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The Weekend Bears Den: September 21, 2013 - Week 3 news and notes

"(The Weekend Den) ...always-outstanding, often-imitated, never-duplicated and always bursting and busting with over-the-top amounts of Bears goodness" - Steven Schweickert

By Spongie

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Jonathan Daniel

Trestman's focus is on game, not big stage - Doug Padilla: Away in the CFL for the previous five seasons, nobody would have blamed Trestman if he considered this a statement game to show he's back. He could not care less.

Cavanaugh’s no-nonsense style has been good for Cutler - Patrick Finley: ‘‘They’re both kind of hard-nosed, edgy guys,’’ backup QB Josh McCown said. ‘‘I don’t mean that in a bad way. Their personalities are similar in the sense that they’re both kind of cut-to-the-chase, no-nonsense type of guys.’’

Kyle Long ready to talk smack with Bradshaw - Doug Padilla: Rookie lineman is ready to take some jabs at family friend Terry Bradshaw this week.

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

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Bears-Steelers

Joniak's Journal - Jeff Joniak with four keys to the game. Can the Bears win their first game on the road?

Game preview - Rich Campbell with a snapshot look at the Bears as they prepare for Sunday's game vs the Steelers. Can the Bears offense protect Cutler against a Steelers defense that varies the positions on the field from which it blitzes?

Game preview - Jeff Mezyolo: Looking to avoid their first 0-3 start since 2000, the Steelers hope to prevent the visiting Bears from opening 3-0, last achieved in 2010 when they reached the NFCCG.

Budging Steelers’ D-linemen will be weighty task for Bears - Patrick Finley: The Steelers’ 3-4 defense will present a new challenge — and will test how quickly Marc Trestman’s offensive scheme can adjust to different defensive fronts.

Sizable task for Bears - Rich Campbell: Roethlisberger's size, agility and ability pose a huge problem for secondaries as he extends the life of passing plays.

Melton hopes for ‘coming-out party’ vs. Steelers - Mark Potash: Regardless of the extra attention he’s been commanding from opposing blockers, Melton knows he needs to produce more.

Marshall spending week studying Taylor, Steelers - Larry Mayer: Brandon Marshall didn't prepare as diligently as he should have the last time he faced Steelers CB Ike Taylor, and the Bears receiver doesn't intend to make the same mistake twice.

Bears wary of Steelers’ 'old guys' - Moon Mullin: With Marshall coming off consecutive 100-yard games, the Steelers are expected to work on ensuring he doesn’t make it three. Ryan Clark, Troy Polamalu and Ike Taylor each have at least 11 years in the NFL.

Team notes - Adam L. Jahns: Bostic content with special-teams role for now as he learns from veterans; Tucker on facing Roethlisberger; Fiammetta, unsung hero; Trestman's father-son time; defending Polamalu.

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

Game notes - Adam Hoge: Cutler's improvement from 2012; a look at why the Steelers' Defense works.

Game preview - Scott Brown & Michael C. Wright discuss how the two teams match up and make their predictions.

Game preview - Moon Mullin: Line prepares for Steelers' many looks; Forte key in dealing with 3-4 complexities.

Forte focused on beating the Steelers - Fred Mitchell: Bears RB isn't intimidated going up against a franchise with a rich history.

Game preview - Moon Mullin: Can Cutler continue along the ascending line he has followed through two games?

Game notes - Adam Hoge: Tillman's right knee injury is serious enough that the team aren't completely sure he'll play Sunday night; Bears working on silent snap counts; more game notes.

Team notes - Bob LeGere: Trestman, Kromer working well together; injury update; more team notes.

Team notes - Larry Mayer: Injury news; Cutler working with Cavanaugh; more team notes.

Game preview - The Tribune's picks, key matchups, and thoughts ahead of Sunday night's game.

Game preview - Andy Benoit previews the week 3 games: Cutler makes a lot of great plays by being aggressive (see the game-winning TD drive he orchestrated). But in doing so, he gives the defense opportunities to make great plays.

Game preview - PFF's Three Things to Focus On. Will Chicago continue to stake their claim as an NFC contender?

[Video] X&Os - Matt Bowen takes a look at how the Bears' zone pressure can be used to take the ball away from the Steelers. Whiteboard rating: 2.

[Video] CSNChicago discussion - The panel talk Bears vs Steelers. [Warning: Teinowitz sighting]

[Video] View from the Moon - MM previews Bears-Steelers and isn't as comfortable with the outcome as many fans and pundits.

Know thy enemy - Scott Brown: Heath Miller practiced for a third consecutive day, and the Steelers TE will play Sunday night against the Bears barring a setback.

Know thy enemy - Dan Wiederer: To regroup from an 0-2 start, the reeling Steelers will need to fight back from injuries and get strong production from Ben Roethlisberger, Felix Jones and Ike Taylor.

Game picks - The ESPN Chicago crew are almost unanimous in predicting a Bears victory.

Updates (18:15 CT / 02:15 GMT)

It doesn’t take a genius for Bears to win first road game - Mark Potash: But Bears’ first road game will be a significant barometer of his ability to do what he clearly does best: instill a focus and resolve in players better than other coaches.

