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We offer: Select opportunities, For your convenience, At "Very Rare but Super Fair pricing,
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Note: This is a taste of what we will bring back to you when the Bears Training Camp starts, July 19, 2018. Be sure and read our prospective and our 2018 Chicago Bears prognosis and outlook. Remember this quote, Why Not Us? Chicago Bears new attitude.....
"Sports Quote of the Day"
“Just because fate doesn't deal you the right cards, it doesn't mean you should give up. It just means you have to play the cards you get to their maximum potential.” ~ Les Brown, Motivational Speaker
Steve Smith says Matt Nagy will bring winning football back to Chicago.
By Bryan Perez
Former Carolina Panthers and Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Steve Smith joined NFL Network's "Good Morning Football" on Friday and continued the offseason theme of confidence in the Chicago Bears heading into the 2018 season.
"Chicago has a history of winning," Smith said. "They want it. They want it tomorrow. They want it like the 32-year-old woman, she's pregnant, she wants the ring now."
Smith emphasized the impact new coach Matt Nagy will have on Chicago's offense as a key reason why fans should be confident in the new-look Bears.
"Offensively, he (Nagy) is going to make this team better. He's not just a guy who studied it and went to college and failed out. He played six years in the AFL, the arena league, the Carolina Cobras, the New York Dragons, he played for every team, the Destroyers, some team in Georgia, he played everywhere.
"He has the ability to make everybody better. He did wonders with Alex Smith. Matt had him passing the ball very efficiently. So, I believe he is what they need. Fresh, young, innovative. He may even put on some pads just to show those guys because Chicago is waiting to win and Matt Nagy understands that."
One of the big variables working in Nagy's favor is Mitch Trubisky, who's entering his second season as the team's obvious building block.
"He has something that coach Fox did not have. He has a quarterback of the future. There's nobody standing in his way. There's no Mike Glennon with a $30 million contract that we know is only going to last five games.
"Chicago is on the turn for the good highway of winning."
All the offseason praise will turn to on-field expectations once Nagy and the Bears kick off training camp on July 21.
"Chicago has a history of winning," Smith said. "They want it. They want it tomorrow. They want it like the 32-year-old woman, she's pregnant, she wants the ring now."
Smith emphasized the impact new coach Matt Nagy will have on Chicago's offense as a key reason why fans should be confident in the new-look Bears.
"Offensively, he (Nagy) is going to make this team better. He's not just a guy who studied it and went to college and failed out. He played six years in the AFL, the arena league, the Carolina Cobras, the New York Dragons, he played for every team, the Destroyers, some team in Georgia, he played everywhere.
"He has the ability to make everybody better. He did wonders with Alex Smith. Matt had him passing the ball very efficiently. So, I believe he is what they need. Fresh, young, innovative. He may even put on some pads just to show those guys because Chicago is waiting to win and Matt Nagy understands that."
One of the big variables working in Nagy's favor is Mitch Trubisky, who's entering his second season as the team's obvious building block.
"He has something that coach Fox did not have. He has a quarterback of the future. There's nobody standing in his way. There's no Mike Glennon with a $30 million contract that we know is only going to last five games.
"Chicago is on the turn for the good highway of winning."
All the offseason praise will turn to on-field expectations once Nagy and the Bears kick off training camp on July 21.
Roquan Smith and Anthony Miller rated among the best rookies in Madden.
By Matt Eurich
(Photo: Robin Alam, Icon Sportswire, Getty)
Smith was Chicago's first-round selection this year and was the eighth overall pick. Here's what Dan Williams of EASports.com had to say about him and why Smith was rated so highly:
"The Bears stepped up their defensive game when drafting Smith. The focus on his attributes shines on pass coverage. He’s not the fastest linebacker of the rookie class, but his 89 Speed helps him cover a great portion of the field and an 88 Tackle rating is the best among defensive rookies. With an 80 in Zone Coverage, he’s right at home cutting off the middle of the field. He could be the league’s next tackle machine."
Certainly some high praise from the video game giant. One of Smith's strongest attributes while at Georgia was his ability to drop back in coverage. Additionally, he was a monster in terms of tackling.
