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The Bears Den: September 24, 2013 - Week 4 news and notes

By Spongie

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Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sport

Henry Melton out for year with torn ACL - Larry Mayer: DT Henry Melton will miss the rest of the season after suffering a torn ACL in Sunday night's 40-23 win over the Steelers.

Trestman concern for Cutler, Bears stunning - Barry Rozner: It has been apparent since Trestman got here that he will not sacrifice Cutler, even to win a game. That’s why he went long stretches with conservative play calling after the Steelers began to hit his QB hard.

10 observations - Mark Potash: With all due respect to Lovie Smith and his stellar won-loss record, the Bears are a better-coached football team in 2013.

Follow WCG on Twitter; like us on Facebook (& click on 'Subscribed to'). Oh mah gawwwd. 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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Chicago Bears 40, Pittsburgh Steelers 23

Trestman happy with defense's five-takeaway outing - Larry Mayer: One day after the Bears' 40-23 win over the Steelers, Marc Trestman praised the defense for generating five takeaways and the offense for not committing any turnovers or pre-snap penalties.

Game notes - Adam L. Jahns with snap counts from the Bears' victory,

Game review - Jeff Dickerson with Five Things We Learned in the Bears' 40-23 victory over the Steelers. Michael C. Wright: Four Hot Issues.

[Video] CSNChicago discussion - The panel pick their key plays from Bears-Steelers, and debate the merits of Roethlisberger. [KAPCON: 5]

Game grades - Brad Biggs: Pass rush gets going, but only with healthy dose of blitzes.

Game grades - Moon Mullin grades the coaching, and the team by position group: QB - RB - WR/TE - OL - DL - LB - DB.

Game grades - Hub Arkush: Only Jay Cutler, D.J. Williams and Lance Briggs excel in uplifting victory.

PFF's Three Performances of Note - The good and the not so good.

[Video] Game highlights and photos from ChicagoBears.com - Game photos ... from the sideline (the O-line even sit in formation)... behind the scenes ... Bears-Steelers photojournal.

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Cutler

Cutler's run also a big hit with Bears - Doug Padilla: Jay Cutler lowered the boom Sunday night at Pittsburgh, and the hit was still echoing around Halas Hall on Monday.

To slide or not to slide? - Dan Wiederer: Should Cutler have had the wherewithal to slide? Or was his crash into Golden the latest sign of a gutty leader giving his team every last ounce of his effort to pull out a win? QB won't apologize for aggressive run.

Cutler progressing under the ‘Trestman Effect,’ but can he stay healthy? - Mark Potash: Old habits die hard for the headstrong Cutler, but Trestman is definitely making inroads with a tough nut to crack. His toughest task, as it turns out, could be keeping his QB healthy.

Change suits Cutler well - Jon Greenberg: We've been fooled before, but it looks like there's reason to believe in the 'new' Jay Cutler.

What finally clicked for Jay Cutler? - Paul Roumeliotis: It shouldn't come as a surprise that Jay Cutler has been the hottest topic of conversation in Chicago for the third straight week following another Bears victory. Jim Miller credited the Bears coaching staff.

[Audio] Jay Cutler Show - Jay Cutler discusses the Bears' win over Pittsburgh, talks Ndamukong Suh and previews the Bears' Week 4 matchup with Detroit.

[Video] A man among boys - Paul Roumeliotis: Cutler was a star player in high school playing positions like QB, WR and even safety. He was also repeatedly dunking on players during his high school basketball career.

[Video] ChicagoBears.com - Jeff Joniak sits down with QB coach Matt Cavanaugh to discuss his role in the offense, working with Jay Cutler, and why he was drawing plays on a wall.

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Melton injury

Bears confirm Melton out for season with torn ACL - Rich Campbell: Leaves Bears with a Pro Bowl-sized hole on a D-line that has not consistently pressured the QB with only four rushers during the team’s 3-0 start.