Game preview - Jeff Dickerson breaks down the game and compares the two teams, predicting a Bears victory. Mark Potash: How the Bears and Steelers match up. Rich Campbell: Three Bears to watch.

Hester's big day vs. Vikings puts rest of NFL on notice - Dan Wiederer: The discussion of Devin Hester as the greatest return man in NFL history may resume. And it is far from ready for past tense.

So far, Trestman has made believers out of the Bears - Brad Biggs: At 2-0, the rookie NFL head coach is making all the right moves heading into Sunday night's game with the Steelers.  David Haugh: Trestman's offensive acumen developed in college.

Where is the love? At Halas Hall - Jen Lada: The Bears are winning, and that makes it easy to smile and compliment the guy standing next to you. But it feels like more than that as Trestman is working hard to create an environment of success.

Matt Bowen: Scouting the Bears - Cutler will have to be on the alert as Steelers' zone pressures will force Bears QB to make quick reads.

Know thy enemy - Scouting report on Troy Polamalu, Steelers strong safety: "He's still instinctive and he's very much a risk-taker," one NFC scout said. "But where are the impact plays he used to make?"

Madden - Rich Mayor: Combination of Bears sterling defense and Steelers' inept offense spells 16-3 victory in Madden simulation.

Moon Mullin's game previews - Pass rush desperate to make impact ... LBs must contain Steelers' switch to zone blocking for runs ... Tillman may miss game.

Updates (08:20 CT / 14:20 GMT)

Big Ben will be main focus for Bears - Bob LeGere: In seven of his nine previous seasons, Roethlisberger has posted a passer rating above 90.0 while guiding the Steelers to the Super Bowl three times and winning it twice.

Game preview - Michael C. Wright's five things to watch during Sunday’s game at Heinz Field. Chris Boden: Three Bears' necessities vs. Steelers.

[Video] Game preview - Hines Ward talks Bears-Steelers. Moon Mullin: Beware of turning points vs. Steelers.

Game notes - Bob LeGere: Marshall-Taylor matchup a good one; Cavanaugh & Cutler meshing well; Martellus Bennett putting in extra study time.

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Bearsss

Trestman, Martellus Bennett have 'father-son' time - Doug Padilla: The old QB showed off his arm after practice as Marc Trestman played catch with Martellus Bennett. As it turns out, the games of catch started out as more of necessity than an attempt to have a bonding moment.

Bears mailbag - Jeff Dickerson answers readers' Qs on Jeffery's involvement, Cutler's value, Hester's decision-making, and Peppers' Bears future.

Ray Lewis: Bears D always in the right spot - Paul Roumeliotis: Ray Lewis called in on ESPN Radio's Mike and Mike in the Morning Show Friday morning.and raved about the "remarkable ability" the Bears defense has to create turnovers.

Ex-Bear news - Bears great Gale Sayers has filed a lawsuit against the NFL, saying the league is culpable for brain trauma he suffered, according to a published report. Ellen Jean Hirst: Was sometimes sent back into games after suffering concussion.

Bears history - In a ChicagoBears.com series, Chet Coppock looks back at the opening game from the Bears 1963 championship season in which the Bears defeated the Packers 10-3.

Bears history - Chet Coppock looks back on the 1963 season: Bears defeat Vikings 28-7 thanks to two TD receptions from a certain Michael Keller Ditka.

Da Funny Man, Da Bears - Jeff Garlin on being a rabid Bears fan, whether we'll see more 'Curb Your Enthusiasm,' and his new show, 'The Goldbergs'.

Ex-Bear news - Izzy fined $15,750 for a low hit on Arizona QB Carson Palmer. Is Suh rubbing off on him?

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

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Ditka

Four downs with Ditka - Da Coach with thoughts on the Bears' 2-0 start, their Achilles' heel, the defense's slump, and Rick Casares.

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Polish sausage

Around the NFL - Greg A. Bedard: The league is tweaking the rules to protect seemingly every position, except the big guys on the D-line. It's time that changed. Plus, 11 more thoughts entering Week 3.

NFL Health & Safety - Andrew Brandt: Injured players are relying on team doctors less and less in their quests to get back on the field. The complicated reasons for getting a second opinion can leave NFL surgeons in an awkward position.

Know thy enemy: Packers - GB-CIN preview; PFF's Three Things to Focus On. Rob Demovsky: Packers' pass rush tough to assess.

Know thy enemy: Packers - Coley Harvey & Rob Demovsky discuss how the Bengals and Packers match up, and make their predictions.

Know thy enemy: Vikings - CLE-MIN preview; PFF's Three Things to Focus On.

Know thy enemy: Lions - DET-WAS preview; PFF's Three Things to Focus On. Michael Rothstein: Lions expect Griffin to run on Sunday.

NFL.com cheerleaders gallery - The best of the week 2 cheerleaders. Hello, potential future Mrs Spongie from Philly (7/28).

More from Windy City Gridiron:

Probably a better way to finish off Sam & Ashley's wedding week than Sisqo's "Thong Song".

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