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Lessons learned after 8 Bears practices - Rich Campbell: LB competition is the most interesting, Kyle Fuller plays like he belongs, and more.
Bears release unofficial depth chart - Larry Mayer: Jordan Palmer is listed as the No. 2 QB in advance of Friday night's preseason opener against the Eagles at Soldier Field. Dan Wiederer: First- and second-team units. Moon Mullin: Few surprises.
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Bears training camp, Saturday Family Fest practice
Team notes - Larry Mayer: Kyle Long returns for individual drills; safeties rotated in on first-team reps; passing attack lights up Family Fest. Chris Emma: Jordan Lynch relishing moment.
Team notes - Michael C. Wright reports from Family Fest: Bears use several combinations at safety as offense bests defense at Soldier Field.
Team notes - Not-Hub Atkins: Offense looks sharp as Brock Vereen spends third straight day working with the second team.
Team notes - Rich Campbell with 10 observations from Saturday's practice: safeties, receivers, Jones, Carey, Young and more. Geoff Ziezulewicz: Chicago man charged with felony criminal trespass for running onto field during scrimmage.
Defense eager to turn the page - Bob LeGere: The Bears rebuilt last year's injury-ravaged defense and they look much improved on paper, but Mel Tucker and his players are looking forward to proving it. Rich Campbell: Optimism among fans about personnel upgrades outweigh lingering negativity.
Backup battles coming into focus - Bob LeGere: Key battles for backup roles are beginning to shake out halfway through camp, including competitions for the third WR spot, the fourth DE, and the third CB. James Neveau: QB, safety up for grabs. Adam L. Jahns: 5 Bears with something to prove.
Vereen has a lot to learn while pushing for starting safety job - Matt Bowen: As a rookie, Brock Vereen will make some mistakes as he continues to develop, but the opportunity is there to make an impression and keep himself in play for a possible starting job.
[A typically crap Sun-Times punny title that I refuse to use] - Adam L. Jahns: Robbie Gould has been helping the competitors to be his new holder and long snapper with every punt, hold and snap since April. None has NFL regular-season experience, and the difference between winning and losing can be his right foot.
Former college QB in thick of No. 2 TE battle - Not-Hub Fishbain: 6-foot-5, 236-pounder Zach Miller is more of a receiving threat than a block-first TE, and knows working on his blocking will be key.
Bears rookies eager to talk about their training-camp experiences - The Sun-Times spoke with several of the Bears’ rookies at ONU about their training-camp experiences. Which one brought an X-Box but no TV on which to play it?
[Video] View from the Moon - Moon Mullin: Saturday's Family Fest the best practice the offense has had.
[Video] highlights and photos of Family Fest from ChicagoBears.com.
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Bearsss
Emery open to Orton reunion - Michael C. Wright: With uncertainty clouding the backup QB position, it’s no surprise Phil Emery expressed an interest Saturday in potentially bringing back Kyle Orton [Audio]. James Neveau: Would it be a smart move?
LB coach Reggie Herring molding Bears' future - Rich Campbell: Two of the Bears' most valued prospects play linebacker, and the players have responded well to his energetic personality and his methods.
Briggs: If Bears stay on course, we could make Arizona a reality - John Paschall: Lance Briggs believes that if the team is clicking on all cylinders in 2014, a date with the Lombardi Trophy could be in their future.
[Video] CSN discussion - How much has the Bears 'D' improved? [KAPCON: 4]
Long, Slauson two of a kind - Chris Emma: One is an engaging personality, a constant mouthpiece; the other is quiet and unassuming. When that ball is snapped, they’re one and the same.
Nowhere else Jordan Lynch would rather be - Scott Krinch: Even as Lynch faces an uphill battle of cracking the roster, there's no doubt in his mind he made the right decision in joining the Bears.
Dennis Roland giving Bears unusual 'experience' - Moon Mullin: Veteran RT grew up watching practices on ONU fields as his late father coached at ONU from 1986-1990.
Sun-Times Bears section here.
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Polish sausage
Know thy enemy: Packers - Rob Demovsky: ACL injury costs WR Abbrederis his rookie year. Favre announcement good for all sides.
Know thy enemy: Lions - Carlos Monarrez: Why else would contract talks be tabled until after the season, if Suh's ultimate goal is not to be NFL's richest defensive player? Brad Biggs's team preview: Lions are about done waiting for Nick Fairley to reach potential ... hope to bring out best in Stafford.
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Sing with me, just for today...