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Details on Bears LB Jerrell Freeman Saving a Man’s Life by Giving Him the Heimlich

July 25th, 2017

Matt Loede

Posted in News

Getty Images

TMZ.com reports about the latest good deed done by Bears linebacker Jerrell Freeman, who saved a man by giving him the Heimlich in an Austin airport – saving his life!

Chicago Bears linebacker Jerrell Freeman says he nearly BROKE A MAN’S RIBS while giving him the Heimlich in an Austin airport … but says he quick action saved the dude’s life.

Freeman was on his way to the Bears training camp when he saw a guy choking on brisket at an airport restaurant and immediately snapped into action.

“I tried to squeeze the life out of him and bring him back,” Freeman tells TMZ Sports.

At one point the man told Jerrell he thought he may have cracked a rib, to which Freeman responded — “It’s either one of your ribs or your life man! Gotta take one, leave the other one!”

In the end, Freeman says he successfully dislodged the food from the man’s throat and the guy praised him as a hero and thanked him for saving his life.

Then he went back to eating his brisket.

Seriously!

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2017 Chicago Bears Positional Review: The Wide Receivers

July 24th, 2017

Bryan Dietzler

Posted in Bear Insight, Bear Necessities, Bears Banter, Inside The Bears, Main, Notes & Observations, Opinions, Roster, Training Camp

By Bryan Dietzler

The 2017 Chicago Bears will have a bevy of wide receivers heading into training camp this summer. The hope is that they enhance a passing attack that is highly questionable right now. They no longer have Alshon Jeffery to throw the ball to and because of that, they will rely on underachievers and guys who are “past their prime” to get the ball down the field through the air.

Just glancing at what the Bears have on the roster at this position, things appear to be a little scary. However, things may not be as bad as they appear if you read into it. There is a lot of “potential” in this group, and these guys could surprise us all. But a lot has to happen for them to become an elite corps of receivers and make the Bears’ passing attack effective.

The following is an abbreviated look at all of the players that the Bears have listed at the wide receiver position on their roster. There is a little bit about each player including where they have been and whether or not they will be on the final roster at the end of training camp.

Which guys will make the cut? Let’s find out.

Josh Bellamy

Everyone will remember what Bellamy did for the Bears last season. What did Bellamy do you might ask? He dropped a lot of passes. I remember being at the Bears’ game against the Titans where Bellamy dropped several passes that could have won them the game. He was very frustrating to watch in 2016. But despite that, the Bears brought him back, and now he stands poised to have another shot at making the roster. Will he make it?

Bellamy will have to have an outstanding training camp to make this team. Coaches will remember his struggles in 2016 and keep that in mind when they compare him to some of the other players at his position. He has some skill, but he might not have enough to earn a roster spot when the dust settles at the end of training camp.

Outlook: I think that Bellamy won’t make the roster unless someone gets hurt. I think that the talent ahead of him is too “good” for them to keep him. He could dig into a spot on special teams if he can play lights out there in training camp, however. Then he would have a better shot at making the roster. However, it will take a special effort for him to make the team and be a Bear in 2017.

Daniel Braverman

Braverman came to the Bears with a lot of hype last season as fans felt that he could be a “quiet thunder” and help out a stagnant passing game. His performance in training camp “sold” him to a lot of fans but it didn’t sell the coaching staff. Braverman didn’t get that many opportunities to show his stuff in 2016 but will get a shot at making the roster again this summer.

The problem with some of these middle to lower tier guys making the roster is what Chicago has invested in the guys ahead of them. They have some players, such as Markus Wheaton and Kendall Wright that will easily make the roster (barring a complete meltdown). Money and talent will dictate that. Guys like Braverman will have to try to make their mark on special teams to earn a spot.

Outlook: Braverman is a bubble player on a roster full of bubble players at wide receiver. I think he has a lot of talent and could potentially make it as a backup. But this is going to be a tough roster to crack at the receiver position. Expect Braverman to either just miss the cut and land on the practice squad or make it then spend time moving from the practice squad to the roster and back (due to injuries). Like most people, I am cheering for Braverman, but I just don’t think he is better than quite a few of the guys ahead of him. But we will see.

Victor Cruz

The Bears brought Cruz in to give them a veteran presence with experience that could help out the younger guys. He is talented but how much longer will he last? He has had injury issues throughout his career and had a serious injury (torn patellar tendon) not that long ago. In all reality, Cruz is at the end of his career and may not last as long as the Bears would like him to.

I think that the Bears like his veteran presence and I believe that, above all else, that will be why he ends up making the team. Chicago needs a player at the wide receiver position to act as a “coach on the field” and help bring the newer guys along. Cruz can be that guy.

Outlook: Unless he gets injured in training camp and can’t go on, I believe that Cruz will end up making the team and will help keep the wide receiver corps together. I think he might be the “go to guy” that quarterback Mike Glennon will be looking for in the passing game. That reliable receiving option, if you will. And if he can stay healthy, he might have one more good season before calling it a career.

Titus Davis

Davis has one year of NFL experience under his belt spending time with the New York Jets last season. He didn’t see any action. Some of the upside that Davis has includes being a very good route runner, an ability to find the ball in the air, adjust to throws and he the smarts to play the position. What he lacks is the ability to get away from speedy cornerbacks and make that “home run” catch. He will also drop passes and, having played at a lower level of competition in college, needs to be able to adjust to competing against an NFL secondary.

Could Davis end up being this year’s, Daniel Braverman? Will he win the hearts of Bears fans with a solid training camp? Could he leave people thinking he is deserving of a roster spot? We will soon see.

Outlook: Consider his status up in the air as we head into training camp. We will get a much better idea of how he will stand as training camp goes on. You never know, he could surprise us, but my feeling is he will end up earning a spot on the practice squad. I am looking forward to seeing him practice though, and see what he has to offer the Bears.

