The Bears Den: September 25, 2012 - Week 4 News and Notes

Larry Mayer's Chalk Talk - On the Bears' record when they score a defensive TD, Robbie Gould's longest FG, and the last time the Bears gave up fewer yards than they did to the Rams.

Sputtering offense familiar problem early in the season for Bears - Brad Biggs: As uneven as Cutler has been, he's more than capable of getting on a hot streak. He was sacked only five times in his final five games in 2011 and the Bears averaged 32.2 points in that stretch.

USAToday team report - Maybe the return of Matt Forte can give the Bears' offense the spark it's been missing since it got to pick on the Colts in the season opener and raised expectations with 41 points.

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Bears-Rams: the aftermath

24 Hours Later: Laurence Holmes' Breakdown - What Laurence Holmes saw, heard and was told in the last 24 hours regarding Bears-Rams.

Lovie Smith: ‘It wasn’t a mediocre effort’ from offense - "I mean, did you seen the dross we've served up in the past? Remember the days of 'Rex is our quarterback'? Man, cocaine's a helluva drug."

Brad Biggs: 10 thoughts - Plenty to digest in the aftermath of the win over the Rams.

Free Head Exam: Chicago Bears - Kevin Seifert: Three issues that merit further examination after the Bears' 23-6 victory over the Rams.

ProFootballFocus: Three performances of note - Tim Jennings and Chicago's defense stole the show, but were there any positives on offense either way?

Dan Pompei's grades - Mediocre at best for offense. Defense get gold stars!

Play of the game in slow motion - Dan Pompei breaks down Major Wright's pick-6 in the fourth quarter, which came from Tim Jennings defending... a quick slant.

Lovie Smith: Injury no factor in Michael Bush sitting late - Jeff Dickerson: "Bush absorbed a couple of big hits." And who doesn't want to hit some Bush?

Bears hopeful Forte will play against Cowboys - Larry Mayer: Backup RBs, DL pass rush, Cutler on Rachal.

[Video] CTL reflects on Bears win - Kaplan et al. discuss the Bears' win over the Rams, breaking down the offense's struggle.

Bears are what their record says they are - Moon Mullin: The Bears are 2-1 and if history is any indication, are poised to make a run at the postseason in 2012.

Grizzly Bears and Teddy Bears - Maggie Hendricks: What a weird game for the Bears. Though it ended in a win, it was hardly a three-phase victory. Who stood out?

[Video] Fox Chicago Bear Down - Lou Canellis and Hub look back on the week 3 win over the Rams. Either my hearing is playing up, or Hub is actually praising elements of the Bears team and organisation.....

Offense

Marshall on pace for 85 catches, but at what cost? - Nick Shepkowski: For a team that has had just 12 second downs where they’ve faced fewer than 7 yards to go, part of me see’s[sic] throwing too much at #15 as a real concern.

Bears' offense following familiar path early - Jeff Dickerson: If history holds true, the Bears will be able to make significant progress in the coming weeks.

Caution: Bears offense working - Jim Miller discusses the Bears' performance against the Rams and how the team's offense is beginning to improve.

Cutler: Offense not worried about style points - Fred Mitchell: Jay Cutler has been forced to be on the defensive regarding his pedestrian offensive numbers the past two weeks. At least this Monday's "Jay Cutler Show" followed a victory.

Lovie hopeful Matt Forte will play vs. Cowboys - Plus, team notes.

Bears dinged, 'hopeful' for Forte vs. Dallas - Moon Mullin: The Bears got banged up Sunday against St. Louis -- including Michael Bush, Matt Forte's replacement -- but they hope an extra day of rest will help all those heal up for the big Monday night matchup in Dallas.

Defense

Jennings, Bears defense rising to challenge - Tim Jennings worked on his hands during offseason workouts and training camp, catching about 100 balls a day from the Jugs machine. Darryl Drake reportedly intrigued by this novel idea.

Tim Jennings playing at an elite level through first three games - Vaughn McClure: Has surrendered a mere 4.9 passer rating through three games and leads the NFL with four interceptions. Also, team news.

Israel Idonije: Defense gels faster than offense - Izzy joined CJH thinks the offense will improve as it has time to work out the kinks. Includes link to [Audio]. Hamsters everywhere rejoice!

Sacks overrated? Not for Bears defense - Moon Mullin: The Bears defense leads the NFL in sacks so far and the play by the four big guys up front has the rest of the unit looking like studs three games into the season.

[Video] Kip Lewis & Moon Mullin - Discuss the Bears' first three games, touching on the strong defense.

[Video] Ditka: 'Bears need to rely on Defense' - Ditka talks. You listen.

Bears’ aging defense finally getting help - Mark Potash: This defense might eventually lose its touch. But there’s always the chance that by then, Cutler and the offensive line will be in a groove. That’s how you win big in the NFL.

Creativity, mentoring gives Bears league-leading pass rush - As far as I can tell, Maggie Hendricks essentially stole rewrote colleague Peggy Kusinski's article from the day before.

Everything else

Marshall fires back at Warren Sapp for 'retard' comment [with links to Audio] - After getting burned in return, Sapp responds asking "where and when". Fight! Oh, Sapp apologised.

Jim McMahon opens up about battle with dementia - "Back then, my contract was mostly incentive. So, being injured, if you don't play, you don't get paid. If I was able to walk out on that field, I was gonna play."

NFP Sunday Blitz - Dan Pompei: The tall cornerback shortage; strongest arms in the NFL; Head Games and more.

Know thy enemy - Kevin Seifert's Rapid Reaction to Seahawks 14, Packers 12. My rapid reaction: Ahahahahahahahahaha!!!!!

Know thy enemy - Kevin Seifert's Rapid Reaction to Vikings 24, 49ers 13. My rapid reaction: Called it.

Know thy enemy - Kevin Seifert: Three issues that merit further examination after the Vikings' 24-13 victory over the 49ers.

Know thy enemy - PFF's three performances of note: The Vikings pulled off one of the upsets of the young season, but what performances helped them and cost the 49ers?

Know thy enemy - Kevin Seifert's Rapid Reaction to Titans 44, Lions 41 (OT). My rapid reaction: Jim Schwartz is still a martzing dilfhead.

Know thy enemy - Kevin Seifert: Three issues that merit further examination after the Lions' 44-41 loss to the Titans. "The Lions were inexcusably sloppy and undisciplined Sunday"

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