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Bears ‘still growing’ halfway through preseason - Chris Emma: With playmakers all around the locker room, the Bears believe this could be a special year.
Bears expect Jeffery to keep up feats of 2013 - Adam L. Jahns: Alshon Jeffery can’t truly be an NFL star unless his success becomes a yearly occurrence, and the Bears are counting on him to stack on last year's production.
Tim Jennings anxious about new role on defense - Dan Wiederer: Trestman, Tucker and Kelvin Hayden are all confident in Jennings' ability to man the slot, but the veteran Pro Bowl corner expects a lot of himself.
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Bears preseason
Palmer will be second QB in Seattle - Jeff Dickerson: Marc Trestman announced on Wednesday he planned to switch the rotation after Jimmy Clausen relieved Cutler last week against Jacksonville.
Palmer could end up as No. 2 QB - Bob LeGere: The competition for the backup QB spot continues Friday night in Seattle, where both Jordan Palmer and Jimmy Clausen will face a standout defense in the NFL's noisiest outdoor stadium.
[Video] View from the Moon - Moon Mullin on the O-line and the No. 2 QB battle.
Santonio Holmes might play vs Seattle - Michael C. Wright: Staff want him to dress, will make sure to put WR into positions he’s comfortable with as he learns the new offense.
[Video] ESPN - Michael C. Wright says Santonio Holmes might not see much playing time against Seattle.
Conte excited for return against Seahawks - Not-Hub Arnold: Considering all Chris Conte has endured over the past seven months, perhaps the toughest part has been not being physically able to completely move on from his recent past.
Conte out to silence critics - Adam L. Jahns: It’s unclear how much Chris Conte will play and whom he’ll play with at safety, but every snap he takes comes with the full support of his teammates and coaches.
Team notes - Larry Mayer: Jordan Mills participated in individual drills on Wednesday; Chris Williams expected to play Friday night but no decision made yet on Santonio Holmes; injury updates.
Team notes - Bob LeGere: Blocking Mulligan's forte, but he likes to catch and pass [He doesn't pass; go home LeGere, you're drunk - Den] now and then; Brandon Hartson has tough act to follow; injury updates.
Team notes - Adam Hoge: Timing of Holmes’ signing may be related to Miller’s season-ending injury; Kromer more involved in passing game; Bears preparing for late kickoff on Friday; injury notes.
Injury news - Jeff Dickerson: Chris Conte and Craig Steltz ready for preseason debut, along with a return to action by Chris Williams. Jordan Mills returns to practice.
Who will replace Devin Hester for Bears? - Adam L. Jahns: The rest of the Bears’ specialists have been settled, but the competition at returner continues.
Bears trying to adapt to NFL's crackdown on contact - Dan Wiederer: The general feeling around football is that the calls will subside when the regular season begins, with no one wanting 3 1/2-hour games drawn out by flags.
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Bearsss
Roster analysis - James Neveau with five players that the Bears are likely to try to keep on the practice squad if they don’t make the active roster.
Jordan Mills not back, but run game shouldn’t be a worry - Moon Mullin: Matt Forte’s preseasons have been as wildly erratic as his regular seasons have been consistent.
[Video] CSNChicago discussion - Is there a cause for concern that, due to injury, the O-line hasn't yet had a game together? [KAPCON: 5]
Columnist calls Marshall a 'miscreant,' blasts Showtime - (Tribune): New York Post columnist Phil Mushnick isn’t a big fan of Showtime’s "Inside the NFL" using Brandon Marshall as a regular analyst this year.
[Video] CSNChicago discussion - The panel mock Phil Mushnick and discuss whether there's any concern that Brandon Marshall is doing too much off the field on his off-day. [KAPCON: 5]
Cutler was once immature like Johnny Manziel - Rick Telander: The mature, considerate, and businesslike version of Jay Cutler might have recognized some of the same juvenile behavior that Manziel displayed from his own past.
Lamarr Houston No. 80 in player rankings - Michael C. Wright: Houston joins Martelllus Bennett and Jay Cutler on ESPN's NFLRank project of the top 100 players on each side of the ball.
Bears 8th most valuable team in NFL - (AP) The Bears are valued at $1.7 billion, up 36 percent from 2013, according to Forbes. The Bears generated $309 million in revenue and $57.1 million in operating income in 2013.
[Video] ChicagoBears.com - The Bears front office staff, including Phil Emery accept the #IceBucketChallenge in support of Tim Shaw, who was recently diagnosed with ALS. Greg Pogue: Shaw 'overwhelmed' with support.
Sun-Times Bears section here.
----------Ditka Facepalm
Facepalm - Adam Hoge: Ditka may have won a Super Bowl with the Bears, but as he has proven time and time again, that doesn’t make him qualified to speak on certain topics. Will Brinson: Mike Carey avoided officiating Washington games over team name.
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Polish sausage
How important is preseason week 3? - Matt Bowen breaks down this weekend’s upcoming games from the perspective of structure, scheme and the first cut-down day.
Know thy enemy: Packers - Andy Benoit: Recent history suggests the change of position won’t be easy for Julius Peppers.
Know thy enemy: Vikings - Ben Goessling: As effective -- and as entertaining -- as different defensive looks can be, Mike Zimmer says he won't overdo it to the point he runs the risk of diluting a player's focus.
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Something is lost, something is found.