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Chicago Bears First-Half Awards

By
Dhruv Koul
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(Nuccio DiNuzzo / Chicago Tribune) Bears defensive end Akiem Hicks (96) and outside linebacker Leonard Floyd (94) celebrate after Floyd stopped Saints quarterback Drew Brees (9) on a third down during the first half.

The Chicago Bears are on bye this week, having made it exactly halfway through their schedule. After eight games, their record stands at 3-5. But minus two throwaway games by former starting quarterback Mike Glennon, the Bears have been in every game they’ve played. In fact, minus those two throwaway games and their dominant win against the Carolina Panthers, each game on their tough first half schedule came down to the final drive. Imagine that!

Given that most “experts” thought the Bears would be lucky to win just one game in the first half, the fact that Chicago could easily be 5-3, but still is 3-5, is damn impressive. They’re more than headed in the right direction, and the final eight games, especially the development of rookie QB Mitch Trubisky, will be fascinating to watch.

That said, it’s time to hand out some hardware for the first half. Not all of the “winners” are winners. But say congrats!

Most Valuable Player:  The Entire Defense

Yeah, I know, it’s a cop-out. But this defense could compete for a championship TODAY. Yes, today. And they’re missing three Opening Day starters. Given those facts, it’s hard to single anyone out on this unit. They deserve a collective award.

Akiem Hicks, Eddie Goldman, Leonard Floyd, and even Pernell McPhee have led a defensive front that could arguably be the best in the NFL. Kyle Fuller, Eddie Jackson, and the surprising Adrian Amos have led a revitalized, shutdown secondary that has finally flipped the script on creating turnovers and helped the front seven get after the quarterback even more. Christian Jones has filled in admirably for the injured Jerrell Freeman and Nick Kwiatkoski. And Danny Trevathan has been incredible in his comeback from his torn patellar tendon in almost record time.

The defense has carried a dreadful offense (thanks, John Fox and Dowell Loggains), and a stumbling special teams to three wins and put them in position to win three more. It’s time the Bears played complementary football. But until further notice, the defense is the real MVP.

Honorable mention:  Jordan Howard

Least Valuable Player:  Mike Glennon

I feel like this dead horse has been beaten enough. But just in case, the fact that he single-handedly threw away games against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Green Bay Packers, where both games were over in the first quarter alone, was enough to cement his spot on this list. The honorable mentions below have also done nothing to justify either their spot on the roster or salary. But Glennon was by far the biggest culprit. It’s unfortunate that it took until Week 5 to bench him, but I’m also thankful that it was still only Week 5 when they made the switch.

Dishonorable mention(s):  Markus Wheaton, Tanner Gentry, Quintin Demps, Connor Barth

Offensive Player of the Half-Year:  Jordan Howard

While this one is kind of by default considering the offense has sucked as a unit, Howard continues to prove he’s one of the best running backs in the NFL. The Bears are over-committed to the run, and opposing defenses know this. Howard faces eight and nine man boxes almost every play, and yet he’s still on pace to rush for over 1,300 yards! The predictable play-calling on offense has hurt his YPC numbers, but his stamina and ability to shoulder a heavy workload has been a godsend for this offense.

While his pass-catching abilities leave a lot to be desired, his value as a runner somehow continues to be underrated. In my Bears Mailbag column earlier this week, a fan asked if the Bears would trade him. My question is, why? Howard is a beast, and the unquestioned star on this offense as Trubisky continues to grow.

Honorable mention(s):  Tarik Cohen, Zach Miller

Defensive Player of the Half-Year:  Akiem Hicks

Again, it’s hard to give out an award to just one player on the defense, but I’ll be brave this time and give it to Akiem Hicks. Hicks is more than justifying the 4-year, $48 million extension he received earlier this year. He’s already notched seven sacks and has overall been a terror on the Bears’ defensive front. He’s the leader of the defense, somehow continues to get better every week, and might be the best defensive lineman in the league right now outside of Aaron Donald. He’s been that good. While he didn’t fit very well in the Saints’ 4-3 scheme, I’m amazed that the Patriots let him get away. The Bears are incredibly lucky to have him for the next four years.

Honorable mention(s):  Kyle Fuller, Leonard Floyd, Eddie Goldman, Adrian Amos

Rookie of the Half-Year:  Eddie Jackson

I’d have loved to give this award to Chicago’s rookie quarterback. But Trubisky hasn’t gotten there yet, mainly for reasons out of his control. So it was between Eddie Jackson and Tarik Cohen. Cohen took the league by storm in his first game against the Falcons, amassing over 140 total yards and a touchdown. Since then, he has displayed his electric playmaking ability from time to time, but his impact has reduced mainly because Loggains doesn’t know how to use him.