Tanner Gentry

Gentry, a rookie from the University of Wyoming, was often thrown to deep in college and has the skill to become a deep threat in the NFL. That’s if he can crack the lineup, of course. Some of the better things about Gentry include his ability to get out of his breaks quickly, play physically and run accurate routes.

The downside to Gentry is that he has a hard time gaining separation from defenders and needs to work on his route timing a bit. He doesn’t do too well after the catch struggling to gain a lot of yards after the reception.

Outlook: Like Davis, Gentry is going to be one of those guys that you have to watch in training camp to see if he will make the roster. A good training camp could cement him into a spot, but it’s much more likely he will be a practice squad player on the Bears squad or another team.

Cameron Meredith

For some reason, people have Meredith pegged as a number one wide receiver and a “solid” one at that. With just two years of catching passes with ten starts, he isn’t quite a number one receiver just yet. But he has potential. Can he deliver?

Meredith could end up being one of the best receivers on the team, and I predict that he will have a strong season. If Glennon can get him the ball, I think that he will be able to do some good with it. He could end up being that number one receiver that everyone thinks he can be.

Outlook: Meredith will compete with guys like Markus Wheaton and Kendall Wright for the number one receiver spot. Wright and Wheaton are going to give him a run for his money, so it promises to be a tight race between those three for that top spot. But I think that Meredith has the edge. He is going to be a good receiver and will catch a lot of passes for the Bears in 2017.

Ruben Randle

I think that Bears fans may have forgotten about Ruben Randle. He was picked up earlier this year and figures to be part of the competition in training camp. But can he make it onto the team’s final roster?

Randle has been in the league for four seasons and almost a fifth, but he was cut by the Philadelphia Eagles at the end of preseason last year. He didn’t play football in 2016. With a year off is he rested up or is he rusty?

Randle came close to gaining 1000 yards in 2014 but never got over that mark in four seasons. His eight touchdowns in 2015 were the most he scored in a year. He did help on punt returns early so perhaps Chicago could use him on special teams but that might be unlikely.

So why was Randle off a full year from football? He had some trouble with discipline when he was with the Giants, and this probably forced a lot of teams to shy away from him. Perhaps, with a year off, he will have cleaned up his act and will be better. If he can, he could be useful to the Bears on offense.

Outlook: I think that, unless some of the other guys ahead of him get injured, Randle is going to exit training camp early. I think that his better days are behind him and that most of the other talent on the roster is better than he is. Maybe I will be wrong, but I don’t think I will be.

Deonte Thompson

Thompson was often used as a special teams player during his first couple of seasons in Chicago but was used as a receiver more in 2016. Thompson is not going to be a number one wide receiver by any means and may solely make the team based on his special teams ability. But, he can be a third or fourth receiver if needed.

He could be a clutch receiver but can he be consistent? If he can improve his ability to catch the ball, Bears’ quarterbacks might look for him more often. He might be creative after the catch and gain those extra yards.

Outlook: If the Bears use him as a wide receiver more in training camp then you will see Thompson line up on offense much more during the season. I think that he will make the team because of his return ability though, but Chicago should try to work him in on offense also. He won’t be a 1000-yard receiver, or even a 500-yard receiver but could get that critical catch for a first down or catch that last second touchdown pass.

Markus Wheaton

Wheaton was another free agent pickup by the Bears this offseason. Chicago hopes that he can jump start his sluggish career in Chicago and live up to the hype that followed him into the NFL. When he was with the Steelers, Wheaton played consistently to begin his career but tailed off especially last year. Why? Pittsburgh had several good wide receivers ahead of him, and he lost his starting spot. Also, he injured his shoulder and was placed on injured reserve with a torn labrum. Now he is fully healed and ready to go.

There are some that think that Wheaton will be the Bear’s number one wide receiver when training camp is done. That is not out the question. He will compete with guys like Meredith and Kendall Wright for that number one spot and just might win it. The battle for that top spot, with these guys involved, will be the most watched positional battle in all of training camp.

Can Wheaton get back to do what he should have done to start his career and be a top of the line receiver? I think that he can be great and could live up to the Bears’ expectations. The talent ahead of him is not as strong as it was in Pittsburgh so I predict he will make a strong case to be number one at wide receiver for the Bears. It’s got between Wheaton and Meredith.

Kevin White

I have not mentioned Kevin White’s name as being part of the competition for the number one wide receiver spot. Why? White, despite the fact he has been with the team since 2015, has only played in four total games catching 19 passes for no touchdowns. We don’t know what we have in him yet.

Another big question is whether he can stay healthy. He has suffered from leg problems since day one and has not been able to stay on the field. This coming season will be crucial for him to prove that he can stay upright and contribute. Should he get injured again, I think it’s safe to say it will be his last go around in Chicago.

Outlook: I say this “?”. Should he be able to stay healthy, I think that he could be a vital asset to the team. Will he be a number one receiver? I doubt it. At least not at the start. I think it will take him some time to get used to things again and this will slow him down. But don’t be surprised if he ends up shining at some point. Of course, it will all depend on whether or not he can stay healthy. And that’s a bit “if.”

Kendall Wright

We are finally to the end of our look at the Bears’ wide receivers heading into training camp. Going in alphabetical order leaves us with Kendall Wright as the last player to preview. Wright is a free agent acquisition formerly of the Tennessee Titans. He has been in the league since 2012 and was a former first round pick. His best season came in 2013 when he went over 1,000 yards, but he has been regressing ever since.

Pace must have thought that Wright could resurrect his career in Chicago, so that is why he brought him in. Wright has talked big, but he needs to show what he can do on the field. And we will soon get a chance to see exactly what he has. I think he has something to offer, but it’s not going to be high impact.

Outlook: I have previously mentioned that Wright is going to compete with Bryant and Meredith for the number one wide receiver spot. However, I think that Wright is not going to earn that spot. Something about him has me thinking that he will be a second or third option and will contribute but will not do as well as some of the other guys. But, hopefully, I am wrong about him, and he can step up and get back to the 1000 yard form he had just a few seasons ago. But, we will see.

