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The Weekend Bears Den: September 14, 2013 - Week 2 news and notes

"...the single-most comprehensive gathering of linkage ever compiled in a single place on the Bears." - Steven Schweickert

By Spongie

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David Banks

Next step for Trestman is adjusting to adjustments from opposing defenses - Mark Potash: Can Trestman stay one step ahead of the league, assuming he gets there in the first place? Dan Wiederer: Fast tempo disrupted Bengals.

One opening changed it all for Jordan Mills - Patrick Finley: After performing backpedal pass blocks in Louisiana Tech’s hair-on-fire offense, Mills showed he could protect in the Senior Bowl’s prototypical NFL offense — and that he could do it against elite competition.

Larry Mayer's Chalk Talk - Larry discusses whether TE Dante Rosario will be active Sunday, if the Bears are worried about J'Marcus Webb sharing secrets with the Vikings, and FB Tony Fiammetta's background.

Follow WCG on Twitter; like us on Facebook (& click on 'Subscribed to'). Blame ThorCo. Click for Chicago Bears Tickets. Check out David "OSS" Taylor's CheekyMonkeyArt prints and t-shirts.

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Bears-Vikings

Jermon Bushrod prepares to battle Jared Allen - Larry Mayer: The Bears signed Pro Bowl LT Jermon Bushrod in free agency chiefly to contend with players like the one he'll see Sunday at Soldier Field, Vikings star DE Jared Allen.

Cutler lauds Trestman, coaches for game prep - Larry Mayer: Jay Cutler praised Marc Trestman and his offensive assistants for their weekly game prep that puts Bears players in the best position to succeed.

Game notes - Larry Mayer: Tillman, Peppers both expected to start Sunday; Hester's opportunities limited so far; rookie O-linemen impressive.

Joniak's Journal - Jeff Joniak presents his keys to the game for Bears-Vikings.

Bears defense focused on return to fundamentals - Jon Greenberg: After a slow start against the Bengals, the Bears defense is focused on a return to fundamentals as it prepares for the Vikings' Adrian Peterson.

[Video] Game preview - Jeff Dickerson, Michael C. Wright and Tom Waddle preview the Bears' matchup with the Vikings.

Game preview - Mark Potash: How the Bears and Vikings match up.

Game preview - James Neveau When the Bears battle the Vikings on Sunday, there are plenty of things they will have to do right in order to secure their first 2-0 start since 2010.

Game preview - Dan Wiederer: What to look for Sunday against the Vikings. Fred Mitchell: Better tackling will be key against AP.

[Video] CSNChicago discussion - The panel preview the Vikings game tomorrow. [KAPCON: 5]

Game preview - Moon Mullin: The Vikings have lost five of the last six games against Jay Cutler when they have failed to sack him more than twice. Forte, balance best antidote for Vikings’ rush.

Game preview - PFF's Three Things to Focus On: Where's the pass rush? Languishing in last place in the NFL, according to MMQB's new stat.

Team notes - Adam L. Jahns: Paea might have earned respect from foes; looking at the Vikings' O-line; Minter might be added to rotation to help contain AP; more team notes.

Game notes - Bob LeGere: Kromer not worried about Long's struggles or J-Webb compromising his unit (giggity); Mills' improvement, injury news.

Team notes - Adam Hoge: Illini game at Soldier Field unique situation for Bears; injury report; more team news.

Trestman faces favorite boyhood team Sunday - Peggy Kusinski: Bears coach rooted, tried out and coached for Vikings.

Know thy enemy - Dan Wiederer with a flurry of notable odds and ends on the Vikings.

Know thy enemy - Mark Craig with a look at the Vikings as they prepare for Sunday’s game against the Bears at Soldier Field.

Game picks - The CBS Chicago crew almost unanimously predict a Bears win.

Updates (5pm CT / 11pm GMT)

Three Bears - Dan Wiederer with three Bears to watch during Bears-Vikings.

Matt Bowen: Scouting the Bears - Zone blitz could cause Vikings fits but to do so, the Bears will have to contain Adrian Peterson on early downs and apply pressure to Christian Ponder.

Know thy enemy - Brad Biggs with a scouting report on Christian Ponder: When everyone plays to stop AP, is he talented enough to win?

Team notes - Brad Biggs: Jordan Mills showed early he could handle starting role; on the Bears' pursuit of Phil Loadholt.

Know thy enemy - Rich Campbell: Adrian Peterson wants to be only member of 2,500 club, but the Bears are an immediate impediment to his quest to exceed 2,000 yards rushing again.

Game preview - Key matchups and points to consider, and the Tribune writers make their game picks.

