Latest news with #Bears
BBC News
4 hours ago
- Sport
- BBC News
Bears inflict first loss on Blaze, Essex cruise to win
Bears inflicted a first defeat on The Blaze in the Women's T20 Blast as they enjoyed a 25-run victory at winning the toss, the hosts batted first and reached 172-6 with Sterre Kalis top scoring with reply, The Blaze slipped from 71-1 to 83-4, and with Em Arlott claiming three wickets, they could only manage 147-8 as Bears leapfrogged them into second in the romped to a comfortable six-wicket success over Durham at restricted their hosts to a meagre 101-8 off their 20 overs before reaching their target with three overs to spare. The match in Birmingham was a meeting of two in-form sides with both having won their previous three opted to bat and made a fine start as Meg Austin and Davina Perrin put on 59 for the first Netherlands batter Kalis played the anchor innings with 54 off 41 balls to set up the total, despite a fine 4-21 from Kathryn Bryce for the and Tammy Beaumont had put on 49 in six overs for The Blaze's second wicket, but when Bryce fell to Millie Taylor, the momentum shifted, especially when Beaumont was out for 44 in the following there, Sarah Bryce battled to 32, but The Blaze could not build any significant partnerships and ended well short of their target. Essex got on top from the start against Durham as they reduced their hosts to 17-4 inside four overs, with two wickets each for Kate Coppack and Esmae MacGregor, the leading wicket-taker in the competition with Hollie Armitage held the innings together as she finished 47 not out, but she lacked any real support as Durham only just got past three to score at a little more than five an over, Essex immediately got ahead of the run-rate and despite losing a few wickets were never in too much trouble, even at Maddie Penna and Jodi Grewcock put on an unbeaten 34 to complete the job and end a four-game losing streak as Essex climb to remain seventh after suffering their sixth loss in eight games.
Yahoo
4 hours ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
As Micah Parsons contract negotiations continue, Cowboys should remember the key ingredient to their ‘instant grits' defense
When the Dallas Cowboys secondary took the field in recent years, they waited for the signal. How quickly should they expect their opponent to get the ball out? Al Harris, Dallas' defensive backs coach from 2021-24, would give them a clue. Advertisement 'I used to say, 'Instant grits,'' Harris told Yahoo Sports recently from Chicago, where he's now the Bears' defensive backs coach and defensive pass game coordinator. 'When you boil water, you just put the grits in there. So it's funny because [the defensive backs] would be like, 'Hey, how the grits?'' In other words: How effective was the Cowboys' pass rush at pressuring and hurrying the quarterback? Harris' metaphor came in handy most when edge rusher Micah Parsons was healthy. Harris, also the Cowboys' assistant coach last year, knew which play calls gave the two-time All-Pro edge rusher the green light to pressure and when his defensive backs should be ready accordingly. Injuries limited Parsons to 13 games in 2024, but Parsons nonetheless finished with the fifth-most quarterback pressures in the league. With 75 total pressures, his 5.77 per game led the league among defenders who played at least a third of the season, per NFL Next Gen Stats. Advertisement Next Gen Stats credits a defender with a quarterback pressure when the defender tallies a sack; gets within 2 yards of a quarterback at a forward pass; or within 1.5 yards of the quarterback at any point in the play. Parsons has met those criteria 335 times in four regular seasons with Dallas. He's raced to 52.5 sacks in that period. Harris learned to tee off his secondary to takeaway opportunities Parsons' pressure would create. 'It'd be like second quarter [and I'd say,] 'Hey, grits hot,'' Harris said. 'They'll give me a chance to watch Micah rush a couple of times to where I say, 'OK, he's going to beat these guys all day. And I just say, 'Hey man, grits hot, so let's get to the ball. Advertisement ''Let's get to the ball.'' The Cowboys' success in head coach Brian Schottenheimer's first season leading the team will hinge heavily on Parsons' dominance. Dallas' 2021 first-round pick is a game-wrecker. And the Cowboys are currently negotiating an extension with Parsons. Closing the deal hasn't gone as quickly as cooking instant grits. But will Dallas and Parsons find a middle ground soon? Parsons attended minicamp practices this month as he enters the final year of his contract, the fifth-year option of his rookie deal that Dallas picked up. Schottenheimer praised Parsons' attendance. 