Eric J Eggers

Michigan fanatic, loving father, believer in Christ

[MLFootball @MLFootball]

CLASS ACT: #Bengals legendary QB Joe Flacco says he will personally pay any future fines #Bears QB Caleb Williams receives for wearing Caddix cleats.

Williams started wearing the specially designed cleats to help protect himself from serious injuries and improve his safety on the field.

Caleb has already been fined $35,823 over two weeks because of the unauthorized logo on the cleats.

@JoeFlacco, who has worn Caddix cleats for years, says he understands how important it is for players to wear equipment they trust.

Caddix even put up a billboard in Chicago promising to cover Caleb’s fines.

[Eric J Eggers @ejgoblue11]

@goblue_guru @JoelKlattShow Some things are just common sense 🤦‍♂️

[Eric J Eggers @ejgoblue11]

@paytonsun @HaughPayton Simmons will end up being the best player traded by the deadline. Chips ALL IN. 🐻🐻🐻

[relliK booN @relliK_booN]

Before everyone says we got fleeced, look at the numbers for draft capital to make this make sense! Y’all forget the math sometimes…

Not all first-round picks are created equal.

The NFL’s traditional draft-value chart assigns the No. 1 overall pick 3,000 points.

The No. 25 pick? Just 720.

The No. 30 pick? Only 620.

Think about that. A single first overall pick is worth nearly FIVE TIMES as much as pick No. 30 according to the chart.

So when someone says the Bears gave up two first-round picks, the natural reaction is that Chicago mortgaged its future. Especially lame ass Packers fans who will love talking shit on this.

But did they?

The Bears are currently 5-2, and if Caleb Williams and Ben Johnson continue building what we’re seeing, Chicago has a legitimate opportunity to become a perennial playoff contender.

Let’s assume the Bears finish with the 25th pick in 2027 and the 28th pick in 2028.

Using the traditional Jimmy Johnson draft-value chart:

2027 first (#25): 720 points
2028 first (#28): 660 points
2027 fourth (#120): 54 points
2028 fifth received (#140): -36 points

Total net draft capital surrendered: 1,398 points.

Want to know what the eighth overall pick is worth?

1,400 points.

Under this hypothetical scenario, the combined draft capital Chicago surrendered is essentially equivalent to ONE eighth overall pick.

Now, obviously, this assumes the Bears remain the Kings of Da North. It also doesn’t account for the additional value of inexpensive rookie contracts or the difference between receiving multiple picks and one.

But it’s an important perspective that’s getting lost in the conversation.

Now consider what Chicago actually acquired.

Jeffery Simmons isn’t a talented prospect who might develop into a superstar.

He’s ALREADY a superstar.

A 2025 first-team All-Pro who recorded 11 sacks and led NFL defensive tackles with 60 pressures last season.

He’s only 29, remains one of the best interior pass rushers in football, and is under contract through 2030.

Chicago didn’t acquire someone who needs two or three years to develop. They acquired a proven difference-maker who can help this defense immediately.

And anyone who’s watched our secondary understands why generating pressure up the middle matters.
and The timing matters just as much.

The Bears have their franchise quarterback.

They have their offensive-minded head coach.

They’re winning football games.

And they’re still operating within Caleb Williams’ rookie-contract window.

At some point, successful organizations have to transition from accumulating assets to using those assets to pursue championships.

Could those first-round picks become excellent players? Absolutely.

Could Chicago regress, making these selections significantly more valuable? Also absolutely.

And Simmons’ enormous contract will make the $ sitch difficult.

But!

Would you rather gamble on two late-first-round prospects becoming elite players several years from now, or acquire one of the NFL’s best defensive tackles while your championship window is opening?

I’m not suggesting this trade is automatically a win for Chicago.

I’m suggesting that evaluating it simply as “TWO FIRST-ROUND PICKS!” without accounting for where those picks might actually fall is an incomplete analysis.

The difference between the first pick and the 30th pick is enormous.

And if the Bears continue winning, Ryan Poles may have just acquired an elite player for considerably less draft capital than the headlines imply.

The risk isn’t giving up two first-round picks. The risk is whether Chicago can keep those picks near the bottom of the first round.

That’s the bet Poles just made.

And with what we’re seeing from Caleb Williams and this offense, I understand why he’s willing to make it. #DaBears

[ESPN Insights @ESPNInsights]

On this date in 2005, the White Sox ended their 87-year World Series drought with a 4-game sweep of the Astros.

Chicago put together a historic postseason run going 11-1 on their way to the title.

