chicagotribune--2020-04-21--Actor Jack Wallace is dead at 86: From Chicago’s Kingston Mines, he was a tough guy for real and Mam

Actor Jack Wallace is dead at 86: From Chicago’s Kingston Mines, he was a tough guy for real and Mamet’s muse

Walking down Lincoln Avenue one afternoon in 1969 , he wandered into a doorway where he found a group of @ @ @ @ @ play .
Thinking he was there to audition , Chicago City Players director June Pyskacek @ @ @ @ @ .
He did and sometime later , when the group was tossing around various new @ @ @ @ @ Wallace suggested Kingston Mines , a small town in Illinois where his grandfather and father @ @ @ @ @ stuck and the Kingston Mines , in addition to launching the mega hit “ Grease @ @ @ @ @ part of the off-Loop theater landscape in its formative years .

Jack Wallace may not have attained the flashy stardom and big money success of some of his contemporaries from the formative days of our now legendary local theater scene. But he managed, against considerable odds, to have a very fruitful stage, TV and film career. You might likely recognize his face and if you’d ever met him, or talked to those who did, you’d know he was as colorful and unforgettable as any of the hundreds of characters he played.
“I had the pleasure to have him as a friend and fellow actor for close to 50 years,” saysthe Chicago-born Joe Mantegna. “From the student film ‘Medusa Challenger’ we did together in the mid-70s, through the run of Dave Mamet’s ‘Glengarry Glen Ross’ in 80s, to a multitude of films together, including the film ‘Lakeboat’ which I directed in 1999. That’s where Jack met his dear wife Margot, who was at his side when he passed.
Advertisement
“He was a huge fixture not just in my life, but in so many others. Damon Runyon would have built a statue of him. He was a man-child the likes of which we may seldom see again.”
Wallace died on April 16 in Los Angeles, his home only a few blocks from that in which Mantegna lives with his wife Arlene. He was 86 and had suffered much of this century from a variety of health woes, including most recently cancer.
Advertisement
His death comes in the wake of that of director Stuart Gordon. It was Gordon who tapped Wallace to become a member of his Organic Theatre Company and there Wallace joined a group of young actors that included Mantegna, Dennis Franz, William J. Norris and Andre DeShields.
In a lovely Facebook post, another Organic pal, Bruce Hickey, who directed Wallace in five plays, wrote, “He never saved it or held back, never left it behind, never phoned it in, or was waiting for opening night. Every night was opening night to him. Every audience, be it 1,000 on Broadway or 15 in a pub theater, were all special to him and gave them a ‘performance.’ That was his gift.”
My dear friend and amazing actor Jack Wallace passed on last night 4-16-20. I had the honor of directing Jack in five... Posted by Bruce Hickey on Friday, April 17, 2020
Wallace came to the stage by a most unusual route.
Born on Aug. 10, 1933, as an only child in Pekin, Ill., he grew up on some of Chicago’s tougher streets, attended Wells High School, served three years in jail for armed robbery, got married, fathered two children, drank often and hard, worked a series of blue collar jobs such as window washer and, with no formal training but an interest sparked as a child — “I never thought acting was a sissy thing,” he once said — started to perform in small theaters around town.
Walking down Lincoln Avenue one afternoon in 1969, he wandered into a doorway where he found a group of actors in rehearsal for a play. Thinking he was there to audition, Chicago City Players director June Pyskacek asked him to join in. He did and sometime later, when the group was tossing around various new names for their company, Wallace suggested Kingston Mines, a small town in Illinois where his grandfather and father had once worked. It stuck and the Kingston Mines, in addition to launching the mega hit “Grease,” was an essential part of the off-Loop theater landscape in its formative years.
That story, among many, is included in Mark Larson’s recent book, “Ensemble: An Oral History of Chicago Theater” (Agate Midway). He recalled his interview with the actor: “When I talked with him, I remember his frequent refrain was, ‘Wait, wait! I got another one for you!’
From his first Kingston Mines encounter, Wallace focused on theater and roles came steadily.
A major one — and the reason he stopped drinking for keeps — came when he was cast in 1973 in the lead role of Randall Patrick McMurphy in “One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest.” It ran for months here and during that time Wallace found himself sharing a couch with film director Dino DeLaurentiis on Irv Kupcinet’s late night TV talk show.
Advertisement
On the spot, DeLaurentiis offering him a role in his upcoming film, “Death Wish,” obviously taken with what one writer referred to as Wallace’s “huge and felonious eyes … the fierce gaze and the rocky build of an urban samurai, not someone you’d be comfortable meeting in a deserted subway station.”
Wallace would over the next decades appear in more than 100 movies (“Mad Dog and Glory,” “Nixon,” “Medusa Challenger,” "Boogie Nights”), TV shows (“Law & Order,” “Six Feet Under,” “Criminal Minds”) and dozens of plays.
He was admired by audiences and the theater crowd, many of whom referred to him as “the lion” because, as one said, “his heart was so strong and big.” The Goodman Theatre’s artistic director Robert Falls, a frequent Wallace collaborator, wrote that, “He was magnificent. As gonzo a Chicago actor as any. … An utter original … one of Chicago’s greats.”
Wallace’s most frequent collaborator in stage and screen was playwright/director David Mamet. He appeared in virtually all of Mamet’s plays and movies.
Asked about his friend, Mamet wrote to me, in part:
“He was the nonpareil tough guy, beloved of all of us, audience and actors, of the ‘70s Chicago Theatre; Jack, always referred to by Richard Christiansen of the Tribune, the dean of Chicago critics, as ‘The Great Jack Wallace.’
Advertisement
“Like all actual tough guys there was no bluster about him; like the true, tough cops and soldiers, the actors who portray them all have a simplicity and sadness. Jack could make you cry by picking up a cup of coffee.
“We were doing my play ‘Edmond,' about a stockbroker who picks up a young waitress and kills her. Colin Stinton was playing Edmond. He’s in a police station, having been arrested, he thinks, for screaming at some woman on the El platform. He explains to the detective, played by Jack, ‘I was just going home, I’d had a fight with my wife, I spoke out of hand. I’m so sorry.’ Pause.
“DETECTIVE: ‘Why’d you kill that girl?’
“EDMOND: ‘What girl?’
“DETECTIVE: ‘That girl you killed.’
“Pause: The audience sits there stunned.
Advertisement
“There was no moment, in the near fifty years we worked with him, that we were not delighted and grateful to be in his presence. None of us ever knew, met, or saw a better actor.
"In this sad time of social distancing, and, for the moment, we can’t get together to celebrate him, and might say, as Hamlet said of the unburied Ophelia, ‘No further obsequies …?”
"Which line Jack might have approved, with his ultimate accolade, ‘… Yeah, yeah, that’s good.’”
rkogan@chicagotribune.com


chicagotribune--2020-04-21--My worst moment: ‘Walking Dead’s’ Norman Reedus on the watchful eyes of fans and photographers

“ If someone ( a fan ) is going to snap a picture on their phone I ’ d rather @ @ @ @ @ , can I do this ?
’ you know what I mean ?
Because that @ @ @ @ @ ’ s fine .
Everyone ’ s got a camera phone and everyone wants to @ @ @ @ @ ’ s I can almost deal with .
But I ’ m really good at @ @ @ @ @ pointing a camera at me and trying to be sneaky .
The person that ’ @ @ @ @ @ but their phone ’ s pointing to the right , right at you , and @ @ @ @ @ ’ t see them ?
That happens every time I leave the house .
It @ @ @ @ @ Or you ’ re sitting on an airplane and they walk by you and their @ @ @ @ @ position down at their waist .
That ’ s pretty weird to me .