Then there’s Jackson, who took hold of a starting job at safety as a rookie, and broke out against the Carolina Panthers, returning two 75+ yard defensive touchdowns. He has played a solid “center field” for the Bears, and has formed a surprisingly deadly safety tandem with Adrian Amos. Given the the Bears’ glaring need at safety for years, and the fact that Chicago finally seems to have a good one in Jackson, I’ll take him at this point over Cohen for this award.

Honorable mention:  Tarik Cohen

Comeback Player of the Half-Year:  Kyle Fuller

This was a tough one. Trevathan is coming off a torn patellar tendon in essentially record time. The fact that he was ready for Week 1 is mind boggling, and the fact that he continues to fly around the football field at pre-injury speeds is incredible. He’s been a thumper, pass rusher, and leader at inside linebacker for the Bears.

But Fuller has essentially come back from the dead. Remember, last year, after getting a knee scope done in training camp, Fuller shockingly sat out the entire year. Vic Fangio even called Fuller out for not playing, and it was assumed that Fuller had played his last snap for the team. But he earned his job back in training camp and preseason, and he’s been an absolute force at cornerback this year. He’s played lockdown defense, often taking away the opposition’s best receiver all game. He’s playing confidently, playing fast, and playing incredibly well. The secondary has improved dramatically from a year ago, and Fuller’s resurgence is a massive reason why. Trevathan was expected to return to the team eventually; but Fuller’s status was completely uncertain. Talk about a comeback.

Honorable mention:  Danny Trevathan

Best Moment of the Half-Year:  Mitch Trubisky earns his first victory against the Ravens

The Bears have actually had a surprising number of good moments in the first half this year. That’s what happens when you match the previous season’s win total in the first eight games, I guess. But Trubisky’s triumph in Baltimore is the best moment of the season so far. No rookie QB had ever won in Baltimore in the John Harbaugh era, and Trubisky destroyed that “record” in overtime.

The game shouldn’t have even gotten to overtime — that’s how badly the Bears had dominated Joe Flacco and the Ravens. But alas, in OT, Trubisky made the third down throw that completely validated Pace’s belief in him. Third and long, not yet in field goal range, under pressure immediately, moved in the pocket and kept the eyes downfield, fired off balance and hit Kendall Wright where only Wright could be hit.

A throw that only Aaron Rodgers could make. Four plays later, Trubisky had his first NFL win. What a moment. Here’s to many more.

Honorable Mention(s):  John Fox finally benches Mike Glennon, Jordan Howard’s overtime touchdown run to beat the Steelers

“C’mon, Man!” Moment of the Half-Year:  Marcus Cooper fumbles at the 1-yard line

Glennon’s knee-fumble was the single-most Glennon-y play of his Bears tenure, and it occurred as Chicago was already being laughed out of Lambeau Field. It was hilariously upsetting, but it wasn’t close to Marcus Cooper’s gaffe.

We all remember this one, right? End of the first half against the Steelers, Sherrick McManis blocked a Chris Boswell field goal try, Cooper recovered it and ran it back, except he slowed down and got tackled at the 1-yard line. He fumbled, and the Steelers swatted it out of the back of the end zone. Chicago eventually kicked a field goal on an untimed down, but that idiocy cost the Bears four points — and they eventually had to go to overtime to claim their rightful victory.

This play is an example of the stupidity that John Fox-led teams continue to display. His teams play hard, but they do the dumbest things. That was just one of many examples, but also the worst.

*NOTE – The absurd, bullshit overturn of Zach Miller’s touchdown catch in New Orleans wasn’t eligible for this award because it wasn’t something the Bears did.

Dishonorable mention(s):  Mike Glennon’s knee-fumble against the Packers, pretty much every other time Mike Glennon took a snap for the Bears

Second-Half Player to Watch:  Mitch Trubisky

I mean, does this one really need an explanation? Everything about this season is about Trubisky’s development. He should have started the year behind center, but eventually got in five weeks late. Regardless, playoff contention or not, it’s all about Trubisky going forward. Ryan Pace’s job is forever tied to how Trubisky pans out. Watching him (hopefully) grow each game is the most important and exciting part of the second half. Anything else is gravy.

