The Bears Den: October 02, 2014 - Chicago Bears week 5 news & notes

Underdog Jennings now leader in Bears secondary - Mark Potash: Tim Jennings has an admirable work ethic and self-confidence, and Pro Bowl credentials, but treats people with respect, tells it like it is and doesn’t overplay his hand in the locker room or on the field.

Mel Tucker gets blamed, but Emery hasn’t provided him with talent - Rick Morrissey: A new-and-improved defense? When the turnovers dry up, the Bears will have to turn around and face the fact that they’re at a decided athletic disadvantage.

Bears' rebuilt D-line back in the shop - Rich Campbell: How the D-line played with two starters out shows that its rebuilding process is an extended one, but the Bears believe the unit is ascending and that Sunday's loss was only a bump in the road.

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Previewing Bears-Panthers

Bears prep to face Panthers on road - Larry Mayer: Three days after their disappointing loss to the Packers, the Bears return to the practice field Wednesday to prepare for Sunday’s road game against the Panthers.

Bears-Panthers plenty familiar - Is-Hub Arkush: Most of that familiarity is rooted in Panthers head coach Ron Rivera, who spent his entire career as a player in a Bears uniform, but there are also some players that have moved between the teams.

Jerry Angelo: Trading Greg Olsen was a mistake - Tony Andracki: "He's met [expectations]," Angelo said on the Kap and Haugh Show Wednesday. "It was a mistake to trade him. I understand he wasn't the ideal fit in the scheme, but we let our best receiver go."

Game preview - Rich Campbell takes a look at the major Bears storylines going into Sunday's game.

Know thy enemy - Mini-Larry: The Bears will have their hands full with the next opponent on their schedule, the Carolina Panthers, who are led by one of the NFL's top, young defenders.

Know thy enemy - Dan Durkin: The Panthers’ previous formula of running the ball on offense and stopping the run on defense has faltered thus far, being ranked bottom-two in both in yards/attempt.

Know thy enemy - Hub-or-not-Hub.com's All-22 scouting report of the Panthers.

Know thy enemy - Dan Wiederer's scouting report on Cam Newton and the Panthers as the Bears prepare for Sunday's game.  Moon Mullin: Bears facing different Cam Newton than the one they’ve beaten.

Know thy enemy - (Sports Xchange): Wednesday was supposed to be when the Panthers started looking ahead to Sunday's home game against the Bears. Instead, it was another day of drama for a team seemingly stuck in turmoil.

[Video] Game preview - Moon Mullin and potential future Mrs Spongie Jen Lada look ahead to Bears-Panthers.

[Video] SportsTalk Live - Bears get Panthers at a good time; was Trestman sending a message to Marshall?

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Bearsss

Trestman rues missed opportunities in Bears’ two losses - Adam L. Jahns: The offense looks average in many ways and Marc Trestman is not one for excuses, but they have had four injured starters and faced two of the league’s best defensive teams.

Injury news - Jeff Dickerson: The Bears received encouraging news on the health front Wednesday with the return of five previously injured/ill starters to the practice field, including Brandon Marshall. Michael C. Wright: Jared Allen returns to practice.

Injury news - Patrick Finley: Jared Allen, Jeremiah Ratliff return to Bears practice; Roberto Garza and Matt Slauson to reclaim starting jobs when they return; more injury notes.

Jared Allen practices on limited basis - Larry Mayer: Jared Allen returned to practice on a limited basis Wednesday and hopes to play in Sunday’s road game against the Panthers. Bob LeGere: Jared Allen happy to be back at work.

[Video] ESPN - Michael C. Wright discusses the recent struggles of Brandon Marshall.

Roster news - Michael C. Wright: Bears sign corner Teddy Williams to the active roster off the Arizona Cardinals' practice squad, waive linebacker Terrell Manning. Dan Durkin: Kick returner carousel keeps spinning for Bears.

Team notes - Bob LeGere: Ka'Deem Carey could play a bigger role as Matt Forte's backup; Panthers' 6'5" WR Kelvin Benjamin a matchup nightmare; injury and roster updates.

Team notes - Adam Hoge: Bears mostly getting healthier but starting LBs sit out Wednesday practice; Williams v. Williams kick returner position battle; Bears submit Jon Bostic holding penalty to league for review.

Team notes - Not-Hub Fishbain: Five starters return to Bears practice; first experience of concussion for Jeremiah Ratliff; Sherrick McManis in contention for role in nickel defense.

Team Report - Michael C. Wright: A look the Bears' first-quarter report card after a 2-2 start.

Sorting the teams at 2-2 - Gil Brandt makes sense of the glut of teams at 2-2: Bears are hopeful for playoffs as their schedule looks good at the end, with five of seven games at home.

Around the NFC - Greg Gabriel takes a look around the NFC at the quarter point of the season.

Bears mailbag - Q: Why didn't Phil Emery sign Steve Smith or use a high draft pick on the WR position? Brad Biggs: /facepalm.

[Video] CSNChicago - Bears' Q&A with Dan Jiggetts,

Herring tackles linebacker questions - Mini-Larry: The Bears franchise will always be associated with linebackers. The team's position coach, Reggie Herring, is making sure this year's unit lives up to the tradition.

Bears history - Don Pierson: Who are the best Bears linebackers of all time?

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Ditka

[Video] CSNChicago - Da Coach looks back at the Bears and NFL of the last 10 years.

Trestman’s assessment of blame doesn’t come close to Ditka’s tirades - Mark Potash: What did Donnell Woolford think of what Marc Trestman did to Brandon Marshall on Sunday? "He got off easy."

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Polish sausage

Know thy enemies - Rob Demovsky and Ben Goessling break down the Thursday Night matchup between the Vikings and the Packers.

Know thy enemy: Vikings - Brian Hall: Vikings taking it 'one day at a time' with Teddy Bridgewater. Josh Katzowitz: If Bridgewater can't play, can Christian Ponder save the day?

Know thy enemy: Lions - Dave Birkett: Ndamukong Suh's frustration boils over on contract talk.

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