With less than a week to go until the NFL Draft kicks off from the bright lights of Las Vegas, reports have run rampant from the Chicago Bears’ voluntary minicamp about the offense’s struggles. Could the difficulties convince GM Ryan Poles to bring some receiving weapons to help second year QB Justin Fields? NFL.com draft analyst Chad Reuter seems to believe so in his 7-round mock draft that brings a big SEC weapon to the Bears at the 39th pick of the second round: Arkansas wide receiver Treylon Burks.

Burks’ arrival in Chicago would all but insert him into a starting role in the offense, as his 6-foot-2, 225-pound frame would bring a much-needed physical threat to offensive coordinator Luke Getsy’s scheme. Here’s what NFL.com’s Lance Zierlein has to say about the talented Burks:

Big, smooth and natural, Burks possesses the versatility to operate from wherever you want and get to wherever you need no matter the competition. He’s a mismatch receiver combining size, strength and competitiveness similar to the Titans’ A.J. Brown, but his speed testing at the NFL Scouting Combine did not meet expectations. Arkansas benefitted by putting the ball in his hands from a variety of alignments and there is no reason to believe NFL play-callers won’t benefit from doing the same. The tape is extremely exciting with real NFL skills jumping off the screen, but his potential to become a high-volume, three-level target is a little more cloudy after a relatively disappointing showing at the combine.

On top of the glowing review that Zierlein has said about Burks, he likens him to “A.J. Brown (with more wiggle)”. Considering the leaps and bounds that Brown has made in Tennessee, it’s a very appealing comparison for a team that hasn’t done a ton to fix the wide receiver position this offseason.

Coming off his junior season with the Razorbacks, Burks compiled a 66-catch season, recording 1,104 yards and 11 touchdowns in 12 games. As Zierlein mentioned, the NFL Combine was rough for Burks as he ran a 4.55 40-yard dash which may have dashed his own hopes of going in the first round on Thursday night. If that ends up being the case, the Bears may luck out with getting one of the most talented receivers in the 2022 class.

Make sure to check out our Bears forum for the latest on the team.

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The Zach LaVine knee issue isn’t going away anytime soon.

Sure, the off-week leading into the first round playoff series helped, and the spacing between Games 1 and 2 was a temporary life preserver, but the Bulls guard admitted on Friday that there are still mornings he wakes up and the left knee is swollen.

That was his reality back in December when the knee first started getting ornery, and that’s his reality now.

“The extra rest definitely does help because you’re not going into back-to-backs, practice is more walk-throughs and mental days, so that helps with treatment,” LaVine said. “But there’s some days it’s swollen and it’s gonna be swollen.”

And while LaVine’s offensive numbers were down across the board from the regular season through the first two playoff games, what has been noticeable was his defense seemed to be back.

Not to the level it was last summer for Team USA and then the first month for the Bulls, but definitely better than it was back in March and April, when LaVine was seemingly trying to find his way with the knee discomfort and only willing to do that on the offensive side of the ball on too many nights.

“I think for a player like Zach who is so athletic and fast, and has really relied on that for both ends of the court, when you’re not quite where you need to be there’s a period of time that he’s had to go through where he’s had to learn one: ‘How do I actually get my speed and quickness into the game on both ends of the floor?’ ” coach Billy Donovan said of his improved defense through the early playoff games. “And I think for him probably not dealing with this before in his career where he’s had to play through it, I think there’s been a figuring-out part too.

“He understands you put the jersey on, you put the shoes on, you get across the line, everybody has a job to do, and I do think he’s trying to do it to the very best of his abilities and give us everything he has.”

Which will remain LaVine’s mentality.

First, he knows the magnitude of playing in his first-ever playoff series, and secondly, when he has a teammate like Alex Caruso, who is willing to jump in front of a truck on the defensive end — bad back and all — how could LaVine not want to try and match that energy?

“I mean there’s limitations you’re gonna have, but at this point I’m just trying to throw my eggs in one basket,” LaVine said of his defense. “We’re going out here trying to win a series and you can’t think about yourself or what you’re dealing with. You pretty much gotta suck it up.”

The next test for LaVine and the knee, however, comes this weekend. Just one day off after Game 3, and then a noon start for Sunday’s Game 4 could be an issue.

“Listen, sometimes he’s had heavy loads and he’s come back and felt pretty good, and then there’s been some times where we’ve actually given him a little bit of extra time and he still didn’t feel right,” Donovan said. “So I think a lot it is going to be how he responds coming off [Friday’s] game and then obviously a quick turnaround on Sunday.”

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The Chicago Bulls evened the series at one against the Milwaukee Bucks and head to Chicago with good vibes. Chicago’s big three of DeMar DeRozan (41 points and seven rebounds), Zach LaVine (20 points), and Nikola Vucevic (24 points and 13 rebounds) stepped up big time. However, there was one Bull who made a game-changing impact.

Alex Caruso made a difference on both ends of the court.