'I think it just shows you he's serious about what we've talked about, which is developing that leadership mentality, the mindset to be a guy that we can count on —and not just the fourth quarter when he's got to make a big sack or get pressure on the quarterback, but just in general throughout the course of a week,' Schottenheimer told reporters. 'He's doing the things he's supposed to do in terms of he's training, he's prepping, he's been in, he's been out. Advertisement 'Nobody's more excited than Micah about what we're building here.' Quarterback Dak Prescott said the locker room is 'very confident that Micah's going to get this deal done,' with Prescott understanding the business considerations after negotiating two extensions with the Cowboys himself. Will Dallas close the deal before the Cowboys' charter is scheduled to arrive in Oxnard, Calif. on July 20 for training camp? 'I'm pretty hopeful,' Parsons said of that timeline. 'I'm still hanging tight. I understand it's up to [Jerry Jones] and he gives the green light on everything. So hopefully something's done by next month.' Advertisement Until then, Parsons said he'll continue to learn the Cowboys' new defensive system under coordinator Matt Eberflus, as Parsons gives pointers to teammates while at the facility and training with cornerback Trevon Diggs while away from it. 'The simple things,' he said of his guidance. 'It's not always the major things that make football great. It's always the small details, the footwork, the positioning, the angles. 'We'll watch film together and I can tell guys what I see from a vetted experience.' Parsons plans to attend training camp with or without a deal, he said, already reserving a house for his family in California during the Cowboys' nearly four weeks there. Would he practice without a deal? 'We'll see,' Parsons said. 'Time will tell.'
Yahoo
5 hours ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
As Micah Parsons contract negotiations drag on, Cowboys should remember the key ingredient to their ‘instant grits' defense
When the Dallas Cowboys secondary took the field in recent years, they waited for the signal. How quickly should they expect their opponent to get the ball out? Al Harris, Dallas' defensive backs coach from 2021-24, would give them a clue. Advertisement 'I used to say, 'Instant grits,'' Harris told Yahoo Sports recently from Chicago, where he's now the Bears' defensive backs coach and defensive pass game coordinator. 'When you boil water, you just put the grits in there. So it's funny because [the defensive backs] would be like, 'Hey, how the grits?'' In other words: How effective was the Cowboys' pass rush at pressuring and hurrying the quarterback? Harris' metaphor came in handy most when edge rusher Micah Parsons was healthy. Harris, also the Cowboys' assistant coach last year, knew which play calls gave the two-time All-Pro edge rusher the green light to pressure and when his defensive backs should be ready accordingly. Injuries limited Parsons to 13 games in 2024, but Parsons nonetheless finished with the fifth-most quarterback pressures in the league. With 75 total pressures, his 5.77 per game led the league among defenders who played at least a third of the season, per NFL Next Gen Stats. Advertisement Next Gen Stats credits a defender with a quarterback pressure when the defender tallies a sack; gets within 2 yards of a quarterback at a forward pass; or within 1.5 yards of the quarterback at any point in the play. Parsons has met those criteria 335 times in four regular seasons with Dallas. He's raced to 52.5 sacks in that period. Harris learned to tee off his secondary to takeaway opportunities Parsons' pressure would create. 'It'd be like second quarter [and I'd say,] 'Hey, grits hot,'' Harris said. 'They'll give me a chance to watch Micah rush a couple of times to where I say, 'OK, he's going to beat these guys all day. And I just say, 'Hey man, grits hot, so let's get to the ball. Advertisement ''Let's get to the ball.'' The Cowboys' success in head coach Brian Schottenheimer's first season leading the team will hinge heavily on Parsons' dominance. Dallas' 2021 first-round pick is a game-wrecker. And the Cowboys are currently negotiating an extension with Parsons. Closing the deal hasn't gone as quickly as cooking instant grits. But will Dallas and Parsons find a middle ground soon? Parsons attended minicamp practices this month as he enters the final year of his contract, the fifth-year option of his rookie deal that Dallas picked up. Schottenheimer praised Parsons' attendance. 