It’s not a real road trip unless something goes completely and utterly (and randomly!) wrong to throw off your timeline. But now that I’m settled in the state of Indiana, let’s hash out a set of Bears Bullets.
- I love Bears quarterback Caleb Williams’ attitude going into Week 3:
- Know what you did wrong, understand why you did it, acknowledge that you did it, and vow not to do it again. Seems simple enough. But the problem is too many people won’t do the understanding or acknowledging part, which usually is a first step toward snowballing small problems into bigger ones. I’m looking forward to seeing how Chicago’s QB1 bounces back after a rough start in the early going.
- Ah, yes. This is why so many teams are hiring off the Shanahan tree:
Boot and Stretch – the stuff of nightmares for defenses.
Belichick breaks down the Shanahan/Kubiak family coaching tree as only he could 👨🏫 pic.twitter.com/i3ff2Xv8un— Inside the NFL (@insidetheNFL) September 19, 2024
- It is no surprise to me that Bill Belichick is this darn good at breakdowns on Inside the NFL. There is a part of me that is looking forward to his next head coaching adventure. But there is also a part of me that wonders if this talent is better off in a broadcast booth. If Amazon Prime was ever to clean house in their booth, I’d hope that Belichick would be one of their first phone calls.
- Nate Tice makes an excellent point here:
- The inability to beat Cover 2 defenses starts in the trenches. If you can’t hold up a block for long enough, then the routes downfield won’t have enough time to clear up and get open. Maybe football coaches (and front offices) need to do a better job of identifying and developing offensive linemen. So many football problems can be fixed by doing that one simple thing.
- Speaking of offensive line problems, Steve Greenberg (Sun-Times) points out problems in the trenches as the biggest concerns for the Chicago Bears. The deck head (journalism slang for that secondary headline under that main that is oftentimes a punchy zinger) referring to that group as a “flimsy wall of beef” is something that should go on bulletin boards at Halas Hall as a motivational tool. I don’t think any offensive lineman worth their salt would see that and just take it without first trying to take it out on someone wearing an opposing jersey on game day.
- Over at the Chicago Bears’ official website, Gabby Hajduk writes about Austin Booker and a homecoming for the rookie defensive end. Booker has played on just 21 percent of the team’s defensive snaps. But I can imagine that it is difficult to squeeze in some time with Montez Sweat, DeMarcus Walker, and Darrell Taylor in front of him on the depth chart. Nevertheless, I like that the Bears can pick and choose their spots with the rookie. In my heart of hearts, I think it will be good for his development.
- OK, this is cold and I kinda want it:
- It’s not as if the Bears were in the market to draft a top-flight corner in the 2025 NFL Draft. But news of East Carolina cornerback Shavon Revel Jr. tearing his ACL during practice (per ESPN’s Pete Thamel) is a bummer to share. ESPN’s Mel Kiper Jr. had Revel as the draft’s No. 2 cornerback prospect. Get well soon, young fella.
- ESPN’s Adam Schefter shares a laundry list of names of players who have already been ruled out for Sunday’s Week 3 action. Some of the biggest include Eagles WR A.J. Brown, Vikings WR Jordan Addison, Bucs safety Antoine Winfield, Niners WR Deebo Samuel, and Rams WR Cooper Kupp. It sure feels like wideouts are cursed this year. I guess it’s not just the Bears.
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- Good news on the basketball front: One of the best throwback jerseys in NBA history is making a comeback. (BN Bulls)
- Opponents beware! We’re apparently seeing a more comfortable and confident version of Connor Bedard. (BN Blackhawks)
- I’ve been waiting for someone associated with the Cubs to say the quiet thing out loud: