It’s win or go home time for the Bulls in Milwaukee tonight. But about 90 miles south, I wonder if this evening marks the final time we’ll see Patrick Kane and Jonathan Toews together. The Blackhawks are in the midst of re-shaping their franchise and both players are set to play their final game in the penultimate year of their contracts. That we could be seeing the end game for both of the United Center’s tenants makes today feel a bit odd at the jump.
• A tip of the cap to the Jacksonville Jaguars, who have spent the offseason doing everything in their power to give quarterback Trevor Lawerence everything he could need to succeed as he enters his second year in the pros. New head coach with an offensive-leaning background? He got it in Doug Pederson. Spending a bunch of money on playmaking offensive weapons? Jags did it in spades. And their latest transaction locks down the left side of the offensive line for the next few years with a Cam Robinson extension:
https://twitter.com/RapSheet/status/1519322951916548096
• The NFL is so wild to me. Robinson went from being on the brink of not being brought back in February, to being given the Franchise Tag in March, then getting an extension in April. And a hefty one, too. Robinson’s new deal pays him $18 million per year, which makes him the seventh-highest-paid left tackle on a per-year basis. That’s good money if you can get it.
• As if you were needing a reminder that it is important to nail the NFL Draft, Robinson — who hasn’t made a Pro Bowl and ranked 72nd, 70th, 62nd, and 48th among tackles at PFF in the four years in which he was a primary starter — secured the bag at the top-of-the-market rate. Sheesh.
• I’d follow that by suggesting that Jacksonville’s extension potentially mucks things up ahead of the draft, but the Jaguars are doing that on their own accord:
Jaguars' Shad Khan, Trent Baalke Disagree On No. 1 Pick? https://t.co/QD3mjFHzxN pic.twitter.com/3xVw7d9afd
— Pro Football Rumors (@pfrumors) April 26, 2022
• Nothing like the owner and GM sparring over the first pick. It’s not like Jacksonville hasn’t been in a position to iron this out for MONTHS or anything.
• As for the Bears, well, time is a flat circle:
Seven years ago in Chicago …
(One of my favorite headlines ever from our brilliant sports desk, by the way …) pic.twitter.com/IArVXT2ASS
— Dan Wiederer (@danwiederer) April 27, 2022
• Don’t call it a comeback rebuild. No, seriously. Don’t do it. In preaching patience, GM Ryan Poles was hesitant to use the “R” word when describing what the Bears were doing. “The rebuild thing is, like, super sensitive,” Poles said (via Chris Emma, 670 The Score). “We’re constructing a very good football team. Regardless of how you use whatever term that is, we just continue to add talent.”
• The Bears haven’t added much in terms of impact talent. Instead, opting for short-term bridge players on low-cost deals. Hence, the up-tick in using the word “rebuild” to describe what’s happening in Chicago. I, myself, am hesitant to use the term. But mostly because a rebuild implies you have to tear down and build again. And Poles really hasn’t had to do that part. Then again, the tear-down was already done by his predecessor leaving him with a flock of outgoing free agents. Essentially, Poles inherited a clean slate. So, yeah, I can understand why he isn’t using “rebuild” to describe the current proceedings. Now, about that continuing to add talent part…
• Robert Quinn has had a way with words in his short time with the Bears. And in saying that he doesn’t want a trade (via ESPN’s Courtney Cronin), Quinn shared some unique perspective on the Bears’ “rebuilding” phase:
“I don’t think that’s the right way we should phrase it, because people in — the guys in the building are professionals and I think everyone carries themselves to high expectations,” Quinn said. “I believe, me personally, no player is better than me, and I believe everyone else should carry themselves the same way. So to say, ‘a rebuild’ is, I guess, a funny word. I think it’s just getting guys to believe who they truly are, and perform at their high level of expectations, because everyone’s talented enough, because they’re here. Now you’ve just got to go prove it.”
• If Quinn wants to hop into the media biz post playing career, I think he’ll have a good future.
• The end of this Tigers-twins game was even wilder than Detroit’s season-opening walk-off win against the White Sox:
Was That Tigers-Twins Ending the Most Mistake-Filled, Comeback Walk-Off Ever? – https://t.co/6i35ad2F5n pic.twitter.com/jahKCJ1A9E
— Baseball is Fun (@flippingbats) April 27, 2022
• In a game that didn’t have all that many highlights for the Cubs, Michael Hermosillo’s catch stands out:
Michael Hermosillo Just Made an Incredible Catch, Crashing Into the Wall, Making Marcus Stroman Smile – https://t.co/CVuUSm0Jtz pic.twitter.com/5W4J3GCpg6
— Bleacher Nation (@BleacherNation) April 27, 2022
• Remembering that Hermosillo turned down a scholarship offer to play football at Illinois to pursue baseball makes me wonder if he has any juice left to play receiver for the Bears. Hey, don’t give me that look. I’m willing to explore any and all options to help Justin Fields find someone to throw to this year.