The Bears Den: September 27, 2012 - Week 4 News and Notes

NFL, referees reach agreement; refs back on field Thursday - The NFL and NFL Referees Association agreed Wednesday night to an eight-year deal, the league announced, and refs will return to the field for Thursday night's Browns-Ravens game.

Hochuli has refs ready when time comes - Peter King: The NFL will have Hochuli to thank for the training sessions the NFL has not been able to run because he has run some of his own.

Bears knock off the Rams, but not impressively enough - Coach Wiltfong demands MOAR from the Beloved.

USAToday team report - For a team that's struggled as much as the Bears have to protect their quarterback, it's easy to prioritize their assignments for Monday night's game in Texas against the Cowboys.

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Bears-Cowboys

Forte plans on playing Monday night in Dallas - Moon Mullin: Matt Forte injured his ankle during the disastrous Thursday night game in Green Bay and missed last week's game against the Rams, but expects to be back on the field for the MNF matchup with the Cowboys.

Forte eager to get back in action against Cowboys - Vaughn McClure: Participated in practice drills Wednesday and said he expects ankle to be OK for Monday night.

Forte returns to practice - Michael C. Wright: As part of his recovery, Forte slept in a hyperbaric chamber and borrowed an ARP (Accelerated Recovery Performance) Machine from Charles Tillman.

Forte thinks he'll be able to play Monday - Larry Mayer: Also, Shea McClellin excited about playing in the first Monday Night Football game of his NFL career.

Bears looking for spark on offense - The Bears (2-1) will try to get their offense going again and shake off two bad performances when they visit the Cowboys on Monday night.

Bears understand threat of Cowboys LB Ware, Spencer - Joe Cowley: The game film of the Cowboys’ defense might as well be a horror movie the coaches are forcing the Bears to watch.

Know thy enemy - Dan Durkin: The Dallas Cowboys are an enigma.

Four Downs - Should there be concern for the Bears' inconsistent offense? ESPNChicago writers chip in.

[Video] Game preview - Some numbers to remember heading into Monday's showdown between the Bears and Cowboys.

Bears news

Cutler in prime-time: What the real problem may be - Moon Mullin: Jay Cutler has struggled in prime-time games and nobody can really pinpoint the reason why he has.

For stars Cutler and Romo, there’s little tolerance for failure - Joe Cowley: No QB is considered as ‘‘Hollywood’’ as Tom Brady, whose three Super Bowl rings carry weight. Who cares that the poster boy for Ugg hasn’t won a significant game since 2004?

[Video] CTL panel on Cutler - Make noise about not having teammates' backs. Seem to forget he took nearly 120 sacks before expressing dissatisfaction with OL's lack of protection.

What is wrong with Jay Cutler? - A breakdown of his problems in the Packers game, if you can stand to revisit it.

Smith pleased with defensive's[sic] performance - Larry Mayer's weekly Q&A with Lovie Smith.

Robbie Gould nearing NFL record for success from 50 yards and out - Brad Biggs: 2 shy of NFL mark. Plus, team notes.

Bears players don’t agree on games being 'out of control' - Moon Mullin: Many have deemed NFL games in recent weeks "out of control" and unsafe, but Bears players don't share that sentiment.

Bears guarded in comments about replacement referees - Brad Biggs: No one expects it to be perfect when the regular officials return, just more consistent and fluid.

Dan Pompei's Bears mailbag - Reader Q&A about Jay Cutler's contract, his night-game performances, RB injuries and Rob Ryan's future. Bonus: Pat Mannelly lining up on the OL?

Chicago Bears Stock Watch - Michael C. Wright looks at which Bears are rising and falling. QB and both OTs on the falling list. Coincidence?

Ryan Grant was close to signing with the Bears - "I was on my way to do a physical in Chicago," Grant said. "Agreed to Washington. Told the driver to turn around and take me to the airport."

ESPN Chicago Chatwrap - Jurko responds to readers' thoughts. "Do you think a solid full size sofa could slow DeMarcus Ware down more than J'Webb Nation? It would make him have to run around it a little further at least?" J'Sofa Nation.

Everything else

NFL Power Rankings - Don Banks has the Bears rising by two to #12 on the basis of strong defense.

NFL Power Rankings - 4 of PFF's 5 analysts have the Bears at #10, the other at #6.

NFL's cream of the crop and bottom of the barrel after week 4 - Wiltfong & Gilbert with their picks.

Matt Bowen's playbook - Three things to take from Packers-Seahawks. Four, actually: The Packers are whiny. Very, very whiny.

[Video] Matt Bowen's playbook - Bowen takes to the whiteboard to break down Ponder’s second TD pass to TE Kyle Rudolph vs. Cover O pressure.

NFCN Practice Squad breakdown - Why isn't James Brown our starting LT?

Commissioner deserves blame for NFL's officials farce - David Haugh: Roger Goodell's reputation took a huge hit with the unnecessary hard line owners had taken with regular referees wanting a better contract.

Former Bears QB Jim McMahon talks of early-stage dementia - "While he appreciates what football has done for him, if he could do it over, he would play baseball."

Miller analyzes Jim McMahon's bold statements - Jim Miller: "You always seem to find your way to the first tee box. Hmm……?" That's Jim Miller, MD specialising in brain trauma and how it pertains to amnesia.

Shoulda used this yesterday, when it was cold and wet. It's sunny today.