Honorable mention(s):  Jonathan Bullard, Adam Shaheen, Dontrelle Inman

Ryan Pace Breaks Cardinal Rule When Adding College WRs

By
Erik Lambert
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ryan pace

Chicago Bears GM Ryan Pace continues to show he has no qualms about taking risks. This isn’t necessarily a bad thing. Teams never get better unless the men in charge are willing to take calculated gambles. Some of them have worked wonders for Pace. His trade up for Leonard Floyd in 2016, signing of Akiem Hicks and waiting to draft Jordan Howard and Tarik Cohen spring to mind.

However for all his good moves, Pace has one glaring flaw that continues to haunt him. That being his management of the wide receiver position. To date his two most notable additions to that position have blown up in his face. Kevin White, his very first draft pick from 2017 has ended up on injured reserve for the third-straight season. Cameron Meredith, his undrafted discovery that same year has a torn ACL.

For White in particular it’s been an indictment on Pace. Though one can’t predict injuries, the fact is the young receiver wasn’t all that effective even when healthy. For a guy who boasted 4.3 speed at the combine he seemed awful slow on the field. So what was the problem and is there a lesson for Pace to learn when he drafts a receiver next spring?

Ryan Pace has a bad habit of favoring talent over experience

No one can say the 40-year old GM doesn’t recognize talent. The array of ascending players he’s assembled in the past two years counters that argument. No his biggest issue is he might favor physical skill a little too much over playing experience. The most recent example is quarterback Mitch Trubisky. Most experts agreed he might be the most complete QB in the 2017, but he was also the most inexperienced. His play to this point has reflected as much.

Nobody knows how long it will be until he catches up to the speed of the NFL, or if he ever will. That’s the problem. A lot of players who didn’t log much time in college aren’t able to adjust at the pro level. It’s like going from “beginner” to “insane” on a video game. White faced the same problem. He only played one year at West Virginia before making the jump.

If people think his struggles are an aberration and not the rule, just look at the NFL landscape right now. I compiled a list of the best wide receivers to come out of college since 2010. Pinpointed about them were two things:  what conference they played in and how many years they logged there.

A.J. Green

  • SEC (Georgia)
  • 3 years of experience

Antonio Brown

  • MAC (Central Michigan)
  • 3 years of experience

Demaryius Thomas

  • ACC (Georgia Tech)
  • 3 years of experience

Julio Jones

  • SEC (Alabama)
  • 3 years of experience

Odell Beckham Jr.

  • SEC (LSU)
  • 3 years of experience

Dez Bryant

  • Big 12 (Oklahoma State)
  • 3 years of experience

T.Y. Hilton

  • C-USA (Florida International)
  • 4 years of experience

Amari Cooper

  • SEC (Alabama)
  • 3 years of experience

Jarvis Landry

  • SEC (LSU)
  • 3 years of experience

Emmanuel Sanders

  • AAC (SMU)
  • 4 years of experience

Every single player on that list has gone to multiple Pro Bowls. Looking at the way things shake out there are two big takeaways. It doesn’t really matter which school they came from. This provided they had at least three years of experience. The only receiver to have standout success in the NFL with less than that is Mike Evans, who spent two years at Texas A&M. What compensated for that was playing the SEC and being a freak 6’5″ athlete.

Cordarrelle Patterson, the Minnesota Vikings’ former first round pick flopped as a receiver much like White did. He only had one year of experience before leaving Tennessee. His one saving grace was being an excellent kick returner, something White can’t even offer. What makes it so frustrating is they adhered to this blueprint before.

Their two most successful receiver draft picks since 2000 both came in with three or more years of experience. Alshon Jeffery had three with South Carolina and Bernard Berrian had four at Fresno State. It’s not a guarantee of success in the NFL, but the trend holds true nonetheless. If Pace is going to get Trubisky the go-to target he so desperately needs, the best thing for him to do is not get cute about it like he did with White.

Hold the Press: The Bulls Are Really Running And Jumping And Doing Cool Things

By
Matthew Milakovich
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quick rebuild bulls nba next potential superteam

Like Sammy L.J. said in Jurassic Park, “hold on to ya butts…”

The Bulls are on a little roll, which is new for THIS Bulls team– considering we’ve been billed as hopeless.

Considering Robin Lopez was supposedly our best player.

Considering we haven’t seen a seemingly hopeless team in about a decade here in Chicago. Even if we are hoping for the number one spot…

…the Bulls may be on to something after all.