Norman Reedus is one of only a few original cast members of AMC’s “The Walking Dead” whose character, the crossbow-wielding Daryl Dixon, is still alive 10 seasons later.
Since the show’s beginning Reedus has been asked about surviving through a theoretical catastrophe. But this is the first time real-world events — in the form of the coronavirus pandemic — have affected day-to-day life in ways even vaguely hinted at in what’s depicted on “The Walking Dead.”
Advertisement
“I’ve always said the thing about our show that’s most interesting is you see people’s true personalities come out: What you’re willing to fight for, what you’re willing to walk away from, who you’re willing to fight for. Hopefully it doesn’t get to that in real life, but the world is definitely different right now. It’s weird times right now.”
Health concerns meant the finale for “The Walking Dead” was put on hold. So was filming for “Ride with Norman Reedus,” his other show on AMC: “I was supposed to be in Greece, Italy and Croatia right now for that and it all got canceled.” He’s concerned about the crews on both shows, who are out of work for the time being, but said he is holding up well despite the unusual circumstances. “To be honest I haven’t had a break in forever so I’m just kind of enjoying being with my family.”
Advertisement
Norman Reedus (left) as Daryl Dixon and Melissa McBride as Carol Peletier on "The Walking Dead." (Jackson Lee Davis/AMC)
When asked to share a worst moment in his career, his thoughts turned to the reality of what it means to be a recognizable face no matter where you go.
My worst moment …
“I started going to Costa Rica a lot because Andrew Lincoln, who was on ‘Walking Dead,’ was a big surfer and he was always trying to teach me how to surf, so during our mid-season break he’d take me to Costa Rica. After five or six years, I finally got my own place in Costa Rica.
"I should say, I’m a horrible surfer. If I stand up and go 15 feet, it’s the greatest day ever — and 15 feet is being very generous (laughs).
“So this was maybe the second time I was there after I got my own place, and I really wanted to go surfing one morning and I had just enough of a window to do it before I had to run and catch this little charter plane that zips me to the main airport, which is how you bounce around down there. So I was like, ‘OK, I’m just gonna catch one or two waves, see if I can stand up, and that’s how I’m going to end this trip.’
“I’d like to say this was a long time ago and that I’m a much better surfer, but it wasn’t that long ago. This was, like, two years ago. And I’m still not very good (laughs). But I love it so much.
"I go down to the beach and I have my surfboard and as I’m getting closer to the water I hear, ‘Norman, can I get a selfie?’ And I turn around and there’s two or three girls standing there. And then there’s five or six. Then there’s 10. Then a dozen and it keeps going. Everyone’s on social media so if someone finds you, they blast a picture of you and then the whole beach shows up. And as this is happening, my window for surfing is getting smaller, so I was like, I have just enough time to go out there and catch one wave. So I said, ‘Bye, guys.’ And I started paddling out.
"I finally get out far enough and as I turn around to face the beach, I realize there’s maybe two dozen people by now and they all have their cell phones pointed at me and they’re waving. And again, I am not a good surfer — I may or may not stand up. And there’s already been a couple pictures (taken in the past) of me falling backwards or one foot in the air and my mouth wide open. Just no coordination at all.
Advertisement
“So I’m looking at the beach and there’s this wall of cameras and people waving and I’m like: OK Norman, what are you going to do? Am you going to just paddle in and sort of get off the board and act like that’s what you planned on all along, just so you don’t have to risk someone getting another embarrassing photo?
“And I was like: You know what? (Screw) it, I’m gonna catch a wave. And if I fall and they get a bunch of pictures of me falling backwards? Fine. But I’m just going to go for it.
“So I mustered up the strength and started paddling and I caught the wave and rode it all the way to the beach, standing up like a frickin’ pro the whole way. And then I sort of hopped of my board, flicked my hair a little bit, all Pam Anderson-like on ‘Baywatch,' I waved to all the girls, they waved back. And then I got on my quad and went back to my house feeling like a king.
When asked about a worst moment in his career, Norman Reedus' thoughts turned to the reality of what it means to be a recognizable face no matter where you go (Larry Busacca / Getty Images)
“So I left Costa Rica that way instead of the wimpy way, and I felt very proud of myself because it was literally a 50-50 chance I wasn’t going to be able to stand up.”
This is a worst moment? This sounds like a great moment!
“Well, it was a bad moment that turned into a good moment. Trust me, I would have preferred to go down there and have no one watching me. The girls on the beach, they were all super sweet and super nice and that didn’t bother me one bit. I was just embarrassed because I’m not a good surfer and I was like, am I going to fall over or am I actually going to stay up?”
Advertisement
What does it feel like when you’re photographed anywhere you go?
“It’s not great. Somebody was telling me that I was in Page Six for grocery shopping in Los Angeles, just buying things for the house (during the quarantine). There’s a whole bunch of crazy stuff happening in the world and I get a call that I’m in Page Six for buying groceries? It’s not like we’re hoarding things; we have a full house of people we have to feed. The paparazzi guys, they’re in it to make a buck. You have go, ‘Come on guys, please don’t shoot (photos of) my baby daughter. Please just cut it out.’ And they’ll do it anyway.
“In New York, they’ll be hiding behind a pole or a parked car and I just see their shoulder and they’re kind of sneaky, like big game hunters. In California, they surround you a foot from your face and they scream your name and it’s just invasive. It’s not like I’m a (jerk) to those guys. So if I’m like, ‘Come on, cut it out,’ eventually I think they feel like (creeps) and they’ll stop. And sometimes you can say, ‘OK, take a picture and then stop following me,’ and they’ll be like, ‘OK,’ because I don’t think they want to follow me, either. But some of them, I think, get off on thinking they’re hunters or something.
“If someone (a fan) is going to snap a picture on their phone I’d rather they say, ‘Hey, can I do this?’ you know what I mean? Because that’s cool, that’s fine. Everyone’s got a camera phone and everyone wants to take a picture and selfie’s I can almost deal with. But I’m really good at knowing when someone’s pointing a camera at me and trying to be sneaky. The person that’s looking to the left but their phone’s pointing to the right, right at you, and they think that you don’t see them? That happens every time I leave the house. It’s super annoying. Or you’re sitting on an airplane and they walk by you and their iPhone is in a sharpshooter position down at their waist. That’s pretty weird to me.
Jeffrey Dean Morgan (lrft) and Norman Reedus (right) meet fans at AMC's Deadquarters at Comic Con 2019. (Jesse Grant/Getty)
“And I’ve done the same thing — I took a photo with my phone of the back of Martin Short’s head one time on an airplane because I was like, ‘That’s Martin Short!’ Like, I get it (laughs). I still have that photo somewhere, I’m a big Martin Short fan. But I’m sure he would have appreciated if if I had said, ‘Hey, can I take a picture of the back of your head?'”
The takeaway …
Advertisement
“On the surfing thing, my takeaway is: Trust yourself. And if you look like an idiot, who cares? If someone takes a goofy picture of you on their phone, who gives a (crap)? If I had gotten on the plane and wussed out and not even tried to stand up, it would have bothered me for weeks (laughs). It would have eaten me alive.
“Everyone’s taking pictures anyway, so who cares?"
Norman Reedus plays Daryl Dixon on AMC's "The Walking Dead." (Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times)
nmetz@chicagotribune.com


chicagotribune--2020-04-21--Equifax, Experian, TransUnion offering weekly free credit reports to consumers, citing ‘unprecedente

Equifax, Experian, TransUnion offering weekly free credit reports to consumers, citing ‘unprecedented times’

“ These are unprecedented times facing the world .
People are feeling scared and uncertain about the future .
To @ @ @ @ @ reduce some of that anxiety , we are uniting as an industry to help people @ @ @ @ @ financial data , ” the CEOs of the three credit agencies said in a news @ @

The nation’s big three national credit reporting agencies — Equifax, Experian and TransUnion — have begun offering free weekly credit reports so consumers can monitor their financial health and any changes brought on by the coronavirus pandemic.
The companies, including Chicago-based TransUnion, said the weekly free reports will be available for the next year at AnnualCreditReport.com.
Advertisement
The announcement comes as worries grow about lasting hits to the economy as layoffs and furloughs rise in multiple industries and others take pay cuts. More than 22 million people nationally have sought unemployment insurance benefits in the past month.
In the past week, many of the nation’s largest banks have set aside tens of billions of dollars to cover credit defaults, such as those tied to small business loans and consumer credit card debt. A recent survey by Creditcards.com found 59 percent of U.S. consumers with a credit card owed money on their cards when the pandemic started.
Advertisement
“These are unprecedented times facing the world. People are feeling scared and uncertain about the future. To help play our part and reduce some of that anxiety, we are uniting as an industry to help people know the facts about their financial data,” the CEOs of the three credit agencies said in a news release.
The nation’s big three national credit reporting agencies — Equifax, Experian and TransUnion — have begun offering free weekly credit reports for the next year. (Igor Dimovski / iStock)
Credit reports are a record of credit activity and payment history. Lenders use credit scores derived from the reports to evaluate the probability that an individual will repay loans in a timely manner.
In announcing the availability of free reports, the three companies advised consumers with financial challenges to contact their lenders.
crshropshire@chicagotribune.com


chicagotribune--2020-04-21--Pandemic pantry recipe: Crispy fried rice with crunchy golden crown

3 .
Turn the heat down , then carefully uncover .
Scrape down any stray rice grains .
Re-cover , @ @ @ @ @ and cook , about 10 minutes .
Turn heat down again , uncover , break @ @ @ @ @ and check that a crust is forming underneath .
Add a little more oil as @ @ @ @ @ , asparagus tips and frozen peas , plus remaining salt and pepper .
Re-cover , @ @ @ @ @ ; cook , about 5 more minutes .

When microwaved leftovers trigger flashbacks to sad desk lunches, but aspirational coronavirus cooking feels like too much work, you might try what’s become my go-to pandemic pantry nonrecipe for crispy fried rice.
A hidden golden crust distinguishes this technique that’s far easier than even nontraditional fried rice and grants you permission to stop trying to recreate your favorite restaurant’s dish.
Advertisement
Crispy fried rice is made with leftover rice, frozen peas and window sill scallions, plus fresh spring asparagus and radishes. (Louisa Chu / Chicago Tribune)
Rice cookers have eliminated scorched rice, the toasted layer left behind in a cooking pot. That is unless it’s created with intent. Every rice culture shares a variation, from Chinese claypot rice to Korean dolsot bibimbap to Spanish paella socarrat to prized Persian tahdig.
A nutty hard bite as satisfying as a kettle potato chip or crackling pork rind transforms leftovers simply layered over rice. Use a nonstick pan or well-seasoned cast iron, and enough oil to barely coat the bottom, a ratio of about 1 tablespoon oil to 2 cups cooked rice. Top with whatever leftovers you have, and add fresh or frozen ingredients if you want.
Advertisement
In our heightened waste not, want not moment, remember to reward yourself that first bite of crunchy crust, which always belongs to the cook.
Crispy fried rice with asparagus and radishes
Prep: 15 to 20 minutes
Cook: 15 to 20 minutes
Makes: 3 to 6 servings
You can use whatever leftovers you have on hand with this technique, but if you want a recipe for inspiration, here’s the dish with spring ingredients to serve as a side or main, possibly topped with fried eggs or sauteed nuts.
1 bunch red radishes with green tops, about 1 pound, halved as needed to bite size
1 bunch asparagus, about 1 pound
3 tablespoons oil
Advertisement
6 cups cooked rice, hot or cold
½ cup frozen peas
1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
Kosher salt
1 tablespoon soy sauce
3 scallions, greens sliced thin (save white roots to regrow in a jar of water on your window sill)
Advertisement
Butter plus lemon or white rice vinegar
1. Soak the radishes to wash well of sandy soil; separate the greens from the red roots. For the asparagus, snap off tough bottoms for compost; snap spears in half, separate stems from tips.
2. In a cold wok, skillet or wide-bottomed saucepan, add oil then swirl to coat. Add rice, then red radish roots and asparagus stems. Season with half of the pepper and salt to taste. Cover, then turn heat on medium high. Cook until you hear sizzling and smell rice toasting, about 5 minutes.
3. Turn the heat down, then carefully uncover. Scrape down any stray rice grains. Re-cover, then turn heat to medium and cook, about 10 minutes. Turn heat down again, uncover, break up any clumps of rice and check that a crust is forming underneath. Add a little more oil as needed. Add radish greens, asparagus tips and frozen peas, plus remaining pepper and salt to taste. Re-cover, then turn heat to medium; cook, about 5 more minutes.
4. Turn off heat, uncover, add soy sauce around the edge of rice, then slide your spatula around the bottom crust. Garnish with scallion greens and butter; season to taste with lemon or vinegar for bright acidity. Serve directly from the pan, breaking crunchy crust as needed, golden side up.
Nutrition information per serving (for 6 servings): 298 calories, 7 g fat, 1 g saturated fat, 0 mg cholesterol, 51 g carbohydrates, 3 g sugar, 7 g protein, 610 mg sodium, 3 g fiber
Advertisement
Eat. Watch. Do. Weekly What to eat. What to watch. What you need to live your best life ... now. By submitting your email to receive this newsletter, you agree to our Subscriber Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy >
Advertisement


chicagotribune--2020-04-21--Column: Jerry Reinsdorf and Jerry Krause are the perfect villains for ‘The Last Dance’

But the part that really made me cringe was when Jordan wanted to come back from his foot injury late @ @ @ @ @ team make the playoffs .
A doctor said there was a 10 % chance of @ @ @ @ @ risk Jordan was willing to take .
Reinsdorf was against it and explained the Bulls @ @ @ @ @ anyway , so why risk it ?
They wound up making the playoffs in spite @ @ @ @ @ playing time against his wishes .