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2017 Chicago Bears Positional Review: Running Backs

June 30th, 2017

Bryan Dietzler

Posted in Bear Insight, Bears Banter, Inside The Bears, Main, Notes & Observations, Off Season Moves, Opinions, Position Battles, Rookies, Roster

By Bryan Dietzler

The second positional preview in my series on the Bears players will cover the running backs. The Bears’ running back position, in 2016, was a position of strength. Jordan Howard led the way with a record-setting campaign and helped the Bears win the three games they won. He was a pleasant surprise, and hopes are high that there is no sophomore slump with him this year.

Chicago has a bevy of running backs behind Howard and the depth there is strong. In fact, it might be the deepest position on the team. Some of the guys behind him have a lot of talent and can make Chicago’s offense competitive.

So now, let’s look at the players at running back the Chicago Bears currently have listed on the roster heading into training camp and see what the future holds for them.

Jordan Howard

Howard had a spectacular outing in his first season in the NFL. The Bears stole him in the 2016 NFL draft as he lasted until the fifth round. He started out slow, due to the talent ahead of him, but thanks to an injury to Jeremy Langford, he got his chance and he shined. He set the Bears’ rookie record for rushing yards and was a direct contributor to all three of the Bears’ wins in 2016.

Sometimes, what happens to rookies who have great first seasons they have a decline in performance the next season. Opponents figure out how to stop them, or they suffer from lapses. Could this happen to Howard? We hope it doesn’t.

It’s easy to say that Howard will be the starter in 2017, hands down. Unless he gets hurt or is a complete washout in training camp (not going to happen), there is no way he won’t be the starter. I think he will have another outstanding season playing behind a line that will be much improved.

Outlook: Howard will be the starter heading into the season if he doesn’t get hurt. The Bears will probably keep his carries down in training camp to keep him fresh for the season which is a smart move. Should he hit that “wall” we talked about, there is depth behind him that can help pick up the slack. But, I don’t think that Howard will hit that wall in 2017.

Jeremy Langford

Langford began as the starter in 2016 but, following an injury, Howard took over, and the Bears never looked back. He has a lot of talent and a promising future but will it be with the Bears? If Howard were to stumble, Langford could pick up the slack and help keep the running game going but can he stay healthy? And will they be a drop-off in talent and production if he were to be inserted in the lineup?

I believe that Langford is a solid player that the Bears can count on if Howard were to get injured. If he can stay healthy, then Chicago will have some nice depth and someone that can pick up the slack if needed.

Outlook: Langford will be the Bears’ second running back and will probably work in a rotation with Howard spelling him as needed. I would think that Chicago would want to use Langford more often because he is skilled and can add a different dimension to their offense. Look for him to get quite a few more carries in 2017 to help relieve Howard and keep opponents off balance.

Ka’Deem Carey

Personally, I like Carey a lot and think that he could be an effective “between the tackles” running back. The problem with him is he gets hurt too often and misses significant time. He can be an asset on special teams as well as a third down back, and he can come into the game in a pinch. However, he is not an every-down back. With this being a contract year, he has a lot to prove.

But will the Bears give him a chance to prove that he is an asset and should stay on the roster past 2017?

I am not 100% sure that Carey will even be on the active roster following training camp. We already know that the Bears will keep Howard, Langford and Tarik Cohen. The battle will be for the fourth and a possible fifth running back spots. Benny Cunningham could be targeted for that fourth spot and could beat Carey out. Cunningham and Carey are in a similar mold, and the better of the two will make the roster. If Chicago does decide to have a fifth running back, then Carey should be able to make the team.

Outlook: The race is going to be a tight one between Cunningham and Carey. Because of his familiarity with the Bears, Carey would have an edge, but Cunningham may have an edge in overall talent. I think it comes down to whichever one remains the healthiest in training camp and knowing Carey’s history; he might not make it through intact. Consider him on the bubble with his chances of making the team at about 50/50 at the time of this writing.

Benny Cunningham

Chicago pulled a lot of guys off other team’s scrap heaps during free agency and former Los Angeles Ram Benny Cunningham was one of those guys. He comes to the Bears with five years of NFL experience which include just three total starts. He has rushed for 748 yards on 171 carries with four touchdowns. Obviously, he has not been very productive, but he hasn’t had a lot of opportunities. So why did Chicago bring him in?

The Bears may have been looking for someone act as a bruiser between the tackles when they needed a short pickup on third down or goal line score. Carey hasn’t been able to stay healthy so Cunningham could be the guy they think will replace him. As previously mentioned, there is going to be a battle between Carey and Cunningham and the healthiest guy will win.

Outlook: I think that the battle between the incumbent, Carey, and Cunningham is going to be a good one to watch. With Carey struggling to stay healthy and the Bears knowing his injury history, I think it’s possible Cunningham will win the battle and perhaps be the fourth running back, on the Bears’ roster this season.

Tarik Cohen

Chicago went a different way than many felt they should have and drafted a small Division II player with a ton of talent. Known to some as the “Human Joystick” he can perform some “gimmick moves” none of which will help him on the football field. But he can play, well on it and that’s what the Bears need.

With his size, he is not going to be an every down back. Instead, the Bears will put in some special packages in, giving him just a few plays a game that might be big ones. They need all the help that they can get on offense and Cohen can help them. But just how much can he help them? He can run, and he can catch, but he can’t block a 300-pound defensive tackle. He might not even be able to block a linebacker. Ultimately, his ability to be an effective player will be determined in just a few snaps a game.

Outlook: Because he was a draft pick, he will make the team. Plan for him to be the third running back on the roster but play much less often than the other guys. He reminds me a lot of Garrett Wolfe (if fans remember him). If he can be a big-time playmaker, then he will have value, but if he falters and can’t perform at the NFL level, he needs to be gone quickly. But he won’t be gone this year.

