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Mitch Trubisky Has Already Begun the Kevin White Restoration Project

By
Erik Lambert
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kevin white

By now most Chicago Bears fans have largely given up on Kevin White. That’s no surprise. The NFL is a what-have-you-done-for-me-lately league. If you fail, or in this case get injured one too many times? Your credibility is shot and you’re declared a bust. White came into the league with so much promise too. He looked like a potential stud at wide receiver. Yet three-straight times his body betrayed him. Nobody would bat an eye if he were cut. Except the Bears aren’t ready to give up just yet, and Mitch Trubisky is leading the charge.

There’s a reason excitement permeates Halas Hall these days. Trubisky is a breath of fresh air at quarterback this organization hasn’t had for a long time. He showed glimpses of his talent last season in some solid performances. Yet that’s only part of it. What has really stood out is what he’s doing off the field. His tireless work ethic is infectious and his willingness to embrace his role as team leader continues to expand.

That became apparent during an interview Bears All Access with 670 The Score. During it, he talked about his eagerness to work with head coach Matt Nagy and the new offensive staff. It was then he dropped a minor nugget that signals his determination to help his team in any way possible. Including a possible revival of once touted draft pick.

Mitch Trubisky doing right by working with Kevin White

White has not played a snap since opening day of the 2017 season. That was when he suffered a freak injury that resulted in a broken shoulder blade. It marked the third-straight time he’d gone on injured reserve as a pro. All told he’s only played five games in his career. One wouldn’t be surprised if he decided it might be better to retire and seek other opportunities.

That isn’t White though. He’s no stranger to adversity. He never should’ve played college football, never should’ve played Division I ball and never should’ve been a first round pick. Erasing doubts is something he’s used to. All it takes is hard work and willpower. Based on the latest indicators, his body is back to full strength.

The question is can Trubisky and Nagy do anything with him? It’s worth noting that Nagy has successfully pulled career-best seasons from underachieving receivers before. In 2016, former third round pick Chris Conley had over 500 yards after being invisible as a rookie. This past year he got over 550 yards from Albert Wilson, a former undrafted free agent. White is more talented than both of those players.

At this point, 500 yards from him would be considered a blessing. Credit to Trubisky for putting in the effort to make it happen.

White Sox Option Thyago Vieira And Charlie Tilson To Minor League Camp

By
Emmet McClain
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Today the White Sox made a handful of moves that involved sending some players to minor league camp. Two of those names were reliever Thyago Vieira, and outfleider Charlie Tilson.

Thyago Vieira was obtained last season from the Seattle Mariners for international bonus pool money. A flamethrower by nature, Vieira sits in the upper 90’s with his fastball, and can reach back for triple digits consistently. His biggest issue is his control, or lack thereof. With the White Sox bullpen rather sparse at the moment, I was a little surprised to see Vieira assigned to the minors. He reached the big leagues last year and threw 1 perfect inning for Seattle.

Once Vieira can show that he can command his fastball more consistently, he should receive a call up to join the White Sox in Chicago. If he hits his ceiling, he can one day be an elite closer. If not, he still should have valuable upside as someone who can be brought into a game to get out of late inning jams.

People remember Tilson as the promising center field prospect who can never seem to stay healthy. During his MLB debut against Detroit in August of 2016, he singled in his first at-bat, but then tore his hamstring later in the game, effectively ending his season. Then in 2017, he suffered a stress fracture in his ankle just as Spring Training was beginning, causing him to miss yet another year of development.

Now fully healthy, the Winnetka, Illinois native will look to prove himself down in the minor leagues. This makes it look like either Adam Engel or Leury Garcia will be the Opening Day center fielder for the White Sox.

 

Bears Just Gained Major Bargaining Power in Landry Trade Talks

By
Erik Lambert
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chicago bears trade rumors

The Chicago Bears trade rumors refuse to cool down, especially in regards to Jarvis Landry. Word persists that they and the Baltimore Ravens are the two primary teams exploring a deal for the 24-year old former Pro Bowler. Last information courtesy of NBC Chicago indicated Chicago might swaps their #8 pick and running back Jordan Howard in exchange for Landry, the Dolphins’ #11 pick, and a third round pick.

Opinion on this sort of deal varies wildly. Some think it’s a fair exchange. Others feel the Bears have no business giving up a Pro Bowl running back and team leader in exchange for a receiver known for being selfish on and off the field. Still, it’s impossible to argue that Landry is head and shoulders better than any receiver the Bears have on their roster.

