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The Bears Den: November 15, 2013 - Week 11 news and notes

By Spongie

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Larry Mayer's Chalk Talk - Larry discusses if the Bears have ever had two 1,000-yard receivers, how many times the Bears have played without both Tillman and Briggs, and if the Bears are on pace to set a team record for points in a season.

Brad Biggs' Bears mailbag - Biggsy answers readers' questions about replacing Tillman, Ed Reed, Cutler's future, and Gould's onside kick woes.

Brandon Marshall needs a muzzle - Hub Arkush: With all the challenges and problems these Bears are dealing with, wouldn’t they be better off with almost anybody else making himself the face, and voice, of the locker room?

Follow WCG on Twitter; like us on Facebook (& click on 'Subscribed to'). Bomb diggity! Check out David "OSS" Taylor's CheekyMonkeyArt prints and t-shirts. Den pic in hi-res.

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Bears-Ravens

Game preview - Jeff Mezydlo: The Bears hope a growing list of injuries won't keep them from remaining a contender in the NFC North.

Game preview - Michael C. Wright and Jamison Hensley take a look at how the two teams compare, and make their predictions.

[Video] View from the Moon - Can Bears run the ball against the Ravens, how will Bowman approach replacing Tillman, and which team has adjusted better to life without an iconic MLB?

X&Os - Dan Durkin: The Ravens offense has struggled to move the ball and score points. However, one bright spot has been WR Torrey Smith. Can the Bears learn from what the Packers did to contain him?

[Video] Game preview - CSN Baltimore's Clifton Brown joins Pat Boyle to talk Bears-Ravens. Why have Joe Flacco and Ray Rice struggled this season?

Bears look to clean up running game vs. Ravens - Dan Wiederer: After a season-worst rushing effort against the Lions, the Bears are emphasizing attention to detail in practice this week.

Matt Bowen: Scouting the Bears - Watch for Ravens to work TE deep: Lions had some success doing it approaching the red zone against Bears on Sunday.

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McCown

McCown is in right place at right time with Bears - Larry Mayer: Like injured starter Jay Cutler, Josh McCown has excelled while operating a QB-friendly system under an offensive-minded head coach.

‘Energized’ McCown running with chance to prove his worth - Adam L. Jahns: The sample size is small, but McCown has shown that he’s capable of being more than just your typical NFL journeyman backup.

McCown’s value to Bears can’t be overstated - Adam Hoge: Josh McCown has had a big impact on the Bears this season, both on and off the field.

McCown a calming influence - David Haugh: How often does a backup like McCown step in and supply a higher degree of certainty for an NFL team heading into any given Sunday?

Bears confident turning to McCown again - Fred Mitchell: Past performance gives credence to the Bears' belief in backup QB to get the job done against the Ravens.

McCown figures to cash in thanks to solid play - Bob LeGere: 34-year-old Josh McCown has done such an excellent job as Jay Cutler's backup that his future in the NFL is brighter than it has been in years.

Cutler’s injury gives McCown chance to sparkle again - Rick Telander uses many words to say very little. McCown is a nice guy and earns a lot less than Flacco. Did you know that?

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Cutler

Cutler’s foot in cast as precaution - Adam L. Jahns: Jay Cutler was ruled out for Sunday against the Ravens a few days ago, but he is now wearing a hard cast on his left foot because of his high ankle sprain.

Team notes - Adam Hoge: "Precautionary" hard cast on Cutler’s ankle; injury news. Zach Zaidman: "Walking boot" looks like a cast. Michael C. Wright: Trestman: Cast applied to provide stabilization.

Give Cutler short-term deal, draft a QB - Steve Silverman: Phil Emery must think about the future and what the Bears are going to do at the QB position.

Offense takes pressure off QBs, but still best to have Cutler running it - Jon Greenberg: The Bears finally have a potent offense full of athletic, complementary players. I can't see the sense in making it harder on your team by letting go of Cutler.

Flacco a cautionary tale for Bears In Cutler situation - James Neveau: It would be hard to find anyone that would say the Ravens are better off with Joe Flacco's massive contract on their books.

