The Bears Den: September 26, 2014 - Chicago Bears week 4 news and Bears-Packers previews

Bears renew focus on talent development - Dan Durkin: Marc Trestman admitted the Bears weren’t good enough last season with developing the bottom of their roster, and they have a renewed focus this season to cure those ills.

Bears' defensive depth paying off so far - Dan Wiederer: During back-to-back victories, a horde of backups has proved its worth in big moments, a trend the Bears hope can become a stabilizing force deep into the season.

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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Chicago Bears vs Green Bay Packers

Game preview - Michael C. Wright and Rob Demovsky discuss the next installment in the NFL's oldest rivalry, which kicks off Sunday at Soldier Field.

[Video] ChicagoBears.com - Jeff Joniak breaks down four keys to the Bears' week 4 match-up with the Packers.

[Video] ESPN - Michael C. Wright discusses why the Bears have been struggling against the Packers, as well as whether Brandon Marshall will be on the field.

Cutler set for another showdown vs Capers - Not-Hub Fishbain: Jay Cutler finished with a passer rating of 103.8 in his only game facing Capers in the Trestman offense [TCO - Den], a career-best against the Packers.

Cutler playing at Rodgers-like level - David Haugh: Aaron Rodgers remains one heck of a QB still capable of being the biggest difference in Sunday's game. But mounting evidence suggests he's not the only one.

Game preview - Not-Hub Fishbain with a look at how the two teams match up.

[Video] - Moon Mullin previews Packers-Bears. [Video] - Moon Mullin and [potential future Mrs Spongie] Jen Lada looking ahead to the game.

Injury news - Michael C. Wright: Brandon Marshall among the Bears who were held out of practice, while Chris Conte was limited; Ryan Mundy and Trevor Scott participated in full. Not-Hub Fishbain: Jared Allen stays at home to battle illness. Brad Biggs: Shea McClellin expected back in as soon as two weeks, following surgery.

Team notes - Bob LeGere: Bears size up Peppers' performance; Lance Briggs' high expectations for Kyle Fuller; roster and injury news.

Team notes - Dan Wiederer, Brad Biggs: Julius Peppers next on menu for Jordan Mills; injury and roster news.

[Video] ChicagoBears.com - Bears Roundtable pt.1: Jeff Joniak, Tom Thayer, Larry Mayer, and Moon Mullin discuss the Bears offense and the performance of Jay Cutler so far this season.

[Video] ChicagoBears.com - Bears Roundtable pt.2: Joniak, Thayer, Mayer and Mulin discuss the young players making an impact for the Bears in 2014.

[Video] ChicagoBears.com - Bears Roundtable pt.3: Joniak et al. discuss the Bears' upcoming opponent, the rival Packers,

[Video] ChicagoBears.com - Bears Roundtable pt.4: The quartet discuss Moon Mullin's article, 'Players Across Eras' on the final segment of 'Bears Roundtable.'

Know thy enemy - Mini-Larry: The Packers offense hasn't played up to its usual standards so far this season, but Green Bay's top receiver and coach aren't worried quite yet.

Know thy enemy - Bob LeGere: Aaron Rodgers may not have the depth of weapons he's had in the past, but he still has a 95.1 passer rating and the Bears aren't taking him lightly.

Know thy enemy - Dan Wiederer: What's keeping the Packers offense from its usual productivity? Rob Demovsky: Time to give rookie WR Jeff Janis a shot?

Know thy enemy - Dan Durkin: The Packers' offense isn’t in sync, and the defense is still unable to stop teams from running the ball. However, a team led by Rodgers can never be counted out.

Bears prepare for reunion with Peppers - Michael C. Wright: Lance Briggs believes former teammate Julius Peppers might be poised for a strong showing on Sunday. Not-Hub Arnold: Injury-riddled O-line must keep tabs on Peppers at all times.

Know thy enemy - James Neveau: With the varying looks and dynamic pass rushers the Packers are going to throw at the Bears, Julius Peppers could be in for a nice afternoon against his former team.