Are we fun?

Even if… in the sage words of lovely Granny Klump– this team’s never had relations?

Not positive ones anyways. We won’t delve into the early afternoon soap opera that is Mirotic v. Portis…

This is a positive post. Perhaps after all the early negativity, all the hooplah and jargon resonating from the Bulls’ brass about getting younger and rebuilding for the future…this team may relate to our fan base (fingers crossed) sooner rather than later.

Sure seems like it’s a possibility this Bulls team is watchable television. Perhaps, this team isn’t all frivolity after all– especially with the young flyer Zach LaVine set to come back soon.
Let’s just hope we can get some of that draft lottery magic circa 2008.

 

Pro Bowl QB Explains How Valuable Mark Sanchez Is to Trubisky

By
Erik Lambert
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mark sanchez

Matt Hasselbeck spent 17 years in the NFL as a quarterback. A good number of them ranking among the best in the business. He went to three Pro Bowls and led his team to a Super Bowl appearance in 2005. He also spent most of the twilight of his career as a backup. Few understand the highs and lows of professional football like him. Few also understand the true value of quarterback mentoring like he does, which is why he was a huge supporter when the Bears signed Mark Sanchez a few months back.

While fans everywhere groaned at the idea of signing the man responsible for the Butt Fumble, Hasselbeck knew Sanchez personally and professionally. He understood exactly what the veteran QB brought to the table and what he could do for the Bears after they drafted Mitch Trubisky in April.

GM Ryan Pace said Sanchez brought so much to the table with his experience, intelligence and team-first mentality. He was just the sort of mentor they wanted to help Trubisky acclimate to the NFL lifestyle as quickly as possible. Hasselbeck explained what he meant using a story of his own.

Matt Hasselbeck thinks Mark Sanchez invaluable to Trubisky

Back in 2002 Hasselbeck had recently become the starter. The Seahawks went into Kansas City against the Chiefs and he was booed mercilessly during warm-ups. It was difficult to deal with. Longtime veteran and renowned head case Jeff George noticed something was wrong and came up to talk to him.

“He was like, ‘What’s wrong, man?’ ” Hasselbeck recalled. “I just told him, ‘You wouldn’t believe some of the stuff people just said to me out there.’ He was like, ‘Oh man, that’s nothing.’ ”

George told Hasselbeck a story from early in his long career.

“There’s a fight up in the stands, and all the guys on the sideline are like, ‘Hey, it’s a fight. Check it out,’ ” Hasselbeck recalled. “He looks up, and it’s his family just throwing haymakers to all the people sitting around them.”

That little exchange seemed innocent at the time, but it calmed the young QB down and he went on to have a big game, which Seattle won. That’s why to this day he’s a big proponent of teams signing older veterans with lots of starting experience, good or bad. The benefits can never be fully appreciated.

“I don’t think people around the league are thinking, Jeff George, quarterback mentor,” Hasselbeck said. “But Jeff George was a huge quarterback mentor for me.”

And that’s why Hasselbeck is a fan of the Bears’ decision to sign and keep Sanchez around.

“I actually love that they’re over-investing in the quarterback position,” he said.

It’s this and more that Sanchez is doing for Trubisky. He has no right to complain either. Despite not being active on Sundays the Bears are still paying him $1 million. This to basically be a tutor. There are worse jobs to have on this planet.

Chicago Bears Notebook: Easing Schedule to Rescue Coaches?

By
Erik Lambert
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dowell loggains

The Chicago Bears coaching staff has to be feeling a good deal of pressure. Their jobs are very much on the line with eight games left to go.

That shouldn’t be a surprise. In 40 games across two and a half seasons, they’ve managed to win 12 of them. Yes this team is in the middle of a rebuild but normal procedure says significant progress should show for a team by the third year. At this point the Bears are poised to repeat the record of 6-10 they posted back in 2015. That’s not what one might call significant progress.

That’s why John Fox is no doubt grateful that the second half of this season appears to be considerably less daunting than the first. Their slate of opponents from the first half boast a combined record of 36-24. Three of those teams currently lead their respective divisions and four others have a record of .500 or better. Such is not the case looking through the rest of November and December.