As a true freshman at Georgia, Smith appeared in 10 games and recorded 20 tackles and 1.5 tackles for loss in ten games primarily as a reserve. When given a chance in his sophomore year to start, he took full advantage. In 13 games in 2016 he recorded 95 tackles, 52 of them were solo tackles, five tackles for loss, one pass deflection, one fumble recovery and two forced fumbles. Following his impressive sophomore season, Smith jumped to the next level in 2017. Last year he recorded 137 total tackles, 14 tackles for loss, 6.5 sacks, two pass deflections, two forced fumbles and one forced fumble. For those efforts he was named a consensus All-American, won the SEC Defensive Player of the Year award and won the prestigious Butkus Award, given out to the top collegiate linebacker every year by former Bears legend Dick Butkus.
Smith is projected to be a starter alongside Danny Trevathan at the inside linebacker position.
For Miller, his 74 overall ranking is a solid number for being a second-round pick. Carolina's D.J. Moore was listed at No. 1 with Calvin Ridley of the Atlanta Falcons listed at No. 2. Both wideouts share a 77 overall ranking. Here's what Williams of EASports.com had to say about Miller:
"Miller rounds out this top five as a solid route runner, but lacks the moves to break off after the catch. With routes, his 82 Short and 80 Mid are second only to Moore among the top 5. His 80 Catching is the lowest of the bunch. Playstyle wise, he’s a more agile Sutton with lesser hands but better stick moves."
Miller notably walked on at Memphis and put together an impressive collegiate career. In three seasons on the field he caught 238 passes for 3,590 yards with 37 touchdowns. He capped off his final season with 96 catches for 1,462 yards with 18 touchdowns. He figures to be a major player on offense for the Bears this season, more than likely out of the slot.
Bears defense compared to the Jaguars by Bryant McFadden.
By Matt Eurich
(Photo: Dennis Wierzbicki, USA TODAY Sports)
Former NFL cornerback Bryant McFadden now works for CBS Sports as an analyst and feels excited about what the Bears can do on the defensive side of the ball this year.
"This is a sleeper team, but I love this team," McFadden told CBS Sports' Will Brinson on the Pick Six Podcast. "The Monsters of the Midway -- they're back. Chicago. Chicago. Quiet as kept, this was a top-10 defense a year ago. Under the radar. They have, in my opinion, the best young defensive unit in the league. Young, I'm talking about youth. Jacksonville, they're extremely young, but they've got a few quality, older experienced pieces. When you look at this Chicago Bears defense, youth is on all three phases as far as the front, the second level and the third level."
Calling Chicago's defense the "best young defensive unit in the league" is certainly high praise. The Jacksonville Jaguars do have an impressive defense but it does have some veteran pieces who play key roles. For the Bears, the veterans on defense are defensive end Akiem Hicks and cornerback Prince Amukamara, both of whom are under the age of 30. Over the course of the last two years, Hicks has asserted himself as a key part of Chicago's defensive scheme. In his first year in Chicago in 2016 he started all 16 games and ended the year with 54 tackles and seven sacks with two pass deflections and two forced fumbles. Last year he once again started all 16 games and ended the season with 54 tackles and a career-high 8.5 sacks. He has proven to be the most important part of Chicago's defensive line and is a great fit at the 5-technique defensive end spot in Fangio's system.
Some of McFadden's highest praise came for Chicago's first-round pick Roquan Smith.
"Roquan Smith? Boy, he's a dog and I'm not just saying that because he went to Georgia," McFadden said. "He is a DOG. He's a tone-setter -- he's the guy who throws people out of the club. He's like the bouncer and you have to have that type of personality on your defense."
Smith is expected to become a new centerpiece on defense because of his ability to play aggressively downhill against the run and because his athleticism allows him to be a threat from sideline to sideline. He began OTAs with the second-team defense and already earned his way up to the first-string defense before minicamp concluded near the beginning of June.
In addition to adding Smith to the mix, Chicago also brought back Amukamara and Kyle Fuller in the secondary on new deals and have a pair of young safeties in Adrian Amos and Eddie Jackson who both impressed last season. If the Bears can find a consistent pass rush from Leonard Floyd and others it is easy to understand why McFadden is so high on their potential this upcoming year.
Tarik Cohen ready to become a Chicago fan-favorite in 2018.