Thus the interest remains. The problem lay in the price. If only there was a way to improve their bargaining position in such a way that didn’t require sacrificing Howard. As it turns out Chicago may have gotten a giant assist in that department.

Chicago Bears trade rumors on Landry got brighter with tag news

The Dolphins are already in a serious pickle with Landry. Their trade for Robert Quinn sent their salary cap situation down the tubes. They are currently more than $18 million in the red. Landry, at $15 million thanks to his franchise tag contract, is the primary issue. Hence why Miami is so motivated to trade him.

Unfortunately, other teams are aware of this and they don’t have any reason to rush the situation. The longer it plays out, the worse it gets for Miami. Not only that, but the Bears now have even more bargaining power thanks to recent news on the wide receiver free agent front.

For a time it looked like Allen Robinson and Sammy Watkins would both get tagged, leaving the free agent market barren of viable options. This turn of event is huge for the Bears. Why? It essentially allows them to remind Miami that they no longer have to trade for Landry. If they don’t, they can now just make an aggressive push in free agency to sign either of those two receivers. They definitely have the money at a projected $70 million in cap space.

Miami would then have a choice. Either lower their asking price or watch any potential deal go down the tubes. If it’s the former, the Bears get Landry likely without losing Howard. If it’s the latter, they keep Howard and don’t sacrifice anything. It’s a win-win.

Confidence Growing the Bears Can Get Most Vital Re-Signing Done

By
Erik Lambert
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tre roberson
CHICAGO, IL - SEPTEMBER 20: Kyle Fuller #23 of the Chicago Bears runs onto the field during team introductions before the start of their game against the Arizona Cardinals at Soldier Field on September 20, 2015 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Jon Durr/Getty Images)

The Chicago Bears free agency plan can’t get off to a bad start like it did in 2017. When Alshon Jeffery left for Philadelphia last March, it almost gave the team some seriously bad luck. One can bet GM Ryan Pace doesn’t wish to have a repeat performance like that. He got off on the right foot when he successfully extended defensive end Akiem Hicks. However, there is still one big fish left to reel in.

That’s cornerback Kyle Fuller. The 26-year old had a breakout year last season. He finished with two interceptions and 22 passes defended. There was no doubt he was the best player in the Bears secondary. Keeping him would be ideal for them, especially given the host of other players coming out of contract on defense.

The problem is it looks like the Bears don’t plan to use the franchise tag on him. That deadline concludes at 3 p.m. this afternoon. From that point forward the team will have eight days to negotiate a long-term extension before he hits the open market on March 14th at 4 p.m. After what happened with Jeffery, people aren’t confident the Bears can pull it off.

It seems they feel differently though.

Chicago Bears free agency plan definitely involves retaining Fuller

Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune has remained on top of the Fuller situation. The word continues to be that the two sides are interested in getting a deal done. Fuller wants to stay in Chicago. The Bears want him back. The tricky part is finding common ground on a contract. Hence why Fuller is interested in avoiding the tag. He wants to get an idea of his value on the market before making a decision.

The Bears are gambling by not using the tag, but it seems that isn’t because they trust Fuller’s word. More it’s they feel strongly that they can get a deal done without it.

“The deadline to use the franchise or transition tags is 3 p.m. Tuesday and while general manager Ryan Pace said last week at the NFL combine in Indianapolis that all options remained on the table for the team, sources indicate it’s unlikely the Bears will tag Fuller…

..It’s worth wondering if confidence in the ability to re-sign Fuller has played into the club’s decision to not use the tag. While it’s been expected Fuller would wait until reaching the open market when the new league year opens March 14 to determine his future, one source said a deal could be struck to keep him in place before then.”

This is great news for the Bears. Locking up Fuller long-term would instantly ease concerns at the cornerback position, allowing Pace to put his entire focus toward being aggressive at other positions in free agency. Namely wide receiver and edge rusher among others. Odds are Fuller will get somewhere in the $10-12 million per year range, similar to the likes of Dre Kirkpatrick and Darius Slay. If that’s true, the Bears salary cap will remain in great shape.

NBA Draft Prospect Profile:Marvin Bagley III

By
Patrick Mooney
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marvin bagley 2018 nba draft bulls radar

Marvin Bagley III, an 18-year-old freshman big man at Duke, has been a consensus top 5 draft prospect ever since he re-classified last summer.

Some outlets have him listed as THE top prospect, and he’s apparently at the top of the Bulls wish list. 

He isn’t the most prototypical top-five prospect, but he’s exciting nonetheless.

The reason I say he isn’t “prototypical” is that he’s sort of positionless. He isn’t a space eating, rim-protecting defender, which is what NBA teams prefer their centers to be. He isn’t a prolific 3-point shooter (yet), which may make teams reluctant to draft him as a power forward.