Let’s see what he can do. Could he be the next Darren Sproles? Bears fans hope so.

Joel Bouagnon

Bouagnon is an undrafted free agent from the University of Northern Illinois and is a guy who is on the outside looking in as training camp gets ready to start. He is an appealing prospect as he had a productive career at NIU and is somewhat like Carey and Cunningham. He likes to pound the rock on the inside and could be used in short yardage situations.

The “book” on Bouagnon is that he is a bruising runner and tough to bring down. He is always going forward and hardly ever loses yardage. He sees the field well and is patient. But he is raw and needs work. Bouagnon doesn’t do much to make special things happen and isn’t a great pass catcher.

Outlook: Of the group, Bouagnon is the last guy in the pecking order. He may just be a body used to carry the ball and relieve the other running backs in camp. But if he can find his way in on special teams he might be able to gain a foothold there and make the roster. What is more likely to happen is that he gets cut at the end of the preseason and ends up on the practice squad.

Chicago’s running back group looks pretty good heading into training camp, but health will be a huge factor. If the key players can stay healthy and be productive, the running game will be successful in 2017. However, an injury to either Howard or Langford could set them back a ways. Hopefully, if that happens, another player will step up and shine. But who will that be?

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2017 Chicago Bears Positional Review: Quarterbacks

June 14th, 2017

Bryan Dietzler

Posted in Bear Insight, Features, Inside The Bears, Main, Notes & Observations, Opinions, Position Battles, Preview, QB Controversy, Roster

By Bryan Dietzler

The 2017 season isn’t that far away folks. We are under 100 days until the start of training camp and the Bears are gearing up for what hopes to be a better season than last year. There are a lot of new faces around Halas Hall, and one of the position groups that has seen the most change is the quarterback position.

Technically, there is only one player from this position who was on last year’s squad. That player is Connor Shaw. And he was almost out of Chicago before an injury to Mark Sanchez pushed him back onto the roster.

Chicago marches into the 2017 NFL season with many unknowns at quarterback. This may be the shakiest position on the roster right now and could be the one that gets this team in trouble.

Let us look at the players that Chicago has on the roster, right now, at the quarterback position. We will get an idea of what they might be able to do in 2017 and see how they can contribute.

Mike Glennon

Glennon has been named the starter heading into the season but that’s could change. But it’s likely it won’t. For the money, Chicago has invested in him, he is going to be their starting quarterback. It will take an injury or lights-out play by one of the three guys behind him for him to not be the starter.

So what do the Bears have in Glennon? No one knows because he doesn’t have a lot of NFL experience. He comes from Tampa Bay where he played in 21 total games. He did play quite a bit in 2013 and 2014 and put up decent numbers, but they weren’t anything spectacular. But, keep in mind he didn’t have a strong supporting cast in Tampa Bay, so he struggled. The problem is, he might not have too strong of a supporting cast in Chicago either. At least to begin with.

He is a huge question mark heading into training camp. He has a lot of confidence; you have to give him that. Glennon has been telling the media that this is “his” year. That’s good for him, and hopefully, the rest of the team feeds off of this. But can he live up to what he is saying about himself? And no matter how good he is, can he be good with what he has around him?

My prediction for Glennon is that he is going to have a very shaky start to the season but, with time, will get better. Three of the Bears’ first four games are going to be very tough, and Glennon will struggle. But, after that, I think he will pick things up and play better.

Outlook: Glennon should, barring injury, remain the starter for the season and give way to Mitchell Trubisky in 2018. I think that the Bears have too much money invested in him not to let him be the starter. General Manager Ryan Pace will also want to prove that he was not wrong about Glennon and will stick with him until the end. Let’s just hope, for all of our sakes, Glennon isn’t a complete disaster.

Mark Sanchez

The “Sanchize” comes into the quietest part of the off-season on the bench thanks to a knee injury. From what we can tell, Sanchez hurt his left knee during OTA’s a little over a week ago and is expected to miss some training camp time. What does this mean for him?

The Bears are tied to Sanchez for $1 million guaranteed so, if he comes back healthy, the Bears may consider that they have to keep him because of the money. Another reason they may want to keep him, and a very good reason, is that he has experience. Sure, he may not be in the same league as some other quarterbacks, but his experience can help the Bears.

This writer thinks that Sanchez would be an asset to the team if he comes back healthy. Should Glennon get injured, Chicago would be in better hands than they would be with Shaw or even Trubisky. And with his experience, Sanchez could help mentor and help get Trubisky ready for starting in the future. And should Sanchez need to play, he does have experience and could step in and keep things together while the Bears plan their next move at quarterback.

Outlook: If Sanchez doesn’t miss a lot of time, and has a good training camp, then he will be the Bears second string quarterback. I do think that he can beat out Connor Shaw with ease. I also feel that there is no way the Bears don’t go into the season without three quarterbacks. So, barring major health problems from Sanchez, it will be Sanchez, Glennon, and Trubisky.

Connor Shaw

There were a few people who felt that Shaw could have been a potential starter for the Bears in 2016. At least before he broke his leg in the preseason. And, many fans were eager to see what the Bears had in him. As mentioned, he was almost cut loose by the Bears a few days ago but was retained. Now, he is the second quarterback on the roster until Sanchez gets healthy.

Shaw can shine and show the Bears coaching and management staffs that he belongs on the team and should be the second quarterback. But does he have the skill and the talent to be that second quarterback? Shaw has not played in many games during his NFL career. In fact, he has only one game and one start during his entire career. And it wasn’t a good outing.

Shaw seems to have some kind of cult following among fans. They want to see him get a shot at the starting job and do something positive. But Shaw is a lower tier guy who isn’t’ going to be a starter in the NFL, ever. He might fill in at some point, but he’s not a long-term answer.