Know thy enemy - Rob Demovsky: Julius Peppers jokes one play cost him Bears job, holds no ill will toward the Bears.

[Video] ChicagoBears.com - Trailer for the Bears match-up with the Packers at Soldier Field.

Photos - ChicagoBears.com's photos from Thursday's practice.

Bears-Packers ticket prices soar - (CBS): Sunday’s game will not only be the most expensive home game on the Bears schedule, but it’s also the most expensive game in the NFL this season.

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Offense

Fiammetta exit marks change in Bears' philosophy - Moon Mullin: The Bears no longer intend to be a classic power-running football team. If they once got off the bus running, now they’re not even bothering with the bus and heading straight for the airport instead.

Forte 'frustrated' with rush woes - Michael C. Wright: Matt Forte insists statistics aren’t important but admits to feeling "frustrated" about the team’s inability thus far to run the ball effectively. Adam L. Jahns: Forte eager to jump-start running game.

Bears remain confident in run game - Larry Mayer: Although they haven't gained many yards on the ground this season, the Bears attribute that to how they've chosen to attack two of the NFL’s best defenses against the run. Rich Campbell: Kromer: Rushing yards affected by game plans.

[Video] SportsTalk Live - Is the Bears run game a worry?

Jay Cutler cognizant of turnovers - Michael C. Wright: Chicago's 35 points scored off eight takeaways so far this season serve as constant reminder for Cutler about how quickly things can snowball for the team if he doesn’t practice ball security.

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Bearsss

Roster news - Larry Mayer: The Bears on Thursday signed LB Darryl Sharpton and cut Tony Fiammetta with an injury settlement.

Team notes - Dan Durkin: Aaron Kromer on effect of gameplanning for opponents on run-pass ratio; loss of Tony Fiammetta and the ripple effect in the run game; injury notes.

Joniak's Journal - Jeff Joniak: Willie Young expects "nasty" game vs Packers; Ryan Mundy's mindset on pick-6; 2014 Bears rookie class tight-knit on and off the field.

Bears kickoff-return 'problems' not all they appear to be - Moon Mullin: The kickoff return team has in fact been a shade better at getting the ball beyond the 20 this year than last.

Four Downs - Jeff Dickerson and Jon Greenberg on whether Cutler will do well on Sunday, if lack of depth is impacting the Packers, whether the Bears should pursue Champ Bailey, and if there's cause for concern with Jared Allen.

[Video] SportsTalk Live - Are the Bears as good as their record?

Game review - Adam Hoge reviews Bear-Jets tape to show the impact of the improved D-line; also, best- and worst-performing Bears on the night, and more thoughts on the game.

Bears mailbag - Brad Biggs' readers' Q&As.  Who is the odd man out when Marquess Wilson returns?

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

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Ditka

Ditka - Da Coach shares his thoughts on the Trestman offense [TCO - Den], whether he's surprised at how the rookies have stepped up, which former Bear Kyle Fuller reminds him of, and what he thinks of fans dressing up as him.

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Polish sausage

The Business of Football - Andrew Brandt: Issues with the NFL’s ‘Let Roger handle it’ method of discipline are now obvious. Going forward, it’s going to take more than one person to oversee league discipline.

Know thy enemy: Vikings - Ben Goessling and Vaughn McClure preview the Falcons' visit to the Teddy Bridgewater -led Vikings on Sunday. Cordarrelle Patterson trying to find spark in return game.

Know thy enemy: Lions - Rich Cimini and Michael Rothstein break down Sunday's Lion-Jets clash of D-line-rich teams at MetLife Stadium. Dave Birkett: Matthew Stafford among motorists stranded by pedestrian bridge collapse.

Photos - (SI.com): Stephen Tulloch joins a memorable list of athletes injured while celebrating that includes the likes of Bill Gramatica, Lindsey Vonn and Kendry Morales.

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You can't have musicals week without The Sound of Music; Charmian Carr was actually 21 at the time.