However, he has shown abilities on both sides of the floor that could, and quite frankly should, overshadow his weaknesses.

At 6’11, 235 pounds with a 7’0 wingspan, Bagley possesses elite athleticism, as evidenced in the videos above. He routinely overpowers, out runs and out jumps his opponents. As this season has gone on, his skills have started catching up with his athletic abilities.

In ACC play, Bagley is averaging 20.1 points on 59 percent shooting,  11.9 rebounds (4.1 offensive boards!), over a block and a steal a game with a 95.1 Defensive Rating. Those numbers were good enough to win him ACC player of the year.

He’s only attempted 50 three’s this season, but he’s made 18 of them, good for 36 percent. That’s a small sample size and obviously, the college 3-point line is shorter than the NBA line, but that’s still a noticeable improvement from his high school days when he shot under 30 percent from three for his career. It’s especially impressive considering the leap in competition level from high school to the ACC, which shows that his improved percentage is more likely due to a revamped shooting stroke than just a stroke of luck.

Will he ever be a dead-eye shooter? Probably not. But if he could consistently knock down the corner pocket three, and/or become a legitimate pick-and-pop threat, he could explode offensively. Especially if he landed on a team like the Bulls who already have a big that can stretch the floor with the best of ’em.

There have been a lot of comparisons to Chris Bosh, except those comparisons are usually followed by the phrase “except he can’t shoot.” Chris Bosh didn’t shoot more than 74 three’s in a season until his tenth season. He shot just 33.5 percent from three over his career. It’s not a given, but Bagley could become a better shooter than Bosh ever was, and at an earlier age.

Where Bosh and Bagley are the most similar to me is in their defensive styles, which is very intriguing. Bosh was never a prototypical rim protector, but he was a starting center for two championship teams, posting the 2nd and 3rd best defensive ratings of his career.

Bosh would get bullied in the paint by bigger centers, even mediocre ones like Roy Hibbert. But you can live with that with how few post up bigs are currently relevant. Bosh was able to use his top-notch quickness and athleticism to guard sideline to sideline, jump passing lanes and block/alter shots in the paint.

With Bagley’s quickness, burst and leaping ability, he should be able to do everything Bosh was able to do on the defensive end. Those traits could be even more valuable now considering that the pick and roll is so vital in today’s game.

At first glance, Bagley and Lauri Markkanen don’t seem like a great fit. After taking a deeper look, it makes sense that GarPax are reportedly dreaming of making Bagley Markkanen’s running mate.

Is that realistic, though? Despite losing six out of seven after the all-star break, the Bulls remain just the 8th worst team in the league. While the bottom eight are still very jumbled, every team in the bottom seven is trying just as hard as the Bulls are to lose. At most, there are four names that will be called before Bagley’s on draft night. He might not make it past the 3rd pick. It’s seeming more and more unlikely that the Bulls will be able to tank their way into a position to draft him.

Marvin Bagley is an awesome prospect. Too awesome, unfortunately, to make his way to Chicago.

Draft Outcome Is Coming Into Focus For Bears After the Combine

By
Erik Lambert
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chicago bears

The scouting combine for 2018 is over. It featured plenty of intrigues, surprises, and inspirational stories. Also, like most combines, it largely set the final image of how the NFL draft will go this coming April. At least for the first 10 picks that is. Teams had an idea of where certain players stood going into the combine. The event likely confirmed most of their suspicions. That includes the Chicago Bears.

GM Ryan Pace has already had a stellar reputation for draft espionage. Not a single person with any credibility for being a draft insider saw his pick of Mitch Trubisky coming last year. It was a bombshell that impressed several former GMs for its incredible secrecy. So can anybody say for sure they know what the Bears plan to do?

That being said, there is something to take from what certain people around the league might think they’ll do. A source reached out to me regarding what the general buzz is around how the top 10 of the draft will unfold. Though the situation remains chaotic, the consensus at this point paints an interesting picture.

Chicago Bears believed to have aim towards bolstering the offense

“The feeling in league circles is Cleveland is taking (Saquon) Barkley #1 and (Baker) Mayfield at #4. The Giants are taking (Sam) Darnold. Denver will have to settle for (Josh) Rosen or (Josh) Allen and the Bears are planning on taking Quenton Nelson.”

Much of this comes out of the combine results. Barkley tore the event up with absurd numbers. The belief is Cleveland doesn’t want to risk losing out on what could be a generational talent, even if it is a running back. Since they also hold the #4 pick, it presents them a perfect chance to still get a top quarterback.

