The Bears Den: September 02, 2014 - Chicago Bears week 1 news and notes

The time for talk is over - Is-Hub Arkush: The Bears know it's all for real now, and they’re as anxious to find out what’s going to happen as we are.

Time for Cutler to show he's all grown up - Mike Imrem: If the Bears want to fulfill their championship aspirations anytime soon, Cutler will have to play like the franchise QB he's paid as.

Bears sign 10 to practice squad - Larry Mayer: Includes Isaiah Frey and six others who had recently been waived by the team after participating in training camp. Not-Hub Fishbain's rundown.

Follow WCG on Twitter; like us on Facebook (& click on 'Subscribed to'). Banoffee pie: breakfast of champions. Check out David "OSS" Taylor's CheekyMonkeyArt prints and t-shirts. The hair in hi-res.

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Defense

Big chance for Bears' defense to prove itself - Bob LeGere: Sunday's regular-season opener against the Bills at Soldier Field would be a great time for a successful debut for the new-and-improved defense.

Will Bears defense be ready when the bell rings? - Dan Wiederer: At full strength, the Bears feel like they've made significant strides from the end of last season, but that collapse plus an ordinary August has led to growing outside worry that the defense will remain a significant weakness.

Bears' defense gets chance to show what it can do - Andrew Seligman: The Bears changed defensive schemes after sticking with the cover-2 last season, and they weren't about to tip their hands with the play calls in the preseason.

Trestman feels no trepidation about D - Michael C. Wright: Defense was not better than average for most of the preseason, but Marc Trestman remains unconcerned about the its ability to get the job done once the season kicks off.

Bears confident defense will be better when games count - Mark Potash: When you have a D-line, you have a chance. There’s hope for this defense yet, if it can stay healthy.

Defense, Conte unsettled heading into Bills game - Moon Mullin: Will Chris Conte be able to win back a job for which the Bears brought in myriad challengers?

Starting safety decision 'wait and see' as opener nears - Dan Wiederer: Is Chris Conte still in line to start at safety on opening day?

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Bearsss

Bears sign long-snapper Cain - Larry Mayer: Returning veteran Jeremy Cain expects to make a smooth transition heading into Sunday’s regular-season opener against the Bills.

Trestman explains roster moves - Michael C. Wright: Marc Trestman provided a little insight Monday on how the staff put together the final 53-man roster. Chris Boden: Christian Jones ready to give his all in special teams role.

Decision looms on Marquess Wilson - Michael C. Wright: The Bears can free up a spot on the active roster Tuesday at 3 p.m. by placing Wilson on IR with a designation to return. Rich Campbell: Trestman not divulging team's plan.

Bears name Spurlock their returner for now - Rich Campbell: Michael Spurlock did not demonstrate explosive playmaking ability as a returner during the preseason, but coaches apparently consider him the surest option. Moon Mullin: Bears using Hester-by-committee approach.

Briggs excused, Conte limited in practice - Jeff Dickerson: Minus Briggs, Marquess Wilson and David Fales (shoulder), the Bears had a full roster for the first regular season practice on Monday.

Mills 'very ready' to start opener - Larry Mayer: Despite missing all four preseason games with a foot injury, Jordan Mills has no doubt that he’ll be able to start Sunday’s season opener against the Bills.

Team news - Bob LeGere: Jeremy Cain not worried about stepping into long-snapping role with minimal training; practice squad and roster notes.

Team notes - Adam Hoge: Trestman not naming starting safeties; Santonio Holmes might be the punt returner; more from Halas Hall.

Team notes - Patrick Finley: Safeties remain in limbo; roster and practice squad notes..

[Video] - Kip Lewis & Moon Mullin look ahead to week 1 and what to expect from the 2014 season.

[Audio] - The Chicago Bears open their season Sunday at home against the Bills, and Marc Trestman spoke with WBBM on what to expect this year.

Predicting 2014 NFL divisions - Chris Burke and Doug Farrar make their NFL division-by-division predictions. Bearsss.

Ranking the NFL's top QB situations - Bucky Brooks: Jay Cutler could be the most naturally gifted QB in the league, but injuries have kept him from fulfilling his potential as a leader in Chicago.

Could this finally be the year for Jay Cutler? - Joel Beall with some Fantasy Football.

Bears history - Don Pierson: Naming the 10 best Bears QBs of all time taxes the imagination and helps explain why the team has won only two titles since Sid Luckman's departure.

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Polish sausage

Ex-Bear news - Jenny Vrentas: How Austen Lane experienced the NFL’s toughest weekend.

Know thy enemy: Lions - Michael Rothstein with a look at the Lions' initial 53-man roster. Roster cut-down analysis.

Know thy enemy: Packers - Rob Demovsky casts an eye over the Packers' initial 53-man roster. Roster cut-down rumination.

Know thy enemy: Vikings - Ben Goessling takes a peek at the Vikings' initial 53-man roster. Roster cut-down cogitation.

Madden - John Breech: The Titans have a linebacker who is 14 inches tall in the newest Madden '15.  He's too easy to hurdle over to be able to make a tackle, but he can recover a fumble.

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