clock menu more-arrow no yes mobile

Filed under:

The Bears Den: September 19, 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

Larry Mayer's Chalk Talk - Larry discusses whether Jay Cutler called a lot of plays at the line of scrimmage against the Vikings, the 12 men-on-the-field penalty the Bears drew, and Cutler's fumble.

Forte feels fine in Bears' backfield - Jon Greenberg: Matt Forte's mind is at ease and he's finding the Bears offense to be a great fit again. Moon Mullin: Credits Cutler, Trestman for offensive change.

Team Report - For a 2-0 team heading into Pittsburgh against a winless Steelers team, the Bears defense is fielding an unusual amount of criticism.

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

----------
Hester

Devin Hester wins NFC special teams POW - Jeff Dickerson: Devin Hester was named NFC Special Teams Player of the Week for his performance in a Week 2 home victory.

Devin returns to being simply divine - Bob LeGere: Hester set a franchise record Sunday with 249 kickoff-return yards on 5 tries, and Wednesday he was named NFC Special Teams Player of the week for the 13th time in a record-setting eight-year career.

Focus on returns paying off for Hester - Doug Padilla: Trestman's revelation debunks a common belief that Hester was demoted to a return-only role after years of mostly choppy results as a WR.

When Hester's in a zone, he's nearly unstoppable - Larry Mayer: Blake Costanzo has seen Devin Hester at his best as a teammate and opponent. "You can’t prepare for him, no matter what you do," said the Bears special teams standout. [Video] Hester NFC STPOTW highlights.

Hester back to earning awards - Moon Mullin: Steelers HC Mike Tomlin isn't underestimating what #23 can do, having seen him close up as Minnesota DC in Hester's rookie season.

Just let Devin be Devin - Tim Baffoe: One of the most dangerous aspects of the Bears may just be also the simplest.

----------
Bears-Steelers

Bears back on practice field prepping for Steelers - Larry Mayer: Four days after recording their second straight comeback win at Soldier Field, the Bears return to the practice field Wednesday to prepare for Sunday night's game in Pittsburgh.

Can Bears exploit Steelers' offensive woes? - Jeff Dickerson: Through two weeks of the regular season the offense (No. 14) actually outranks the defense (No. 17), a feat they were unable to accomplish during the majority of the Lovie Smith era.

Bears eyeing big road test against Big Ben - Dan Wiederer: Riding the momentum of a 2-0 start and building confidence along the way, the Bears will face a stiff test when they go under the lights Sunday night in Pittsburgh.

Game preview - Mark Potash: Trestman has high praise for Big Ben, Bears’ defense has high hopes. Adam L. Jahns: Mills, Trestman realize LeBeau’s ‘D’ will be a challenge.

Game preview - Patrick Finley: Bears defense allowing too many conversions, but Steelers are weak there.

Know thy enemy - Dan Durkin: The 2013 Steelers certainly aren't your dad's Pittsburgh Steelers. Moon Mullin: Bears facing worst-starting Steelers team since 2000.

Peppers' focus on Steelers, not slow start - Jeff Dickerson: The prospects of Peppers having a rebound effort Sunday night in Pittsburgh look to be promising. Roethlisberger has been sacked seven times in two games.

Game preview - A lovely slideshow of key matchups for Bears vs. Steelers.

[Video] Game preview - Michael C. Wright discusses Chicago's hot topics heading into Sunday night's game against the Steelers.

[Video] View from the Moon - Game preview: D-Line needs to pick up the pressure; toughest test to date for O-line; Hester's resurgence.

----------
Bearsss

Cutler Watch - Michael C. Wright's weekly analysis of the Bears QB's play.

Jay Cutler No. 6 on MVP Watch list - Michael C. Wright: NFL Nation NY Giants reporter Dan Graziano updated his MVP Watch list for Week 3 of the season, and Cutler checks in at No. 6.

[Video] ESPN Hot Button - Tedy Bruschi: Is Jay Cutler finally the leader of this team?

Cutler appears on FXX hit show 'The League" - FFFFFHF&*$%£("%@### CUTLER Y U DO TV AND GET MARRIED AND DO RADIO AND HAVE BABY WHEN YOU NEED TO BE QUARTERBACK OF DA BEARS 24/7 !!!!!!!!!?!??!??!

Believing in Marc Trestman - Kip Lewis: Should we buy into the "offensive genius" label this time? We're only two games into the season, but I'm going all in this time around. Something I never did with Martz.

Early success hasn't gone to Trestman's head - Fred Mitchell: Bears coach says players know 'there's not much difference between 2-0 and 0-2'.

Bears are in a hurry to improve anemic pass rush - Rich Campbell: The Bears are having trouble stopping teams on third down and a large part of that has been a lackluster job rushing the passer.

What part of 'pass rush' don't the Bears understand? - Steve Rosenbloom: OK, so Julius Peppers was sick on Sunday. So, what's the excuse for the rest of the Bears pass rush? I'll hang up and listen for Henry Melton's hummena-hummena-hummena.

Peppers ‘not interested in talking about the first two weeks' - Adam Hoge: After battling an illness for nearly a week, Julius Peppers was back at practice Wednesday and ready to put his early season struggles behind him.

Team notes - Bob LeGere: Bears in a rush to get some sacks; injury news.

Team notes - Adam Hoge: Forte not worried about getting worn down; Hester flourishing as returner; more notes from practice,

Team notes - Patrick Finley: Tillman misses practice; Bennett, Long limited; Hester hono(u)red; more notes.

[Audio] Lester Speaks! - Our own Lester A. Wiltfong joins the Patrick Schmidt Show to talk Bears, Bears, Bears.

Best of Bears-Vikings - Crackedcactus was kind enough to collate the best of your jibber-jabber from the game threads.

Robert Rence and his Inner Bear Fandom - Arbusto posted some photos of our friendly Vikings visitor embracing his inner Bearhood.

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

----------
Ditka

[Video] Ditka - Chicago Bears fans share memories of legendary coach Mike Ditka. [I'm pretty sure the second guy mixed up Mike Ditka and Mike Brown - Den]

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

The unsung heroes of the front office - Len Pasquarelli: Pro personnel directors work behind the scenes, providing an invaluable service this time of year.

(Barely) Ex-Bear news - Brandon Lloyd acting in direct-to-dvd zombie movie. Appropriate, he sort of played like one here, too.

Know thy enemy: Vikings - Ben Goessling: Revisiting the 2012 Vikings-Browns trade in the wake of the Trent Richardson trade; LBs a work in progress.

Know thy enemy: Vikings - Bench or don't bench? Chris Burke and Doug Farrar offer up their opinions on QBs on the hot seat including one Christian Ponder. Ben Goessling: QB Watch.

Know thy enemy: Packers - Rob Demovsky: Availability James Starks' issue, not production.

Know thy enemy: Lions - Michael Rothstein's Lions stockwatch after week 2.

More from Windy City Gridiron:

Sam & Ashley's honeymoon week.

Next Up In News