Hello. My Name Is Barstool Carl And I Owe A Massive Apology To Robert Quinn For Being A Big Dumb Idiot
I've been sitting on this blog for most of the 2021 NFL season. Basically since it was apparent that Robert Quinn was a completely different man, recovered from injury, and fully ready to fuck up NFL offensive lines.
Unfortunately I dug myself too deep. I ragged him incessantly for the 2nd half of last season. I then bitched throughout offseason, using him as a textbook example of Ryan Pace's futility. And then I proceeded to bitch about him at basically every turn. He was just about the worst Chicago free agent signing since Jason Heyward and I saw it as a professional obligation to let you guys know about it.
But then people who actually know football in excess of what John Madden taught us in the mid-2000's were quick to point out his lingering foot injury and uncharacteristic play. They said he struggled rehahbbing and getting healthy with the COVID protocols. Things were harder and different. Basically a bunch of highly credible stuff that would lead a reasonable sports fan to keep an open mind about Robert Quinn. Especially the historical output. In the 6 years Quinn had double-digit starts, he averaged about 11.5 sacks. Then he posted 2 in 13 starts for the 2020 Bears and my mind was made up.
FUCK ROBERT QUINN
Fast forward to January 3, 2022 and I don't think I've ever been more wrong or stupid about anyone in my entire life - much less an All Pro-caliber pass rusher for the Chicago Bears. Granted I opened the door for a bounce back in April but this doesn't really count.
The damage had been done with about 25,000 of the following tweets:
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There's a temper tantrum out there week 2 against the Bengals. I promised I searched but I can't find it on twitter. Probably for the best because man have I done nothing but look like a complete bag of shit ever since he had a brutal Unnecessary Roughness penalty on Joey Big Sack Burrow. In hindsight it would be hard for me to look worse or be more wrong. And for that I owe the big guy an apology so here goes.
Dear Robert.
I am a stupid idiot that doesn't know anything about what it takes for you to be good at your job. I'm an emotionally devastated man with quick judgment and limited perspective. I very much want the Chicago Bears to be better and in my blind desire, I inappropriately and unfairly said a bunch of mean things about you. Obviously I suck and was wrong.
I don't expect your forgiveness but I do want to share a positive. I'm a better man for being as stupid as I was about your ability to succeed and compete in the NFL. I'll probably still run my mouth in some fashion because let's be honest: I'm a loudmouth. But on the bright side, I now have the profound experience of you stuffing my bullshit back down my throat. I have firsthand witnessed the power of reserving judgment with major Chicago free agents - a quality that was long lost due to the overwhelming and unending struggles of my right fielder.
I feel like a new man, Robert. It's been an embarrassing and humbling experience but ultimately I'm a better man for it. Just as you're a better defensive end this year than you were last year. As Julius Caesar once probably said, sometimes we all just need a little setback to start moving forward.
This one's on me, but let's move forward together.
In Error,
Carl
Maybe not the sharpest or strongest note, but it comes from a good place and that's the most important thing. I talked a lot of shit about Robert Quinn and now he's the single season sack leader for my Chicago Bears. In a way we both deserve this.
More this week on Red Line Radio.
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