Losing Melton hurts, but Bears can't neglect opportunity - David Haugh: Feel worse for Melton than the Bears, who can survive the loss of a guy who had underperformed through three games after missing training camp.

How badly will the Bears miss Henry Melton? - Adam Hoge: Who is going to fill the void at the all-important three-technique in the Bears' Tampa-2 scheme?

With Melton down, Nate Collins first man - Rich Campbell: But Bears could explore other options to replace Pro Bowl DT Henry Melton.

Melton loss puts major dent in depth - Michael C. Wright: There’s a good chance Phil Emery is spending Monday on the phone with agents trying to set up Tuesday workouts with free agents.

[Video] - Alex Brown on the Bears' loss of Henry Melton.

Agent: Melton to be ready for ’14, but where? - Moon Mullin: The Bears will need to assess Melton’s condition and base some decisions on that assessment, possibly in next year’s draft or free agency.

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Bearsss

Still waiting for promised high-octane Bears’ offense - Rick Morrissey: The Bears are closer to walking upright than dragging their knuckles along the ground, but they have a ways to go to be the explosive offense Trestman envisions.

Earl Bennett's improbable catch - Bob LeGere: It would have been easy for Earl Bennett to lose faith after a tough preseason. But he didn't and, Sunday night the six-year veteran may have made the most remarkable catch of the Bears' young season.

Earl Bennett is another offensive threat for Bears - Patrick Finley: Bennett wants to be in Chicago for a while, even with the renegotiated deal. “He’s selfless, completely unselfish,” Trestman said, “and will do whatever he can to help this football team.”

[Video] View from the Moon - Loss of Melton; Tillman concerns for Detroit game; Cutler's toughness.

Martellus Bennett with Boers & Bernstein - Martellus Bennett said he was impressed by Cutler after he delivered a blow to a Pittsburgh defender to pick up a first down, but thinks the QB should protect himself. Includes [Audio],

[Video] ESPN - Stephen A. Smith and Skip Bayless debate if the Bears are serious contenders in the NFC. [KAPCON: not as annoying as usual, about a 4]

[Video] CSNChicago discussion - Bears lose Melton for the season; Tillman limited; expectations for Bears this season. [Video] Are the 3-0 Bears for real? [KAPCON: 5]

[Video] CSNChicago discussion - Des Clark joins the panel to discuss the Bears' 3-0 start, Cutler, Melton, and what he misses most about the game.

Bears schedule - Moon Mullin updates his weekly look at the Bears' schedule in the wake of week 3. Michael C. Wright: Fast start promising, guarantees nothing.

[Video] CSNChicago discussion - Bears lose Melton for the season; Tillman limited; expectations for Bears this season. [Video] Are the 3-0 Bears for real? [KAPCON: 5]

Team notes - Adam L. Jahns: Trestman hints at more playing time for Michael Bush; injury news; increased blitzing.

Team notes - Bob LeGere: Teammates concerned about collision on Cutler's key run; Tillman injury concerns; more team notes.

Bears turn to Detroit with Tillman hurting - Moon Mullin: In 11 games vs. the Bears, Calvin Johnson has not destroyed the Bears the way he has some opponents, and the Lions are 2-9 against the Bears with him. But that was with a mostly healthy Tillman.

Injury news - Doug Padilla: Bears will be careful with Tillman as veteran is now dealing with two ailments after the first three weeks of the season.

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

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Reminder: Red Robin offer valid today

Hat tip to Cevarius: Red Robin is doing a free burger promotion - Tavern Double Tuesday. Free Tavern Double Burger on the Tuesday following a Bears game where the D gets a turnover - either interception or fumble recovery - with purchase of another entrée and two drinks - for select residents in IL, IN and IA.

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Ditka

[Audio] Ditka - Da coach discusses the Bears' win over the Steelers (from 2:30-4:50), plus more topics around the league.

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Polish sausage

You can't have Ditka without some Polish sausage.

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