'I think it just shows you he's serious about what we've talked about, which is developing that leadership mentality, the mindset to be a guy that we can count on —and not just the fourth quarter when he's got to make a big sack or get pressure on the quarterback, but just in general throughout the course of a week,' Schottenheimer told reporters. 'He's doing the things he's supposed to do in terms of he's training, he's prepping, he's been in, he's been out. Advertisement 'Nobody's more excited than Micah about what we're building here.' Quarterback Dak Prescott said the locker room is 'very confident that Micah's going to get this deal done,' with Prescott understanding the business considerations after negotiating two extensions with the Cowboys himself. Will Dallas close the deal before the Cowboys' charter is scheduled to arrive in Oxnard, Calif. on July 20 for training camp? 'I'm pretty hopeful,' Parsons said of that timeline. 'I'm still hanging tight. I understand it's up to [Jerry Jones] and he gives the green light on everything. So hopefully something's done by next month.' Advertisement Until then, Parsons said he'll continue to learn the Cowboys' new defensive system under coordinator Matt Eberflus, as Parsons gives pointers to teammates while at the facility and training with cornerback Trevon Diggs while away from it. 'The simple things,' he said of his guidance. 'It's not always the major things that make football great. It's always the small details, the footwork, the positioning, the angles. 'We'll watch film together and I can tell guys what I see from a vetted experience.' Parsons plans to attend training camp with or without a deal, he said, already reserving a house for his family in California during the Cowboys' nearly four weeks there. Would he practice without a deal? 'We'll see,' Parsons said. 'Time will tell.'
USA Today
6 hours ago
- Sport
- USA Today
Which new Bears veteran will make the biggest impact in 2025?
The Chicago Bears welcomed plenty of new faces to the roster this offseason, be it through free agency, trade or the NFL draft in new head coach Ben Johnson's first season. There were some key veteran additions made by general manager Ryan Poles, including the acquisitions of All-Pro guard Joe Thuney and guard Jonah Jackson via trade, as well as center Drew Dalman, defensive tackle Grady Jarrett and defensive end Dayo Odeyingbo in free agency. With that in mind, our Bears Wire staff is sharing their thoughts on which veteran newcomer is poised to have the biggest impact in 2025, and there are no shortage of options. Alyssa Barbieri: LG Joe Thuney The Bears made several impactful additions this offseason, most notably along the offensive line with guards Joe Thuney and Jonah Jackson, as well as center Drew Dalman. But when looking at those newcomers, Thuney has the potential to have the biggest impact given his resume and proven production. He's coming off an All-Pro season where he even kicked out to left tackle, but he thrived at left guard protecting Patrick Mahomes. Now, Thuney brings that experience, production and leadership to a revamped Chicago offensive line that will be crucial to quarterback Caleb Williams' success. And if rookie Ozzy Trapilo wins the starting left tackle job, Thuney will be even more crucial for Trapilo as he acclimates to the pro game. When push comes to shove, the Bears will only go as far as Williams takes them. And Williams will only go as far as his offensive line allows. Brendan Sugrue: DT Grady Jarrett With how much the Bears have retooled their offensive and defensive lines, there isn't a wrong answer to this question. Joe Thuney, Drew Dalman, and Jonah Jackson should all have a big impact on the offensive line this year. But I'm going with Grady Jarrett, who provides much-needed leadership for the defensive front. Jarrett may be on the downswing of his career, but having a full year removed from his torn ACL should allow for a bounce-back season, even though his 2024 campaign was solid. His 30 solo tackles and nine tackles for loss would have led all Bears defensive interior linemen last year. Jarrett still has enough left in the tank, and his presence should elevate the rest of the defensive line. Outside of his performance on the field, Jarrett is a true leader in the locker room, something the Bears were missing on the defensive line last year. His ability to lead and take young players such as Gervon Dexter and Shemar Turner under his wing shouldn't go unnoticed. Jarrett is someone who can provide a spark on and off the field that the Bears haven't seen from the position since Akiem Hicks. Mike Pendleton: LG Joe Thuney Protecting Caleb Williams is of the utmost importance, but more than that, Thuney is the most accomplished veteran the Bears