THE DAILY SPONGIE BIZ MARKIE SPECIAL
BEARRRSSSS
Justin Fields’ bid for QB1 role headlines three important camp battles to watch – CBS Sports – As the Bears look to stay competitive in the North, while potentially turning the page to a new era under center, here’s a look at three critical training camp battles to watch.
Allen Robinson will play the 2021 season on the franchise tag – WGN – For nearly a year, the Bears and their No. 1 receiver have been trying to come to terms on a deal that would keep him in Chicago for the long term. That quest for a middle ground is still ongoing, and will extend into the 2021 NFL season.
Chicago Bears offensive line attracts more slams – Sports Illustrated – Chicago Bears offensive linemen are the targets of more criticism, this from ESPN and Pro Football Focus in analysis for the upcoming season.
Chamberlain: Roquan Smith Extension Needs Chicago Bears’ Attention – Sports Illustrated – A contract extension for linebacker Roquan Smith would normally come right before next season but the Chicago Bears would be wise to pursue one at this point.
Chicago Bears, Blackhawks, Bulls, Cubs, White Sox renew alliance to support solutions to gun violence – ChicagoBears.com – The Chicago Sports Alliance, a collaboration between the Bears, Blackhawks, Bulls, Cubs and White Sox that began in 2017, announced it will move forward for a fourth year to combine the reach and resources of the iconic franchises in support of impactful, evidence-based solutions to gun violence in the city.
2021 Chicago Bears special teams preview: Cairo Santos, potential kick returners – ChicagoBears.com – Veteran kicker Cairo Santos is back with the Bears following a record-breaking 2020 season, having re-signed with the team along with holder/punter Pat O’Donnell and long-snapper Patrick Scales.
How Pro Football Reference’s new sack total tool affects Bears’ legends – 247 Sports – We took a look back updated sack numbers for the Chicago Bears at Pro Football Reference’s new tool that pre-dates 1982.
Changing of the guard: Recapping the NFL’s starting quarterback carousel and where the Chicago Bears fit – 247 Sports – Aaron Leming breaks down the quarterback carousel from the offseason and where each team stands now that we head into 2021 training camp.
POLISH SAUSAGE
Long-time NFL receiver Ted Ginn Jr. announces retirement Friday – Cleveland.com – “I’ve dedicated my entire life to football until now,” Ginn said during his press conference. “I’m going out in peace. … On my own terms, not forced out.”
KNOW THINE ENEMY
Detroit Lions offensive line ranks 29th in completely flawed ESPN projection – Pride Of Detroit – ESPN projects the Lions offensive line to struggle in pass protection, but their projection model is inherently flawed.
Green Bay Packers Lose Money for First Time in Two Decades – Sports Illustrated – With empty stadiums throughout the regular season and fewer customers at the Packers Pro Shop and taking stadium tours, the team’s local revenue plummeted due to COVID-19.
Packers president/CEO Mark Murphy: ‘There’s nothing new to update’ regarding Aaron Rodgers – NFL.com – With training camp only a couple weeks away, the latest update emanating out of Green Bay regarding Aaron Rodgers is that there is no update.
WINDY CITY GRIDIRON FANPOSTS
Michaelspahn11: Training Camp player to watch Thomas Ives – Windy City Gridiron – Going into training camp and preseason, look for wide receiver Thomas Ives to make an impact.
IN CASE YOU MISSED IT ON WINDY CITY GRIDIRON
Wiltfong Jr: 10 Most Important Bears of 2021 #6 Khalil Mack – Windy City Gridiron – For the 13th straight year I’m bringing you who I believe will be the ten most important Bears for the upcoming season. At number 6 is arguably the Bears best player, outside linebacker and perennial Pro Bowler, Khalil Mack.
Schmitz: How much better does “hitting the weight room” make an NFL player? – Windy City Gridiron – In this episode of Bear With Me, Robert S. brings on fitness expert Ross Read to talk through realistic expectations player growth in the offseason.
Sunderbruch: The Ryan Pace Bracket Challenge: Draft #3 vs #6 – Windy City Gridiron – The challenges of a Chicago offseason never relent. In this series, it’s time to see who is the fan-favorite Eddie and which wide receiver pick is worth the most scorn.
Infante: Bears not listed as odds-on favorite to sign Allen Robinson – Windy City Gridiron – The Bears aren’t the odds-on favorite to sign Allen Robinson, but bettors believe they still have a chance to extend him.
THE RULES
Windy City Gridiron Community Guidelines – SBNation.com – We strive to make our communities open and inclusive to sports fans of all backgrounds. The following is not permitted in comments. No personal attacks, politics, gender based insults of any kind, racial insults, etc.
Windy City Gridiron Podcast Channel which includes Bear With Me from Robert Schmitz, Bears Over Beers featuring Jeff Berckes & EJ Snyder, Bears Banter hosted by Bill Zimmerman, Rule of 3 with R. Schmitz, Danny Meehan, and Brandon Robinson, and the occasional T Formation Conversation from Lester A. Wiltfong Jr.; EJ also co-hosts The Bootleg Football Podcast with Brett Kollmann; R. Schmitz has a film breakdown show on YouTube titled Run Pass Opinion; Will Robinson II has his WhiskeyRanger YouTube channel, and Steven’s Streaming Twitch Channel from Steven Schweickert.
Click on our names to follow us on Twitter: Jeff Berckes; Patti Curl; Eric Christopher Duerrwaechter; Kev H; Sam Householder; Jacob Infante; Aaron Lemming; Ken Mitchell; Jack R Salo; Steven Schweickert; Jack Silverstein; EJ Snyder; Lester Wiltfong, Jr.; Whiskey Ranger; Robert Schmitz; Robert Zeglinski; Bill Zimmerman; Like us on Facebook.
