The Bears Den: June 13, 2014 - Chicago Bears OTAs news & notes

Team Report - Tom Pelissero: If their defense can improve to mediocre, the Bears should be a playoff team in 2014. Plus, team analysis by position group.

[Audio] - Waddle & Silvy spent about 10-12 minutes talking about Lester 'n' Taylor's all-time build-a-roster game, about 1hr 48mins into Wednesday's podcast.  Waddle seems oblivious that he and Pat Mannelly were both voted onto our Mount Lunchpail, alongside Matt Suhey and Doug Plank; someone tweet him.

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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Bearsss

Clausen focusing on learning offense - Larry Mayer: Clausen understands that he’s at a disadvantage competing with teammates who have been with the team longer. But he also knows that’s life in the NFL.

Willie Young adapting to Bears' defense - Kevin (not Hub) Fishbain: Former Lion learning from veterans, is expected to be a key factor in the pass rush.

Jeremiah Ratliff enjoying his 'extended life' with Bears - Moon Mullin: Enforced time off also means healing time at a career point when even elite veterans evince signs of wear.

Kelvin Hayden: 'Every day a blessing' - Michael C. Wright: Corner suffered similar injury to Tommie Harris but was already back to running full speed prior to the end of the 2013 season.

Michael Ola in perfect spot for chance with Bears - Brad Biggs: O-lineman vying for backup spot known commodity to Marc Trestman and line coach Pat Meyer from time in CFL.

Best WR duos - Dan Pompei: Three front-office men offered their opinions on the top duos; all three thought Jeffery and Marshall were as good as any.

[Video] ESPN - Antonio Pierce: Will Alshon Jeffrey[sic] be the top WR in Chicago this year?

X&Os - Dan Durkin breaks down the Bears' "smash" route, part of the red zone package.

[Video] ChicagoBears.com - Highlights from the Bears' final week of OTAs.

[Video] ChicagoBears.com - Bernie Kosar talks to ChicagoBears.com about Marc Trestman and working with the Bears offense during OTAs.

[Video] - When Jay Cutler gets hurt, how well will our second-string QBs do? Mike North thinks not as well as Jay McCown did last year. [I turned it off at 25s.  That's all I could take. - Den]

[Video] Bears doing good things - Charles Tillman hosts charity bowling event [and sounds slightly disappointed about things not working out with Tampa?].

Sun-Times Bears section here.

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

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Polish sausage

Why not an extended training camp for all NFL franchises? - Jerry Angelo: Instead of a developmental league, the NFL would be better served by having an ongoing training camp during the better part of the NFL season.

Pain just part of the game - Matt Bowen discusses how (and why) players work through injuries in order to answer the bell every week in the pro game.

[Video] CSNChicago discussion - Falcons to appear on "Hard Knocks".

Know thy enemy: Packers - Rob Demovsky: Why did Morgan Burnett – and the rest of the Packers' safeties – fail to come up with a single interception last season?

Know thy enemy: Lions - Michael Rothstein: Jim Caldwell installs culture during offseason, hopes players don't run into trouble before training camp. Workouts end without a Suh deal [and team don't have salary cap space to sign Eric Erbron].

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