acquired this offseason. While getting the offensive line performance to be better than the disaster they were last year will be a big key, but being able to establish a relationship with Caleb Williams and teach him along the way could be critical for the offense. Thuney also provides veteran leadership, multiple Super Bowl championships, and experience that is hard to match in the NFL. His talent is undeniable, but so is his leadership, and he should quickly help establish a winning attitude and positive culture inside the locker room. Ben Johnson and the offensive coaching staff may get all the attention for their work with Caleb Williams, but Joe Thuney could be one of the biggest mentors for the young quarterback looking to take the next step in his career. Vincent Parise: C Drew Dalman Developing Caleb Williams in Year 2 is the most important thing for the Chicago Bears. That is why their offensive line getting some upgrades was the biggest need of the offseason. For that reason, you could have chosen any of Drew Dalman, Jonah Jackson or Joe Thuney as the veteran addition who will make the most impact. Drew Dalman gets the tiebreaker for being a center. It's been a very long time since Chicago has had a good center, and Dalman would love to change that narrative. Being the guy who directly hands the ball to Williams and plays a key role in protecting him, it is easy to understand his importance. If Dalman stays healthy and plays the style that earned him the contract, the Bears will see a major upgrade from what they've had. Having a great center will stabilize the line as a whole, which already looks much better than it's been. Follow Bears Wire on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram
Yahoo
7 hours ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Caleb Williams Predicted to Shatter Bears Passing Record in 1st Year With Ben Johnson
Caleb Williams Predicted to Shatter Bears Passing Record in 1st Year With Ben Johnson originally appeared on Athlon Sports. The Chicago Bears have an illustrious history stretching back more than a century, though it is devoid of even a single great quarterback during the Super Bowl era. Advertisement Jim McMahon is the only Bears signal-caller with a championship ring, though he won it with the overwhelming support of one of the best defenses in NFL history. In terms of career resumé, Jay Cutler is the most prolific thrower of the football ever to wear a Chicago uniform, and it's unclear how much he ever cared about the sport or being great at it while he was playing. The No. 1 pick in the 2024 draft was supposed to change all that. The Bears landed former Heisman Trophy winner Caleb Williams and got off to a 4-2 start. Then a 10-game losing streak struck, and Williams watched as his offensive coordinator and head coach get fired, though his view was often obscured by the turf stuck in his helmet following any number of the league-leading 68 sacks he endured. Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams. Kamil Krzaczynski-Imagn Images Chicago's front office called on former Detroit Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson this offseason, luring him to the Windy City with the promise Williams' talent and $13 million annually over a five-year contract to save the purported savior of the Bears' cursed QB room. Advertisement Johnson subsequently added three new interior offensive linemen, all of whom appear likely to start. He then spent the team's first two draft picks on a stud tight end and a stud slot receiver to round out Williams' weapons alongside Nos. 1 and 2 wideouts DJ Moore and Rome Odunze. Now, it's time to put it all together during training camp. Jeffri Chadiha of expects Johnson, Williams and the rest of the Bears offense will do just that, predicting on Thursday, June 19, that the quarterback will break the all-time franchise record for passing yards in just his second season. "One thing that shouldn't be doubted is whether he'll become the first Chicago signal-caller to throw for 4,000 yards in a season. Williams won't just reach that barrier; he'll blow it away, especially when considering all the advantages he has working for him now," Chadiha wrote. "Williams threw for 3,541 yards and 20 touchdowns last season when he was running for his life and trying too hard to extend plays. Better coaching and an improved supporting cast will make life much easier for him, and the numbers will bear that out." Chadiha projected Williams to throw for 4,500 yards and 35 touchdowns in 2025. Related: NFL Reveals Bears' Key Dates for 2025 Training Camp This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 20, 2025, where it first appeared.