Carushow tallied nine points, 10 assists (playoff career-high), two steals, and two blocks. Additionally, his defense against Bucks star Khris Middleton was stifling. Caruso was active defensively, forcing several turnovers and clinching the Bulls victory after drawing a charging foul against the other Bucks star, Giannis Antetokounmpo.

Caruso brought the energy to a Bulls team that needed an infusion on the defensive end. In the absence of Lonzo Ball, Caruso has been handling the starting PG spot exceptionally well. Furthermore, he embodies everything a game-changing player does.

“He is a guy that will not shortcut or rest on the court,” Donovan said following the game. “He will give you everything he has.”

That was certainly the case in the Game 2 for the Bulls and they are glad it happened.

Caruso’s impact both on and off the court has been crucial for the inexperienced Bulls playoff roster. He’s not the flashiest player, but he makes the right plays and doesn’t back down from a challenge. His defense is top notch and gives them something that they are lacking, especially with Lonzo Ball out for the rest of the season.

As Chicago continues to adjust to the Bucks and the NBA playoffs, Caruso’s leadership will be a big key to success. And if they want to pull off this upset it won’t be DeRozan or LaVine that is the biggest key, instead it’s the point guard that LeBron James raves about but watched go to Chicago instead.

Make sure to check out our Bulls forum for the latest on the team.

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The Chicago Bulls are coming off their first playoff win in the last five years. DeMar DeRozan answered the call for the Bulls, his Playoff career-high 41-points steered the ship for what appeared to be a more fluid and confident team in Game 2.

The Bulls have also turned the culture of this series into a defensive one and now travel back to their home court with the series tied 1-1. Heading into Game 3, let us take a look at what to expect after Chicago’s big win in Milwaukee.

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Make sure to check out our Bulls forum for the latest on the team.

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Thanks to a rainy afternoon weather forecast, the Cubs moved the start of Friday’s game against the Pirates to 7:05 p.m. The game was originally scheduled to start at 1:20 p.m.

Wrigley Field gates will open at 5:35 p.m. and no ticket exchange will be required.

The Cubs, who are on a three-game losing streak and have dropped below .500 for the first time this season, are hoping to bounce back after Thursday’s 4-3 loss to Pittsburgh.

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Cubs outfielder Clint Frazier is headed to the injury list with appendicitis, the team announced Friday.

The Cubs also provided injury updates on three other players:

Pitcher Wade Miley (elbow) pitched a bullpen session Friday.

Pitcher Alec Mills (back) will get a rehab start with Class AAA Iowa on Saturday.

Shortstop Andrelton Simmons (shoulder) is continuing throwing and hitting work in Arizona.

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The Zach LaVine knee issue isn’t going away anytime soon.

Sure, the off-week leading into the first round playoff series helped, and the spacing between Games 1 and 2 was a temporary life preserver, but the Bulls guard admitted on Friday that there’s still mornings he wakes up and the left knee is swollen.

That was his reality back in December when the knee first started getting ornery, and that’s his reality now.

“The extra rest definitely does help because you’re not going into back-to-backs, practice is more walk-throughs and mental days, so that helps with treatment,” LaVine said. “But there’s some days it’s swollen and it’s gonna be swollen.”

And while LaVine’s offensive numbers were down across the board from the regular season through the first two playoff games, what has been noticeable was his defense seemed to be back.

Not to the level it was last summer for Team USA and then the first month for the Bulls, but definitely better than it was back in March and April, when LaVine was seemingly trying to find his way with the knee discomfort and only willing to do that on the offensive side of the ball on too many nights.

“I think for a player like Zach who is so athletic and fast, and has really relied on that for both ends of the court, when you’re not quite where you need to be there’s a period of time that he’s had to go through where he’s had to learn one: ‘How do I actually get my speed and quickness into the game on both ends of the floor?’ ” coach Billy Donovan said of his improved defense through the early playoff games. “And I think for him probably not dealing with this before in his career where he’s had to play through it, I think there’s been a figuring-out part too.

“He understands you put the jersey on, you put the shoes on, you get across the line, everybody has a job to do, and I do think he’s trying to do it to the very best of his abilities and give us everything he has.”

Which will remain LaVine’s mentality.

First, he knows the magnitude of playing in his first-ever playoff series, and secondly, when he has a teammate like Alex Caruso, who is willing to jump in front of a truck on the defensive end – bad back and all – how could LaVine not want to try and match that energy?

“I mean there’s limitations you’re gonna have, but at this point I’m just trying to throw my eggs in one basket,” LaVine said of his defense. “We’re going out here trying to win a series and you can’t think about yourself or what you’re dealing with. You pretty much gotta suck it up.”

The next test for LaVine and the knee, however, comes this weekend. Just one day off after Game 3, and then a noon start for Sunday’s Game 4 could be an issue.

“Listen, sometimes he’s had heavy loads and he’s come back and felt pretty good, and then there’s been some times where we’ve actually given him a little bit of extra time and he still didn’t feel right,” Donovan said. “So I think a lot it is going to be how he responds coming off [Friday’s] game and then obviously a quick turnaround on Sunday.”

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