The Bears Den: September 12, 2014 - Chicago Bears week 2 news and notes

Trestman must regain control of Bears before it’s too late - Rick Telander: An NFL team is like a herd of wild horses. Set it off with your riders in command, and you’ve got a stampede rolling over the horizon. Lose your grip on the reins, and you’ve got horsey mayhem all over.

[That's some of the finest hyperbole I've seen yet in nearly two and a half years of Dens. Imma let it breathe, right here:

...

...

... and exhale. - Den]

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Chicago Bears - San Francisco 49ers

Offense preparing without key starters - Dan Durkin: In training camp, the Bears chose to give Cutler reps with the second- and third-team players, which in hindsight is looking like it was a prescient decision.

Bears believe in capable backups - Larry Mayer: The Bears have faith in some of their key reserves on offense who may see expanded playing time on Sunday night due to injuries.

Bears profess faith in backup O-linemen - Brad Biggs: The Bears figure they will have to weather a storm for a few weeks up front before Garza and Slauson return, but Aaron Kromer says he's not concerned about the unit.

[Video] - Ross Tucker talks Bears O-line injuries: How will the unit be affected?

Injury news - Jeff Dickerson: Brandon Marshall wants to test ankle on Friday, but Jeffery's availability for Friday's practice is unknown and Josh Morgan’s groin injury has apparently taken a turn for the worse.

Game preview - Not-Hub Fishbain look at the matchup breakdown for the Bears against the 49ers, and thinks the chips definitely seem stacked against Chicago.

Game preview - Jim Reineking: The Bears suffered a shocking overtime defeat in Week 1, but have the offensive capacity to quickly turn their fortunes around. However, the Bears' opponents Sunday feature dynamic talent of their own.

[Video] ChicagoBears.com - Tom Thayer and Larry Mayer preview the Bears' first road game of the regular season against San Francisco.

49ers gear up for Bears visit - Mini-Larry: Jim Harbaugh and Frank Gore discussed how the 49ers are preparing for Sunday night's game against the Bears.

Even undermanned, 49ers' pass 'D' poses challenges - Not-Hub Fishbain: A team that is good defending underneath routes could affect a Bears offense that loves hitting Matt Forte or Martellus Bennett in the flat, and one that may not have its downfield threats on Sunday night.

Xs&Os - Dan Durkin with a look at the 49ers' power running scheme.

[Video] ChicagoBears.com - Trailer for the Bears match-up with the 49ers in San Francisco.

Game against Bears in 2012 put Kaepernick on the map - Patrick Finley: Six hundred and 63 days ago, the 49ers played in a different stadium, the Bears’ defense still was feared and no one knew how to spell Colin Kaepernick’s name.

Why each team could lose - Kev and NinerNation's David Fucillo drop some knowledge on us. Also: Under the radar Bears and 49ers.

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Cutler

For Jay Cutler, it's never just right - David Fleming: Things are never juuuuust right for Jay Cutler, the Goldilocks of NFL QBs, and somebody else is always to blame when things go wrong.

Cutler must beat 49ers - Jon Greenberg: A fat contract and fewer excuses than ever make Sunday's game a must-win for Bears' QB.

Cutler must lead his troops effectively vs Niners - Bob LeGere: With three WRs and two O-linemen not practicing, Jay Cutler will have even more responsibility for an offense hoping to bounce back from a disappointing effort in Week One.

Jay Cutler has to get makeshift offense in sync - Rich Campbell: Cutler knows he has to execute at a high level Sunday night; there's also a preparation element, which he's been embracing this week.

Scott MitchellL Trestman is ‘best coach I ever had’ - Michael C. Wright: Former NFL QB Scott Mitchell believes Jay Cutler is in the right hands with Marc Trestman.

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Bearsss

Four Downs - Jeff Dickerson and Jon Greenberg on the "new" Cutler, injury concerns at WR and on the O-line, and how each team's run games will fare in San Francisco.

[Video] SportsTalk Live - Where is Bears' fire, leadership? [KAPCON: 4]

Joniak’s Journal - Jeff Joniak: Josh Morgan and Ryan Mundy remember their experiences of 9/11; Briggs predicts read option will have short shelf life in the NFL; Michael Ola appreciates opportunity to play when Slauson came off injured.

Team notes - Dan Wiederer: New safety Ahmad Dixon eager to find his fit; Martellus Bennett on the interception, and on Cutler's underhand flip to him under pressure; Michael Ola on gathering confidence.

Team notes - Larry Mayer: Allen feels much younger than his 32 years; starting safeties remain unchanged; injury updates.

Team notes - Rich Campbell: Matt Forte content with how much he touched the ball in Week 1; Bears the oldest 53-man roster in the league; Holmes and Perry to start as punt and kickoff returners.

Team notes - Bob LeGere: Bears focused on Niners, not potential 0-2 start; Forte may have to carry more of the load, given state of WRs; George McCaskey welcomes investigation into handling of evidence in Ray Rice case.

Team notes - (CBS) No change at returner; Marshall focused on more YAC; injury news.

Bears mailbag - Q: WHHYYYYY didn't the Bears use those 36 seconds and three timeouts at the end of the second quarter to go for points from their own 7-yard line???  Brad Biggs: /facepalm

[Audio] - Adam Hoge joins Quics & Finfer to recap Bears-Bills.

[Video] ChicagoBears.com - Dante Rosario answers three off-the-field questions for this weeks[sic] edition of 3 And Out.

Player profile - FOX Sports gives O-linemen some love. How many times has Kyle Long willingly performed the truffle shuffle?

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

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Polish sausage

Know thy enemy: Packers - (AP): Packers look to shore up run defense against Jets. Greg A. Bedard: Wrong personnel playing the wrong scheme on defense.

Know thy enemy: Vikings - Ben Goessling and Mike Reiss discuss this week's Vikings-Patriots matchup.

Know thy enemy: Lions - Michael Rothstein and David Newton break down Panthers-Lions.

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