Outlook: The Bears need Shaw to help fill in while Sanchez heals up, so he will see many snaps. I think that the Bears have their sights set on keeping Glennon, Sanchez, and Trubisky. I think that’s almost set in stone. However, if one of those three should get hurt, Shaw may be ushered back in and could end up being a second or third string quarterback in 2017.

Mitchell Trubisky

When the Bears traded up one spot to pick the University of North Carolina quarterback Mitchell Trubisky, Bears fans and the media went nuts. No one thought that he was worth that much effort and the price they paid in draft picks to get him. Now, he has become the most scrutinized sports figure in Chicago. Some people think he’s the “savior” they have been looking for at quarterback and that he will bring this franchise out of the dark ages. Others think that he is going be a bust.

First of all, we should all have faith that Trubisky is going to come to Chicago and play well enough to provide some kind of stability to the position. This potential stability is something that the Bears haven’t had for years. They need it.

As of this writing, there are issues getting Trubisky signed to a contract. Chicago “should” be able to get that taken care of before the start of training camp. But what happens if they don’t? If Trubisky misses any part of training camp, then he will be behind and will have a slim chance of starting this year. But, in all reality, he should not get a shot at starting at any point this year.

The ideal scenario for the Bears is to let Trubisky sit for 2017 while he learns from the guys ahead of him. Not throwing him to the fire in his first NFL season would go a long way to making sure that he can be a successful NFL quarterback. If he can watch, learn and develop his skills while manning the bench, the Bears and Trubisky would be much better off.

I honestly don’t think that Trubisky will get a single start this year. As long as they have health with the two quarterbacks ahead of him, I think that he will sit on the bench. Even if the guys ahead of him get hurt, Chicago may choose to sign some street free agents to keep him on the sideline. That’s a good possibility.

Outlook: If the Bears can get him signed in time for camp and get him learning, Trubisky will be able to start absorbing what Chicago is trying to do. The longer he can learn the better off he will be. I think it’s a good bet that the Bears will keep him sidelined until 2018. It’s better for Trubisky and the team if they do that.

Finally

I think that Chicago’s quarterback situation is pretty much set in stone. I think that you will have Glennon starting, Sanchez backing him up and Trubisky as the inactive number three on most, if not all game days. If there are injuries, then this will change, but I think this is how it will go. Even if both Glennon and Sanchez fail, I think that Chicago will still keep Trubisky on the bench. Save him for next season and give him time to develop. Only then will he be a success.

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The Chicago Bears 2017 Schedule Reviewed: December

June 7th, 2017

Bryan Dietzler

Posted in Bear Insight, Bear Necessities, Game Previews, Inside The Bears, Main, Notes & Observations, Opinions, Preview

By Bryan Dietzler

The month of December will signal the end of the 2017 regular season and will, most likely, be the end of the Bears’ season. Chicago will start the year struggling but will end it as a better team. However, they won’t be quite good enough to make the playoffs. But they won’t end the season with as poor a record as many prognosticators are saying.

In fact, the Bears will be much better off at the end of the 2017 season than they were at the end of last year’s miserable campaign. You can bet on it. And they will have a strong finish to the season, in the month of December, to show how far they have progressed.

So here, in our final preview of the Bears’ schedule for 2017, we will look at the last five games of the season. Can they end the year on a high note or will they suffer a big blow and lose out? Let’s find out.

December 3rd @ 1 pm on Fox San Francisco at Chicago

If you remember last year’s game between these two teams, the Bears, after a rough start, pretty much had their way with the 49ers. Thanks to extremely poor play by San Francisco’s quarterbacks and a shoddy run defense, Chicago earned one of their three wins on the year. The 49ers, like the Bears, are in rebuilding mode now. But, they have a longer way to go than the Bears do.

I think this will be an easy win for the Bears. The 49ers quarterback situation will still be a problem next season so don’t count a lot of passing. Ironically, Chicago could be facing one of their two temporary starters from last year, Brian Hoyer or Matt Barkley. That should make things interesting. The Bears’ defense should be able to take care of those two. With issues on defense to boot, San Francisco has a way to go before they can be very competitive again.

Chicago will get another win and start the month of December on a high note. It could be what kicks off a strong close to a promising season.

Early “Don’t hold me to it” Prediction: Chicago 27 San Francisco 13

December 10th @ 1 pm on Fox Chicago at Cincinnati

The Bengals had a tough season last year and will hope to rebound in 2017. If they can stay healthy, they have a chance at a lot better than last year. But there are some holes they need to fill before they can count on winning a lot of games. For one, their offensive line needs work, and if they can’t protect quarterback Andy Dalton, they will struggle. The defense has some talent but can they put it all together?

This Cincinnati team is going to be a little hard to predict. They are usually up one year then down the next, and I think they are an inconsistent team overall. I do think this will be a good game and it will be a close one no matter what. Do I think the Bears can beat the Bengals? Yes, I do. Will they beat the Bengals? Yes, they will.

It will be a close game, but I think the Bears will take this one. Health will be the biggest factor. If the Bears are healthy at this point, they will win.

One question comes to mind now is, could Mitchell Trubisky be starting by the time they play this game? With this being a pivotal point in 2017, with lots of changes, changes at quarterback could happen. That’s just something to think about. There will be more on this in future postings.

Early “Don’t hold me to it” Prediction: Chicago 23 Cincinnati 18

December 16th @ 4:30 pm on NFLN Chicago at Detroit

The Bears and the Lions will face off for the second time this season in a game that could be important for the Lion’s playoff hopes. That’s if they still have playoff hopes. Some feel, including this writer, that the Lions have a real shot at making it to the postseason. At this point in the year, the Lions may be pushing hard for a playoff berth and will be playing lights out to earn every victory. Some teams turn it on at the end of the year, and the Lions could be in a position to do that.

