The Bears Den: July 22, 2014 - Chicago Bears offseason news and notes

5 key questions facing the Bears defense - Bob LeGere: Q. Will the Bears be better on the defensive side of the ball? A. They couldn't get much worse.

Matt Bowen: Scouting the Bears - Bowen takes a look at 10 questions concerning the team as the Bears prepare to enter training camp.

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

Cutler may take step up in second year in Marc Trestman's offense - Brad Biggs: Familiarity with playbook could help Bears QB improve timing, accuracy.

Favre: Cutler 'has all the tools to be a great QB' - Brett Favre joined Carmen & Jurko and believes the Bears QB has the ability to lead Chicago to the promised land. With [Audio].

[Video] CSNChicago discussion - Is Jay Cutler a top-15 quarterback? [KAPCON: 5]

[Video] ChicagoBears.com - Rookie DTs Ego Ferguson and Will Sutton have bonded since joining the Bears in May.

Roster analysis: Linebackers - Moon Mullin: Who will play where, and who will be the odd man out among LBs? D.J. Williams: 'I’m one of the three best LBs on [Bears]'.

Chris Conte 'confident' in himself - 25-year-old safety, who had a 2013 to forget, knows he can turn things around. Rich Campbell: Will Conte be ready for camp? ... [Photos] Conte's season in review.

Ideal rookie-mentor pairings - Bucky Brooks: Even the most gifted rookie won't get far without the guidance of a savvy veteran teammate. What can Kyle Fuller learn from Charles Tillman?

[Video] CSNChicago discussion - How much better will the Bears' defense be? [KAPCON: 5]

Five questions with Tim Jennings - Michael C. Wright: Pro Bowl CB discusses a variety of topics, ranging from his work with martial arts expert Joe Kim to what he thought of the changes last season made by Marc Trestman.

Training camp preview: Special Teams - Not-Hub Arkush: While the radical transformation of their defense has received the most offseason attention from the fans and media, the Bears also enter 2014 with a vastly different look on Joe DeCamillis’ units.

Special challenges ahead for Bears special teams - Bob LeGere: After 16 years of near-flawless long-snapping, Patrick Mannelly has retired; Devin Hester, the NFL's all-time leader in kick-return touchdowns, signed with the Falcons; and punter Adam Podlesh was released after last season.

Prediction: Bears will go 10-6, win playoff game - Rick Morrissey: The Bears’ offense has come so far under Trestman that we assume it will be among the elite in the NFL, while they just need their defense to rebound to be middling.

Bears negotiator Cliff Stein plays critical role in contract dealings - Patrick Finley: Bears’ vice president of football administration and general counsel oversees the Bears’ salary cap, and is regarded as one of the best at what he does in the NFL.

Enough already with cuddly Bears mascot - Mike Imrem [with his usual quality insight into all things Bears - Den] wants Staley replaced with a real, live bear.  What could possibly go wrong?

Bourbonnais prepares to feed hungry Bears and fans - (AP) As the Bears are getting ready to start training camp, restaurants are particularly excited about seeing all those hungry players and the hungry fans that come down to watch them prepare for the season.

[Video] ChicagoBears.com - A few reasons for you to draft Robbie Gould to your Fantasy team.

Photos - ChicagoBears.com: Looking to stock up your fantasy football team with your favorite Bears players this season? #DraftBears

Bears buying things - Bob Goldsborough: Kyle Long buys $1.35M house in Lake Forest.
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NFL Health & Safety - Dr. David Chao: With heightened injury and concussion worries, should you or would you let your son play this contact sport? Brian Urlacher would.

Stats & Info - Mike Tanier with a rundown of 10 stats to know heading into NFL training camp.

Know thy enemy: Packers - Marc Sessler: The Packers still feel as though their backfield is in great shape despite losing Johnathan Franklin for good. How much of that optimism depends on the health of Eddie Lacy?

Tony Dungy 'wouldn't have taken' Michael Sam - Will Brinson: There are many reasons for not drafting a player. But hearing "things will happen" from a pioneer of the NFL is a shame. Brendon Ayanbadejo: How could Dungy back Vick and have issues with Sam? ... [Video] CSNChicago discussion - WTF, Dungy?

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Personally, I would add the lack of screentime given to the potential future Mrs Spongie to the sin tally.