The Chicago Bulls celebrate their 6th NBA title during a rally in Grant Park on June 16, 1998. From left; Tony Kukoc, Ron Harper, Dennis Rodman, Scottie Pippen, Michael Jordan, Mayor Richard M. Daley, coach Phil Jackson and Gov. Jim Edgar. (Chuck Berman / Chicago Tribune)
Every superhero movie needs a good villain, and even though it’s a documentary, “The Last Dance” is no exception.
The first two episodes of the 10-part series make that perfectly clear.
Advertisement
Michael Jordan naturally plays the lead role of the superhero, a lovable, good-hearted man who writes letters to his mother in college and is intent only on keeping his merry gang together against the forces of evil.
The designated bad guys trying to disband our superhero’s crew to start their own rebuild are Bulls Chairman Jerry Reinsdorf and his loyal henchman, general manager Jerry Krause.
Advertisement
Or think of Jordan as James Bond, Reinsdorf as Goldfinger and Krause as Oddjob, the guy doing the dirty work for his boss. You couldn’t ask for better characters, which is why we’re so excited to see how it all plays out, even though we already know the ending.
Krause obviously will serve as Jordan’s primary antagonist throughout the series, which makes sense because he’s so well-suited for the role. His not-so-subtle hatred of coach Phil Jackson sets the story in motion, forcing our hero to use his athletic superpowers in hopes of foiling the plot to break up the greatest team ever.
The documentary’s producers couldn’t have scripted a more telling scene than the one in which Krause sits silently in the front row of the team bus, shifting his eyes sideways at the boarding players while looking straight ahead. Krause looks like he’s up to no good.
It’s a shame Krause no longer is alive to get a chance to refute the many allegations, including a scarred childhood — filled with teasing about his height — that allegedly fueled his anger and resentment as he rose to a position of power. You almost feel sorry for him at times, but then you remember Krause was the one who told Jackson he wasn’t coming back even if the Bulls went 82-0, a quote replayed in the opening credits.
Expand Autoplay Image 1 of 24 Chicago Bulls general manager Jerry Krause makes his way from the United Center floor to Bulls locker room on May 6, 1998. (Phil Velasquez/Chicago Tribune)
Reinsdorf at least gets a chance to defend himself and the team’s decisions. He suggests that a rebuild after 1998 was necessary because the Bulls players, besides Jordan, wouldn’t be worth keeping around at that stage of their careers. He explains that he advised Scottie Pippen not to sign the ludicrous long-term contract that made Pippen so bitter and hostile, even his teammates took note.
But the part that really made me cringe was when Jordan wanted to come back from his foot injury late in 1986 to help the team make the playoffs. A doctor said there was a 10% chance of re-injuring the foot, a risk Jordan was willing to take. Reinsdorf was against it and explained the Bulls weren’t going anywhere anyway, so why risk it? They wound up making the playoffs in spite of limiting Jordan’s playing time against his wishes.
We then were treated to Jordan’s glorious 63-point performance in a double-overtime loss to the Celtics at Boston Garden, one of the more enjoyable — albeit heartbreaking — games in Chicago sports history.
If Reinsdorf and Krause had their way, that moment never would’ve happened. The two Jerrys preferred getting a higher draft pick to making the postseason.
Advertisement
It reminded me of the memorable comment Reinsdorf made in the summer of 1997 that anyone who thought the White Sox could catch the Indians was “crazy.” The Sox were only 3½ games behind at the time, but because Reinsdorf and general manager Ron Schueler had no faith in the team, it led to the infamous “White Flag” deal at the July trade deadline.
Imagine if the 2019 World Series champion Nationals had given up when they were .500 and treading water near the end of June?
“The Last Dance,” at least so far, makes it apparent Jordan would do anything to win, even risking his own health, while Reinsdorf seemingly was more concerned about his financial investment than actually winning games.
Money also seems to be a thematic motif in the documentary.
Being underpaid affected Pippen’s attitude so much, he decided to wait until the start of the 1997-98 season to have ankle surgery, hurting the team. In his interview, Pippen casually admits: “I’m not gonna (bleep) my summer up trying to rehab for the season.” Jordan calls Pippen’s decision “wrong” and “selfish.” A substandard contract also played a huge factor in the divide between Krause and Jackson, who coined the season “The Last Dance,” giving the documentary its title.
While Jordan also was vastly underpaid throughout most of his career, Reinsdorf made up for it after the 1995-96 season by giving him a one-year, $30 million deal that by far was the biggest in NBA history at the time, dwarfing Patrick Ewing’s $18.7 million salary.
Advertisement
Expand Autoplay Image 1 of 91 Jerry Reinsdorf smokes a cigar while watching the White Sox warm up before Game 3 of the ALDS against the Astros on Oct. 10 2021. (Armando L. Sanchez / Chicago Tribune)
The contract brought back memories of White Sox spring training in Sarasota, Fla., in 1996. I was the Sox beat writer a few years after being a Bulls sidebar writer during their first two title runs. Reinsdorf, as was his tradition back then, took the traveling beat writers to dinner at a nice restaurant in downtown Sarasota.
I wound up seated across from the chairman, who loved to engage in spirited debate with writers. But the conversation at the table turned to a recent report Jordan was going to ask for $25 million to return in 1996-97, a figure that seemed astronomical even for the world’s greatest player.
“Well, looks like you’ll have to pay him whatever he wants,” I told Reinsdorf.
Chicago Tribune Sports Weekdays A daily sports newsletter delivered to your inbox for your morning commute. By submitting your email to receive this newsletter, you agree to our Subscriber Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy >
“No,” he replied. “I don’t.”
“Yes, you do. It’s Michael Jordan. You can’t let Michael Jordan leave Chicago. They’ll never forget it."
“I don’t have to do anything,” he said, ending the discussion.
Advertisement
The Bulls wound up winning their fourth title, and Jordan got his deal done quickly in July.
“This is something Jerry (Reinsdorf) and I agreed upon,” he told the Associated Press. “It really didn’t take any negotiations, which is the way I wanted it. I’m very happy with the agreement we have. This team could have a good chance of winning the championship again. Then after that, you don’t know. They may want to take a business approach to it and change the team. And I want to give them the flexibility to do that.”
After the fifth Bulls title, Jordan’s view on giving management the “flexibility” to rebuild the team obviously had changed.
Good thing, or else we never would’ve been treated to the exquisite drama “The Last Dance” provides.


chicagotribune--2020-04-22--Daywatch: Pritzker says COVID-19 won’t peak until mid-May, Chicago businesses await federal loans an

Daywatch: Pritzker says COVID-19 won’t peak until mid-May, Chicago businesses await federal loans and why solo-sex is the best quarantine option

The COVID-19 pandemic has commanded a new way of life , and not just for people — even Chicago ’ @ @ @ @ @ affected .
Some formerly reliable food sources for rats , such as dumpsters behind restaurants @ @ @ @ @ stuffed to the brim daily with Chicagoans ’ food scraps , now sit empty .
@ @ @ @ @ they ’ ll move into residential homes , eat dog feces , or even cannibalize @ @ @ @ @ they ’ ll starve .

Want Daywatch delivered to your inbox? Sign up here. | Get the top Tribune stories of the day on your smart speaker | Here’s how to get the most out of your Tribune subscription | Got something to say? Join the conversation on our Facebook page
Good morning, Chicago. Here’s the coronavirus news and other top stories you need to know to start your day.
Advertisement
Breaking coronavirus news Stay up to date with the latest information on coronavirus with our breaking news alerts.
Gov. J.B. Pritzker arrives in a mask, April 19, 2020 for his daily COVID-19 briefing at the Thompson Center. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune)
Gov. J.B. Pritzker is now saying the new coronavirus pandemic may not peak in Illinois until mid-May, while Mayor Lori Lightfoot on Tuesday predicted the state’s stay-at-home order could extend into June.
Previous projections had put the virus’s peak in mid-to late April. But Pritzker told national news outlets this week that the date has been pushed back in part because people have been adhering to his stay-at-home order.
Advertisement
From left, Co-owners Carol Chambers, 51, and Kimberly Kreft, 52, pose for a portrait outside their lice removal salon Shiny Strands on April 20, 2020, in Glen Ellyn. (Armando L. Sanchez/Chicago Tribune)
From a vintage home décor shop in Barrington to a Chicago divorce lawyer, Chicago-area small business owners who missed out on the initial round of funding under the $2.2 trillion federal coronavirus relief package have been left in financial limbo, growing increasingly frustrated as they wait for Congress to allocate more money.
Federal lawmakers reached a tentative agreement for an additional $310 billion in funding for the paycheck program, part of a $484 billion coronavirus relief bill passed Tuesday by the Senate, but there are signs even that sum may not be enough.
Lisa Wiedemann, service manager with Rose Pest Solutions, picks up an adult rat as she checks traps behind a building in Chicago on April 17, 2020, in Chicago. (Jose M. Osorio / Chicago Tribune)
The COVID-19 pandemic has commanded a new way of life, and not just for people — even Chicago’s rat population has been affected. Some formerly reliable food sources for rats, such as dumpsters behind restaurants or overflowing outdoor garbage cans stuffed to the brim daily with Chicagoans’ food scraps, now sit empty. But rats are resilient and they’ll move into residential homes, eat dog feces, or even cannibalize dead or young rats before they’ll starve.
Chris McCarthy paint at Earth Paint in Wood Dale on Monday, April 20, 2020. Earth Paint collects and recycles paint, selling for a fraction of the usual price. The company relies on a special-needs workforce, with every sale going to support its special-needs employment program. (Stacey Wescott / Chicago Tribune)
Matt Molenkamp, 24, had been looking for work for a year before Earth Paint came into his life. “Having a disability and getting employed can be hard,” said the Wood Dale resident, who has cerebral palsy.
Molenkamp is part of the team at Earth Paint, a Wood Dale-based 501(3)(c) nonprofit whose mission is to recycle and sell paint and to create employment opportunities for people with special needs.
Searah Deysach, owner of Early to Bed, a feminist sex shop in Andersonville, in her store during summer 2019. Deysach said she's seen an increase in the purchase of masturbation toys since the stay-at-home order was put in place. (E. Jason Wambsgans / Chicago Tribune)
Quarantining is hard as it is, but chances are it’s a bit tougher if you live alone. For single people, who may have spent time searching for love pre-pandemic by going on dates, swiping on dating apps, or engaging in the occasional hook up, the stay-at-home order likely has ended their love and sex lives as they know it.


chicagotribune--2020-04-22--Celebrate the 50th anniversary of Earth Day by buying a gallon of recycled paint. It’s reasonably pr

Celebrate the 50th anniversary of Earth Day by buying a gallon of recycled paint. It’s reasonably priced, offers one-coat coverage, and you’ll be supporting special-needs employees.

“ I was working in real estate and running a paint contracting company , and those two had one thing @ @ @ @ @ every single one of my customers wanted me to get rid of all of the @ @ @ @ @ , ” said McCarthy , a Delavan , Wisconsin , native .
“ I started @ @ @ @ @ and keep them in my basement , and I also was working with some special-needs @ @ @ @ @ them — the Little City Foundation — said : Hey , we have a lot @ @ @ @ @ of working .
Are there any jobs they can do with you to try to @ @ @ @ @

Chris McCarthy paint at Earth Paint in Wood Dale on Monday, April 20, 2020. Earth Paint collects and recycles paint, selling for a fraction of the usual price. The company relies on a special-needs workforce, with every sale going to support its special-needs employment program. (Stacey Wescott / Chicago Tribune)
Matt Molenkamp, 24, had been looking for work for a year before Earth Paint came into his life.
“Having a disability and getting employed can be hard,” said the Wood Dale resident, who has cerebral palsy.
Advertisement
But Christopher McCarthy, Earth Paint founder, offered him a job, and since he began work in August, life is “awesome,” according to Molenkamp.
“I’m learning something new, as I go every day," he said. “My dad is a carpenter, and because of having a disability, I didn’t see myself doing labor work, but now I come home every day covered in paint. I absolutely love what I do.”
Advertisement
Molenkamp is part of the team at Earth Paint, a Wood Dale-based 501(3)(c) nonprofit whose mission is to recycle and sell paint and to create employment opportunities for people with special needs. The organization began six years ago after McCarthy saw a void when he was painting structures in Palatine’s Little City, which serves the special-needs population.
“I was working in real estate and running a paint contracting company, and those two had one thing in common, which was every single one of my customers wanted me to get rid of all of the old paint that they had,” said McCarthy, a Delavan, Wisconsin, native. “I started to collect cans of paint and keep them in my basement, and I also was working with some special-needs organizations, and one of them — the Little City Foundation — said: Hey, we have a lot of people that are capable of working. Are there any jobs they can do with you to try to create some employment?”
Matt Molenkamp, 24, batches paint at Earth Paint on April 20, 2020, in Wood Dale. Earth Paint collects, recycles and sells paint. (Stacey Wescott / Chicago Tribune)
McCarthy asked for help recycling 300 cans of paint. With two people from Little City, the cans were processed in a couple of hours. Impressed with their work ethic, McCarthy created more employment opportunities for the special-needs population. Last year, he had 19 special-needs employees on staff, all working on recycling paint and the containers that they come in. People drop off their unused paint at a charge of $5 a gallon, the contents get sorted by a number of criteria (brands, sheens, colors, interior or exterior, water-based, etc.), and new paint is produced and sold at $25 a gallon in a variety of colors.
“We are half, if not two-thirds, cheaper than our direct chemically equivalent competition,” McCarthy said. "We have more than 31,000 gallons of paint in our 5,000-square-foot building right now, and more will come. Every single container we get gets stirred, checked and prescreened with filters into containers, and once containers are more than halfway full, we test for chemistry, quality and color. For the last quarter of the container, we can control what color the paint is going to end up being, so we will make it into something that is super neutral that we know is trendy.”
Matt Molenkamp works with paint at Earth Paint in Wood Dale on April 20, 2020. The company relies on a special-needs workforce, and every sale goes to support its special-needs employment program. (Stacey Wescott / Chicago Tribune)
McCarthy said all the money goes back into the organization to pay workers. Until coronavirus closed nonessential businesses, McCarthy said, Earth Paint was selling 500 gallons of paint at nine locations in Chicagoland, including a number of Habitat for Humanity ReStores, Rebuilding Exchange and an Ace Hardware in Elgin.
Because it’s a new product made from other paints that are used as a base, McCarthy says, Earth Paint offers better coverage with one coat. Earth Paint is a fully functioning paint store with tinting equipment; the only difference is that Earth Paint needs to add less colorant — and therefore fewer volatile organic compounds — than other stores because its paints already have color in them.
“Basically we’re putting everything together and coming up with something that covers better, dries faster and is more washable,” he said. “Paint is typically 80% to 90% water, and our paints might be 70% water, thus we end up with thicker paint that covers better. Sustainability means that we use less resources to make our product, and we use 90% less resources than new paint manufacturers use to make new paint.”
Matt Molenkamp is silhouetted against storefront windows at Earth Paint in Wood Dale on April 20, 2020. (Stacey Wescott / Chicago Tribune)
And on the 50th anniversary of Earth Day, McCarthy says that means a lot. He wants to spend the rest of his life helping Earth Paint evolve. During the pandemic, McCarthy is not averse to delivering paint to customers, and since schools are out for the rest of the school year, Earth Paint is offering 2 gallons of paint for free to schools for each gallon they purchase for $29.99.
Advertisement
This Easter, Earth Paint worked with the Center of Itasca on the Stained Glass Project to provide free paint kits to community members who wanted to celebrate the holiday by painting windows of their home. A total of 270 kits were given out, said the Rev. Bob Butler.
“Chris’ heart goes beyond paint; it goes to people,” Butler said. “So when somebody asks me about Earth Paint, I say it’s one of the greatest ideas to come around, and more people need to be aware of it. ... The idea is right for a time like this. The smallest thing can become something so cool.”
“It really takes conscious thought to make recycling a more effective reality, McCarthy said. “We are controlling the paint part of recycling, but we have no control over what you do with all the rest of your products. Think of us when it comes to paint and where this product is going to end up even before you buy it. Don’t be afraid to give us a shot, and you will be exceedingly happy with the quality and longevity of it and you can feel really good that it’s a green product and we are giving back everything we can to the community.”
Matt Molenkamp, 24, carries empty paint cans that he'll crush and recycle at Earth Paint in Wood Dale on April 20, 2020. (Stacey Wescott / Chicago Tribune)
Molenkamp is one semester away from completing his teaching degree in physical education at Illinois State University, but he said that even when he starts teaching with his degree, Earth Paint will be a part of his life. McCarthy said he can see Molenkamp managing a different location if and when Earth Paint expands.
“I’m planning to finish my degree, but Earth Paint is always going to be something that I will be a part of because I believe in it so much,” Molenkamp said. “The guys who work here are a family. They believe in me, and it’s just a great environment to be in. What we’re doing here is we’re trying to take care of the planet and do our best. My goal in life has always been to make a difference and help people and I feel like I can do that being here.”
drockett@chicagotribune.com


chicagotribune--2020-04-21--Ask Amy: Father worries about son's drinking

Here I am , staring at a shelf-full of diet books , all of which seemed like a solution when @ @ @ @ @ none of which proved useful until I decided to take responsibility - and be accountable @ @ @ @ @ .
And then -- what do you know - I did n't need a book @

Dear Amy: You frequently suggest books for people to read on the subject they are worried about.
I have a son who has been drinking for quite a while now, and he is not realistic about his problem.
Advertisement
He is 53, and otherwise a very nice person.
Could you suggest a book for him that may catch his eye and cause him to think about his drinking? I would very much appreciate your input.
Advertisement
— Dad
Dear Dad: Some books can offer up unforgettable "ah-ha" moments, but - when it comes to addiction, the personal realization needs to come first, followed by acceptance, the humility required to desire genuine and lasting change, and the determination to try.
Here I am, staring at a shelf-full of diet books, all of which seemed like a solution when I acquired them, but none of which proved useful until I decided to take responsibility - and be accountable - for my own behavior. And then -- what do you know - I didn't need a book.
So no - although addiction memoirs and self-help books are abundant, I don't think there is a magic book out there that would inspire your son toward rapid change.
However, if handing your son a book would help YOU to talk to him about his drinking, then you could present him with: "Recovery: Freedom from Our Addictions, by Russell Brand (2018, Picador). Brand is a British actor, comedian, podcaster, autodidact, and all-around wonderful weirdo who is in recovery for his own multiple addictions. This book contains some smart insights.
More important than any book, however, would be your decision to tell your son your own truth about his drinking. Are you worried? Say so. Do you want to try to help? Tell him.
You will feel better if you can learn and practice the art of detachment. When it comes to your son's drinking, you are, in fact, powerless. This can be a very challenging truth for a parent to accept.
Al-anon's supportive community would be a source of comfort and knowledge for you - check Al-anon.org for local meetings and online support. The Al-anon "bible" is "Courage to Change," (1992, Al-anon Family Groups). You might benefit from its daily readings and meditations.
Advertisement
Dear Readers: Our current isolated status has pushed a lot of us to go just a tiny bit bonkers - in a good way.
In addition to the very serious issues raised in this space, I've received coronavirus poetry, videos of people learning to play the banjo, families lip syncing to pop songs in their pajamas, and other varieties of delightful silliness. I love it all. (You can watch my own homemade, goofball instructional video of how to dye your own hair at home, posted on amydickinson.com.)
I also received the following two questions from a married couple: "Mrs. and Mr. Smith."
Dear Amy: An unexpected effect of coronavirus isolation is that my husband has developed a thirst for the perfect shoe. He already possesses an impressive collection of casual shoes, sneakers, and a few dress shoes.
Now he has acquired shoes to walk to the bottom of the driveway, shoes for the short walks vs. the five-mile walks (we live way out in the country), and he insists he needs more shoes for sunny weather, damp weather, slippery conditions and "unforeseen situations."
This quest for the perfect shoe is expensive, of course, but do I need to fear for his mental health? I've started calling him "Imelda."
Advertisement
— Mrs. Smith
Dear Amy: I'm married to a wonderful woman, but she insists on cleaning up nonstop. Even when we're having dinner, if she spots a crumb on the floor, she leaps out of her chair with a vacuum cleaner. She's using a robot vacuum too, so that she can clean in two places at once.
Also, she can be very critical. If I don't hang up my shirts to suit her, she's very quick to point out the proper technique. Even my closet is under her constant scrutiny, and I've become afraid to use it, so I'm forced to leave my garments on the floor.
Is there a way to solve this problem without ruining the perfect bliss of our marriage?
Ask Amy Daily No-nonsense advice for better living delivered to your inbox every morning. By submitting your email to receive this newsletter, you agree to our Subscriber Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy >
— Mr. Smith
Dear Mrs. and Mr. Smith: Let us tread, ever so gently, through this pandemic - but not over each other - and wearing the perfect shoe, if possible.
Advertisement
For now, one of you gets to Roomba, and the other gets to rumba (in his dancing shoes).
Be safe, be well, and keep your quick wits about you.
Get the latest no-nonsense advice for better living delivered to your inbox every morning with our Ask Amy newsletter. Sign up here.
(You can email Amy Dickinson at askamy@amydickinson.com or send a letter to Ask Amy, P.O. Box 194, Freeville, NY 13068. You can also follow her on Twitter @askingamy or Facebook.)
Copyright 2019 by Amy Dickinson
Distributed by Tribune Content Agency


chicagotribune--2020-04-21--Restaurant secrets every home cook should know

If you ’ re a food-driven soul , going out for a really good meal is one of life ’ @ @ @ @ @ , if you want to recreate those Michelin-starred meals on your own , there ’ @ @ @ @ @ to a few chefs and they filled us in on all of the cooking tips @ @ @ @ @ their own kitchen so you can too .

Expand Autoplay Image 1 of 31 USE PASTA WATER TO MAKE SILKY SAUCES | If you’ve ever wondered why pasta at some of the best Italian restaurants in America always seems more decadent than the stuff you make at home, the answer is very simple: pasta water. When you cook pasta, some of the starch stays behind in the water after the pasta is strained. Most restaurants finish their noodles by adding a small ladleful of starchy pasta water to the pan, and this helps to bridge the gap between pasta and sauce. (Nanisimova/Shutterstock)
If you’re a food-driven soul, going out for a really good meal is one of life’s great pleasures. But, if you want to recreate those Michelin-starred meals on your own, there’s hope. We spoke to a few chefs and they filled us in on all of the cooking tips and tricks they use in their own kitchen so you can too.


chicagotribune--2020-04-20--Hits, misses and busts: Grading all of Ryan Pace’s 32 draft picks as the Chicago Bears GM

The report card : In case you hadn ’ t heard , the Bears were first in line at the quarterback buffet in 2017 , and Pace went all in on Trubisky , trading three additional picks to the 49ers to move from No .
3 to No .
2 .
Pace ’ s aggressiveness in making certain he got the quarterback he so badly wanted wasn ’ t the problem .
It was the Bears ’ misevaluation of that quarterback class that still proves unsettling and might have set the franchise back a half-decade or longer .
Pace ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ indication he wouldn ’ t have been able to settle for another quarterback in the class .
And when the other two quarterbacks taken in Round 1 that year were Patrick Mahomes ( already a league MVP and Super Bowl champion ) and Deshaun Watson ( a two-time Pro Bowl selection ) , Pace ’ s mistake has been magnified tenfold .
While Mahomes and Watson prepare themselves for eye-popping contract extensions this year , Trubisky is in an open competition with Nick Foles for the starting job with no promises he will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Trubisky still has some control over how his Bears career will ultimately be defined , and a major resurgence , while a long shot , isn ’ t out of the question .
But if Trubsky isn ’ t in the Bears ’ plans beyond this season , it ’ s more than reasonable to move him into the “ Bust ” category .

