Ride the Wave
5-27-2020
I need to get back out
I need to ride the wave
I need need to find myself
Again
I need one more chance
To right the wrongs
I need one more dance
So play that song
Again
If I could take it back
I’d make it go away
If I could wipe one tear
I would
I need to hold your hand
Lift your head up high
I hope you understand
My love
Thunderstorms and Tornadoes
5-15-20
Springtime, mid May
Nighttime, and rain
Lightning another lightning crash
Thunder booms above
My heart beats a little bit faster
My life has been a complete disaster
Until I met you, until I met you
Early in the morning and I cannot move
Paralyzed by thoughts ; promises broken
Thinking of all the shit I was gonna do
My heart beats a little bit faster
My life has been a complete disaster
Until I met you, until I met you
Early in the morning and I cannot move
Paralyzed by thoughts; promises broken
Thinking of all the shit I wanted to do
Here we go! The NFL just released the Bears 2020 schedule. We knew the opponents for a while, but several things have happened since, including Philip Rivers signing with the Colts and Tom Brady taking his talents to Tampa Bay. Let’s go!
Week 1- @Lions: The Bears open up in the Motor City and I like it. OK, at first I was like, “why do the Lions get to open at home?” Then I thought about it, and it will be a great test for the 2020 Bears. The Lions had a very nice draft including the top CB, Jeff Okudah, and a really nice running back in D’Andre Swift out of Georgia.
Week 2- Giants: The New York Football Giants come to town with 2nd year QB Daniel Jones and running back Saquon Barkley. They added a left tackle with their first pick in the 2020 draft, so that helps them out greatly. This will be another good test for the 2020 Bears, who have a slight home field advantage.
Week 3- @Falcons: The Bears are back on the road in Atlanta. The Falcons #1 pick was CB AJ Terrell and hopefully they will need it with the targets the Bears can put out against them. I am hoping return specialist, and WR/RB Cordarraelle Paterson is more integrated into the offense. I’m also hoping WR Anthony Miller’s durability holds up, because they will need it vs Matt Ryan. You don’t want to fall behind at the Mercedes Dome.
Week 4- Colts: The Colts signed veteran QB Philip Rivers, and added two really nice players in the 2nd round of the 2020 NFL draft. They selected WR Michael Pittman Jr. (son of Michael Pittman the former RB) out of USC and Wisconsin RB Jonathan Taylor who are much needed weapons for Indy. I’m going to sound like a broken record, but this will again be a great early season challenge for the Bears. Glad this one is at home.
Week 5- Buccaneers: Just 4 days later the Bears take on Tom Brady and one of the best WR duos in the league in Mike Evans and Chris Godwin. We will quickly find out if the Bears can hold their own against one of the high octane offenses in the league. Brady will have 4 games to warm up for this one. I’m really hoping the Bears are 3-1, because this one could be really tough.
Week 6- @Panthers: After the extended layoff, the Bears head to Carolina and take on Teddy Bridgewater and Christian McCaffrey. Birdgewater will be well acquainted with his pass catching running back, and the Bears will be off a tough matchup vs Tampa Bay. Some people are saying this will be an easy game, but nothing is easy in the NFL. The Panthers get paid a lot of money too.
Week 7- @Rams: The Bears get an extra day off, but have to fly to LA to take on the Rams for a Monday night tilt. The Rams are no longer the force they were two years ago, and they no longer have star RB Todd Gurley.
Week 8- Saints: New Orleans comes to town for a 3:25pm game. Biggest question is, will Brees be in mid-season form, or will he be banged up? Last season they caught a break with Bridgewater, but he filled in nicely for Brees and beat the Bears. The Saints bolstered their offensive line with a center in the first round. This should be another good gauge of where the team is at.
Week 9- Titans: This game could be trouble for the Bears, sandwiched in between the Saints, and division rival Vikings. Tennessee beat two playoff teams on their way to the AFC Championship vs the Chiefs. They added an offensive lineman for power RB Derrick Henry. If the Bears don’t focus, this cold be a road loss.