I had the Bears taking the first game and think they will play tough in the second one. But if the Lions are poised for the playoffs, Chicago won’t beat them. I do think that if Detroit is headed towards the basement, then I think the Bears will win. These division games are so tough to predict, most of the time they could go either way. But this one belongs to the Lions.

Early “Don’t hold me to it” Prediction: Detroit 23 Chicago 20

December 24th @ 1 pm on Fox Cleveland at Chicago

The Bears hope to get an early Christmas present on Christmas Eve as they play host to last year’s worst team, the Cleveland Browns. I believe, after several good drafts, Cleveland has a lot of potential, and they will do better in 2017. But, they won’t beat the Bears. With questions on offense, particularly at quarterback, the Browns aren’t going to climb out of their hole just yet. And the Bears will not be a rung on the ladder they use to climb out of that hole.

This game could see the Bears earn the largest margin of victory they have against any team in 2017. I predict the Bears will have a good game through the air. If they haven’t run him into the ground by this time, Jordan Howard may be able to have a solid game too. And the defense could benefit from what should be an unsettled Cleveland offense.

Chicago will roll in this game and grab their third victory of the month.

Early “Don’t hold me to it” Prediction: Chicago 32 Cleveland 17

December 32st @ 1 pm on Fox Chicago at Minnesota

The Bears will play their final game of the season against division rival Minnesota, at Minnesota, for the second season in a row. The Vikings could take a bit of a dip this season, and I predict that they will compete with the Bears for the bottom spot in the NFC North. So, this could be dubbed the “basement bowl, ” and the loser could end up having the most losses in the North.

I think that this will be a hard fought game and will be one played for pride more than anything else. Remembering last year’s result, the Bears are going to want to play better and should play better. Hopefully, their key players will be healthy and ready for this game. The last game of the season for a team that isn’t bound for the playoffs can be a good test for rookies or players who haven’t seen a lot of action during the year. Could it be the game we see Mitchell Trubisky play in?

The Bears and Vikings will be playing for next year at this point. So who will come out on top?

This will be a win for the Vikings giving them each one win over the other. I think that the Bears will have a bit of a letdown in this game and end the season on a low note. But it’s certainly not going to be a down season. It won’t be a playoff season, but it will be better than last year.

Early “Don’t hold me to it” Prediction: Minnesota 24 Chicago 20

If you have been keeping up with my predictions, you will see that the record I have predicted might leave you shocked. All told, I have Chicago going 7-9 in 2017 which should be right about on the money. This record, of course, is barring a massive amount of injuries or a complete collapse which is possible. But I don’t think it will happen.

The Bears’ defense should be strong, but their offense will be a question mark. The running game will be solid, but there are some questions in the passing game where their quarterback, Mike Glennon, is not a seasoned signal caller. The wide receiver corps is a group of underachievers and could be the biggest question mark on this team. It could also be its biggest weakness.

There is so much we don’t know yet.

So here’s hoping for a 7-9 record or better. Achieving this mark will make it a “winning” season for the Bears and will show they are on the right path.

What are your thoughts? What do you think the Bears’ record will be in 2017?

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The Chicago Bears 2017 Schedule Reviewed: November

June 2nd, 2017

Bryan Dietzler

Posted in Bear Insight, Bear Necessities, Bears Banter, BuzzHype, Game Previews, Main, Notes & Observations, Opinions

By Bryan Dietzler

The Chicago Bears will play three games in the month of November starting it off with a bye. That bye arrives in the first week of the month and comes at a good time. It will give the Bears a break, allow them time to regroup and heal before taking on a tough stretch of games.

With two division games and a tough Eagles team to play, the Bears are going to have their work cut out for them. Can they win in the month of November or will they get shut out? We are about to find out as we make predictions on the entire month of November and see where the Bears will stand when the dust settles, and December arrives.

So, here we go again, a review of the Bears schedule this time for November 2017.

November 12th @ 1:00 pm on Fox Green Bay at Chicago

The oldest rivalry in the NFL comes to Soldier Field as the Bears take on the Packers for the second time in 2017. By this time, the Bears should know “who they are.” We should know if they are a “now” team or a “later” team.

What we will want to see is a good game and hopefully will get that in this second “clash” of 2017. Hopefully, the Bears will have good health and will have been able to find a rhythm which will allow them to compete evenly with Green Bay. But, in 2017, Chicago will not be able to beat the Packers. But it will happen eventually.

While I feel that Chicago will be much more competitive in this game I still think the Packers will earn a comfortable win. Green Bay will be firing on all cylinders while the Bears will put up a good fight but ultimately fold.

Early “Don’t hold me to it” Prediction: Green Bay 26 Chicago 17

November 19th @ 1 pm on Fox Detroit at Chicago

This will be the first game of the season against these two teams. Last year, they both took a game from one another, and that could happen again this season. Detroit looks to be poised to be at least a little bit better, but they may meet a Bears team that’s doing well. I project this to be the Bears closest win of the year.

Yes, folks, I did say win. I think that Chicago will beat the Lions in the first game. I believe that the Bears, coming off of a loss against the Packers the previous week, will right the ship and play a tight one this week. Both defenses will be tough, and there won’t be a lot of scoring, but if the Bears’ secondary can clamp down on Detroit’s receivers and the pass rush can get to Matthew Stafford, then they should be able to keep the reigns on Detroit and squeeze out a win.

This game is hard to predict, but I will give the Bears the edge in this one.

Early “Don’t hold me to it” Prediction: Chicago 17 Detroit 16

November 26th @ 1 pm on Fox Chicago at Philadelphia

I have taken a long look at the Eagles and think that they are going to be a pretty solid team in 2017. If Carson Wentz continues to grow and the offense can mold around him, they could be a playoff contender easily.

The Wentz-led Eagles beat the Bears last season upsetting a lot of fans (I was one of them). No one thought that a rookie who was playing his first few NFL games should have been able to beat the Bears. But Chicago had a lot of problems last year and wasn’t in a good place. I think that they will be in a much better place than they were when they played the Eagles in 2016 but still won’t be able to beat them.

