It’s been 158 days that have passed since my darling girlfriend died on Christmas Eve. And on a day like today, I feel every last second of those days that have gone by. Today would’ve been her 38th birthday, so I’m writing with a heavy heart. I miss her so much. Everything from her snort-laugh to her commandeering of the aux cord when she got in my car to her audible groans after watching Justin Fields take another sack because someone didn’t pick up a blitz protection. Hug a loved one while you can because you never know when it’ll be your last chance to do so.
Yesterday was Gale Sayers’ birthday and this thread does wonders in celebrating his excellence:
BOTD Gale Sayers Gale (9-113-4 2-89-1 5-134-1 PR) scored 6 TD’s vs the #49ers setting the then single season TD record his rookie season. 80 yard screen pass 21, 7, 50, 1, yard rushes 85 yard punt return#DaBears#GaleSayersThreadpic.twitter.com/1TxKLP648N— Old Time Football 🏈 (@Ol_TimeFootball) May 30, 2023
Sayers is on that short list of NFL players whose highlights leave you thinking yeah, this guy can play in any era. The Kansas Comet played like he was dropped into Chicago from the future with his hard cuts, wiggle, and tackle-breaking ability. If Sayers had modern medicine, his career could’ve been so different. It still would’ve been full of awesomesauce, but we would’ve gotten more of it and for longer.
There is no doubt in my mind that Sayers would’ve made this list of the NFL’s most explosive ball carriers if he was playing today. Even without Sayers, there *IS* a Bears star sitting pretty at No. 1. You guessed it! Justin Fields’ Explosive Score comes out to 98 on a 100-point scale based on Next Gen Stats speed, average speed, and number of big plays. Nick Shook, the post’s author, calls Fields’ 2022 break-through campaign “visually thrilling” and it’s a perfect description of how I’d relay it to someone else who wasn’t watching those games like we were (and despite the circumstances).
So many people see that clip as an example of Fields tucking and running at the first sign of trouble when that isn’t at all what happened. Watch and re-watch the video above. And maybe you’ll see my favorite nugget — which is Fields dropping back to throw, showing off elusiveness in the pocket, and squares up to throw again before taking off.
While I didn’t get into Fortnite, I know many people who did. So I find this worth sharing:
Bears Head Coach Matt Eberflus might think the NFL’s new kickoff/fair catch rule could lead to more returns. But Adam Hoge (CHGO) explains why he thinks the rule change could backfire on the NFL. Hoge does play the role of special teams coordinator for Carmel Football in suburban Mundelein, so his perspective here is a unique one.
There was only one suitable image for me for the quote tweet:
Only 102 days until the Bears and Packers renew acquaintances. I’m sure you’re keeping score at home. If not, then maybe you should start.
Over at BN’s NFL wing, Patrick strings together sentences and paragraphs about Commanders QB Sam Howell. There was a time when forecasts had Howell going first overall in the 2022 NFL Draft. But a disappointing final year at North Carolina kept him from realizing that potential. Part of me will always wonder if Mitchell Trubisky’s arc from Tar Hells QB to first signal caller taken in his draft class to *gestures at his pro career* played a role in Howell’s draft stock falling. Let me be clear. I’m not saying it was the reason. However, recency biases can be a helluva thing. But I digress. The Bears will see Howell on Thursday Night Football in Week 5. Well, unless he isn’t the starter.
Speaking of Trubisky, it sounds like his recent extension might’ve saved him from the cutting block:
The details of the Mitch Trubisky extension suggest he accepted it in the face of a not-so-subtle message that he could be cut if he didn't. https://t.co/vbW7PgZHJu— ProFootballTalk (@ProFootballTalk) May 30, 2023
Self-awareness: I think Mitchell has it.
There is a very obvious joke to make here, but I’m in no mood to make it:
My thoughts are with the family and friends of Bill McGovern, who the Los Angeles Times reports died after a bout with an undisclosed form of cancer. McGovern was the Bears’ Inside Linebackers Coach in 2021, but left to be UCLA’s defensive coordinator in 2022 after he wasn’t retained for a second season.
Tab has an update on where all of the Chicago Blackhawks’ 2023 NHL Draft picks land now that the Stanley Cup Final is set. (BN Blackhawks)
The Bulls parlaying the Heat’s NBA Finals run into standing pat would annoy the heck out of me. And Eli, too, as it turns out:
Luis C. Medina, who you can find on Twitter at lcm1986, has been covering the Chicago Bears at Bleacher Nation since 2017. Since then, he has written about 3 head coaches, 5 play-callers, and 11 starting quarterbacks. Previously, Luis wrote about the Cubs and MLB at BN (2015-16) and worked in the Chicago Tribune sports department (2011-16). He also co-hosted a Cubs postgame show, Outside the Ivy, in 2019.
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