Week 10- Vikings: The Bears are home for a Monday Night tilt vs the hated Minnesota Vikings. Kirk Cousins got a new WR in Justin Jefferson to replace departed Stefon Diggs. He could be tearing it up by this time. So could Bears tight end Cole Kmet. They say after week 10 there are no more rookies in the NFL. We shall see.
Week 11- Bye.
Week 12- @Packers: Coming off the Bye hasn’t exactly panned out for Coach Nagy, who hopes to amend that in Green Bay. The Bears have compiled 3 losses (including coming from 20 points down) vs the Packers under Nagy’s reign. Green Bay didn’t help themselves much by drafting a QB in the first round, but Aaron Rodgers has proved he doesn’t need much to best the Bears, time and again.
Week 13- Lions: Bears Lions part 2, this time it’s in Chicago. Matt Stafford will probably be out for the season by this point, and who knows who the Bears QB will be? Will be fun to see how Lions RB D’Andre Swift will be around this time.
Week 14- Texans: Houston comes to town, but they no longer have WR DeAndre Hopkins. I’m kind of hoping Mitch is the QB at this point and can face off against Watson. We’ll see how that shakes out.
Week 15- @Vikings: The Bears trek up north for their second clash with the Vikings. Will be interesting to see if this game will matter or not. Chances are it will.
Week 16- @Jaguars: Jacksonville is somewhat in a rebuilding mode with QB Garder Minshew. Will they have RB Leonard Fournette at this point?
Week 17- Packers: The Regular season comes to a close at home vs the hated Packers. What will be on the line? Who will be QB for both teams?
As you may know, I do a lot of my NFL stuff from a Fantasy Football perspective. So that how I will breakdown and recap the draft. Grab a drink, get comfy, and let’s go!
1. Joe Burrow, QB: Bengals- Joe has the tough task of trying to produce with very little around him. He’s got AJ Green with a lot of miles on him. The Bengals have a decent running game. It will probably be a year or two before you can draft Burrows as a Fantasy “starter”.
2. Chase Young, EDGE: Redskins- If nothing else, he should be fun to watch. Ron Rivera generally has a plan on defense, and that starts with rushing the passer. Expect the ‘Skins to play hard-nosed football, and possibly a spot play here and there.
3. Jeff Okudah, CB: Lions- I was hoping they moved down so Okudah did not end up playing the Bears twice a year. This guy is going to be a stud for a long time. How much it will help Detroit remains to be seen.
4. Andrew Thomas, OT: Giants- New York had their pick of tackles and they settled on Thomas. He will no doubt enhance the play of both QB Daniel Jones and RB Saquon Barkley from day one.
5. Tua Tagovailoa, QB: Dolphins- Tua won’t play for at least the first 8 games, and probably should be held out all season. Maybe give him the last 3-4, if he is totally healthy. I wouldn’t risk it. I’d let him get strong and heal up. I like what Miami did in the draft with their first 3 picks. I’m surprised more teams don’t do it. Take your QB, then build that wall in front of him. It’s going to be worth it Dolphins fans!
6. Justin Herbert, QB: Chargers- No one really knows if all these QBs will work out. The hit rate is usually around 50%. Like with Burrow, Herbert probably won’t be a guy you will want to add to your Fantasy squad this year.
7. Derrick Brown, DT: Panthers- Carolina got a heck of a pick in Brown. The Panthers are stacking their defense behind Teddy Bridgewater.
8. Isiah Simmons, LB: Cardinals- I had thought Carolina would have snatched Simmons up, but they got a very nice pick in Brown. Arizona adds another playmaker to their defense, which should be a little more dynamic this season.
9. CJ Henderson, CB: Jaguars- Jacksonville replaces Jalen Ramsey. Henderson is regarded as one of the best corners in the 2020 draft. While it’s a nice pick, it’s not making the defense any better than when Ramsey was with the team.
10. Jedrick Wills Jr., OT: Browns- Cleveland joins NY in adding to their offensive line to help their young QB. Young gun Baker Mayfield didn’t have much time to throw as he was under duress most of the time. This should greatly help out on offense and allow Mayfield to make some plays.
11. Mekhi Becton, OT: Jets- Perhaps a year late, the other team in NY adds a pass protector for their franchise QB Sam Darnold. Maybe Darnold sees less “ghosts” in 2020.
12. Henry Ruggs III, WR: Raiders- Oakland adds a speedy WR to their roster. Antonio Brown melted down spectacularly in 2019. The Raiders now in Las Vegas, are set to open their new stadium.
13. Tristan Wirfs, OT: Buccaneers- Tampa Bay added Tom Brady and Rob Gronkowski to their already talented receiving corps. Their next priority was to protect the 43 year old Brady. Wirfs will help do that.
14. Javon Kinlaw, DT: 49ers- After having been in the Super Bowl San Francisco oddly shopped some veteran players. Then they added a DT to bolster the defense.
15. Jerry Jeudy, WR: Broncos- Denver wasted no time selecting a WR many considered the best in the draft. He will pair nicely with young veteran Courtland Sutton, who had a very nice sophomore campaign. The Broncos are hoping QB Drew Lock takes the next step.
16. AJ Terrell, CB: Falcons- Atlanta adds a well needed cornerback to a defense who allowed WRs to run all over them in 2019.
17. CeeDee Lamb, WR: Cowboys- I don’t think Dallas imagined CeeDee to be there for them at 17, but Jerry Jones jumped on the opportunity from his yacht. Lamb, the other top prospect at WR will wear #88 following Michael Irvin, and Dez Bryant in the tradition.
18. Austin Jackson, OT: Dolphins- Miami probably had the best first 3 picks in the draft, and after taking their QB of the future, went to work in protecting him with an offensive lineman. With his injury history, Tua Tagovialoa will need it.
19. Damon Arnette, CB: Raiders- With the pick they acquired from the Bears in the Mack trade, Oakland adds a pass defender to their team.
20. K’Lavon Chaisson, LB: Jaguars- Jacksonville continues to rebuild their defense, adding a linebacker to the cornerback they took with the #9 overall pick. They will need it, especially if they move on from RB Leonard Fournette.
21. Jalen Reagor, WR: Eagles- The TCU standout will add youth and speed to an older, slower Eagles roster. Philadelphia’s problem is keeping QB Carson Wentz healthy.
22. Justin Jefferson, WR: Vikings- Somehow Minnesota adds a top receiver to replace the loss of Stefon Diggs. QB Kirk Cousins will no doubt be happy with this move.
23. Kenneth Murray, LB: Chargers- Los Angeles (feels weird to say that) adds a linebacker to a defense that was middle of the pack vs the run. Much of this was due to their ineptitude on offense, and veteran QB Philip Rivers penchant for turning the ball over in his old age. They might have been better served taking an offensive lineman, but there was quite a run on them at this point.
24. Cesar Ruiz, C: Saints- New Orleans astutely added the consensus top center in the 2020 draft, and he should help keep veteran QB Drew Bress “clean” in the pocket. A solid pick for a Saints team that loves to run the ball as much as they throw it.
25. Brandon Aiyuk, WR: 49ers- San Francisco treats themselves to a WR as the run continues. Aiyuk should pair nicely with fellow pass catcher Deebo Samuel.
26. Jordan Love, QB: Packers- I might eat my words later, but I love this pick for Green Bay. No help for veteran QB Aaron Rodgers, who desperately needs another target in the passing game. Of course the Bears had to run out and sign TE Jimmy Graham who didn’t help Rodgers much in 2019.
27. Jordyn Brooks, LB: Seahawks- Seattle adds no help to their offensive line but does help their defense with this selection. In all fairness, the run on lineman depleted their options. Brooks’ impact should show immediate returns in 2020.
28. Patrick Queen, LB: Ravens- Baltimore had the luxury of picking best player available because they draft well year in and year own. Queen was viewed as a top prospect at his position.
29. Isiah Wilson, OT: Titans- Tennessee bolsters their already impressive line. RB Derrick Henry will probably have another solid campaign.
30. Noah Igbinoghene, CB: Dolphins- The ‘fins are on the board again with their 3rd pick in the first round. They select one of the top ranked corners in the 2020 draft. The Dolphins need lots of help at many positions. I might have taken a shot at the #1 Tight End in the draft, but that’s just me.