  • vs. Packers (4-3)
  • vs. Lions (3-4)
  • at Eagles (7-1)
  • vs. 49ers (0-8)
  • at Bengals (3-4)
  • at Lions (3-4)
  • vs. Browns (0-8)
  • at Vikings (6-2)

Only three of those eight games will be against teams that currently have a winning record. One of those teams, Green Bay, will be playing without star quarterback Aaron Rodgers. It’s unlikely the Bears run the table but it’s not crazy to think they can posting a winning record over that stretch. Perhaps 5-3. This would mark their first season of .500 or better since 2013. Would that be a significant enough improvement for the coaches to keep their jobs?

5 Players to Watch in 2nd Half of Season

QB Mitch Trubisky

The one key to answering that question rests on the shoulders of the #2 overall pick. It’s clear that GM Ryan Pace has hitched his wagon to the young quarterback. Ensuring his success is vital. To this point Trubisky has played decent under difficult circumstances. At the same time if he doesn’t show improvement over this next stretch? Fingers will be pointed at the coaches for not helping him. The defense is great and all but he is the key to Pace’s plan of playoff contention every year.

WR Dontrelle Inman

Chicago traded for the veteran receiver in expectation he could help their give anemic passing game some life. Inman had over 800 yards in 2016 but was relegated to the bench as healed starters and a new draft pick arrived on the Chargers roster. It’s hoped his experience and size will give Trubisky a badly needed target on the outside he can rely on. With an expiring contract on top of it, this is definitely someone to monitor.

TE Adam Shaheen

The injury to Zach Miller has put pressure on the Bears 2nd round pick to step up his game. To this point the team has brought him along slowly behind Miller and fellow veteran Dion Sims. Shaheen has improved his blocking but only has one catch through eight games. Fans are already saying he’s a wasted pick, which isn’t really fair. He had to make a larger jump in competition than any other pick this year. Time and more opportunities should help him improve.

ILB Christian Jones

One man who seems to be making himself more and more money each week is Jones. The former undrafted free agent looked like little more than a special teams ace with reasonable value as a reserve linebacker. Suddenly it appears the light has gone on and he’s played easily the best defense of his career with 48 tackles and a forced fumble in eight games. If he keeps it up the Bears have to consider a long-term extension with Jerrell Freeman’s future in doubt.

S Adrian Amos

It looked like the end of the road for Amos when the Bears signed veteran Quintin Demps in free agency. He was relegated to backup and special teams duty after a difficult 2016. Then fate intervened. Demps went down with injury and Amos got a second chance. He has not wasted it. One could argue he’s been one of the 3-4 best safeties in the league over the past month. He’s running, hitting and making more plays than he did during his first two years. Can he keep it up?

A Future Free Agent and Draft Pick to Eye

WR Paul Richardson (Seattle Seahawks)

Pace has a reputation for seeking out free agents who are ascending in their career but can still be had for a cheaper price. It was true of Pernell McPhee, Akiem Hicks, and Danny Trevathan. There’s no reason to think he’ll abandon that methodology. Seahawks receiver Paul Richardson appears to be gaining confidence with each week. He’s at 374 yards in seven games and three touchdowns over the past two weeks. His mix of speed and strong hands could make for a big play threat this Bears offense is still trying to find.

OLB Marquis Haynes (Ole Miss)

Leonard Floyd is blossoming into the edge rusher the Bears hoped he’d be when they moved up to draft him last year. At the same time there is a concern about who will rush across from him moving forward. McPhee has a history of knee issues and Willie Young will be 33. Marquis Haynes is one of the better kept secrets in the SEC. He’s a freak athlete with speed and tremendous burst coming off the snap. He also is stronger than he appears. Like Floyd he’ll have to add weight if he wants to thrive at the NFL level but his potential is huge.

These Are the Blueprints Bears Could Follow in Wide Receiver Rebuild

By
Erik Lambert
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chicago bears wide receiver

The Chicago Bears wide receiver position is in store for a massive overhaul once the 2017 season is concluded. That’s not a prediction. It’s a fact. Not only is it the least talented group on the entire roster, it also is the most tenuous in the long-term. No fewer than five of its current members have expiring contracts. That includes Cameron Meredith and recent acquisition Dontrelle Inman.

This doesn’t even consider the possibility they might cut Kevin White. That’s unlikely since the Bears wouldn’t get any salary cap relief for the move, but there’s the possibility nonetheless. There is also the possibility that GM Ryan Pace may look to bring certain players back on new deals. Meredith, Inman and Kendall Wright seem like the strongest possibilities.

On the other hand this represents a big opportunity for Pace to set his young quarterback Mitch Trubisky up for years to come. Provided he plays his cards right of course. The question becomes how does he go about it?

