NEWSLETTER
I was in attendance for Monday’s Cubs-Cardinals game, which was a tidy 2 hour, 16 minute affair between the long-time rivals. Surely, Rob Manfred enjoyed it much more than I did because of the pace of game. But eight total baserunners in nine innings kinda felt like a snoozer. Maybe the Commish will give these teams some juiced-up balls to play with to get some scoring up.
- The cuts are in and Chicago’s football team is down to 80 players. And well before the 3 p.m. CT deadline, might I add! Dazz Newsome being a sixth-round pick from the NFL Draft class of 2021 makes him the headliner of this group, but his placement on waivers wasn’t a shocker. Newsome was having issues with drops and muff punts this summer. And as is often the case with a new regime, guys on the roster fringes are walking a tightrope where every step is magnified. Newsome simply had one too many missteps to not fall.
- This really gives the teardown Ryan Poles has gotten himself into in Chicago some real perspective:
- If the Bears’ cuts are an indication of what is to come around the league today, then I can’t imagine any splashy names making it to the wire. That leaves us waiting until the Aug. 30 cut date being one where we see more “surprise” cuts. And perhaps that is when the Bears could make some moves on the margins. Don’t get me wrong. I don’t think the Bears are landing the type of player (receiver, o-lineman, cornerback) who will change the trajectory of their rebuild. But there will surely be players who can help the team improve on the margins and raise this team’s floor. And the Bears should be sniffing around those players if they become available. We’ll keep our eyes open around the league to see what shakes out.
- Could you imagine if the Bears had no kickers on their roster? Nah. Couldn’t be us:
- NFL Network insider Ian Rapoport reports the Washington Commanders slid pass-rusher Chase Young onto the Reserve/PUP List. This move clears a roster space, but also puts Young – the 2020 AP Defensive Rookie of the Year – out of action for at least the first four games of the regular season. The Bears host Washington’s football team in Week 6. And even though Young could be back by then, Rapoport hinting that the stint on IR/PUP could extend beyond the first four games of the year makes it a situation we’ll continue monitoring.
- And yes, trimming the IR stint from 6 to 4 games (as well as goin from unlimited to returns from IR to 8) are among the rule changes for the 2022. A refresher from the league can be found here.
- This brought a big ol’ smile to my face:
- Of course our friends at Obvious Shirts are on it:
- This stock watch feature from Alyssa Barbieri (BearsWire) puts the standing of some young Bears into perspective. Giving some of these position battles depth feels important as we head into the preseason final and then a round of cuts where teams need to trim 27 players from their rosters. For instance, offensive lineman Shon Coleman figures to be in a place where he can make a case for himself. Chicago’s offensive line is still something of a hodgepodge mess. A solid showing after some struggles earlier in the preseason could open some eyes. Otherwise, the Bears still have 14 others vying for a position.
- With that in mind, former Bears Scouting Director Greg Gabriel provides a scout’s perspective on what to make of the upcoming preseason finale in writing over at Windy City Gridiron.
- This is what the Browns depth chart looks like ahead of Saturday’s showdown against the Bears:
- We probably won’t see most of Cleveland’s “regulars” on Saturday, but it is a depth chart still worth sharing. If only because it should serve as a reminder that a well-rounded roster rebuild isn’t just about quarterbacks and receivers. The Browns have young talent at every level. Sprinkling some veteran help (*cough*AmariCooper*cough*) helps, too.
- I see the Bears weren’t the only team with notable contract beef at camp:
- The Roquan Smith and Jessie Bates situations don’t make for an apples-to-apples comparison. But it reminds us that the Bears aren’t alone in having an unsettled contract dispute looming over their heads.
- Tab cooks up a Corey Crawford appreciation post at BN Blackhawks:
- I’m very much into GOAT Stuff, thanks for asking:
- Here’s hoping PGA 2K23 gives us Jordan-Barkley mode.
- Meet the new guy taking the bump for the Cubs today against the Cardinals:
