The Bears Den: October 23, 2014 - Chicago Bears week 8 news & notes

Bears begin prepping to face Patriots - Larry Mayer: Three days after their disappointing loss to Miami, the Bears return to the practice field Wednesday to prepare for Sunday’s road game against the Patriots.

Brady has earned ‘elite’ distinction; jury still out on Cutler’s worth - Adam L. Jahns: A handful of Bears commended Tom Brady’s elite ways Wednesday, and Marc Trestman’s admiration was apparent in a conference call with New England media.

Whither Lamarr Houston? - Doug Farrar looks at which pass rushers are wreaking havoc on opposing offenses even when they aren't bringing the QB down. The player applying the most pressure is a Bear, and it's not Willie Young.

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Previewing Bears-Patriots

Bears face tough task against Brady - Larry Mayer: The Bears defense will face a difficult challenge Sunday in New England against a potent Patriots offense that's led by future Hall of Famer Tom Brady.

Game preview - Rich Campbell's look at the main storylines for the Bears, heading into Sunday's game.

[Video] ChicagoBears.com - Larry Mayer and Tom Thayer preview the upcoming Bears' match-up with the Patriots in Foxborough, Massachusetts.

Know thy enemy - Mini-Larry: Tom Brady is dominant in October, is great at home and has never lost to the Bears, making this week's matchup with the Patriots extra challenging.

Know thy enemy - Dan Wiederer: The Bears' bid to claw back to .500 before their off week sure seems like a steep climb, one that will require them to fluster a future Hall of Famer whose slumps are few and far between.

Know thy enemy - Dan Durkin: The Patriots aren’t as dominant as they’ve been in the past, but they’re still a dangerous team, especially at home, and Tom Brady must be anxious to get his chance against the Bears’ generous defense.

Know thy enemy - Bob LeGere: Patriots' resurgence with a three-game win streak is bad news for a 3-4 Bears team struggling to remain relevant in the playoff picture.

Game preview - Not-Hub Arkush: Tight ends have enjoyed success against the Bears this season, and the team is on 'high alert' with Rob Gronkowski looming.

Game preview - Mark Potash: Bears must break Tom Brady’s rhythm, make him antsy. To do that, they have to win the battles up front.  Not-Hub Fishbain: Front four has to make Brady 'uncomfortable'.

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

Game preview - Rick Morrissey: Bad one week, good the next. If you follow that thinking, the Bears should beat Tom Brady and the Patriots this week because A) they have no business beating Tom Brady and the Patriots, B) the game is on the road and C) the hell if I know.

View from the enemy - (Hub-or-not-Hub.com): Bill Belichick had a lot to say — believe it or not — about the Bears' offense, heaping praise left and right for a unit that has struggled with consistency this season.

Vereen excited about family reunion - Jeff Dickerson: Sunday’s game in New England potentially pits Brock Vereen against old brother Shane, and the Bears rookie has had the date circled on his calendar for months.  Patrick Finley: Sought advice from brother on how to act as a rookie.

Team notes - Bob LeGere: The Vereen brothers could meet head-to-head, literally, in Sunday's game at Foxboro's Gillette Stadium; Bill Belichick impressed by Jimmy Garoppolo; injury notes.

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Team leadership void?

Bears' leadership by committee isn't working - Is-Hub Arkush: This group of Bears players seems to be a fairly tight group, but the recent incident brought to light a new question: Who are the leaders of this football team, who should they be and what kind of job are they doing?

Jared Allen: Bears not missing a locker room leader - Dan Wiederer: Veteran DE has only played six games as a Bear, but he hasn’t sensed a major leadership void within the team and feels comfortable speaking up.

Jared Allen: Ignore the noise, Bears have leaders - With the veteran DE dismissing "rah-rah" guys, Moon Mullin compiles an informal and unofficial survey as to true "leaders" on this team, based chiefly on player comments, and Marshall isn't on the list,

Brandon Marshall rant may be part of a bigger Bears issue - Moon Mullin talks to noted dilf-stirrer Mike Florio.  Brian Urlacher: Marshall outburst wouldn't have happened during Lovie Smith era.

[Video] SportsTalk Live - Do the Bears lack leadership in the locker room? [KAPCON: 5]

[Video] ESPN - Michael C. Wright discusses how the team might rally around Brandon Marshall.

[Video] - Rick Morrissey: I'd like to see more fire from Trestman.

[Video] - Dave Wannstedt: Give Marc Trestman the benefit of the doubt.

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Bearsss

Trestman: Bears looking to 'move on' - Michael C. Wright: Marc Trestman said Wednesday his team has moved past Sunday's events and placed the focus where it matters most: preparing for Sunday's road matchup against the Patriots.  Dan Durkin: Trestman clarifies 2nd-half adjustments.

Bears coach-player communication misfires appear on offense, defense - Moon Mullin: From run game playcalls to DE rotations, a couple of recent miscommunications have led to some raised eyebrows.

[Video] View from the Moon - Miscommunication 'real recipe for disaster'.

Allen not dwelling on reduced action - Michael C. Wright: Jared Allen participated in fewer snaps than Willie Young in Sunday's loss, but the five-time Pro Bowler doesn't believe reduced playing time for him is in the team's plans.  Dan Wiederer: Hopes it was "an aberration".

Injury news - Rich Campbell: Kyle Fuller sits out practice; Lance Briggs, Chris Conte, and Jon Bostic return.

Team notes - Rich Campbell, Dan Wiederer: Desire to run more, not Cutler, prompted Trestman to remove pre-snap option; Brian Urlacher says Cutler not doing enough to win; injury updates.

Team notes - Adam Hoge: Cutler following system in checking to passes; Jared Allen not on same page with Mel Tucker about reduction in snaps; Trestman says rotating captains 'not unusual'; more injury and team notes.

Urlacher: Financially, Cutler is an elite QB - Scott Krinch: Former Bears linebacker joined the Kap and Haugh Show to dispute Phil Emery's assertion [with Audio].

[Audio] - Jon Gruden covers the Seahawks' struggles, Percy Harvin's departure for the Jets, the state of the Bears, the Cowboys' success this season, and Washington's QB situation.

Bears mailbag - Q: Bench Jay Cutler and bring on Jimmy Clausen. What's to lose?  Brad Biggs: /facepalm

DeCamillis adjusts on the fly - Mini-Larry: From teaching new players schemes in a matter of days to adjusting to the weather, Joe DeCamillis on the challenging task of preparing his ever-changing special teams unit.

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Polish sausage

Know thy enemy: Vikings - Brian Hall: Teddy Bridgewater is enduring the growing pains any rookie starter would face, and the team hopes his composure will allow him to pull out of a two-game slump.

Know thy enemy: Lions - John Breech: Lions practice squad RB William Powell got to spend less than 24 hours in London, after flying all the way to there only to get cut.

/facepalm - John Breech: Falcons don't know exactly where London is, might be in Spain.

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