Chicago Bears wide receiver rebuild can follow four main paths

Looking back over NFL history during the Super Bowl era, teams have had success rebuilding their receiving corps a number of different ways. That being said there are four primary avenues that Pace can take next spring. It comes down to how the market sets up. Here they are in no particular order.

2017 Philadelphia Eagles:  Free Agency and the Draft

  • Signed Torrey Smith
  • Signed Alshon Jeffery
  • Drafted Mack Hollins in the fourth round

Pace really does share a lot in common with Eagles GM Howie Roseman. Both aren’t afraid to make bold moves if there’s a player they covet. Both also like to use the draft and free agency in tandem to solve key roster issues. This past offseason offers the perfect example. Roseman made two big signings on the free agent market with Smith and Jeffery, then supplement that with a developmental draft pick. All three have made big contributions to the breakout year Carson Wentz is currently enjoying.

2007 New England Patriots:  Trade and Free Agency

  • Second and seventh round picks to Dolphins for Wes Welker
  • Fourth round pick to Raiders for Randy Moss
  • Signed Donte Stallworth

This was the offseason that came so close to producing the second-ever undefeated season in NFL history. Tom Brady was solid in 2006 but had trouble in the AFC championship late due to talent limitations at wide receivers. Ever the aggressors, New England crafted a masterpiece of heists as they dealt for Welker and Moss while also signing Stallworth in the space of a month. That same season Brady broke the NFL record for touchdown passes with 50. Moss had 23 of those and Welker had over 100 catches.

1991 Detroit Lions:  Trade and the Draft

  • Fifth round pick to Saints for Brett Perriman
  • Drafted Herman Moore in the first round

The greatest season in terms of playoff success the Lions have had in the Super Bowl era came in 1991. It was spurred by their desire to get a viable passing attack to help ease the pressure on star running back Barry Sanders. One could say they pulled it off. Perriman and Moore weren’t huge producers that year but their looming threats did the job for Sanders. He went from 1,300 yards and 13 touchdowns in 1990 to 1,500 yards and 16 touchdowns that season. Detroit went to the NFC championship. Moore would end up in four Pro Bowls and Perriman had back-to-back 1,000-yard seasons in seasons that followed.

1974 Pittsburgh Steelers:  The Draft

  • Drafted Lynn Swann in the first round
  • Drafted John Stallworth in the fourth round

Last but not least is the old school way. At one point in time the draft was the only place for teams to truly improve themselves outside of trades. Few perfected this better than the Pittsburgh Steelers. Their 1974 draft still reigns as the greatest of all-time, and at the heart of it was their brilliant manipulation of the wide receiver position. Though they coveted Stallworth most, it was felt his small school background would cause him to drop. So they drafted Swann first and grabbed him later on. The two helped turn Terry Bradshaw into a star and the Steelers to win four Super Bowls over the next six years.

Bulls Insider Says Zach LaVine Could Be Back Sooner Than Expected

By
Aldo Soto
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Chicago Bulls fans have watched rookie Lauri Markkanen play well early on in the 2017-18 season, but they could be on the verge of watching another stud on the court soon.

Zach LaVine, who has been sidelined because of a torn ACL that came back in February against the Detroit Pistons, hasn’t suffered any setbacks during his rehab. The better news is that the 22-year-old shooting guard could be returning to action sooner than first anticipated.

LaVine was eager to play, as the Bulls began their camp prior to the regular season, but was obviously patient, of course taking the advice from the team to not rush back. The original time table had LaVine scheduled to make his Bulls debut at some point in December, however NBC Sports Chicago reporter Vincent Goodwill believes it’ll come a little earlier.

Goodwill was on The Spiegel and Parkins Show on 670 The Score Friday morning and said the following about LaVine’s return.

“I remember hearing that his timeline was to come back around Christmas, or a little bit before that. I wouldn’t be surprised if he weren’t back by the end of the month, somewhere around Thanksgiving. Not to necessarily rush him back or anything because I don’t think the Bulls should. I don’t think he would want to (rush back), especially with this year being tank-a-palooza, but I wouldn’t be surprised if he weren’t ready to play at least at some point by the end of the month.”

(Vincent Goodwill)

Before his injury, LaVine was averaging 18.9 points per game with the Minnesota Timberwolves on 45.9 percent shooting in 47 games. You might also remember him from the NBA Slam Dunk Contest, which he won in 2015 and 2016.

