The Bears Den: October 16, 2014 - Chicago Bears week 7 news & notes

New philosophy is paying dividends - Larry Mayer: A new philosophy that Marc Trestman adopted in his second year as Bears coach helped three inexperienced LBs excel in last Sunday’s win over the Falcons.

Jermon Bushrod’s return would be a timely boost - Patrick Finley: Of the 13 players who have knocked down QBs 10 or more times, two play for the Dolphins, the Bears’ opponent Sunday.

Peanut knows he is a commodity - Robert Klemko: Charles Tillman talks about his NFL longevity, the best receiver he’s ever covered, fans' overreactions, and why he re-signed with the Bears this season. More discussion in Lester's post.

Follow WCG on Twitter; like us on Facebook (& click on 'Subscribed to'). Check out David "OSS" Taylor's CheekyMonkeyArt prints and t-shirts. Den pic in hi-res.

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Previewing Bears-Dolphins

Bears begin preparing for Dolphins - Larry Mayer: Three days after their impressive win over the Falcons, the Bears return to the practice field Wednesday to prepare for Sunday’s home game against the Miami Dolphins.

Game preview - Rich Campbell: Main storylines as Bears prepare for their Week 7 matchup against the Dolphins.  Are the linebacking corps getting healthier?

Know thy enemy - Mini-Larry: The Dolphins bring their aggressive defense into Chicago to face the Bears, who are looking for their first home victory of the season.

Know thy enemy - Dan Durkin: The Dolphins defense will keep the team in most games, but will the offense progress fast enough to make Miami a wild-card contender?

Game preview - Not-Hub Fishbain takes a look at how the teams stack up.

Tannehill, Dolphins will be a fairer test for D-line - Mark Potash: Ryan Tannehill is no Matt Ryan throwing the ball, but his mobility will be a test of just how well the Bears have learned previous lessons.

[Video] ChicagoBears.com - Larry Mayer and Tom Thayer preview the upcoming Bears' matchup with the Miami Dolphins at Soldier Field Sunday.

X&Os - Hub-or-not-Hub.com's All-22 scouting report on the Dolphins.

Game preview - Ross Devonport: Miami corners Brent Grimes and Cortland Finnegan will both be giving five inches or more [Oh myyy - George Takei] to Brandon Marshall and Alshon Jeffery on Sunday.

Game notes - Not-Hub Fishbain: Brock Vereen earning more playing time by continuing to understand the defense; special teams to face top returning team in the league; run defense gear up to stop Lamar Miller, who is averaging 5.2 yards a carry for the Dolphins.

[Video] SportsTalk Live - Are the Bears just a mediocre team? [KAPCON: 5]

[Video] SportsTalk Live - The Bears need a win at Soldier Field The panel argue about whether or not you can trust Jay Cutler. [KAPCON: 3]

[Video] View from the Moon - Moon Mullin on whether the Bears defense is turning a corner, and looks ahead to Bears-Dolphins

Marshall reflects on time with Dolphins - Adam L. Jahns: Brandon Marshall felt good about plenty of things when he played for the Dolphins for two seasons, though he thought "We were a QB away from having a team."

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Defense

Bears defense sending a physical message: The hits are coming - Moon Mullin: The growing sense within the locker room of a team that was struggling to find an identity not all that long ago has found one in particular on defense.

Young, Paea applying the pressure for Bears - Bob LeGere: The most surprising aspect of the improved D-line play has been that some of the biggest contributions have come from two previously unheralded players: Willie Young and Stephen Paea.

Young-Paea an unlikely dynamic duo - Rich Campbell: The Bears have an improbable pass-rush duo leading the NFL in sacks, but Willie Young and Stephen Paea credit martial arts expert Joe Kim for their evolution as pass rushers.

Jeremiah Ratliff is Bears’ ‘bell cow’ in the middle - Dan Durkin: Through six games, the Bears rank 10th in the NFL (fifth in the NFC) against the run, giving up 103 yards per game, and have yet to allow a 100-yard rusher.

Conte's playing ability fine, durability now an issue - Brad Biggs: Chris Conte has been the Bears' best free safety, but he has struggled to stay on the field this season.

Bears need to rest Matt Forte more often - Is-Hub Arkush: There is a real concern about how dependent this offense is on Matt Forte, and just how much he’ll have left in the tank when the Bears come around the final turn.

Cousin of Rev. Al Sharpton enjoying journey with Bears - Michael C. Wright: When Darryl Sharpton received the call from the Bears in September, he rushed out of the house to an airport, wearing only the clothes on his back.

Reserve LBs make good impression, but starters will return when healthy - Not-Hub Arnold: After a solid one-game showing, Mel Tucker has made it clear that the Bears will return to the group they started with when the time comes.

Team notes - Brad Biggs: Regular starters expected to be back in position at LB when healthy; injury notes.

Team notes - Adam L. Jahns: Bears hope Shea McClellin can resume where he left off; more team notes.

Team news - Adam Hoge: LB situation clouded for second straight week as Lance Briggs and DJ Williams both miss practice; Willie Young leads team in QB disruptions, with Lamarr Houston a close second; more team notes.

Free agent hits and misses for NFL teams in 2014 - Lorenzo Reyes: Don't let the lack of production fool you: Lamarr Houston has been disruptive in Chicago's pass rush.

Secondary improving under Hoke - Mini-Larry: The Bears DBs coach reflects on his playing career in Chicago and how recent rule changes have impacted the way his secondary can play.

Ryan Mundy fined - Vaughn McClure, Kevin Seifert: Ryan Mundy has been fined $22,050 for a helmet-to-helmet hit on Roddy White. Rich Campbell: Safety to appeal fine for hit that didn't draw penalty flag.

[Video] SportsTalk Live - Did Ryan Mundy deserve to be fined?  The panel discuss shout at one another. [KAPCON: 4]

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Bearsss

Injury news - Michael C. Wright: Shea McClellin returned to practice Wednesday after being inactive the last four games due to a hand injury; Jermon Bushrod and Jon Bostic participated in a limited capacity. Not-Hub Fishbain: McClellin's hand still being put in cast every day.

[Video] ESPN - Michael C. Wright discusses a new look to the offense as Jay Cutler mixes in a vertical aspect to the passing game.

Bears coaches explain kick return struggles - Dan Durkin: Marc Trestman was blunt in his assessment, but also said the team is fine with the returners taking a chance when bringing the ball out deep in the end zone.

Bears mailbag - Brad Biggs' readers' Q&As.

The Chicago Bears roster shuffle - Adam L. Jahns: Here one day, gone the next, a look at three players whose status with the team changed often to start the season.

Ex-Bears who are now coaching - Not-Hub Arkush: Beyond being in the same proud fraternity of having played for one of the NFL’s charter franchises, they possess many of the same qualities that make them successful.

Ex-Bear news - Not-Hub Arnold catches up with former third-round draft pick Bob Sapp.

Jay Cutler calls Microsoft Surface tablets 'knockoff iPads' - John Breech: Those tablets you see on NFL sidelines aren't knockoff iPads, they actually have a name, Jay Cutler just doesn't know what that name is [or, and this might shock everyone, he doesn't care - Den].

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Polish sausage

Know thy enemy: Vikings - (AP): WRs struggling to make an impact on field ... Brian Hall: Teddy Bridgewater shoulders blame for offensive struggles.

Know thy enemy: Packers - Rob Demovsky: Clay Matthews' sacks are down, but so are just about everyone else's. Still, it was stunning to see that after Sunday's 27-24 win over the Dolphins, his stat line had zeros in nearly every category.

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Standout track from GTA4.  I'm just I'm just doin' my thing.