contract, Darnell Mooney and Cole Kmet are the only ones not on reserve/future deals. There’s gonna be some heavy lifting at those positions this offseason.
• Ooh, this is neat. The Bears launched a Twitter account sharing content in Spanish:
¡Ya estamos en España! 🐻🇪🇸 Gracias al programa internacional lanzado por la @NFL, estaremos un poco más cerca de vosotros contándoos el día a día del equipo. Síguenos para más contenido 🔝. #VamosBears | @ChicagoBears pic.twitter.com/e7vaDFuVlt
— Chicago Bears en España (@Bears_ES) February 16, 2022
• Did you know “oso” is the Spanish word for bear? Y ahora tú sabes.
• I’m looking forward to the Bears beating this guy and his team twice a year:
The 10th head coach in franchise history.
Welcome to Minnesota, Kevin O'Connell!
📰: https://t.co/tmuev8WIFF pic.twitter.com/9mJlcXqUfZ
— Minnesota Vikings (@Vikings) February 16, 2022
• For your listening pleasure:
🚨Episode 74🚨
The guys are back to breakdown:
➡️Free agents from the Super Bowl to watch
➡️When the #Bears Super Bowl window could open
➡️Ranking the #Bears rookie class compared to the rest of the #NFL
➡️And more!Link: https://t.co/LSmc5IJDOK pic.twitter.com/4qXn2Dj6b5
— PSF Bears™️ (@PSF_Bears) February 16, 2022
• With MLB owners dragging their lockout into mid-February, the struggle is real when it comes to hyping myself up for baseball season. Thankfully, Bryan’s ranking of the Cubs’ top-10 prospects provides a nice treat for fans itching for baseball conversation.
• I wonder if the Blackhawks are about to embark on a noteworthy team-wide breakup:
Sounds Like Some Teams Have Been Asking the Blackhawks About Patrick Kane’s Availability in Tradehttps://t.co/xllDxLvYAn pic.twitter.com/4UAy75DjiP
— Bleacher Nation Blackhawks (@BN_Blackhawks) February 15, 2022
REPORT: Vegas Is Showing Interest in a Trade for Blackhawks Goalie Marc-André Fleuryhttps://t.co/RkhaArwcLd pic.twitter.com/h7KC6uSYzD
— Bleacher Nation Blackhawks (@BN_Blackhawks) February 15, 2022
• Those Dosunmu dimes are dropping from all directions:
Players with the most assists since January 16th …
Chris Paul
Luka Doncic
Nikola Jokic
Dejounte Murray
Trae Young
AYO DOSUNMUThe rookie is COOKING. pic.twitter.com/WdatzGYA4b
— Bleacher Nation Bulls (@BN_Bulls) February 16, 2022