Philadelphia should be rolling by the time they meet the Bears. But Chicago’s defense will be doing well and should be able to keep the point total down. But they won’t be able to keep the Eagles from winning. Philadelphia will edge the Bears but not by much. This loss will help us continue to realize that Chicago is still a rebuilding team.

Early “Don’t hold me to it” Prediction: Philadelphia 21 Chicago 13

With the bye week, the month of November is a short month for Chicago. Hopefully it will propel the Bears to a better December. The problem with November is, they face two teams that they just cannot beat. Green Bay and Philadelphia will beat the Bears. The Detroit game will be close and could go either way, but I like the Bears to win that one.

Let’s hope that Chicago can pull out at least one victory in November to help keep their future looking bright.

Next Up: The final month of the season, December, is predicted. What will the Bears’ final record be?

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The Chicago Bears 2017 Schedule Reviewed: October

May 24th, 2017

Bryan Dietzler

Posted in Bear Insight, Features, Game Previews, Inside The Bears, Main, Notes & Observations, Opinions, Picks

By Bryan Dietzler

In my last article, we looked at the Bears’ schedule in September. They play three out of four games against playoff teams from 2016 and could go winless. What a bad way to start the year. But after looking at October’s schedule, it’s possible the Bears could not only earn their first win of the season but grab even more victories to help their record.

There are so many unknowns heading into the 2017 season that it’s hard to predict exactly what the Bears are going to do. It’s more of a “best guess” than anything else. But you can see some of the trends that have taken place over the last few seasons and get a pretty good guess as to what might happen.

Remember, all of this is just a guess.

When making these selections, I try to factor in what has happened to both teams during the offseason what, if any improvement has been done by both teams. For the Bears, I can only hope that their arrow is pointing up for them next season. You would think it would be after all the moves that they have made. And while they may not see a lot of success in 2017, they are poised for greatness beyond it.

So, once again, here we go with a review of the Bears games for 2017. This time, we will tackle the month of October.

October 9th @ 8:30 pm on ESPN Minnesota at Chicago

The Vikings were riding high last season before they met the Bears on Halloween, lost, and started their downward spiral. They did take the second game against, at the end of the season, leaving both teams with a win against one another in 2016. Now it’s a new year and a fresh start for both teams.

Minnesota made some moves to help get themselves in a better spot next year. However, they are still a little ways away from being a playoff contender. So, at this point in the 2017 season following a rough start, this is the team that the Bears need to play.

This will be a hard-fought game, but the Bears will have enough in the tank to get past the Vikings. Things will finally start clicking for Chicago here, and they will show the Monday night crowd that they can win. Along with that, with this being a division game, both teams are sure to be ready to fight it out. But the Bears will have the edge and get their first victory of the year.

Early “Don’t hold me to it” Prediction: Chicago 17 Minnesota 10

October 15th @ 1:00pm on Fox Chicago at Baltimore

The Ravens were not a “great team” last season earning a .500 record but no trip to the playoffs. They have done some work to try to make themselves better this off-season and may show some improvement. One thing about Baltimore you can usually count on is that they will have a strong defense. But, by this point in the season the Bears offense could (and should) be clicking and, barring injuries, could be doing just enough to look better each week. And they could look and do better against the Ravens.

The Bears’ defense may also be in much better shape by this time, and if they are, they should be able to shut down the Ravens’ rebuilding offense. While this game may not be a high scoring affair due to struggling offenses and stronger defenses, it should be a Bears’ win

Early “Don’t hold me to it” Prediction: Chicago 13 Baltimore 10

October 22nd @ 1:00pm on Fox Carolina at Chicago

After riding high in 2015, the Carolina Panthers came crashing down to earth and struggled. They have made some adjustments during the offseason and may look a little better, but they may not climb completely out of the basement in 2017. They have a little ways to go.

With a strong showing by their defense, the Bears can win this game. They have to contain Cam Newton, which got easier for teams last year. Hopefully, the Bears defense will be hot at this time of year with good health and greater comfort with Vic Fangio’s system. If they have both of those things nailed down, they could be capable of stopping Carolina.

I think that Chicago will be able to beat the Panthers, at home and continue their winning streak. This is a winnable game if all the pieces for the Bears are clicking. And it’s possible they could be at this time of the season.

Early “Don’t hold me to it” Prediction: Chicago 20 Carolina 14

October 29th @ 1 pm on Fox Chicago at New Orleans

The Saints have one of the most talented offenses in the NFL, but they will be developing some new talent on that side of the ball. Quarterback Drew Brees is one of the best and can throw the ball all over the field racking up yards and points. The suspect unit for the Saints is their defense. They have struggled the last few seasons, but with some moves made this off-season, they will be a little bit better.

Chicago’s’ defense will need to be at it’s strongest in this game. If the Saints’ offense is firing on all cylinders, which it will be, it’s going to be hard to stop. Chicago’s secondary needs to be up to the task covering Brees’ targets. They need to get perfect pass pressure against the Saints’ quarterback and need to keep New Orleans from scoring a lot of points. This is because Chicago’s offense will probably not be able to keep up.

This could either be a shootout or a lopsided win by the Saints. Unless something happens to tie the hands of the Saints offense (an injury to Brees perhaps) their offense will be hot as usual. Chicago’s offense will lack the firepower to keep up with their consistently productive offense.

Chicago will come out of this game on the losing side ending the month on a low note. Incidentally, their bye week will be the next week, so they will go into that week having lost some momentum.

Early “Don’t hold me to it” prediction: New Orleans 27 Chicago 17

The Bears will get some wins in the month of October and will look better. This team is built to progressively get better, and as the season goes on, they will get better. There is talent on the team, especially on defense and this team will start climbing out of the basement in 2017 and eventually get to the playoffs maybe even as early as 2018.