By Bryan Perez
Tarik Cohen is one of the Chicago Bears' most entertaining players on and off the field. Whether he's dazzling fans with moves made for a video game or dominating his teammates in Fortnite, he's brought a special personality to Chicago's sports landscape.
He's also a special piece for coach Matt Nagy's offense. In a recent appearance on The Jim Rome Show, Cohen spoke about his fit in the new system and the ways Nagy has been using him thus far in offseason workouts.
"If I could kick the football, he'd also want me to kick the football, too. It goes to show how many plays he has me at. I've been everywhere, I've been at every position. It's crazy," Cohen said.
Few players offer the kind of dynamic skill set Cohen possesses. He's a legitimate triple threat as a runner, receiver and kick returner. Nagy knows this and will manufacture touches for him in ways the previous coaching staff couldn't figure out how to do.
Cohen said he's confident going into his second season after making the leap from the small-school ranks as a fourth-round pick last year.
"I feel way more comfortable," he said. "It's like, I don't have to be nervous anymore. I know what I'm getting myself into now. So, I'm just ready to get back at it."
Opposing defenses know more about Cohen, too, something the 5'6 running back is well aware of. He's preparing for a greater challenge in 2018.
"I have to prepare better. I have to workout harder, take practice more seriously and just try and get better every day."
There's a great opportunity for Cohen to launch into superstardom this season, especially in a city that embraces elite talent in a unique way.
"I know if I have a whole, a great complete season, what it could mean for me, being liked by Chicago," he said.
Cohen should see a significant jump in production in 2018. His 723 total yards (370 rushing, 350 receiving) as a rookie could easily double this season.
Until then, Cohen will continue dominating his teammates in Fortnite.
"I'm like the master. They're like the students."
By Bryan Perez
Tarik Cohen is one of the Chicago Bears' most entertaining players on and off the field. Whether he's dazzling fans with moves made for a video game or dominating his teammates in Fortnite, he's brought a special personality to Chicago's sports landscape.
He's also a special piece for coach Matt Nagy's offense. In a recent appearance on The Jim Rome Show, Cohen spoke about his fit in the new system and the ways Nagy has been using him thus far in offseason workouts.
"If I could kick the football, he'd also want me to kick the football, too. It goes to show how many plays he has me at. I've been everywhere, I've been at every position. It's crazy," Cohen said.
Few players offer the kind of dynamic skill set Cohen possesses. He's a legitimate triple threat as a runner, receiver and kick returner. Nagy knows this and will manufacture touches for him in ways the previous coaching staff couldn't figure out how to do.
Cohen said he's confident going into his second season after making the leap from the small-school ranks as a fourth-round pick last year.
"I feel way more comfortable," he said. "It's like, I don't have to be nervous anymore. I know what I'm getting myself into now. So, I'm just ready to get back at it."
Opposing defenses know more about Cohen, too, something the 5'6 running back is well aware of. He's preparing for a greater challenge in 2018.
"I have to prepare better. I have to workout harder, take practice more seriously and just try and get better every day."
There's a great opportunity for Cohen to launch into superstardom this season, especially in a city that embraces elite talent in a unique way.
"I know if I have a whole, a great complete season, what it could mean for me, being liked by Chicago," he said.
Cohen should see a significant jump in production in 2018. His 723 total yards (370 rushing, 350 receiving) as a rookie could easily double this season.
Until then, Cohen will continue dominating his teammates in Fortnite.
"I'm like the master. They're like the students."
On this Date in Sports History: Today is Wednesday, July 4, 2018.
Memoriesofhistory.com
1910 - Race riots broke out all over the United States after African-American Jack Johnson knocked out Jim Jeffries in a heavyweight boxing match.
1919 - Jack Dempsey won the world heavyweight champion when he defeated Jess Willard.
1934 - Boxer Joe Louis won his first professional fight.
1939 - Lou Gehrig retired from major league baseball.
1980 - Nolan Ryan (Houston Astros) got his 3,000th career strikeout.
1980 - Martina Navratilova won her sixth straight Wimbledon singles championship and her eighth overall.
2003 - Kobe Bryant (Los Angeles Lakers) was arrested on suspicion of sexual assault after turning himself in to police. He was released after posting a $25,000 bond.
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