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The Bears Den: September 26, 2013 - Week 4 news and notes

Josh McCown: backup QB and team Heimlich man(o)euvre specialist.

By Spongie

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Gregory Shamus

Collins won't change his approach despite new role - Larry Mayer: Although he is expected to start in place of the injured Henry Melton, Nate Collins doesn't intend to change his mentality. Doug Padilla: Hopes to be appreciated for his own unique skill set.

Are the Bears faux or real? - Mark Potash: Patrick Mannelly, a remnant of the Dave Wannstedt era, has seen good starts ultimately fizzle out, but already there are enough signs to indicate that Emery and Trestman are not building a house of cards.

Cutler’s demolition of Golden could be a signature moment - Rick Morrissey: Some of Cutler’s teammates scolded him in the huddle for his apparent recklessness, but I’ll guarantee you anger wasn’t their first reaction when they saw the hit. That was a football play, and they knew it.

Follow WCG on Twitter; like us on Facebook (& click on 'Subscribed to'). (8-bit) Ditka. 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-Lions

Bears begin to prep to face Lions - Larry Mayer: Four days after improving to 3-0 with a win in Pittsburgh, the Bears returned to the practice field to prepare for Sunday's NFC North clash against the Lions in Detroit. Doug Padilla: Tillman (groin) held out of practice.

Game preview - Jeff Mezdlo: Chicago has won four of five at Ford Field, but improving to 4-0 for the first time since 2006 may not be easy after the teams' two 2012 meetings were decided by eight points.

Tucker may have to adjust Defensive style again - Adam Hoge: Facing Calvin Johnson, this week’s defense could look a lot more like Lovie’s unit and not the blitz-heavy one you saw in Pittsburgh last week.

Bears' aggressive approach on defense won't change - Fred Mitchell: No matter who's on the field, Mel Tucker expects the same physical approach that helped reap five turnovers against the Steelers.

Tillman looks forward to matchup with Megatron - Adam L. Jahns: “We all play this game because of the competition,” Tillman said. “Calvin is probably the best competitor in the game at the receiver position.”

Tillman vs. Megatron a dynamite matchup - Bob LeGere: Neither player practiced Wednesday, but both are expected to be on the field Sunday in Detroit for their latest one-on-one clash.

Tillman, Johnson have 'cordial' relationship... at best - Moon Mullin: Maybe difficult to be effusively warm and fuzzy about the CB who was largely responsible for denying him, at least for the time being, a place in NFL history.

Bowman ready if needed - Jeff Dickerson: In the event Tillman needs a rest on Sunday, Bowman is the logical choice to defend Johnson because of his size, speed, athleticism and experience.

[Video] CSNChicago discussion - How will Tillman's injury affect Bears? [KAPCON: 5]

Long preparing to face relentless Suh - Jeff Dickerson: The upcoming battle between Long and Suh could be especially physical on Sunday since both players are known for their strength and nasty on-the-field demeanor.

Game notes - Adam Hoge: Charles Tillman is officially considered day-to-day with a groin injury; Minter could make NFL debut; more notes.

[Video] View from the Moon - On whether Tillman will play, if the Bears miss Izzy, and how good is Stafford?

Dionne Miller's `Happenings at Halas' - The Bears dove into preparation for Detroit Wednesday - a key divisional matchup to wrap the September schedule.

Injury news - Robert Mays' 5 Biggest Injuries of the Week includes Burleson and Melton. What do their absences mean for their respective teams?

Know thy enemy - Dan Durkin: The Lions have enough talent to compete, they simply play an undisciplined brand of football, which is a reflection of their lack of leadership.

Know thy enemy - Larry Lage: Reggie Bush said he will play against the NFC North-leading Bears on Sunday, a week after missing a game with a banged up knee.

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Bearsss

Trestman tapping the brakes even if others aren’t - Moon Mullin: Julius Peppers echoed his head coach's sentiments to the team in an impromptu team “meeting” on the field before practice. A fast start is only that: a start.

Grading the rookie NFL coaches - Chris Burke and Doug Farrar grade the (very early) performances of the first-year head coaches, and Marc Trestman is top of the class.

Cutler Watch - Michael C. Wright's weekly analysis of the Bears’ QB play: Cutler stayed within the confines of the system as opposed to improvising and taking chances, then stepped up when asked to.

Cutler moves to No. 5 on MVP Watch - Michael C. Wright: Jay Cutler moved up a spot on the MVP Watch list of ESPN.com NYG reporter Dan Graziano, and is certainly deserving of the recognition. Will Brinson: Cutler's stock rising.

Bears may fill Melton hole from within - Brad Biggs: The Bears brought in two DTs for a look on Tuesday but indications are neither player will be signed – not at this point, anyway. James Neveau: Can shifting players around and bringing new blood in do the trick?

Collins next man up for Bears' defense - Bob LeGere: The Bears will use a variety of means to try to plug the gap in the defense left by the injury to Henry Melton, and much of the responsibility will fall on Nate Collins.

Bears convene Melton 'committee' - Moon Mullin: Bears’ committee approach to both Melton’s replacement and their D-line philosophy in general already has been in place.

3-0 Super Bowl contenders? - Michael C. Wright: This 3-0 team is better than the Bears squad from 2012, which started 7-1, and is a legitimate Super Bowl contender for a variety of reasons.

Team notes - Larry Mayer: Tillman held out of practice Wednesday; Trestman on Cutler's no slide and not assuming success based on the the previous games.

Team news - Dan Wiederer: Better protection helping Cutler finish throws, be accurate; Peppers gives team talk before practice; Bears could see more of Izzy.

X&Os - Matt Bowen's five key plays from the Week 3 Sunday schedule includes the blitz that set up Major Wright's pick 6.

Best Of - Cacti’s Best Of The In Game Threads: Week 3, Bears-Steelers.

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Polish sausage

NFL's London vacation should remain just that: a vacation - Don Banks: If you have to triple your fan base in order to support a team full-time, and the London game series is already seven years old, the reality is the NFL is not very close to opening up shop in the UK.

X&Os - Andy Benoit: For two decades the vaunted Cover 2 was a staple of Sunday afternoons. But better QBs, more receivers and quicker routes are altering defensive philosophies.

The Offensive Line's Endgame - Justin Henry looks at four losing teams getting killed by dreadful play on the O-line. [Included because we're finally not one of them. Thanks, Jerry. - Den]

Know thy enemy: Packers - Is it time for the Packers to hit the panic button? In his look at seven teams that have gotten off on the wrong foot in 2013, Gil Brandt says he'd have his finger hovering.

Know thy enemy: Vikings - Jeff Bartl's Steelers-Vikings preview: Christian Ponder, ranked 30th in the league with a 65.9 passer rating, suffered a rib injury in last week's defeat to the Browns, but he and coach Leslie Frazier are preparing as if he'll start Sunday. [Rence orders his own Ditka sweatervest.]

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