Next Up: The month of November and continued improvement.

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The Chicago Bears 2017 Schedule Reviewed: September

May 17th, 2017

Bryan Dietzler

Posted in Bear Insight, Bear Necessities, Bears Banter, Inside The Bears, Main, Picks

By Bryan Dietzler

The 2017 NFL schedule was released a while ago, and a lot of people have taken a stab at trying to predict how many games the Bears will win. It was harder to predict when it first came out because the draft hadn’t taken place yet. It’s still difficult because mini-camps hadn’t happened and of course, we don’t know who is going to get hurt in between now and the time the season starts.

There are so many variables right now so predicting the wins and losses next season is very difficult. What some people base their predictions on is how the teams’ did last year. We all know that the record of a team the previous season doesn’t have much bearing on how they are going to do the following season. So we can just about throw the previous seasons records.

What we need to look at is what the team did this off-season to improve, if anything. You need to look at what players they added, what players they lost and what the situation is with the coaching staff. All of that is critical to evaluating how a team will do the next season.

The Chicago Bears, simply put, are going to struggle in 2017. But their future is bright, and quite honestly, they may not do as bad as some people think. They still have some pieces that they need to put into place and have some player development to work on. But anything is possible this coming season.

I had made a prediction earlier that the Beas would win more games than they did the previous season, seven to be exact. But my prediction may change a little as I dig into what the other teams have done this offseason and try to see how they match up against the Bears.

I am going to do a four part series on the Bears’ 2017 schedule, month by month, giving my initial predictions as to what I think will happen with their games next season. Of course, please don’t hold me to this, but who knows, maybe some of these “guesses” will be right.

Let’s start off with the month of September

September 10th @ 1 p.m. on Fox Atlanta at Chicago

The Bears start off the 2017 season with a visit from Super Bowl runner-up Atlanta. That’s not a great way to start the year. Atlanta’s offense is electric and should return pretty much the same set of players that it had last season. Their defense is also going to be better, and Chicago’s offense may not be clicking on all cylinders right away. Look for the Falcons to put up some points, but it won’t be a total blowout. Chicago’s defense has a lot of talent but will they have the talent to overcome the Falcons high powered offense? Probably not but they won’t let Atlanta run all over them.

The most interesting thing about this game will be that it should be quarterback Mike Glennon’s first start with the Bears. He will see time in the pre-season, but this will be the real thing. Fans will be tuned in to see how he performs and he will cross the threshold of being the most criticized player on the team in 2017. The defense will also get some looks by fans and the media with a revamped secondary and, hopefully, better health.

Early “Don’t hold me to it” score prediction: 24-13 Atlanta wins.

September 17th @ 1:00 p.m. on Fox Chicago at Tampa Bay

Glennon will face his old team, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, in the Bears second game of the season. While there are those people that feel the Bears won’t win this game, of any game this month, this is the one they have the best chance to win. The defense needs to be on their toes to shut down Jamies Winston and the Bucs rushing attack. If Chicago can make them one dimensional, this could be their game to win.

But the defense is going to need some help from the offense, and the biggest question that will be asked is whether or not the offense can provide that help? Will Glennon and his receiving crew be up to the task? And will the running game be able to help keep the pressure off of the Bears’ passing game? With a balanced attack, the Bears can win this game but can the offense be consistent?

I think this is going to be closer than everyone thinks but still a loss for Chicago.

Early “Don’t hold me to it” score prediction: 17-13 Tampa Bay wins.

September 24th @ 1 p.m. on Fox Pittsburg at Chicago

The Bears will play their third game of the season against another playoff team from last year, the Pittsburgh Steelers. If all of the big weapons for Pittsburgh are healthy, like quarterback Ben Roethlisberger, wide receiver Antonio Brown and running back Levon Bell, the Bears will struggle. The Steelers are a solid team, and while they have a few holes, they can compensate for them.

The Bears will have their hands full with the Steelers offense but what about Pittsburgh’s defense? Will the Steeler’s defense shut the Bears offense down? That’s a huge question mark because it’s so hard to predict just how Chicago’s’ offense is going to react. Will Glennon and his receivers be on the same page by then? Can the running game help bail them out? By the third game they should be in sync but just how good will their offense be?

This game appears to be one that the Bears will easily lose, unfortunately. Hopefully, it won’t be a blowout.

Early “Don’t hold me to it” prediction: Pittsburgh 27 Chicago 10

September 28th @ 8:30 pm on NBC Chicago at Green Bay

The Bears will play their first game of the season within the NFC North against the Green Bay Packers. The Packers have done a lot of work on their defense this offseason and look to be much better there. Their offense should be better as well so honestly; the Packers may be the best team in the division at least to start the season. But the games between these two teams are always interesting, and hopefully, Chicago will be able to give the Packers some tough competition.

Chicago’s’ defense will be a big key in this game. They must do something they have rarely done, and that is stop quarterback Aaron Rodgers. But remember, the Packers were not only able to cause the Bears problems through the air but also on the ground. Can the Bears put up a good fight against their multi-faceted attack?

And what about the Bears’ offense? Can they match up against the Packer’s defense with all their improvements? Or will Chicago’s offense struggle?

This game will mark the first time former tight end Martellus Bennett has played against the Bears since they sent him to New England. Now he is with their biggest rival, so that will be a big storyline leading up to the game. There should be plenty of bulletin board material by the time this game starts on Sunday.

The Packers will best the Bears in their first game against one another in 2017. But, there are going to be brighter days ahead for the Bears when they play the Packers again in the future.

Early “Don’t hold me to it” prediction: Green Bay 27 Chicago 12

The Bears may end up going winless in the month of September due to a tough opening schedule. Their best chance at victory will come against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, but they could surprise anyone. It’s the NFL. Anyone can win on any given day. Chicago will get better and there will be some winnable games ahead.

Next Up: October and the Bears first win

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