clock menu more-arrow no yes mobile

Filed under:

The Bears Den: September 18, 2013 - Week 3 news and notes

By Spongie

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

Dennis Wierzbicki-USA TODAY Spor

Has Jay Cutler become clutch? - Jeff Fedotin: Bears QB has been criticized for everything from being a malingerer, being apathetic and being a bad teammate. Perhaps, though, Cutler has the right personality for Marc Trestman’s new offense.

Tough calls by Bears, but nobody’s complaining now - (NYTimes) Chicago is 2-0 after an off-season in which it let go of Coach Lovie Smith and Brian Urlacher, the face of the franchise.

Larry Mayer's Chalk Talk - Larry discusses if the Bears are worried about Peppers, Weems' touchback against the Vikings, and how the Bears have fared in the past when starting 2-0.

Follow WCG on Twitter; like us on Facebook (& click on 'Subscribed to'). Can I get a Holla? Click for Chicago Bears Tickets. Check out David "OSS" Taylor's CheekyMonkeyArt prints and t-shirts. Hi-res version of today's pic.

----------
Trestman, Cutler

Trestman prophetic in pregame speech - Michael C. Wright: Marc Trestman warned his team just before it came out to the field Sunday that the Vikings would throw the first punch, but the most important thing would be how the club responded.

Trestman’s candor unique, educational — and rare - Rick Morrissey: It’s not too early to give a nod of appreciation to someone who seems to get it, both on and off the field. He treats the viewing audience like adults. Imagine that.

Cutler looks to clean up turnover issues - Dan Wiederer takes a closer look at what exactly happened on each of Cutler’s turnovers against the Vikings. Moon Mullin: INT percentage still a nagging issue.

As Bears' O-line steps up, so does Cutler - Bob LeGere: Cutler has been outstanding this season when given good protection, something that has happened only occasionally in his previous four seasons in Chicago.

[Video] X&Os - For the second week in a row, Jay Cutler marches his team down the field for a go-ahead TD. Brian Baldinger breaks down the game-winning drive.

Simms: ‘Trestman has put $70-80M in Cutler’s pocket’ - NFL analyst Phil Simms said through two games, Cutler has already impressed him enough to earn an extension.

----------
Bearsss

Lunch with Larry - Q. Are you worried about Marshall being able to get open against Ike Taylor this week? LM: Brandon Marshall is like 7-11: He's ALWAYS open.

Joniak's Journal - Thoughts on the Bears after two games, and looking ahead to stopping Ben Roethlisberger. Michael C. Wright: Stock watch after Bears-Vikings.

Team notes - Larry Mayer: Bears staying grounded heading into Steelers game; career high single-game receptions for Forte; more from Bears-Vikings. Mark Potash: Bears point to progress in penalties .

[Video] X&Os - Tom Thayer breaks down the deception of Marc Trestman's offense from the Vikings-Bears game in week two. Tom shows three similar plays involving Alshon Jeffery and how each one sets up the next.

Q&A - Adam Hoge answers readers' questions as the Bears shift their attention to the Steelers. How will the rookies on the O-line cope with facing a 3-4?

Returner Devin Hester has mad skills - Mark Potash: #23 was so upset that he didn’t score on the 80-yarder he didn’t want to talk about it. That’s good. He needs to stay motivated, fresh and apparently a little angry. Vikings' 105-yarder reminder of how good Toub was.

Bears well prepared to face third consecutive left-footed punter - Patrick Finley: "Every place I’ve ever been, those guys don’t like catching them as much as they do righties," said DeCamillis, who has coached special teams in the NFL for 24 years. "For whatever reason, it’s harder."

Bears' third-down defense worst since 2010 - Moon Mullin: Marc Trestman expressed concern over the Bears’ failure to stop opponents on third downs. He has reason to worry. Tillman fined for horse-collar tackle.

Roster notes - Michael C. Wright: The Bears brought in eight players for workouts on Tuesday, including former Lions starting safety Amari Spivey.

Margin of error will tighten for Bears on the road - Mike Mulligan: They have been the beneficiaries of others' road woes in opening weeks and must be wary paying a visit to the Steelers.

[Video] ChicagoBears.com - Jeff Joniak sits down with Lance Briggs to discuss the new look 2013 Bears. Spice Adams & Jermon Bushrod (just about) squeeze into a compact car.

[Video] ChicagoBears.com - Inside the Bears' exclusive interview with Virginia McCaskey, on her fondest memories and what the Bears mean to her. More videos from ChicagoBears.com.

Bears history - Mark Potash: Rick Casares, the former Bears star who died at 82 last week, was a bruising fullback who ran with heart when a guy like that could make a difference in the NFL. But history hasn’t done justice to Casares’ outstanding 10-year career with the Bears.

[Video] Bears doing good things - Robbie Gould's charity The Goulden Touch teamed up with Northern Illinois Food Bank for their annual Kicking Hunger initiative to raise money to fight hunger, with backpacks full of food.

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

NFP Sunday Blitz - Len Pasquarelli: The 2014 offseason could be historic with all of the veteran QBs currently scheduled to hit the open market. Plus, more from around the NFL.

NFP Agent's Journal - Jack Bechta with 3 predictions and trends for 2013; is the league headed for a future in which rosters consist of a handful of highly-paid players, and the rest of the team make the minimum?

Ex-Bear Moron news - Ryan Wilson: A quarter after Brandon Meriweather knocked Eddie Lacy silly with a helmet-to-helmet hit, he was himself concussed in another helmet-to-helmet collision; will be fined by NFL. [$3.25M to start 4 games and get penalised for H-to-H hits before being benched? Well done, Jerry.]

Know thy enemy: Vikings - Ben Goessling's Rapid Reaction: A few thoughts on the Vikings' 31-30 loss to the Bears & Further Review ... Red zone issues ... Leslie Frazier blaming himself for loss ... Patterson not seeing enough snaps?

Know thy enemy: Packers - Rodgers has big day, Green Bay beat Washington 38-20. PFF review. Rob Demovsky's Rapid Reaction & Further Review ... Starks' production eases Lacy concerns ... short passing attack racks up YAC.

Know thy enemy: Lions - Cardinals get late TD to beat Lions 25-21. PFF review. Michael Rothstein's Rapid Reaction & Further Review ... offense stagnant without Bush ... Bush's prognosis a relief ... Lions suffering from dropped passes ... well, if you will draft an already-injured WR high (Josh Katzenstein).

Know thy enemy: Same Old Lions - Drew Sharp: The Lions beg for the calming balance of perspective but can't accept that they haven't earned the benefit of the doubt after 19 penalties in the first two games. Michael Rothstein: After all the preaching of discipline, the Lions clearly are not.

More from Windy City Gridiron:

Sam 'n' Ashley's newlyweds music video week:

Next Up In News