Game preview - Moon Mullin: 'Population-tackling' AP starts up front with DL ... job of taking down Ponder might fall heavily on LBs ... DBs must beware of big plays.

Updates (9am CT / 3pm GMT)

Bears set to host Vikings today at Soldier Field - Larry Mayer: After opening the season with a comeback win over the Bengals last Sunday, the Bears will look to improve to 2-0 today when they host the Vikings (0-1) at Soldier Field.

Cutler faces Vikings' Allen yet again - Bob LeGere: Jay Cutler and Jared Allen renew acquaintances today at Soldier Field in a personal rivalry that goes back to 2007 and the AFC West, when Cutler was with the Broncos and Allen was with the Chiefs.

Team notes - Bob LeGere: Trestman not surprised by Cutler's leadership; DJ Williams looking forward to taking on AP; Jeffery impressing Trestman.

Game preview - Moon Mullin: The real secret to beating the Vikings is realizing that AP will very likely do something spectacular but not to let that one play or series deliver a psychological blow as well as one involving yardage.

Game preview - Jeff Dickerson compares and contrasts the two teams and predicts a narrow win for the Beloved.

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Bearsss

[Video] X&Os - Jim Miller on defenses stacking the box against the Trestman offense.

Cutler is finally 'comfortable' - Gene Chamberlain: Bears QB might be showing signs he's a different player this season.

Bears’ offense functions better when Earl Bennett is more involved - Adam L. Jahns: A healthy, more involved Earl Bennett might actually be the missing link that allows coach Marc Trestman to open up his offense.

Using more receivers makes Bears dangerous - Moon Mullin: If Cutler is able to force the Vikings to worry about multiple receivers in areas of the field he didn’t always use in the past, the threat of the Chicago offense increases exponentially.

Bears’ offense is change I almost believe in - Hub Arkush: A big part of Trestman’s plan is based on success breeding more success, and he’s trying to get the fundamentals in place before he starts playing with the bells and whistles.

Bears can improve on zero sacks - Moon Mullin: The O-line allowed no sacks and just a handful of hits against the Bengals. But if the Bears are going to play more than 16 games and extend the 2013 season, they need to do better. And they know it.

Julius Peppers’ decline exaggerated - Michael C. Wright: An off game from Peppers shouldn’t fuel concern, especially when considering he’s got 15 more to play. In fact, the Bears are 17-9 throughout Peppers' time in Chicago in games where he didn’t post a sack.

Hester comfortable focusing on just returns - Tom Pelissero: Hester has racked up 18 special teams TDs – 12 on punts, five on kickoffs and a 108-yard return of a missed FG – despite getting shut out in three of his seven NFL seasons (2008, '09 and '12).

Robbie Gould kicked record breaker with wrong ball - Peggy Kusinski: League officials couldn't find proper balls at crucial moment so Gould had to use a regular game ball; some in football liken that to playing with a range ball in golf.

Roster notes - How does the Bears' salary cap spend break down by position? Everyone else.

What’s in a Cutler nickname? Maybe a lot - Moon Mullin: Sometimes a nickname or form of reference might indicate a comfort level or just good interpersonal vibe.

Ex-Bear news - Tim Baffoe with a satirical email from Jay Cutler to Brian Urlacher, in the wake of all the noise that the former Bear has been making in the media.

[Video] ESPN - Mike Greenberg and Mike Golic react to the news that Cutler is the only former teammate who hasn't reached out to Brian Urlacher since he retired.

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Ditka

Four downs with Ditka - Da Coach's thoughts on Cutler, Martellus Bennett, and the Ditka coaching tree.

[Video] The Ditka Diaries - Bears fans share their memories of Legendary coach Mike Ditka.

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Polish sausage

Just how did the NFL become a passing league? - Former NFL LB Scott Fujita breaks down how teams became able to air it out with near impunity.

The rise of the zebras - Len Pasquarelli: Mike Pereira’s media ascent has brought more attention to the world of NFL officials.

Know thy enemy: Packers - Jeff Bartl previews GB-WAS. Rob Demovsky & John Keim: Cheese overcomes racism. PFF's Three Things to Focus On.

Know thy enemy: Packers - Rob Demovsky: Clay Matthews deserved to be fined for his late hit out of bounds on Colin Kaepernick, but he doesn't have the kind of track record of dirty play as Ndamukong Suh.

Know thy enemy: Lions - Jordan Garretson previews Lions-Cardinals. PFF's Three Things to Focus On.

NFL.com cheerleaders gallery - The best of the week 1 cheerleaders. I may have spotted the future Mrs Spongie (30/33).

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