"...where the Marquis de Sade don't wear no boots like these."
Bears appeared to be promising team, but now we’re not so sure - Rick Morrissey is wondering how the Bears are supposed to beat the Vikings, let alone the Packers, with the issues they have now.
Cutting Urlacher a real option for Bears - At least, Rick Telander thinks so.
Bears could have won Super Bowl XLVI - NFL.com's Elliot Harrison: If not for a crucial moment in November, Jay Cutler and the Bears might have been preparing to defend a Super Bowl title.
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Injury updates
Paea's return from ankle injury pushed back a week - Jeff Dickerson: Medical staff decided to give Paea's left mid-ankle sprain extra time to heal.
Ankle injury likely to linger for Stephen Paea - "When I come back, it's not going to be 100 percent, but what I can do is stay on top of it and gradually get better.''
Paea still sidelined with ankle sprain - Brad Biggs: Was on the sideline again Monday afternoon, missing another practice as he heals from a sprained left ankle.
Paea still not back to full strength - Moon Mullin: Projected first-string DT Stephen Paea has yet to recover enough from a sprained ankle to re-join his team in practice, despite shooting for a return this week.
Urlacher among Bears out of practice - Michael C. Wright: Brian Urlacher remained a non-participant Monday at practice, along with Paea, Conte, Podlesh, DeCicco.
Bears, Knox keeping a dream alive - Moon Mullin: Although some dreams of starting with the Bears during the regular season fell short after the team made its first round of cuts, Johnny Knox plans on keeping his dream alive.
Roster news
Careers on the line in Thursday’s Bears game - Bob LeGere: There are 20-some players who will be suiting up with the Bears for the last time Thursday night in Cleveland. It will be the final opportunity for some to make their case to be NFL players.
Preseason finale was critical for Clutts - Larry Mayer: You'll hear people complain that the preseason finale is meaningless, but Tyler Clutts certainly won't be among them.
Fullback Tyler Clutts in familiar position - Clutts has obvious value as a special-teams player and blocking back, but his position doesn’t really exist in Mike Tice’s offense.
FB Tyler Clutts hoping he still fits in with Bears - Michael C. Wright: Fullback Tyler Clutts watched all offseason as the next evolution of the offense implemented more plays involving tight ends as lead blockers.
Special teams may decide RB battle - The candidates for third-string RB clearly understand what's at stake, know special teams might be the deciding factor.
Decision day looming on Booker, Allen - Jeff Dickerson: Have one final opportunity to stake their claim for the No. 3 RB spot.
Sanzenbacher hoping to land roster spot - Jeff Dickerson: Must continue to fight off veteran Rashied Davis for the sixth receiver spot, if in fact the Bears decide to keep that many bodies at the position.
Still no winner at LT battle - Laurence Holmes: If Bears coaches know who their starting left tackle is, they aren't telling.
OL competition playing out in practice, not game four - Moon Mullin: Webb was left on the field until halfway through the fourth quarter in the opener against the Broncos. That was not done because he was playing too well.
Walters pushing for roster spot - Larry Mayer with some team news.
[Video] Kip & Moon on final roster decisions - Kip Lewis & Moon Mullin discuss what the Bears have to consider, including the impact of Urlacher's knee.
Quigley to punt in preseason finale - Jeff Dickerson: Team could be inclined to explore other experienced options if Podlesh remains sidelined when the regular season begins next week.
Undrafted punter Quigley impressed Toub - Brad Biggs: Ryan Quigley has one more preseason game to audition to be the Bears punter at the start of the regular season, if he’s needed.
Other Bears news & views
[Video] CTL recaps Bears-Giants - Discuss team's poor run offense so far, and whether starters should play on Thursday.
Bears could blitz more this season - Brad Biggs: If the defense can't get home with the front four, the next step could be a more aggressive approach to play-calling.
Bears tight ends say their time will come - Davis and Spaeth have combined for one catch and have been targeted only four times.
Remember when the Bears used to rush the passer? - Rosendoom Rosenmoans.
NFCN Blog Rookie Buzz: A dozen Week 1 contributors? - Three Bears rookies likely to figure come week 1.
[Video] CTL on Bears question marks going into the season - Tillman, pass rush, DT, which WR will benefit most from Marshall's presence, Chris William's value as a backup.
Study Hester, study greatness - Moon Mullin: Deion Sanders was known for matching his incredible physical skill with an amazing work ethic. Bears rookie Greg McCoy sees the same thing with Devin Hester.
NFL.com's blue/red chips on offense - Forte, Marshall get some love.
NFL.com: Bears 2012 Season preview, predictions - Seems to have been written before Urlacher's injury news got out.
Pat Mannelly recalls last regular-season game with replacement refs - It wasn't awesome, unlike Pat Mannelly himself.
Everything else
Bears, Patriots on collision course in Madden simulation - "Bears vs. Patriots in a Super Bowl XX rematch? That's how it shapes up in the Madden NFL 13 Season Simulation, which produced 12-4 regular-season records for both teams, earning them the top seeds in their respective conferences." Bears win, 46-10.
Madden NFL 13 gets players talking, but mostly complaining - “They never get me right, what do they have my speed at?” Brandon Marshall asked before he was told 88. “Damn,” he said laughing. “I can’t complain. That’s about right.”
NFL needs real refs back now - David Haugh: Letting overmatched replacement officials call regular-season games could be a disaster.
Playbook: Panthers' 'Hi-Lo Whip' concept - Bowen uses video of Newton's TD pass vs. Jets to talk Xs and Os.
Know thy enemy - Adrian Peterson took contact from his defensive teammates Monday for the first time since tearing his ACL and MCL in his left knee Dec. 24.
Know thy enemy - Packers put LB Desmond Bishop on IR.
Know thy enemy - Lions put Jahvid Best on PUP list. I'm shocked.
Quinton Coples whining about having to play in the second half - That's not the kind of attitude I'd want to see on my team. As Brian Urlacher said, the best thing about the Bears' rookies is that they go out, do their job, and don't talk...
NFL.com's best of the preseason cheerleaders - I think I've found the future Mrs Spongie!
The full-length version, naturally.