31. Jeff Gladney, CB: Vikings- Minnesota adds to their nice pick of Jefferson with a playmaker in the defensive backfield. As with the WR, they are replacing a player lost in the offseason. Still, a great pick for the Vikings.
32. Clyde Edwards-Helaire, RB- Chiefs- Kansas City probably shocked a few people by selecting the 5’8 running back who posted a 4.60 40 yd dash at the combine. Edwards-Helaire had his best college year in 2019. They will be judged by how the top 3 RBs perform in their careers though. The Chiefs could have added TE Cole Kmet, a move Andy Reid has made in the past when he was with the Eagles.
Tomorrow
5-2-20
Surrounded by thoughts of negativity
A lawnmower hums outside my window
Distracting, taunting? Yelling, undaunted
I try to turn my focus back to reality
A joke, a lifetime of broken promises
My cup never runneth over
Couldn’t find that four leaf clover
I laugh, deeply sarcastic
Just once I’d like a little fantastic
Tonight I’ve got a room with a view
Tomorrow I’ll start on something new
Tomorrow I’ll start on something
Tomorrow I’ll start
Tomorrow
The Chicago Bears came out of the 2020 NFL draft with two possible starters, and a handful of interesting players. Let’s meet them!
They had to wait until day two, pick #43 overall to land their first player, but they wasted little time announcing Cole Kmet, Tight End out of Notre Dame, was a Chicago Bear.
Stats: 6’6, 262, 4.70 40 yd dash. Junior, Notre Dame.
Also in round two, pick #50, cornerback Jaylon Johnson:
Stats: 6′, 195, 4.50 40 yd dash. Junior, Utah.
The Bears traded back into round 5 (giving up a 4th rounder in 2021) to select EDGE rusher Trevis Gipson:
Stats: 6’4, 253. Senior, Tulsa.
Later in round 5, they select cornerback Kindle Vildor, who appeared in, and had an interception in the Senior Bowl:
https://www.chicagobears.com/video/kindle-vildor-college-highlights
Stats: 5’10, 185, 4.44 40 yd dash. Senior, Georgia Southern.
Final pick of round 5 was spent on wide receiver Darnell Mooney:
Stats: 5’10, 169, 4.38 4o yd dash. Senior, Tulsa.
The Bears picked quite a duo in round 7, selecting two offensive lineman with curious nicknames. Arlington Hambright:
Stats: 6’4, 307, 29 reps. Senior, Colorado.
And Lachavious Simmons:
Stats: 6’5, 315. Senior, Tennessee State.
The Bears and their fans had to wait until pick #43 of the 2020 NFL Draft, and the home town did not disappoint. Amidst trade rumors (Bears were rumored to be looking to move up on Friday afternoon) the Bears stood pat and waited patiently for their turn to come. When the dust clouds settled, the Bears emerged with the best tight end in this year’s draft.
Cole Kmet became the #43rd overall pick in the 2020 draft, and I couldn’t have been happier. I myself had the Green Bay Packers selecting Kmet with the #30 overall pick, but they chose to trade up for QB Jordan Love, taking them and their HoF QB out of the equation. I wonder if you ask Aaron Rodgers, who he would have liked to have?
Kmet, a stand out player at Notre Dame, didn’t really put it all together until this past season. He only had 43 receptions in 10 games, but he put on quite a highlight reel. The Colts traded up for USC WR Michael Pittman Jr. to start the action off on Friday. Pittman Jr. was a target I hoped the Bears would go for. The round saw a lot of talent that escaped the first round yesterday being selected on Friday night. As it got closer, Kmet became more of a possibility, but that is no guarantee. Especially given the Bears past draft history.
Bears GM Ryan Pace didn’t waste much time turning in the pick. Kmet adds size and playmaking ability that we only saw in flashes from the now released, and Colts tight end Trey Burton. Chalk Burton up as another Pace failure, and an expensive one at that. The Bears will eat the majority of his $30 million dollar contract. That’s in the past now as they will prepare for a championship run. Kmet will be a big part of that.
The Bears added CB Jaylon Johnson from Utah with pick #50. Johnson is coming off a torn labrum, which he played through in 2019.
