Lock him up, strap him up, guard up… all trash we talk back and forth when playing basement basketball. My son and I get into some good games. The days when dad would beat him consistently are gone; the kid can play. I can still do my thing too, especially in small quarters, although that low ceiling certainly doesn’t help MY game… I get happy when I get wins nowadays, which are less than my losses. Overall, it’s fun… when my son is winning that is; well, that’s not entirely fair. He has become a better sport over the years. Before he’d take losses about as well as Michael Jordan, but now… he still gets pissed, but he deals with it… and kicks my butt the next game… haha. OK, where was I going with this? Today is NOT about basketball as I may have had you believe with my opening; it’s about DA Bears… they’ve been busy “guarding up” this week, adding 2 interior lineman to the OL; kind of nice that they’re finally addressing our biggest team weakness. Certainly haven’t done enough yet, but it’s a good start.
The first guy to come over was Jonah Jackson, from the LA Rams. At 28 years old, 6’4″ 315lbs, he is a welcome addition to the line, except… now stop me if you’ve heard this before… he’s been hurt. Although, after a little research, his injury this year was a fractured scapula… at least it’s not a knee issue. Still, taking a shot at a guy coming off an injury doesn’t necessarily give me the warm and fuzzies, however, there’s a bit more to the story. Where did Jonah Jackson play before the Rams? Detroit. Who was on that Lions’ coaching staff? Our new head coach Ben Johnson. I’m sure he signed off on the deal, which probably made Poles feel a lot better, especially coming off the whole Nate Davis debacle. OK, the first domino has fallen…
Next up was Joe Thuney. It’s kind of funny; who really knows the offensive lineman throughout the league? You can’t get any fantasy points with them; there are no player props to bet on when it comes to the guys on the offensive side of the trenches. Yet, there could be an argument made that the offensive line is the most important position in the game. After all, you can’t pass or run without a good one, no matter how many position player stars you have, no matter how good your QB is. Protecting him, giving the QB time to throw, making holes for the RB to hit… kind of important. And, if you think great offensive lines over the past few years, you have to think about the best teams over the last few years. And when you think of the best teams over the past few years, you have to think about the Kansas City Chiefs. Good bye KC, and hello Chicago. I feel a lot better about this one. The guy has been one of the anchors of the offensive line of one of the best teams in the game. OK, he is 32 years old, but that’s not horrible; Jesus, not everybody can be in their 20s… haha. Hoping the Bears extend him before the season, and we can pencil him in at G for the next number of years. That sounds like a plan.
Don’t stop now boys. The NFL offseason has begun and I’m feeling good. More work to be done, including the NFL draft, which I’m sure we’ll get into shortly. Football season is year round by the way, especially when the Bears are on the brink of greatness. OK, I may have said/thought that before, just about every year of my existence, but… hey… one year I’ll be right; will this be the year? Bear Down!
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