NEWSLETTER
The evolution of brunch from a meal to an event deserves its own 30-for-30 type of documentary. Is this something Food Network would be into covering? Asking for a friend.
• As we continue to await the Bills’ decision regarding matching Ryan Bates’ offer sheet from the Bears, here is a nice reminder as to why we’re obsessing over any and all offensive line additions:
Highest graded first year QB’s when kept clean last season
🥇 Mac Jones: 87.4
🥈 Justin Fields: 80.4
🥉 Davis Mills: 75.8 pic.twitter.com/MlUkL0042y— PFF College (@PFF_College) March 25, 2022
• Obviously, a great quarterback lifts everyone around him. But a solid offensive line can do wonders in allowing quarterbacks opportunities to do it. Sure, there are some who break the mold and are exception to the rule. But we’ve seen it repeatedly how, in the game’s biggest moments, having base-level competence in the trenches can be the difference between winning and losing. At this stage of the offseason, the Bears aren’t in a position to add an impact offensive lineman. However, that shouldn’t stop them from piecing together useful depth and bringing in players with upside who can grow. And that is why we’re intently following the Bates offer sheet storyline.
• A good bit of perspective when it comes to the possibility of the Bills matching the Bates offer sheet:
The mental gymnastics on the Ryan Bates topic is a fun one.
– Would the #Bears have to “overpay” to get the Bills not to match?
– Would the Bills match any reasonable offer considering they could have avoided this entire thing with a 2nd round tender?
— Aaron Leming (@AaronLemingNFL) March 24, 2022
• The football nerd in me loves the gamesmanship of these things. And I’ll love it even more if we can begin discussing Bates as part of this new-look offensive line.
• I’m digging Chris Emma’s description of new center Lucas Patrick in his latest at 670 The Score:
In between the lines, Patrick is considered a physical presence who plays with a nasty streak. He’s exactly the type of offensive lineman whom new Bears general manager Ryan Poles wanted as he works to reshape Chicago’s offense around 23-year-old quarterback Justin Fields.
• The Bears were definitely needing to upgrade in talent across the board along the line. But the team was also in a place where it was necessary to bring in players who can help establish an identity. Last year’s line had its moments where it was productive, but was lacking something. It didn’t have the type of nastiness that consistently good lines tend to have. To be clear, Patrick won’t single-handedly make the new Bears line a force. And he won’t do it overnight. But if his grind rubs off on others? Yeah, that would be nice.
• Remember when Germain Ifedi was upset with Teven Jenkins on Monday Night Football? That crossed my mind for no particular reason right now:
Why Germain Ifedi Was Mad at Teven Jenkins on Monday Night Footballhttps://t.co/NkCDnV3OAr
— Bleacher Nation Bears (@BN_Bears) December 23, 2021
• Better yet, do you recall when Justin Fields praised Jenkins for his physicality while having his QB’s back?
Teven Jenkins is a Work in Progress, But You Gotta Love the Physicalityhttps://t.co/WTxYNj3HnB
— Bleacher Nation Bears (@BN_Bears) December 21, 2021
• If the Bears properly build their line, they can make the most of Darnell Mooney’s big-play ability down the field:
Darnell Mooney had 29 receptions of 15+ yards in 2021…
Tied for 9th among WRs 🔥 pic.twitter.com/D2YU3PEzhu
— PFF CHI Bears (@PFF_Bears) March 26, 2022
• Beefing up the blocking and ratcheting the efforts to land some receiver help would go a long way toward Alex Ballentine’s Bleacher Report prediction of Justin Fields being the Bears’ breakout player in 2022.
• Always good to see Fields and Mooney put in that offseason work:
Very likely Darnell Mooney’s breakout continues into 2022, he and Justin Fields seem to always be building on their chemistry.
(🎥 Simeon.Kelley) pic.twitter.com/X2T9P0WPYj— Max Markham (@MaxMarkhamNFL) March 24, 2022
• Headlamps, skin care, toys, and more are your Deals of the Day at Amazon. #ad
• Is everyone trying to copy the Rams with these moves?
Between the Deshaun Watson, Russell Wilson, Davante Adams and Tyreek Hill trades this month, 7 total first round picks were traded in the NFL.
That’s the most first round picks traded in a single month in the Common Draft era.
A crazy March in the NFL. pic.twitter.com/d80gazDvgu
— Field Yates (@FieldYates) March 27, 2022
• It would’ve been nice if the Bears could’ve gotten one for Khalil Mack. Nevertheless, we’ve seen a lot of movement of picks this offseason.
• What’s wild about how the Rams do business is that they stockpile draft capital despite disposing of first-round picks the way I toss out old mail. The Rams haven’t used a first-round pick since 2016. But since the start of the 2017 season, they’ve made 45 picks. Their trade-backs have been plentiful and bountiful, to say the least. These Rams haven’t have had at least eight picks in each of the last five draft classes. And this year will be no different, as L.A. projects to have another eight selections in April.
• The Bulls sure needed that win last night.
• Nothing beats a little league homer:
Michael Hermosillo Pulls Off the Little League Homer! (VIDEO) – https://t.co/fVcWCMBfHL pic.twitter.com/WZw0bX068g
— Bleacher Nation (@BleacherNation) March 26, 2022