Obviously the biggest concern is how he will respond after the ACL injury, but there doesn’t seem to be that big of a worry. Joe Cowley of the Chicago Sun-Times was on the Bernstein and Goff Show on Friday and he was pretty optimistic that LaVine will return to the court with the same explosiveness.

There’s also the fact that LaVine just signed a $35 million shoe deal with Adidas. Pretty sure they’ve done their own tests and research on LaVine to assure themselves that not only is he coming back and will be a big part of the Bulls future, but that he’ll be healthy and step up as his career continues.

If Goodwill is correct in his estimation of LaVine’s return, it would point to about the last week of November. The Bulls finish the month with four games against the Golden State Warriors, Miami Heat, Phoenix Suns and Denver Nuggets. The matchups against the Heat and Suns will be at home (Nov. 26, 28) so maybe LaVine makes his Bulls debut at the United Center?

Let’s hope so because as painful as it is to watch the Bulls this year, it would get a little more exciting watching Markkanen with another legitimate threat in LaVine next to him.

Meet the Man Who Could End Up Getting John Fox Fired

By
Erik Lambert
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deonte thompson

John Fox certainly seems confident that he’s in no danger of losing his job. It’s hard to understand how that could be. His team is 3-5 at the bye week. This means they would have to go 5-3 to just reach .500. He claims the playoffs are a possibility. Considering the Bears are 0-2 in the division and 1-5 against the NFC, the odds of that happening for beyond long. So could his self-confidence be denial at reality?

The increasing belief is that outside of a playoff run there is only one way Fox can save his job. That’s by proving he has what it takes to properly develop Mitch Trubisky at quarterback. Thus far it’s not looking too good. Trubisky has looked under siege a lot during his first four games. He’s completed a mere 47.5% of his passes with two touchdowns and two interceptions. He also hasn’t cracked 200 yards in a game yet.

Now Fox and others would have people believe this is due to a glaring lack of talent at wide receiver. In fairness there is plenty of truth to that. Trubisky is essentially throwing to a pair of rookies and an ex-first round pick who was cut by his original team. The thing is though, that is way too simple a reason. The coaches bare some responsibility for the issues, more than they’d care to let on.

Deonte Thompson success puts John Fox and staff is bad light

Ironically enough it’s a former Bear who could end up being the undoing of Fox. Wide receiver Deonte Thompson was considered a solid member of the roster, both on offense and special teams. He was a nice reserve receiver and their primary kick returner. However, in a bit of a surprising move he was cut after the loss to the Minnesota Vikings.

Another receiver who couldn’t do much of anything right? Well that’s the thing. Since leaving Chicago it appears Thompson has found new life in Buffalo. Over the past three games he has 197 yards and a touchdown. This despite having no training camp or preseason to prepare. That’s more than every Bears receiver on the roster combined over that same span.

What does this have to do with Fox? Well the problem is much of Thompson’s sudden success is less to do with his talent and more to do with how the Bills coaches are utilizing him. Here’s an example.

This is proof Thompson has ability. What he hasn’t had is a coach who can consistently put him in position to use it. That falls at the feet of Fox and his coordinator Dowell Loggains, who have run one of the most vanilla offenses seen in years, even for Chicago. If people think GM Ryan Pace isn’t taking notice of things like this, they’re wrong.

Thompson may not be a star but it’s clear now he could’ve helped the team. Most importantly he could’ve helped Trubisky. The inability of the coaches to recognize that could be the straw that breaks the camels’ back come January.

White Sox Grab A Power Hitter Off Waivers From The Twins

By
Matt Enuco
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The White Sox claimed another power hitter of waivers on Friday.
Mike Stobe/Getty Images North America via Zimbio.

The White Sox snared another prospect off the waiver wire on Friday. Several teams around the league are feeling the squeeze of the 40-man roster and the Twins lost Daniel Palka as they tried to slip him past the A.L. Central. Palka is listed as the Twins No. 22 prospect by MLB Pipeline.

Palka is a versatile lefty with some serious pop. A third-round draft pick by the Diamondbacks out of Georgia Tech, Palka was traded after the 2015 season to the Twins for  Chris Herrman.

Palka has outstanding power and blasted 34 home runs in 2016 between Double-A and Triple-A, but the well was bare this past season. In 84 contests Palka only managed 12 long balls in a season shortened by a broken finger in May. Besides Palka’s power potential he has demonstrated the ability to drive runs in.

