clock menu more-arrow no yes mobile

Filed under:

The Bears Den: November 08, 2013 - Week 10 news and notes

By Spongie

If you buy something from an SB Nation link, Vox Media may earn a commission. See our ethics statement.

Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports

Larry Mayer's Chalk Talk - Larry discusses whether the Bears will call more conservative plays to protect Cutler, when Jay Ratliff will be able to play, and how Bears coaches have fared in their first games against the Packers.

Jay Cutler expected to start Sunday versus Lions - Larry Mayer: Jay Cutler practiced without restrictions Thursday after being cleared by doctors and is expected to start Sunday against the Lions.

McCown believes Cutler's return 'a good thing' for Bears - Larry Mayer: Even though it means returning to the Bears sideline, McCown is happy that Cutler has been cleared to start Sunday against the Lions. Moon Mullin: McCown knows the drill.

Follow WCG on Twitter; like us on Facebook (& click on 'Subscribed to'). Fab Five Freddie told me everybody's fly. Check out David "OSS" Taylor's CheekyMonkeyArt prints and t-shirts. Den pic in hi-res.

----------
Bears-Lions

Game preview - Jeff Mezdylo: Though the Lions have dropped six straight division road games and five in a row at Chicago, three of those meetings at Soldier Field have been decided by six points or fewer.

Game preview - Michael C. Wright and Michael Rothstein break down Sunday's matchup between the Lions and the Bears and make their predictions.

Matt Bowen: Scouting the Bears - Bears should try to get Matt Forte to the edge against Lions, a play that worked well against the Packers with Forte making a big gain on a pitch behind the block of pulling LT Jermon Bushrod.

Know thy enemy - Steve Silverman: With a record of 1-17 in their last 18 road divisional games, the Lions simply can’t win on road vs divisional opponents.

View from the enemy - Jim Schwartz notices changes, balance in Bears offense. Includes [Audio].

Know thy enemy - Matt Bowen looks at why Calvin Johnson is so dangerous, with the routes he can produce on versus Cover 1, Cover 2 and Cover 3.

----------
Cutler Groinwatch 2013

Cutler expected to face Lions - Jeff Dickerson: QB took every snap at the Bears' abbreviated practice Thursday and reported that he felt 100 percent during the workout, does not expect to be limited when he takes the field Sunday.

Rehab success: Cutler cleared to play - Bob LeGere: Not only is injured QB Jay Cutler back, he's back with no restrictions, no limitations and no holds barred for Sunday's showdown.

Cutler's hard work led to surprisingly quick recovery - Patrick Finley: Eighteen days after tearing a left groin muscle that was supposed to keep him out at least twice as long, Jay Cutler was cleared by Bears doctors and took every snap in practice. Will start Sunday.

[Video] CSNChicago discussion - Cutler expected to play against Lions. [KAPCON: 5]

Cutler's aggressive rehab pays off - Rich Campbell: During passing drills media were permitted to watch, the mechanics of Cutler's right (plant) leg were noticeably different from how they were before the injury.

How Cutler got back so quickly - Adam Hoge: Cutler and a number of unheralded members of the Bears’ training staff worked tirelessly to get the QB ready to play Sunday against the Lions, just three weeks after suffering the injury.

Cutler did what's best for Bears - Michael C. Wright: Even if Cutler's early return turns out to be a disaster, don't be so quick to speculate on the reasoning behind why he did it. Money is unlikely to have been a key factor.

Is Trestman throwing Cutler to the Lions? - Mark Potash: Trestman arguably is taking an even bigger risk than that momentous fourth-down gamble by allowing Jay Cutler to play Sunday,

McCown a quality backup, but Bears can go further with Cutler at helm - Adam L. Jahns: This is Cutler’s offense and team. Veteran Josh McCown is here to back him up and offer support. No one made that more clear than McCown himself on Thursday.

----------
Bearsss

Joniak's Journal - Shea McClellin is the leading tackler, top sacker, and tops in disruptive plays through the first half of the season on the D-line. Plus, more thoughts on the Bears.

McCown proud to beat Packers in Lambeau - Nick Wilder: McCown joined Jim Miller and Pat Kirwan to relive the Bears' thrilling victory over the Packers on Monday night. Includes [Audio].

Bears’ special teams giving up too many ‘critical mistakes’ - Adam L. Jahns: After half a season seemingly filled with what Joe DeCamillis calls "critical mistakes," the Bears prepare to be without Patrick Mannelly, who is week-to-week with a right calf injury. Fred Mitchell: Special teams need to refocus.

QB situation throws NFC North up for grabs - Brad Biggs: Combination of the Packers losing Aaron Rodgers and the Bears regaining Jay Cutler makes for interesting conjecture.

Team notes - Patrick Finley: Speaker trick helps to limit offensive penalties for Bears; injury updates.

Injury news - Michael C. Wright: McClellin limited at practice; Briggs, Mannelly and Ratliff not expected to play Sunday

Team notes - Rich Campbell: McCown graciously moves back to backup; Cutler gained much from sideline on MNF; injury news.

Dionne Miller's 'Happenings at Halas' - Jay Cutler is back. He practiced Thursday, felt 100% and says the injury is completely behind him.

Brad Biggs' Bears mailbag - Biggsy's weekly readers' Q&A.

SI's Pass Rush Pressure Points - Even with Monday's performance, the Bears' pass rush remains in last place in SI's stat, with the O-line hovering in 20th place for pressure rate.

Inside Slant: Marc Trestman on 4th down - Kevin Seifert: Trestman demonstrated the reward available to coaches who can withstand the risk of aggressive fourth-down calls, though coaches are going for it less on fourth down overall this season than they were as recently as 2009.

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

----------
Polish sausage

Jack Bechta: The Agent's Journal - Why the QB vacuum? A unique set of roster, reps, and offseason rules should be in place for the development of QBs.

Know thy enemy: Vikings - Washington 27, Minnesota 34: game report and [Video] highlights from NFL.com.

Know thy enemy: Packers - Tom Pelissero: Relying on backup QB something Packers haven't done in decades; Seneca Wallace will make only third start by a reserve passer since 1992.

More from Windy City Gridiron:

Next Up In News