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Defense

Bears' depleted defense not making excuses - Bob LeGere: At least five defensive players with multiple starts this season will be unavailable Sunday against the Ravens. Six if McClellin is out, which appears likely.

Teammates have faith in new right corner Zack Bowman - Patrick Finley: Bowman gives the defense a luxury it hasn’t had when going to the bench during this injury-ravaged season: experience.

Team notes - Larry Mayer: Bears believe in backup Zack Bowman; team focused on improving 31st-ranked run defense.

Greg Blache bullish on Tillman - Brad Biggs: Former DC says Bears cornerback still has athleticism to come back strong from injury.

Tillman: ‘I want to go out like Mariano Rivera’ - Charles Tillman isn't done playing football yet. Includes [Audio] - highly recommended, Tillman's a good listen.

[Video] ChicagoBears.com - Tom Thayer breaks down three plays on the defensive side of the ball, as he highlights DT Stephen Paea, who played great against the Lions run game.

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Bearsss

Marshall, Jeffery are NFL's top WR duo - Michael C. Wright: With the emergence of Jeffery alongside Marshall, the Bears have created a problem for everyone trying to defend them.

Reserved WR Jeffery making impact felt - Dan Wiederer: Alshon Jeffery is quietly piecing together one of the best seasons in team history. No wonder Brandon Marshall and Marc Trestman are so impressed.

Rookie watch - Michael C. Wright: Bears' rookie class ranks No. 4 in ESPN NFL Draft Analyst Todd McShay's list of the top five rookie classes for 2013.

Joniak's Journal - McCown understands the contributions made by the guys around him; Kromer took full credit for poor rushing numbers against Lions; Kromer on Jeffery.

Team notes - Mark Potash: Martellus Bennett misses practice with sore ankle; more injury news; Jeffery's end-arounds becoming less productive but still useful; Bears haven't lost by more than a TD this season.

Team notes - Bob LeGere: Jeffery quiet, sometimes to a fault; coaches help keep players' feet on the ground; injury news.

Dionne Miller's 'Happenings at Halas' - Jay Cutler sports a cast, Bears confident in McCown.

SI's Pass Rush Pressure Points - Greg A. Bedard tallies 'em up after week 10. Bears remain dead last in pass rush and 24th in how often they allow pressure.

Bears won't get Clowney, but still targeting impact defenders - Moon Mullin: The Bears addressed LB in the 2013 draft but CB and DE, where Tillman and Peppers are at or close to the end of distinguished careers, are need areas.

Bears need to outplay opponents, not try to out-cute them - [Haiku Friday - Den]: Like a young puppy / Yet to be fully housetrained / Rosenmoan dilfs bed.

A week in the life of Kyle Long - Dan Pompei, banished to Bleacher Report, chronicles Kyle Long's preparation for the rematch against Detroit. [Tip o' the cap to JWRedmon]

[Video] ChicagoBears.com - Jeff Joniak sits down with the starting five O-linemen to discuss their success on the field and their friendship off of it.

[Video] ChicagoBears.com - Anthony Adams helps Patrick Mannelly relive one of his most embarrassing awesome moments - the day he threw out the first pitch at Wrigley Field [and it was too Mannelly for the catcher].

Bears doing good things - Nick Wilder: Matt Forte continues to show his support for the Muscle Milk Recovery Grant program.

Check WCGer Sackman's selection of Bears-themed tops here, or some t-shirt designs here.

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Polish sausage

Know thy enemy: Vikings - Vikings-Seahawks preview: Tough challenge against Seahawks defense giving up just 178.0 passing yards per game, second-best in the league. Ben Goessling: For Vikings, Harvin matchup a wild card.

Know thy enemy: Lions - Lions-Steelers preview: Lions wary of a Pittsburgh defense limiting opponents to 201.3 passing yards per game, tied for league's fourth-best mark. Scott Brown & Michael Rothstein: How the teams match up.

Know thy enemy: Packers - Packers-Giants preview: Although the 3-6 Giants have won three straight, they are hardly licking their chops at the prospects of facing a third-string QB.

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