Besides Palka’s power potential he has demonstrated the ability to drive runs in. He drove in 90 runs in back-to-back seasons (2015,2016) while batting .280 and .254 respectively. There was concern about his strikeout rate while in High-A but he has scrubbed that blemish from his scouting report, sinking his strikeout rate to 22 percent — a dramatic improvement from his career high 38 percent the previous season. And let’s not forget that power hitters fan more frequently than contact guys.

Still, Palka’s seismic power and versatility around the diamond gives the White Sox plenty of cause to add him to the roster. He was played outfield exclusively last season and made seven appearances as the designated hitter.

This move could send a message to other players on the big league roster that the White Sox are still searching for depth to replace anticipated gaps. It is very unlikely that the South Siders deal Jose Abreu given the market for first-baseman but Avisail Garcia and Nicky Delmonico may need to take a few extra swings over the offseason. But above all else, Palka is a move to inject even more uncertainty into an already vicious competition for roster spots.

Bulls Players Side With Bobby Portis In Feud With Nikola Mirotic

By
Matt Peck
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bulls side bobby portis feud nikola mirotic

Chicago Sun-Times Bulls reporter Joe Cowley appeared on the Bernstein & Goff Show on 670 The Score this afternoon, and he shed more light on where the fractured locker room stands after the altercation between Nikola Mirotic and Bobby Portis last month.

There haven’t been any developments regarding a possible reconciliation between the two. The status quo remains: Mirotic is demanding that either he or Portis be traded. Niko can’t be traded until January 15, and Bobby’s trade value is next to nothing. Meanwhile, Mirotic has resumed light physical activity at the team’s practice facility but is still several weeks away from a potential return as his facial fractures heal. Portis has two games remaining of his eight game suspension.

Coach Fred Hoiberg is doing a commendable job of dancing around questions related to the ongoing feud between two of his players. All he’s willing to say is that the team’s medical staff is focused on getting Mirotic healthy. Fred did say that he’s been texting with Niko, who expressed to his coach that he’s happy to be lightly working out again. But that’s it.

As for the rest of the team? Veteran leader Robin Lopez has communicated with Mirotic a few times, but hasn’t shared details of those conversations. He’s trying to keep the locker room together and focused on each game. But Cowley said on 670 The Score that the younger Bulls players aren’t necessarily awaiting Niko’s return with bated breath.

Taking Sides

When it comes to who was at fault in the dramatic – and quick – fight between Portis and Mirotic, it gets a little complicated.

“There’s not a lot of guys in the locker room that thought, ‘Man, Bobby, how could you do that?’ They get it.” – Joe Cowley

Obviously punching your teammate is never a good idea, and Bobby should rightfully take the blame and responsibility for doing so. Some Bulls fans believe his suspension should’ve been longer, perhaps even forcing Bobby to sit until Niko is cleared to return. But that’s not how the Bulls front office saw it, and that’s not how most of the players saw it either.

Bulls VP John Paxson repeatedly made it know in his comments after the incident that Mirotic was not innocent. Both players were jawing at each other and pushing. It was Niko who ultimately charged violently at Portis, who proceeded to knock him out with one punch.

Then there’s the young Bulls who spent their summer working hard, trying to prove to the organization that they deserved minutes. According to Cowley, it wasn’t just Portis – who lost the chance at a starting job when Niko signed his new contract at the midnight hour – who was miffed by Niko’s absence this summer. Portis was putting the work in at organized team workouts and scrimmages while Mirotic went through his own offseason program. Yes, he was around the Advocate Center sometimes. But he wasn’t participating in team activities and he kept his distance from teammates.

That rubbed a lot of the young Bulls the wrong way. Those feelings worsened when Mirotic claimed the starting power forward job after signing his new contract. According to Cowley, many of Niko’s teammates thought that was unfair and undeserved.

So what does this mean? Look, it’s unrealistic to expect players to come out and trash one of their teammates to the media, or even openly take sides in a feud like this. They’ll try to put a positive spin on it. Or, in Hoiberg’s case, ignore the question completely. But if you read between the lines, it’s becoming clearer that these young rebuilding Bulls aren’t keen on getting Mirotic back in the fold.

If it truly is a “him or me” situation, Niko looks like the odd man out. The Bulls keep talking about building a positive culture and how important that is to the rebuild. If they want their young underdog players to get along with one another in the locker room, Mirotic needs to be the one to leave.

Until then – then being January 15 – this mess will continue to get media attention and eat away at the team’s focus of developing these young players.

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