Near unanimous expectations are that N.C. State pass rusher Bradley Chubb will go to Indianapolis at #3. With Kirk Cousins favored to sign in Minnesota, that will force Denver to draft a QB at #5, be it Rosen or Allen. The Jets would be forced to scoop up the leftovers between those two, leaving just the Buccaneers as the lone obstacle between the Bears and Nelson.

It’s a perfectly viable scenario that carries plenty of sense behind it. Of course, the one thing that remains completely impossible to predict is trades. This idea features zero trades. Only two of the past eight drafts (2010 and 2015) saw the entire top 10 go by without a single trade happening. So while it’s not unprecedented, it’s become rare. Still, if it happens this way the Bears would get themselves a damn good football player.

Bobby Portis Saves Crazy Long Ball From Dunn, Markannen FiNNishes

By
Matthew Milakovich
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This game seemed out of reach within the first five minutes, but at least now our boys are making it somewhat entertaining.

And… the Good Will Hunting GIFs are good.

The Bears Have a Real Chance to Get Best Player in 2018 Draft

By
Erik Lambert
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chicago bears

The Chicago Bears Quenton Nelson buzz began months ago after the 2017 season ended. Not a surprise right? Nelson is considered by many to one of the two or three best prospects in the 2018 draft class. Many think he’s the best overall. The Bears hold the #8 overall pick. So it was only natural his name would get connected to them at some point.

That rumor got a huge jolt a couple weeks ago when the team elected to part ways with veteran guard Josh Sitton. The former Pro Bowler is 32-years old and was entering the last year of his contract. While it’s likely he still has another good year or two in him, the feeling was it would be better to part ways. They could save the money and go young. He could seek out a team that gives him a better chance to win immediately.

It certainly didn’t create any solutions for them on offense though. Now the left guard position is up in the air. This while Kyle Long tries to work his way back from multiple off-season surgeries. That’s why the idea of adding Nelson sounds so appealing.

Chicago Bears Quenton Nelson idea has definite legs

The Bears likely know everything there is to know about Nelson. After all, they employ the coach who developed him at Notre Dame in Harry Hiestand. One can imagine they’re at least being nudged to draft him if his name is still on the board. Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune agrees that the odds are mixed, but it’s certainly not impossible.

“Nelson could go that high, but he could also slip past No. 10 and that’s because it’s hard to draft an interior offensive lineman that high. Nelson is a gifted player and it’s a good class for guards. The bottom line is at the end of the combine, the Bears have to feel pretty good that they will be getting a good football player at No. 8, a player who can step in and be an impact player from the start. That’s what they really need.”

There’s something important to keep in mind here. Everybody likes to assume that Nelson won’t make it to #8, but history says differently. Since the league merger in 1970, a total of 15 guards went in the top 10. Just seven of them went before the eighth overall pick. Ready for the best part? Only one of those seven has gone that high since 1986. That was Jonathan Cooper who went seventh overall to Arizona in 2013.

Cooper became a bust

He lasted just two seasons with the Cardinals before getting cut. He spent a year in Cleveland and finally landed with Dallas where he became a serviceable left guard. One can bet money teams are aware of that fact. Nelson may be a “sure thing,” but many were convinced Cooper was too. Ask Mike Mayock.

“I think that is a great pick. I really do. You plug him in inside, your offensive line is better, your run game is better. I think this team just got better with the drafting of Jonathan Cooper.”

The fact is Nelson is far bigger, stronger more proven and experienced than Cooper was. Nevertheless, it’s a true possibility that the Bears can get their hands on him at #8. He may not be a sexy pick but if they want to protect Mitch Trubisky and open lanes for Jordan Howard, this guy can do both.

Bears Quietly Scoping Out Possible Kyle Fuller Replacements

By
Erik Lambert
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chicago bears draft

The Chicago Bears remain optimistic that something can get done with cornerback Kyle Fuller. Recent rumors have painted the situation clearly enough. GM Ryan Pace says the franchise tag is still on the table but indications are it won’t be used. At the same time, Fuller wants to stay in Chicago and is interested in working out a long-term deal. It comes down to finding common ground on a price.

That said the risk remains real that he could leave in free agency. Everybody remembers what happened with Alshon Jeffery last year. So it would be a bad idea for Pace not to make contingency plans in case the Fuller negotiations come up short. That includes doing his due diligence on the incoming NFL draft class for replacements.

Seems the Bears are enacting that way of thinking. Chris Emma of 670 the Score revealed that the team is planning to meet both of the top cornerbacks at the scouting combine.

Denzel Ward and Joshua Jackson offer solid Kyle Fuller backup plans

The cornerback class for 2018 is headlined by a two-headed monster in the form of Ohio State’s Denzel Ward and Iowa’s Joshua Jackson. Each comes with rather different skill sets but both are intriguing in their own ways. Ward is looked down on (literally) for his size at just 5’10”. Although that might be his only weakness. There isn’t a corner in the draft who can match his combination of speed, fluidity, and pure coverage prowess. Many already compare him to Denver Broncos Pro Bowler Chris Harris Jr.

Jackson can cover well enough but his game is more about taking the ball away. This past year, his first as a full-time starter, he snagged eight interceptions and returned two for touchdowns. He’s got coveted size at 6’1″, is a good athlete and demonstrates outstanding awareness and vision for finding the football in the air.

Suffice to say both players can ball.

What teams aren’t yet certain of is whether either of them is worth a top 10 pick. The Bears, picking #8, are among them. That’s why they wish to interview both. Get a sense of their football mentalities and intelligence. They certainly don’t have to worry about physical ability. Both corners showed up big on the field. Ward blazed with a 4.32 in the 40-yard dash while Jackson delivered a 4.49. They got the goods.

While the gloomy part of this article is about Fuller leaving, there is also another side to consider. What if they kept Fuller and added one of these two? That would create one of the most fascinating cornerback tandems in the league and something that could push the Bears defense to heights they haven’t seen in years. Of course, there is much work to do before thinking about such things.

Celebrate Kyle Schwarber’s 25th Birthday By Checking Out His Five Best GIFs

By
Gus
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There may not be another member of the 2018 Chicago Cubs that will enter the season under a bigger microscope than Kyle Schwarber. The 2016 season was a blessing and curse for Schwarber as it was the season that saw him get injured in the second game of the season only to see him roar back and become a legend in Cubs history for his role in the 2016 postseason.

2016 was undoubtedly Schwarber’s high-point in his young career which is what made 2017 so painful to watch. Schwarber was thrust into the leadoff spot in 2017 where he struggled mightily and fans watched his numbers slip lower and lower each week. He was eventually demoted to AAA in June for a short stint with the Iowa Cubs in an attempt to resurrect the 2016 version of Schwarber.

With 2017 in his rear view mirror, Schwarber is attacking 2018 head on. After shedding a bunch of weight to improve his defensive mobility, Cubs fans have gotten a quick glimpse at the new and improved Kyle Schwarber early in 2018 Spring Training.

And this one steals bases.

To honor the now svelte Kyle Schwarber, I thought it’d be fun to look at my top five favorite GIFs of the now-slim left fielder.

5. The Dancing Machine

I have no idea what the context of this GIF is but I find watching Schwarber bust out a jam in the middle of the dugout quite hysterical.

4. Bro-Tastic

This bear hug came after Schwarber and Russell hit back-to-back home runs on June 11, 2017. At first glance, one would think the hug was to celebrate both players long balls but if you remember, Russell was in the middle of a nasty public feud with his then-wife Melissa who accused Russell of domestic violence (which he was never charged). This GIF shows what a good teammate is all about.

3. The One Man Celebration

This GIF comes from the magical 2016 season in which the Cubs won the World Series (in case you forgot.) After the team clinched the division in late October in Chicago, Schwarber was in Arizona rehabbing a torn ACL. Once he heard the team clinched, this was waiting for him in the locker room in Arizona.

2. Graceful He Is Not

The GIF of Schwarber eating shit rounding first base will forever be funny to me. It comes from the 2015 season and it actually occurred during a home run. Clearly, Schwarber didn’t think the ball would leave the park so he was hauling ass to second base before he stumbled like the large child he is. Bonus points for his teammates razzing the f*ck out of him as well.

  1. The Shot(s) Heard Round The WorldYes, I know these are actually two different GIFs but I couldn’t make my mind up so I went with both. Both GIFs come from the 2015 postseason when Schwarber really burst onto the MLB scene as a true power hitter. The top GIF comes from the 2015 Wild Card game when Schwarber took Pittsburgh “ace” Gerrit Cole deep (and I mean REALLY deep.) The bat flip, pitcher reaction — all of this makes me happy.

The bottom GIF is Schwarber’s most famous home run in his career which came in the 2015 NLDS against the St. Louis Cardinals. This ball landed on top of the Wrigley Field scoreboard and effectively ended the Cardinals run as being the team to beat in the NL Central.

Happy 25th birthday to the War Bear. I hope there are many more moments in your career that are GIF worthy.

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