One thing I’ve always shown here, in this space, is transparency. So … here goes nothing.
If you’ve been rocking with us for a while (first of all, thanks), then you might remember I began seeing a therapist in January after The Girlfriend’s passing on Christmas Eve. I was pretty open about it here, which was an important part of the grieving process. Anyway, my time with my original therapist came to an end in May. But after months of searching for someone else who could help guide me through things, we’re reconnecting for our first session with her place of employment. And I’m looking forward to it for so many reasons.
I’m sharing this for a variety of reasons. Firstly, therapy worked for me and I don’t mind sharing my success story. Secondly, I believe it will be helpful again (admitting you need help isn’t as easy as you might think). Thirdly, I’m cognizant that someone might see my story and feel inspired to seek help for themselves (I know I would’ve gone earlier had I had a guiding light telling me that it wasn’t something to be ashamed of).
So if you don’t see me as active as you’re used to on a Tuesday, that’ll be why. Thanks for your kindness and support. It is truly appreciated. Go Bears!
For me, the upcoming trip to the greater Indianapolis area will be equal parts work, fun, and catching up with friends. But for Chicago Bears Head Coach Matt Eberflus, it’ll be all business. Chris Emma (670 The Score) writes about how Eberflus and new Colts Head Coach Shane Steichen will spend time Tuesday hashing out plans on how to host their joint practices. When it comes to the Bears, this will be their first joint practice session since linking up with the Miami Dolphins during the summer of 2021. But for both of these head coaches, this will be a first. I’ve never attended a joint practice in person, so I’m looking forward to seeing what this looks like.
It’ll be fun to see how the rookies of these respective teams react to practicing against guys who aren’t on their own squad. Mark Potash (Sun-Times) pens a piece about how the Bears’ 2023 NFL Draft class collectively took a nice step forward in Preseason Week 1. In re-watching the game, right tackle Darnell Wright, cornerback Tyrique Stevenson, and defensive tackle Zacch Pickens stood out the most. That’s three of their first four picks from this class.
Another rookie, running back Roschon Johnson, had one nice run that I took mental notes on while I was at the game. Days later, Colleen Kane (Tribune) notes that Johnson was getting first-team reps during Monday’s practice.
FWIW: Johnson knows his best is yet to come, telling NBC Sports Chicago: “I think it’s just a matter of me getting more and more reps. The more and more comfortable I get, the more my head is not spinning, the more I can go out there and just execute. As time goes on, I can feel myself getting more comfortable.”
That Bears backfield has a little bit of everything you’d want out of a collection of running backs. Khalil Herbert is a young player on his first contract who returns in his second year in the system. D’Onta Foreman is a respected vet who can be a load-carrying RB1 if the situation calls for it. Roschon Johnson is a rookie on the rise who hopefully plays well enough to have us consider him as a future RB1 candidate. What’s not to love?
Kevin Fishbain and Adam Jahns (The Athletic) offer up Bears training camp superlatives. It is a fun read that I find perfect for a Tuesday morning. My favorite part is that when sharing their thoughts on a standout rookie, both go with different players (Fishbain picks linebacker Noah Sewell, Jahns selects cornerback Tyrique Stevenson) for very different reasons. And I could probably make a case for some others deserving of consideration. I’ve been gushing about this draft class since the dust settled in April. So it is nice to see that the arrow is pointing in the right direction.
Sometimes, practices don’t leave folks with an “a-ha!” moment. Reading through notes by the Sun-Times’ Jason Lieser has me feeling like Monday was a lighter and mostly uneventful day. But there is a note about the defense getting a stop on Justin Fields and the offense in red-zone drills. It’s good to see the “D” get their shine every once in a while. Let’s not lose sight of there being two sides of the ball.
I was at Saturday’s preseason game, so I didn’t have a chance to listen to the radio broadcast. How was it?
An old friend finds a new home with some other old friends. The Trib’s Brad Biggs reports DeAndre Houston-Carson is set to sign with the Baltimore Ravens. DHC was with the Bears from 2016-22 and played all sorts of roles in the secondary and on special teams. Houston-Carson wasn’t deployed in the same manner under Matt Eberflus as he had been by the Vic Fangio, Chuck Pagano, and Sean Desai regimes, and it showed in his play and his usage rate. But perhaps going to the Ravens will help him get back on track. Upon arrival in Baltimore, he’ll reunite with ex-Bears such as linebacker Roquan Smith and center Sam Mustipher.
More from Biggsy, who has a laundry list of recent tryouts. We’ll see if any of ’em end up latching on with Chicago:
The folks at NFL media are tracking preseason roster cuts. This could be a useful tool for us at some point in the not-too-distant future.
From BN NFL: Free agent running back Dalvin Cook finally has a new home. The four-time Pro Bowler and former Minnesota Vikings top rusher is joining another long-time Bears tormentor in Aaron Rodgers by signing a one-year deal with the New York Jets.
Well, this is a lovely tweet:
Whoa! I definitely missed it when ex-Bulls Pau Gasol and Dwyane Wade entered the Basketball Hall of Fame. (BN Bulls)
I can’t vouch for the old Marlins baseball stadium. But I had a blast being there in March for the World Baseball Classic. Now I’m wondering how much awesome it would’ve been had Derek Jeter not ruined it:
P.S.: Happy Crosstown Cup Pt. 2 to all who celebrate. Go Cubs!
NEWSLETTER