Ryan Pace will be overseeing his sixth draft as Bears general manager later this week, looking to make the most of the seven selections the team owns heading into the three-day event. Pace’s track record in the draft has been somewhat spotty, particularly with first-round picks. But he also has succeeded at times in finding long-term building blocks. In the lead-up to the draft, here’s a pick-by-pick review of the 32 players Pace and his staff have drafted since 2015.
Each pick was given one of the following grades, with where they were selected taken into account; totals in each category are at the bottom:
Advertisement
GREATEST HIT: An undeniable success; players who have exceeded expectations.
SOLID SELECTION: Players who have met expectations and contributed at an acceptable level.
Advertisement
MISS: Players who fell well short of what was promised and struggled to produce.
BUST: Worse than a “MISS.” An undeniable failure. Players who came nowhere close to meeting expectations.
JURY STILL OUT: Players who need more time or more development before they can be graded fairly.
Round 1
Kevin White, receiver — selected No. 7 overall in 2015
West Virginia wide receiver Kevin White poses after the Bears selected him with the seventh pick in the 2015 NFL draft. (Chris Sweda / Chicago Tribune)
BUST
What Pace said on draft weekend: “I know I spoke about getting impact players in the draft, especially when you’re picking in the top 10, and that’s exactly what Kevin White is. We couldn’t be more thrilled. This guy’s dynamic. He’s big, he’s strong, he’s ultracompetitive. If I could stress one word for him, he’s competitive. You see it after the catch. You see it in the way he attacks the ball in the air. This is a dynamic playmaker for our offense.”
The report card: White turned out to be a medical casualty from the start. He reported to training camp his rookie year with a stress fracture in the lower part of his left shin and wound up missing the entire season. A spiral fracture in his left fibula cut his 2016 season short after just four games. Then he fractured his left shoulder blade in the 2017 season opener and was placed on injured reserve. White’s fourth and final season with the Bears was ho-hum. He was healthier than in his first three years. But he played in only nine games. The end result of his Bears career: 25 catches, 34 games missed (27 to injury), zero touchdowns. The Bears let White’s contract expire in March 2019 and he is now out of the league.
Leonard Floyd, outside linebacker — selected No. 9 overall in 2016
The Bears selected outside linebacker Leonard Floyd with the ninth pick in the 2016 draft. (John J. Kim / Chicago Tribune / Chicago Tribune)
MISS
What Pace said on draft weekend: “We’ve said all along we wanted to improve the athleticism and speed on our defense and we’ve definitely done that with Leonard Floyd. This guy lines up all over the field for Georgia. He brings great athleticism for a guy that tall with that kind of length. He’ll bring some juice to our defense that we need and will definitely help our pass rush. … You see him come off the edge. You see him beat people with outside speed and bend the corner. He’s got a great inside spin move that’s really difficult to defend.”
Advertisement
The report card: In four seasons, Floyd recorded only 18½ sacks with a career-high seven as a rookie. That was not the kind of difference-making production the Bears were counting on. And while Pace consistently lauded Floyd for his versatility and ability to drop into pass coverage, pass rushers taken in the top 10 are expected to consistently put quarterbacks on the ground. After the Bears picked up the fifth-year option on Floyd’s rookie deal a year ago, they wiggled out of that expensive 2020 commitment by releasing Floyd last month. He now has a one-year deal with the Rams for the next step in his career.
Mitch Trubisky, quarterback — selected No. 2 overall in 2017
Expand Autoplay Image 1 of 19 The Bears introduce Mitch Trubisky after drafting him with the No. 2 pick in the 2017 NFL draft during a news conference at Halas Hall on April 28, 2017. (Chris Walker / Chicago Tribune)
MISS
What Pace said on draft weekend: “If we want to be great, you just can’t sit on your hands. There are times when you’ve got to be aggressive. And when you have conviction on a guy, you can’t sit on your hands. … The only chance you get to add quarterbacks like this is when you’re picking this high in the draft and taking advantage of it. … His potential to be a championship quarterback is all we focused on in this move. We feel we have the perfect environment for his development. … As I studied all these quarterbacks, his accuracy jumps out right away. His ability to process and see the whole field jumps out. He’s very athletic. He can extend the play. And one trait you’ll notice, as quarterbacks are extending the play, the ability to move around and keep his eyes downfield still looking for open targets instead of just tucking the ball and wanting to run."
[ Why did the Bears draft Mitch Trubisky over Patrick Mahomes and Deshaun Watson? ]
The report card: In case you hadn’t heard, the Bears were first in line at the quarterback buffet in 2017, and Pace went all in on Trubisky, trading three additional picks to the 49ers to move from No. 3 to No. 2. Pace’s aggressiveness in making certain he got the quarterback he so badly wanted wasn’t the problem. It was the Bears’ misevaluation of that quarterback class that still proves unsettling and might have set the franchise back a half-decade or longer. Pace’s bold trade up was a clear indication he wouldn’t have been able to settle for another quarterback in the class. And when the other two quarterbacks taken in Round 1 that year were Patrick Mahomes (already a league MVP and Super Bowl champion) and Deshaun Watson (a two-time Pro Bowl selection), Pace’s mistake has been magnified tenfold. While Mahomes and Watson prepare themselves for eye-popping contract extensions this year, Trubisky is in an open competition with Nick Foles for the starting job with no promises he will still be a Bear beyond 2020. Trubisky still has some control over how his Bears career will ultimately be defined, and a major resurgence, while a long shot, isn’t out of the question. But if Trubsky isn’t in the Bears’ plans beyond this season, it’s more than reasonable to move him into the “Bust” category.
Roquan Smith, linebacker — selected No. 8 overall in 2017
Bears inside linebacker Roquan Smith on Oct. 20, 2019, at Soldier Field. (Brian Cassella / Chicago Tribune)
SOLID SELECTION
What Pace said on draft weekend: “Roquan is not only a great player, but he has outstanding intangibles. That’s a huge strength of his and it was a very attractive quality for us. … The first thing that comes to mind is his instincts, his play speed and his physicality. I mean, he hits with impact.”
Advertisement
The report card: Smith easily has been the best of Pace’s four first-round picks, a still-ascending playmaker whose speed and instincts position him to be a foundation piece on the defense for the next decade. The young linebacker’s athleticism and feel for the game show up in impressive fashion in flashes, a glimpse into his All-Pro potential. Still, Smith’s true breakthrough hasn’t come as fast as the Bears had hoped. A holdout in 2018 delayed his rookie-year development. His 2019 season hit a speed bump early when he missed a Week 4 win over the Vikings because of personal reasons. Then he was slow in regaining form. The promise he showed in November was interrupted quickly when he suffered a season-ending pectoral tear in Week 14 against the Cowboys.
Round 2
Eddie Goldman, defensive lineman — selected No. 39 overall in 2015
Bears nose tackle Eddie Goldman tackles Giants running back Saquon Barkley on Dec. 2, 2018, in East Rutherford, N.J. (Jose M. Osorio / Chicago Tribune)
GREATEST HIT
What Pace said on draft weekend: “When I think about the standout traits with Eddie Goldman, it’s strength. Stout at the point of attack. He’s very instinctive. He gets off blocks. I really like the pad level he plays with. He steps up in big moments. In the Clemson game this year, there are three game-changing plays he makes to basically win that game for Florida State. … He’s an ascending player.”
The report card: Goldman has been one of the most reliable yet underappreciated cogs in the Bears defense, a soft-spoken but powerful and consistently productive defensive tackle. His true value and impact never will be properly reflected in his statistics — 153 career tackles, 12½ sacks. But his worth to one of the NFL’s best defenses is well-known across the league. Goldman earned a four-year contract extension right before the 2018 season. He was a Pro Bowl alternate last season.
Cody Whitehair, offensive lineman — selected No. 56 overall in 2016
Bears center Cody Whitehair (65) directs the offensive line during a game against the Vikings on Dec. 29 at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis. (Stacey Wescott / Chicago Tribune)
SOLID SELECTION
What Pace said on draft weekend: “He’s an aggressive player. He is really good in space. He plays with great inside hand placement and he has strong hands. I love offensive lineman with strong inside hands. When (defenders) latched on, you can’t get rid of him. He’s a very difficult player to shed. … He’s a four-year starter. He has played multiple positions. We see him as a guard. He played some tackle (in college) and I think he can play center too. This is what you’re looking for in an offensive lineman. He’s smart. He’s tough. He’s instinctive. He loves the weight room.”
Advertisement
The report card: Whitehair’s dependability is a major plus. He has started all 64 games in his career and has been willing to change positions whenever needed — from guard to center to guard and now back to center again. Whitehair went to the Pro Bowl as an alternate after the 2018 season and was given a five-year extension in September. The Bears value his versatility, toughness and leadership.
Adam Shaheen, tight end — selected No. 45 overall in 2017
Adam Shaheen, guarded by Packers cornerback Jaire Alexander during a Sept. 5, 2019 game, has totaled only 26 catches, 249 yards and four touchdowns in three season with the Bears. (Armando L. Sanchez / Chicago Tribune)
BUST
What Pace said on draft weekend: “With any small-school player we watch, we really want to see him dominate the level of competition, and he definitely did that. Great character, high football intelligence, strong work ethic. And for a guy with his size, his athleticism jumps out. He’s one of those guys, when you’re watching tape, you have to keep looking down and go, ‘Man, this guy is 6-6½ and 278 pounds and he moves like that.’ He has good route quickness, an ability to separate, natural hands, good body control, big catching radius. You can feel his basketball background and his ability to go up and high-point balls in a crowd.”
The report card: Shaheen was the fifth of 14 tight ends selected in 2017, with the Bears making a dice roll that his dominance at Division II Ashland University could translate to the NFL. It hasn’t. Shaheen has been inconsistent and hurt too often and has totaled only 26 catches, 249 yards and four touchdowns in three seasons. Making matters worse, George Kittle — selected three rounds and 101 picks later — has become an All-Pro for the 49ers.
James Daniels, offensive lineman — selected No. 39 overall in 2018
Bears lineman James Daniels, left, works against the Lions on Nov. 11, 2018, at Soldier Field in Chicago. (John J. Kim / Chicago Tribune)
JURY STILL OUT
What Pace said on draft weekend: “He was one of the better interior linemen on our board. We value his position versatility. That’s his strength. Our plan is to start him off as guard as his first position and cross-train him at center. Things that stand out are quickness, leverage, balance. He has excellent technique in pass protection and is a guy our scouts and coaches all valued highly"
Advertisement
The report card: Daniels was only 20 years old when the Bears drafted him and envisioned a productive union with position coach Harry Hiestand, who shared the front office’s belief in the lineman’s upside. Still, to this point, the Bears haven’t gotten everything they need out of Daniels. His significant struggles at center last season were part of the team’s well-documented offensive headaches. That forced a midseason change in which Daniels moved back to guard. Matt Nagy plans to keep him there in 2020, noting that the Bears went 5-3 after Daniels and Cody Whitehair swapped positions in November.
Anthony Miller, receiver — selected No. 51 overall in 2018
Bears wide receiver Anthony Miller, the 51st selection in the 2018 NFL draft. (Erin Hooley / Chicago Tribune)
JURY STILL OUT
What Pace said on draft weekend: “He’s competitive. He’s tough. His route quickness, his hands, his work ethic, his mentality, all those things are infectious qualities he possesses. He’s a fun guy to watch on tape because of how he plays. … Matt (Nagy) and I were just talking about that swag and that energy he plays with. Those are infectious things. He’s a guy who’s 100 miles an hour every single snap. That effort, it’s just fun to watch, especially at that position.”
The report card: It’s setting up to be a defining 2020 for Miller, who’s still recovering from offseason surgery on his left shoulder. At times he looks every bit like the game-changing force the Bears believed him to be when they traded up 54 slots to pick him. Miller led the Bears with seven receiving touchdowns as a rookie and had a five-game surge in November and December last season during which he recorded 33 catches and 431 yards. But he has struggled at times with being detail-oriented as a route runner and needs to continue polishing his skills and preparation habits to become what the Bears need him to be.
Round 3
Hroniss Grasu, center — selected No. 71 overall in 2015
Bears center Hroniss Grasu (55) gives instructions against the Packers on Nov. 26, 2015, in Green Bay. (Jose M. Osorio / Chicago Tribune)
BUST
What Pace said on draft weekend: “The standout traits are his balance and his quickness. He’s excellent at the second level and quick on reach-blocks. His makeup is outstanding. When you talk about work ethic — team captain, leadership, all those traits we stress around here — he brings those to the table.”
Advertisement
The report card: Grasu became the Bears starting center a month into his rookie season after veteran Will Montgomery broke his left leg. But the rookie struggled to control the line of scrimmage and was too frequently pushed backward. A torn anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee — suffered at an August 2016 “Family Fest” practice at Soldier Field — cost him his entire second season, and he made only four starts scattered throughout 2017. Grasu was cut at the end of the 2018 preseason and has since bounced to the Ravens, Dolphins, Titans and back to the Ravens as a reserve lineman.
Jonathan Bullard, defensive lineman — selected No. 72 overall in 2016
Jonathan Bullard (90) pressures Vikings quarterback Kirk Cousins on Nov. 18, 2018, at Soldier Field. (Jose M. Osorio / Chicago Tribune)
MISS
What Pace said on draft weekend: “We always talk about versatility. He can play the run, he’s instinctive, he’s got range. And he’s really quick and sudden off the ball. He needs to work on his pad level a little bit when he’s rushing the passer, and that can be coached. But some things that can’t be coached are just the twitch and the quickness he plays with, which will help him as a pass rusher.”
The report card: Bullard never became the pass-rushing threat the Bears thought he could be, recording just two sacks in three seasons in Chicago. His developmental breakthrough never quite came, and he was released in the Bears’ final wave of roster cuts in August 2019. Bullard is with the Cardinals but is another Day 2 draft pick who wound up being disappointing for Pace.
David Montgomery, running back — selected No. 73 overall in 2019
Bears running back David Montgomery (32) runs the ball in the first quarter against the Giants on Sunday, Nov. 24, 2019, at Soldier Field. (Brian Cassella / Chicago Tribune)
SOLID SELECTION
What Pace said on draft weekend: “He’s just a well-rounded back. It’s everything you look for in a running back, starting with his instincts, his vision, his ability to make people miss. Good hands. He fits our offense very well. It’s the ability to find a small crease, the ability to find a running lane. A lot of times it’s not going to be clean. Just like with a quarterback, it’s going to be a little dirty, a little gray. His ability to make something happen when everything is not blocked perfectly stands out. … (It’s also) how driven he is, how focused he is, how motivated he is to be great.”
Advertisement
The report card: Montgomery is by no means on solid ground in this “Solid Selections” category after averaging just 3.7 yards per carry and rushing for only 889 yards in the Bears’ feeble ground attack. But this is a vote of confidence that Montgomery’s undeniable talent, hunger and work ethic will propel him forward in Year 2. Matt Nagy has expressed optimism that Montgomery’s leadership and competitive edge will become much more obvious in his second season. The Bears have ample motivation to jump-start their running game, and if they are successful, it should translate into major production for Montgomery.
Round 4
Jeremy Langford, running back — selected No. 106 overall in 2015
Bears running back Jeremy Langford breaks a tackle by Vikings safety Anthony Harris on Jan. 1, 2017, at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis. (Stacey Wescott / Chicago Tribune)
MISS
What Pace said on draft weekend: “He’s very productive and athletic. The standout trait with him is really his speed. This guy has home-run ability. He has upside and has played multiple positions. So he’s still getting better as a running back.”
The report card: Langford showed flashes of true promise as a rookie, particularly in November of that season when he totaled 324 yards from scrimmage and three touchdowns in back-to-back wins against the Chargers and Rams. But instead of that being a foreshadowing, it was his peak. After the Bears let Matt Forte leave in free agency in 2016, Langford failed to seize the starting job, later beaten out by Jordan Howard. In two seasons, Langford made only five starts, totaled only 737 rushing yards and averaged just 3.5 yards per carry. The Bears cut Langford just before the 2017 season, and he since has spent time on the practice squads of the Ravens, Jets, Dolphins and Falcons. Since leaving Chicago, he has played in only one game.
Nick Kwiatkoski, linebacker — selected No. 113 overall in 2016
Bears linebacker Nick Kwiatkoski chases Lions quarterback Jeff Driskel on Nov. 10, 2019, at Soldier Field. (Armando L. Sanchez / Chicago Tribune)
SOLID SELECTION
What Pace said on draft weekend: “John (Fox) would come into my office throughout the season and say ‘I want throwback players.’ And he definitely fits that mold. Here’s what I like about him. The No. 1 trait when you’re looking for a linebacker is instincts. You can’t coach that. He just reacts so quickly and he attacks downhill. He’s making tackles near the line of scrimmage. Instincts transfer to whatever level you’re playing at.”
Advertisement
The report card: Kwiatkoski’s four years as a Bear were the definition of solid. He worked to become a reliable special teams contributor and kept himself ready for when he was needed on defense. While often in a reserve role behind players such as Danny Trevathan, Roquan Smith, Jerrell Freeman and Christian Jones, Kwiatkoski responded when called upon. He made 22 starts as a Bear, perhaps none more impressive than Week 4 of last season when he filled in for Smith and recorded 10 tackles, a sack and a forced fumble in a 16-6 win over the Vikings. The Bears let Kwiatkoski’s rookie contract expire in March, and he quickly signed a three-year, $21 million deal with the Raiders.
Deon Bush, safety — selected No. 124 overall in 2016
Bears safety Deon Bush tackles Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers during a Dec. 15, 2019 game at Lambeau Field in Green Bay. (Chris Sweda / Chicago Tribune)
JURY STILL OUT
What Pace said on draft weekend: “Deon Bush, the safety from Miami, is a good athlete and a very physical player. It’s the fact he throws his body around and plays with toughness, plays with instincts and plays fast on the field. He’s another guy we were fired up to get.”