[Eric J Eggers @ejgoblue11]

@Johnubacon ����. This East/West running game is absolutely horrible. You have almost entire same OL and almost 1000 yard rusher from last year, with almost nothing for production. Makes no sense

[John U. Bacon @Johnubacon]

Watching Michigan with two different quarterbacks, it's hard not to conclude that Michigan's offensive problems are more OC Jason Beck than it was Bryce Underwood or is Tommy Carr.

[DraftKings Sports @DKSports]

QBs in 2026 to have multiple games with a 65%+ Completion%, 300+ Passing Yards AND 0 Interceptions:

- Caleb Williams in Week 6
- Caleb Williams in Week 7

That's it, that's the entire list 🥶

[Trost @TrustTrost]

Can someone please take a look at what Rob Zvonar and staff built at Lincoln-Way East.

Put down your private vs public schools swords and look at this public school program.

Think about the private competition in its backyard: Providence, Marian Catholic, Brother Rice, Marist, St. Laurence, St. Rita and Mount Carmel.

All working to attract kids and families to their campuses.

Remember, Zvonar and staff took over a new school in 2001 and then watched the district expand to four schools a few years later to slice the talent pool even more.

Think about that. And then think about how kids from that district had transferred to other public schools in the past (Zak Kustok and others).

Despite all those challenges, Zvonar and his staff built Lincoln-Way East into a destination.

How? By building a brand, not just coaching football. They built a brand.

Rob Glielmi will always be known for turning around football at Lincoln-Way, but what Z and his staff did even more was invest in human relationships.

Youth football programs. Summer camps. Clinics. Open houses. Youth nights. Community engagement.

They connected with kids and families years before those kids ever stepped onto a high school football field.

They didn’t just develop football players. They developed a program, a culture, a reputation and a sense of belonging.

That’s called building a brand.

And far too many high school coaches don't understand it.

Look at Batavia. Generations of kids have grown up dreaming about playing under those Friday night lights.

Why? Because the program created something bigger than football.

Community pride. Tradition. Relationships.

An experience kids want to be part of and that’s where many private schools dominate public schools before a child ever selects a school.

Here’s what some coaches and school administrators need to understand: You’re owed nothing.

A family’s zip code doesn’t automatically earn you its loyalty. Kids and families want great educational opportunities, great experiences, great coaching and opportunities beyond high school.

And they’re going to make decisions based on what’s best for them.

Instead of complaining when a family chooses another school, ask yourself a better question: What is that school doing to attract kids and families that we’re not?

Stop blaming private schools. Stop making excuses. Start building something kids and families want to be part of.

Kids need more experiences, not more games. They play 8 million these days.

Great programs don’t just play and win games, they build brands to win the trust of families and communities.

I keep telling you…it’s #MoreThanJUSTGames.

[A〽️aizing History @JoeReynoldsAH2]

The University of Michigan had 19 different sports ranked in the "Top 25" at their peak in there last completed season!

[Chicago White Sox @whitesox]

Let's cut to the Chase, 🔟 had an amazing season

[Eric J Eggers @ejgoblue11]

@LangmanVince @grok It sucks to say this, I used to love watching the NBA back in the 90s with the Bulls and Jordan. I only watch college basketball now, NBA isn’t even fun to watch anymore.

[Chicago White Sox @whitesox]

That's our Manager 🫡

[💥Texas Girl💥 @Ilegvm]

I’ve never listened to Derrick Stroup before but he’s hilarious and nails it on generational differences 🤣🤣🤣

[Clayton Sayfie @CSayf23]

Michigan's defense ranks first nationally allowing only 4.1 yards per play.

[Eric J Eggers @ejgoblue11]

@McShay13 Definitely true. Society wants instant gratification. You have to go THROUGH the storms to get to the rainbow. I don’t follow Drink at all, but he’s not wrong with these statements

[MLFootball @MLFootball]

POWERFUL: #Browns rookie WR KC Concepcion has battled a stutter his entire life but he still makes it a point to speak with the media after every game.

KC continues to show incredible courage and is an inspiration to everyone who struggles with a stutter.

[Chicago Bears @ChicagoBears]

Needed this.

[Eric J Eggers @ejgoblue11]

@CHGO_Bears

[Fox News @FoxNews]

Kid Rock and Eminem are teaming up on a Christian album, despite being on opposite sides of the political aisle.

The longtime Detroit friends have known each other for nearly 40 years, and Kid Rock says they made a pact long ago to never let politics destroy their friendship.

Now, he's bringing Eminem into his new faith-based project, "Halfway 2 Jesus," hoping their unlikely collaboration sends a message to a divided country.

Kid Rock also reveals what inspired his renewed focus on faith and his plans to bring Christian revivals to stadiums.

Read more: https://t.co/evEmUAXem1