The Bear's Den: November 4, 2016

BEAR DOWN, CHICAGO BEARS, BEAR DOWN!!!!

BEARRRSSSS

Take 2: What do we make of Jay Cutler's return and what it means for the Chicago Bears? - Pro Football Weekly - Cutler looked good in Monday night's win; Can he keep it up for the Bears?

Potash: Say what? Bears might not be done with Jay Cutler after all - Chicago Sun-Times - The latter-day appreciation for Jay Cutler — which mystifies some Bears fans — seemed to reach a new level last.

Pompei: Observations From Bears-Vikings - CBS Chicago - The Bears' fortified front seven stepped up big Monday in an upset win.

Fishbain: With McPhee, Floyd healthy, plenty of potential for Bears OLBs - Pro Football Weekly - Bears pass rush should keep improving in the second half.

Jahns: Five things we gleaned from assistant coaches - Chicago Sun-Times - Before breaking for the bye week, the Bears’ assistant coaches – those responsible for formulating game plans and analyzing matchups every week.

Hub Arkush: Grading the Chicago Bears at season's midway point - Pro Football Weekly - The Bears are 2-6 but some young players have high grades through eight games.

Bears Talk Podcast: Defense has dominant performance against Vikings - CSN Chicago - In the latest Bears Talk Podcast, Jim Miller joins Pat Boyle as they talk about the Bears big Monday night win over the Vikings and the return of Jay Cutler.

Mullin: Offense still in search of identity - CSN Chicago - With half of the 2016 season completed, the Bears offense is still searching for their identity.

Biggs Bears Q&A: Alshon Jeffery's status, the return of two key players and more - Chicago Tribune - The Tribune's Brad Biggs answers your questions weekly.

The awards keep piling up for @JHowardx24 – #24 is the @FedEx Ground @NFL Player of the Week! pic.twitter.com/ErIE9NBWb4

— Chicago Bears (@ChicagoBears) November 3, 2016

By the Numbers: Bye week - ChicagoBears.com - As the Bears take the weekend off, a look at some of the team's strengths and weaknesses through eight games via stats.

Mayer: Offensive coaches share their thoughts - ChicagoBears.com - Bears position coaches on offense share their thoughts on running back Jordan Howard's emergence, receiver Alshon Jeffery's all-around ability and more.

Finley: Evaluating the Bears' top 4 rookies at the season's midway point - Chicago Sun-Times - Leonard Floyd’s only complaint about his first NFL games is that there weren’t enough of them.

The Lance Briggs Show: Episode 6 - CSN Chicago - Here's the sixth episode of The Lance Briggs Show.

Mullin: Jordan Howard, Bears succeed with basic mindset - CSN Chicago - The Bears were balanced offensively against the Vikings, and Jordan Howard flourished. Now he's the NFC Offensive Player of the Week.

Bears Talk Podcast: Defense has dominant performance against Vikings - CSN Chicago - In the latest Bears Talk Podcast, Jim Miller joins Pat Boyle as they talk about the Bears big Monday night win over the Vikings and the return of Jay Cutler.

Wiederer: Jordan Howard's emergence promising for Bears offense - Chicago Tribune - Rookie running back Jordan Howard has quickly progressed in his understanding of defenses and is showing greater anticipation skills when he runs.

You can vote for Jordan Howard for Pepsi Rookie of the WEEK - NFL.com - Howard ran for 153 yards and a touchdown on the ground and had another 49 yards through the air in a 20-10 win over the Minnesota Vikings.

Big Guys, Compact Cars - Freeman - Bears linebacker Jerrell Freeman goes for a ride with Anthony Adams in another edition of "Big Guys in Compact Cars."

POLISH SAUSAGE

McGuire: Darrius Heyward-Bey has saved most career earnings due to mom's help - The Comeback - Darrius Heyward-Bey isn't going to end up as one of the broke former NFL players we read all too much about - his mom is helping him save.

Blandino: Eight officials, replay review could be added to protect quarterback - ProFootballTalk - The NFL needs to do a better job of enforcing the rules that protect quarterbacks against hits beyond the shoulders-to-above-the-knee strike zone. There are high-tech ways to do it, like using replay review. There also are low-tech ways, like adding another set of eyeballs on the field.

Sam Farmer's Week 9 NFL picks - Chicago Tribune - LIONS (4-4) AT VIKINGS (5-2) Noon Sunday, FOX-32 Vikings by 5.5 (O/U 41)

KNOW THY ENEMY

Florio: One day later, no one is talking about why Norv quit - ProFootballTalk - The decision of Vikings offensive coordinator Norv Turner to resign his job with the Vikings was as shocking as it is mysterious. More than a day later, it's still not clear why Norv walked away. No one is talking. No one. Those who are in a position to know aren't saying a word.

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT ON WINDY CITY GRIDIRON

WIltfong's Chicago Bears Sackwatch 2016: Week 8 vs Minnesota Vikings - Windy City Gridiron - Stop by as I break down the lone sack given up by the Chicago Bears this week, and check to see how the 2016 Sackwatch is going so far.

Mitchell: First Half Report Card On Ryan Pace Draft Picks & UDFA’s - Windy City Gridiron - Chicago has some standout players from the first two Ryan Pace drafts and UDFA rookie hauls, but (as expected with all teams) not all are having success.

Berckes: Five Questions with WCG Part 2 - Windy City Gridiron - We’re working through our five questions with WCG staff writers. Today, we’re taking a look at John Fox and his fitness for the head coaching gig.

Wiltfong: Another award for Jordan Howard - Windy City Gridiron - Jordan Howard takes another prize after his stellar performance on Monday Night Football.

FANPOSTS

x150530: Capitulating the QB Conundrum - Windy City Gridiron - With the recent posting of a great article by our own Josh Sunderbruch (Click Here) concerning the real controversy surrounding the Bears and their relationship with #6; and the comments that...

FanPosts - Recent - Windy City Gridiron - Here's a link to our FanPost section, where YOU have the opportunity to contribute to Windy City Gridiron. Take a few minutes and write a post about what you are thinking about regarding the Chicago Bears, and there'a chance it will be linked right here in the Den.

THE RULES

Windy City Gridiron Community Guidelines - SBNation.com - We strive to make our communities open and inclusive to sports fans of all backgrounds. The following is not permitted in comments, FanPosts, usernames or anywhere else in an SB Nation community: Comments, FanPosts or usernames that are intolerant or prejudiced; Personal attacks or threats on community members; Gendered insults of any kind; Trolling; Click link for full information.

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