The report card: Bush re-signed with the Bears last month, agreeing to a one-year deal and becoming just the fourth Pace draft pick to get past his rookie contract with the organization. Bush has played sparingly on defense the last four seasons. He has eight career starts and only two in the last three seasons. He still is seeking his first interception. Defensive coordinator Chuck Pagano sees potential in Bush, who should have an opportunity to win a starting role for 2020.
Deiondre’ Hall, defensive back — selected No. 127 overall in 2016
Bears defensive back Deiondre' Hall during an August 2018 preseason game at Soldier Field. (Brian Cassella / Chicago Tribune)
MISS
What Pace said on draft weekend: “(He’s an) extremely versatile player. He can play corner and nickel (back). And he can play safety. He has rare length for the position when you look at it. He’s also very tough and competitive when you watch him on tape. He has really good ball skills and had six interceptions (in 2015 at Northern Iowa).”
Advertisement
The report card: Hall arrived in Chicago saying he modeled his game after former Bears cornerback Charles Tillman. But the visions of Hall emerging as the second coming of Tillman never materialized. His Bears career summary: Ten games played, one interception (in 2016); an arrest on chargers of public intoxication, interference and disorderly conduct by fighting (in 2017); an 11-game stint on injured reserve because of a hamstring problem (in 2017); and a one-game suspension for violating the NFL’s substance abuse policy (in 2018). In September 2018, the Bears shipped Hall to the Eagles for a seventh-round pick.
Eddie Jackson, safety — selected No. 112 overall in 2017
Bears safety Eddie Jackson (39) scores a touchdown on an interception return against the Vikings on Nov. 18, 2018, at Soldier Field. (Brian Cassella / Chicago Tribune / Chicago Tribune)
GREATEST HIT
What Pace said on draft weekend: “It was just his ball skills and the instincts. We really liked him as a safety. And then you combine that with his skills as a punt returner … it was like, man, we’re going to kill two birds with one stone and get a good safety and a good punt returner. Plus it’s always good for me when I feel the excitement of our defensive coaches, the excitement of our special teams coaches and the excitement of our head coach.”
The report card: Jackson has been everything the Bears envisioned and more. His All-Pro season in 2018 showed the league just how much of a game-changer he can be. The intelligent, ballhawking safety had six interceptions, two forced fumbles, a fumble recovery and scored three defensive touchdowns that season as the Bears defense led the NFL in interceptions (27), takeaways (36) and fewest points allowed (17.7 per game). Jackson has five career defensive touchdowns, third on the Bears’ all-time list behind Charles Tillman (nine) and Mike Brown (seven). Jackson signed an extension in January to become the highest-paid safety in league history.
Tarik Cohen, running back — selected No. 119 overall in 2017
Bears running back Tarik Cohen eludes Vikings defenders on Dec. 29, 2019, at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis. (Jose M. Osorio / Chicago Tribune)
SOLID SELECTION
What Pace said on draft weekend: “He’s one of those guys who’s really fun to watch. You start watching one game, two games, three games, and pretty soon you’re watching his whole season because he’s just a really entertaining, electric, exciting player. … Man, he’s quick as a running back. He’s instinctive as a running back. He was productive in every season he had (at North Carolina A&T). But then you split him out of the backfield and he can shake and separate from a linebacker and a safety. He can create problems with his quickness and his suddenness and his athleticism.”
Advertisement
The report card: Cohen was terrific during the Bears’ 2018 run to the NFC North championship, emerging as an All-Pro punt returner and leading the team in yards from scrimmage (1,169). His value as a chess piece proved exciting for Matt Nagy, whose offensive system consistently put Cohen in positions to take advantage of favorable matchups. Cohen led the 2018 Bears with 71 catches. He scored eight touchdowns. His statistical regression in 2019, though, proved confounding. His yards per carry dipped from 4.5 to 3.3. His yards from scrimmage dropped to 669. He enters the final season of his rookie contract with the Bears needing to find ways to again unlock his full potential.
Joel Iyiegbuniwe, linebacker — selected No. 115 overall in 2018
Bears linebacker Joel Iyigbuniwe tackles 49ers wide receiver Richie James on Dec. 23, 2018, in Santa Clara, Calif. (John J. Kim / Chicago Tribune)
JURY STILL OUT
What Pace said on draft weekend: “When you turn on the tape, it just jumps out, the way he plays with a real physical, downhill style. He’s just so athletic. He’s so fast. ... I mean, there are numerous plays where it’s, ‘Hey, you’ve got to come in here and see this play.’ It’s just how physical he is. He throws his body around.”
The report card: Iyiegbuniwe has played in 31 of a possible 32 games his first two seasons, used primarily on special teams. He has recorded a dozen tackles and remains a depth piece in the Bears linebacking corps.
Riley Ridley, receiver — selected No. 126 overall in 2019
Bears wide receiver Rily Ridley heads downfield after making a reception against the Vikings on Dec. 29, 2019, at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis. (Stacey Wescott / Chicago Tribune)
JURY STILL OUT
What Pace said on draft weekend: “It’s a great example of us taking the best player (available) on our board. There are a lot of traits we like about this player. Obviously his size, his hands, his catching radius. His ability to win contested battles, his route running. … And he has a savviness to him to know how to set guys up. For as big as he is, he knows how to drop his weight and quickly get out of break points. … When he was in here (on a pre-draft visit), one of his quotes was, ‘I’m not a 50-50 guy. I win all of them.’ So that’s his mindset. When the ball is in the air, he’s going to win it.”
Advertisement
The report card: Ridley’s biggest contribution of his rookie year came in the season finale, a clutch 32-yard reception to convert fourth-and-9 on the game-winning field-goal drive against the Vikings. Overall, though, he played sparingly in only five games, recording six catches for 69 yards. Internally at Halas Hall, there’s belief that Ridley has the talent, work ethic and professionalism to ignite a significant breakthrough in Year 2. Ridley will have to earn playing time and make the most of the opportunities when they come.
Round 5
Adrian Amos, safety — selected No. 142 overall in 2015
Bears safety Adrian Amos makes an interception against the Eagles in a playoff game on Jan. 6, 2019, at Soldier Field. (Brian Cassella / Chicago Tribune)
GREATEST HIT
What Pace said on draft weekend: “He has played corner. He has played nickel (back). He’s played safety. So we like the coverage versatility he brings. He’s just a high-character guy who is extremely intelligent.”
The report card: Amos’ feel for the game was evident from the start, and he quickly leapfrogged over Brock Vereen in the 2015 preseason to become a Week 1 starter as a rookie. Over four seasons with the Bears, Amos made 56 starts. And while his ball production was never impressive — he had only three interceptions and 18 passes defensed in four years — he was consistently assignment-sound, and his physicality as a tackler stood out. The Bears let Amos’ rookie contract expire in March 2019, and he cashed in with a four-year deal in free agency with the Packers that included $12 million guaranteed and could be worth up to $37 million.
Jordan Howard, running back — selected No. 150 overall in 2016
Bears running back Jordan Howard runs for big yardage against the Giants' Michael Thomas on Dec. 2, 2018, in East Rutherford, N.J. (Jose M. Osorio / Chicago Tribune)
GREATEST HIT
What Pace said on draft weekend: “Jordan Howard is that physical pounder. We just love that style of play from him. … This guy is a downhill, physical, north-south runner. I just like the style and physicality he plays with. … He has really good vision and he runs really hard. That’s a pretty good combination.”
Advertisement
The report card: Howard was the 10th running back selected in 2016 but emerged rather quickly as the kind of high-volume bruiser John Fox valued for his ball-control offense. Howard was one of the only true offensive weapons the Bears had in 2016 and 2017. In his first two seasons, he rushed for 2,435 yards, the highest total ever for a Bears back through the first two years of his career. Howard’s effectiveness dipped in 2018 when coach Matt Nagy arrived with a new offensive system. The Bears, looking for a lead running back with more ability in the passing game, traded Howard to the Eagles in March 2019 in exchange for a sixth-round pick.
Jordan Morgan, offensive lineman — selected No. 147 overall in 2017
Bears offensive lineman Jordan Morgan, center, stretches with teammates at rookie minicamp on May 12, 2017, at Halas Hall in Lake Forest. (Jose M. Osorio / Chicago Tribune)
MISS
What Pace said on draft weekend: “An advantage of (us) coaching the Senior Bowl was gaining intimate knowledge of this player. He’s another small-school player. But that Senior Bowl experience really cemented for us the kind of player he is. I hate to make comparisons to players, but we took a guy in New Orleans in Jahri Evans who ended up being a great player from Bloomsburg. I think you believe what you see on tape. You have conviction on players.”
The report card: The Bears took another flier on a Division II prospect with traits they thought they could work with. Morgan, however, had played only a half-season of high school football before walking on at Kutztown University and playing his college career in the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference. He couldn’t make the leap to the NFL. He spent his rookie season on injured reserve with a shoulder issue and was cut at the end of the 2018 preseason.
Bilal Nichols, defensive lineman — selected No. 145 overall in 2018
Bears defensive lineman Bilal Nichols, left, recovers a Vikings fumble on Dec. 29, 2019, at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis. (Jose M. Osorio / Chicago Tribune)
JURY STILL OUT
What Pace said on draft weekend: “For his size, he’s athletic. It’s the toughness and rugged style he plays with that stands out. We sent (defensive line coach) Jay Rodgers up there to have a private workout with him. So we spent a lot of time with him up in Delaware. And we just feel like he has a lot of upside, specifically as an inside rusher.”
Advertisement
The report card: Nichols had three sacks and two forced fumbles as a rookie, an eager learner who developed quickly under the tutelage of Rodgers and teammate Akiem Hicks. Nichols made fewer splash plays last season and was slowed by a lingering knee injury. It will be interesting to see how much the Bears can squeeze out of him and whether he can climb from a reliable role player into a difference-making starter.
Round 6
Tayo Fabuluje, offensive lineman — selected No. 183 overall in 2015
Bears offensive lineman Tayo Fabuluje (73) during training camp on July 30, 2015, at Olivet Nazarene University in Bourbonnais. (Brian Cassella / Chicago Tribune)
MISS
What Pace said on draft weekend: “This is a massive player. Very strong. And athletic for a big man. He can play tackle, he can play guard. His weight has been well documented, and we’re going to stay on that. ... That’ll be an emphasis, and he understands that. When this guy is at the right weight, we feel really good about him, and there’s a lot of upside potential.”
The report card: Oftentimes, the sixth and seventh rounds of the draft are about taking calculated gambles. In this case, the Bears lost their low-risk bet, taking on a project they couldn’t complete. Fabuluje made the Week 1 roster as a rookie and was active for four games that season in October and early November, seeing limited playing time as part of the field-goal unit and in short-yardage and goal-line situations. But midway through the season he drew a four-game suspension for violating the league’s policy against performance-enhancing substances. (He acknowledged testing positive for a banned amphetamine.) Fabuluje never played another NFL game, and the Bears cut him a month and a half before training camp in 2016.
DeAndre Houston-Carson, safety — selected No. 185 overall in 2016
Bears safety DeAndre Houston-Carson fires up the crowd during a game against the Buccaneers on Sept. 30, 2018, at Soldier Field. (Nuccio DiNuzzo / Chicago Tribune)
SOLID SELECTION
What Pace said on draft weekend: “He can play corner and he can play safety. We see him as a safety right now. He’s a very physical player and hits with explosiveness. He’s a very good special teams player as well. This is a guy (special teams coordinator) Jeff Rodgers is fired up about. He blocked nine kicks in his career (at William & Mary). So he’s a guy we’re excited to have who can help in a lot in that area.”
Advertisement
The report card: For where Pace picked Houston-Carson, the return on investment has been favorable. The Bears targeted Houston-Carson in big part because they thought he could become a valuable special teams piece for the long haul after showing those skills in college. Houston-Carson has only seen limited time on defense in four seasons with the Bears but remains one of their top core special-teamers.
Kylie Fitts, edge rusher — selected No. 181 overall in 2018
Bears edge rusher Kylie Fitts looks at the crowd as he walks off the field after a victory against the Vikings on Dec. 30, 2018, at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis. (Stacey Wescott / Chicago Tribune)
MISS
What Pace said on draft weekend: “He really has a great size-speed combination that we value. He’s also tough and instinctive. We love his get-off. (He has) extremely high character as well. … You notice when a guy has a little bit more twitch, a little bit more burst, a little bit better get-off. And he has a lot of those athletic traits we value that show up in his testing.”
The report card: Fitts’ athletic traits never translated. He saw action in six games as a rookie, primarily on special teams, but never recorded a defensive statistic and never showed enough developmental progress. The Bears let him go in the final round of cuts before the 2019 regular season. Fitts spent most of last season on the Cardinals practice squad.
Duke Shelley, cornerback — selected No. 205 overall in 2019
Bears cornerback Duke Shelley exits the field after a victory against the Vikings on Dec. 29, 2019, in Minneapolis. (Stacey Wescott / Chicago Tribune)
JURY STILL OUT
What Pace said on draft weekend: “A little bit undersized but extremely athletic. Really twitchy. Good ball skills. … He was a four-year starter at Kansas State. His competitiveness just jumps off the tape. … He’s so scrappy. If it’s completed, it’s earned. He’s very sticky in coverage. He’s just very athletic. When you look at his PBUs and his interceptions, they’re coming in a very athletic manner. They’re not gimmies. Everything is earned.”
Advertisement
The report card: Shelley’s confidence and competitive demeanor were evident on the practice field during the spring and summer of 2019. But his path to playing time as a rookie was blocked by veteran slot cornerback Buster Skrine. Shelley was active for nine games but played only eight defensive snaps while seeing limited duty on special teams. It remains to be seen how he will factor into the defensive backfield.
Round 7
Daniel Braverman, receiver — selected No. 230 overall in 2016
Receiver Daniel Braverman warms up during Bears rookie minicamp on May 13, 2016, at Halas Hall in Lake Forest. (Jose M. Osorio / Chicago Tribune)
MISS
What Pace said on draft weekend: “This is a guy our scouts liked a lot — a real nifty, sudden slot receiver. He’s real instinctive in that area. Knows how to get open, finds holes in zones, a real productive player and we’re excited to get him.”
The report card: Braverman turned heads during training camp in Bourbonnais as a rookie, seemingly making at least one flash play every practice and earning some August praise from Jay Cutler, Alshon Jeffery and receivers coach Curtis Johnson. Said Jeffery: “He’s quick. He’s smart. He’s got what it takes to belong in this league.” But Braverman’s climb up the depth chart never accelerated beyond camp. In his lone season with the Bears, he was primarily a practice squad pawn. Active for just three games at the tail end of a 3-13 season, his only reception — a 23-yarder from Matt Barkley on a potential game-winning drive against the Lions — was negated by a Ted Larsen holding penalty. The Bears cut him at the end of the 2017 preseason. Braverman later spent time on the practice squads of the Chiefs and Cardinals before cameos in the AAF, CFL and XFL.
Javon Wims, receiver — selected No. 224 overall in 2018
Bears receiver Javon Wims (83) catches a pass during against the Vikings on Dec. 29, 2019, at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis. (Stacey Wescott / Chicago Tribune)
JURY STILL OUT
What Pace said on draft weekend: “He’s big and physical. He has outstanding hands, an outstanding catch radius, body control. He’s a guy Matt (Nagy) and I have talked about for a long time. … He has played in a lot of big games and he’s made big plays at big moments. We were happy when he was still there.”
Advertisement
The report card: The Bears are trying to squeeze the most out of the pick. After spending a chunk of 2018 pushing to increase Wims’ belief that he truly belongs, the talented receiver continued developing and chipped in last season with 18 catches for 186 yards, including a 6-yard touchdown grab in garbage time of a Week 7 loss to the Saints. The Bears should remain realistic with visions for how high Wims’ ceiling is. But there’s no question he can be a contributor in 2020 and beyond.
Kerrith Whyte, running back — selected No. 222 overall in 2019
Bears running back Kerrith Whyte breaks away during a preseason game against the Panthers on Aug. 8, 2019, at Soldier Field. (Stacey Wescott / Chicago Tribune)
MISS
What Pace said on draft weekend: “The first trait when you’re talking about this player is speed. Just standout speed for this guy. He runs a 4.38 (-second 40-yard dash). He also brings a lot of value to special teams, so we’re excited to get him at that point.”
The report card: Whyte showed strong growth during his college career at Florida Atlantic and chose to leave school a year early. The Bears hoped, at minimum, his devotion to special teams could be valuable as he worked to compete for a role in their backfield. Whyte was on the 53-man roster for the first three weeks of last season but never active on game day. He was then moved to the practice squad, and the Steelers signed him away in November. Whyte had 74 all-purpose yards in a Steelers win over the Cardinals in December and ended up playing in six games.
Stephen Denmark, cornerback — selected No. 238 overall in 2019
Bears rookie cornerback Stephen Denmark speaks with the media during minicamp on May 3, 2019, at Halas Hall in Lake Forest. (Stacey Wescott / Chicago Tribune)
JURY STILL OUT
What Pace said on draft weekend: “He’s a guy we feel has tremendous upside. It’s just working with that upside and the talent that he has. … We see a guy with these kind of measurables and this kind of talent, and ... it catches your eye. ... He has ball production, interception production. His ability to stay calm on a deep ball and get his head around with poise and track the ball is very intriguing.”
Advertisement
The report card: Pace repeatedly emphasized his intrigue in Denmark’s size, length and athleticism and couldn’t wait to evaluate him on an NFL practice field. After converting from receiver to cornerback at Valdosta State, Denmark expressed confidence in being able to carve out a role for himself in the pros. But an ankle injury put him on the shelf before training camp, and he spent all of last season on injured reserve with few promises as to whether he’ll be able to compete for a role in 2020.
The totals
Ryan Pace’s 32 draft picks as Bears general manager, based on Dan Wiederer’s analysis:


chicagotribune--2020-04-07--Bruce Springsteen to livestream concert from home on Wednesday

“ And then about a month or so ago , I wrote almost an album ’ s worth of material @ @ @ @ @ it came out of just… I mean , I know where it came from , @ @ @ @ @ , it just came out of almost nowhere .
And it was good , you @ @ @ @ @ two weeks of those little daily visitations , and it was so nice.
” He @ @ @ @ @ memory .
“ It makes you so happy .
You go , ' F -- @ @ @ @ @ f -- ed , all right ?
There ’ ll be another tour !
”

Since he can’t pop into the Stone Pony to play a surprise set, Bruce Springsteen will perform livestream a performance from home that will broadcast on SiriusXM’s E Street Radio on April 8 at 9 a.m., according to Rolling Stone.
"Bruce will be playing songs and sharing thoughts about the times we live in," confirmed E Street Radio host Jim Rotolo on Twitter.
Advertisement
Springsteen recently spoke up for the New Jersey Pandemic Relief Fund along with Jon Bon Jovi, Jon Stewart, Whoopi Goldberg and others. "These are uncertain times," he said in the charity's video. "What is for certain is the pain, the fear and the real needs of many of our neighbors, our friends, and certainly all of those who are on the front lines of this pandemic."
Springsteen had planned on releasing an album and touring with the E Street Band in 2020, but those plans seem to have been at the very least delayed by the coronavirus pandemic. He surprised fans last year by dropping the news into a Q&A with filmmaker Martin Scorsese about the concert film "Springsteen on Broadway," from his long residency in New York.
Advertisement
"It's like I've spent about seven years without writing anything for the band," Springsteen continued. "I couldn't write anything for the band. And I said, 'Well, of course … you'll never be able to do that again!' And it's a trick every time you do it, you know? But it's a trick that, because of that fact that you can't explain, cannot be self-consciously duplicated. It has to come to you in inspiration.
“And then about a month or so ago, I wrote almost an album’s worth of material for the band. And it came out of just… I mean, I know where it came from, but at the same time, it just came out of almost nowhere. And it was good, you know. I had about two weeks of those little daily visitations, and it was so nice.” He laughed out loud at the memory. “It makes you so happy. You go, 'F--, I’m not f--ed, all right? There’ll be another tour!”