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As it turns out, Cutler really likes Tice - Sean Jensen: “I like it,” Cutler said of the empowerment approach. “I mean, that’s how Mike Shanahan ran things. I was young, but he told me, ‘If you don’t like it, I don’t like it. Let’s get rid of it.’
Larry Mayer's Chalk Talk - On the Bears' record when the D scores, where Forte's thirteen 100-yard rushing games rank in franchise history, and the only the time the Bears scored more than 38 points in the second half of a game.
Plaxico Burress wants to join Bears - Roman Modrowski: If the Bears are looking for a veteran receiver to replace injured rookie Alshon Jeffery, Plaxico Burress said he would be honored to take their phone call. [Den: Matt Jones!]
Facebook convo between NFL QBs part 2 - Thanks to David in Maine. Part 1, if you missed it.
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Bearssssss... Jaguars
Cutler, OL earn high marks - Larry Mayer: Speaking to reporters Tuesday for the first time since Sunday's 41-3 throttling of the Jaguars, Mike Tice praised Jay Cutler and the offensive line.
ProFootballFocus: Three performances of note - Wootton overwhelms in limited snaps, JavBrand is pretty good, and Carimi was clearly the weak link of the line after allowing a sack, a hit, and five hurries on Cutler (plus three penalties).
Football Outsiders: Quick Reads - Marshall in top 5 WRs of week 5; "the Bears need to give up on first quarter passing". By Ditka, yes.
NFCN Blog: Knee-jerk reactions - Kevin Seifert's thoughts on the Bears's win in Jacksonville: The offense didn't get rolling until the Bears' defense staked it to a lead. The Bears' defense has played the biggest role in a 4-1 start.
Chicago Bears Stock Watch - Michael C. Wright's risers and fallers for week 5. Ooo, Chris Williams, you so saaad.
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Ditka
Lovie: Bye week always the ideal time - Moon Mullin: Lovie Smith said the Bears' bye week is coming at the optimal time, because it will allow the team to get rested and healthy before 11 straight games.
Football still on Lovie Smith's mind during bye - Jesse Rogers: Players will scatter and coaches will get a breather from game plans but that doesn't mean they won't be thinking about football.
It's hard to argue with Lovie Smith's success - David Haugh: Sure, it's early, but 4-1 record could portend new contract for Bears coach; all he has to do is keep winning. Denies contract talk.
[Video] CTL discussion - Is it too early to extend Lovie's contract?
Offense improving, but has 'a ways to go' - Larry Mayer: Even after Sunday’s 41-3 rout of the Jaguars, Mike Tice isn’t satisfied.
Tice will use week off to recalibrate offense - Brad Biggs: Off week serves as a clearinghouse period for the offense's playbook.
Tice, Cutler come to Gabe Carimi's defense - Fred Mitchell: Mike Tice says right tackle played well against the Jacksonville Jaguars but has to eliminate penalties.
Gabe Carimi still settling in to NFL - Says he feels he has adjusted to life in the NFL even if he is still experiencing the occasional growing pain on the field after missing most of last year because of a knee injury.
Marshall, Cutler making most of their reunion - Larry Mayer on the rekindled bromance, plus team news.
[Video] Brandon Marshall joins "Around the League" - Talks about his connection with Jay Cutler and where the team is heading this season.
No-huddle on the horizon for Bears’ offense - Adam L. Jahns: Mike Tice indicated Tuesday he may hand more control to Cutler on the line of scrimmage by using more of a no-huddle offense.
Bears to utilize more no-huddle offense - Michael C. Wright: Cutler dismissed the notion of potentially calling his own plays, but stressed the importance of getting the playcall as quickly as possible.
No timetable for Alshon Jeffery's return - Vaughn McClure with injury and team news.
Bears seek to make most of early break - Brad Biggs: Players get a four-day weekend with the team tied for first in the NFC North at 4-1.
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Polish sausage
Change of guard among NFL’s elite QBs - Steve Silverman: A year ago, Aaron Rodgers, Drew Brees and Tom Brady were the unquestioned leaders at the QB position. Through the first five weeks of this season, only Brady is near the top of the NFL’s passer ratings.
Matt Bowen's playbook - "All-22" breakdown of Brees' TD vs. Chargers' zone pressure.
Know thy enemy: Lions - Did the Lions' special teams unit make improvements during the bye week? Toub will be watching, with an extra week to plan something funky for #23.....
Know thy enemy: Lions - Lions first-rounder Riley Reiff has played nine offensive snaps as an extra tackle in the first four games, and second-rounder Ryan Broyles is still waiting for his first NFL catch.
Know thy enemy: Vikings - PFF's Three Performances of Note from the Titans-Vikings game. The Titans are turrible.
Know thy enemy: Vikings - The level at which the Vikings' defense has been playing during the team's three-game winning streak has to come as a surprise to all who watched this unit last season.
Know thy enemy: Vikings - If the Vikings look like a duck, and swim like a duck, and sound like a duck... I'll have them roasted and served in pancakes with plum sauce.
Know thy enemy: Packers - Aaron Rodgers downplaying downplay in his down play, citing overexuberant expectations.
Know thy enemy: Packers - According to Football Outsiders, the Packers' passing game on attempts that go 15+ yards downfield has gone from about 75 percent better than average on these throws to about 35 percent worse.
Chicago getting Bikini Basketball team - Finally, a Chicago sports team WCGers can unite behind in the fallow summer months!
Pete Dixon - Because hippies are better musicians than you will ever dream of being: