The Bear's Den & Politics Free Zone: November 8, 2016

The Bear's Den has always been, and will always be, a politics free zone. Consider it your "oasis of calm" during a day of turmoil. Rest assured that the banhammer stands ready to ensure our peaceful non-political experience here today...

In honor of all of the political polling around the country today, we will have no poll in this edition of the Den.

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

BEARRRSSSS

Former Bears linebacker Brian Urlacher explains how playing at home in front of thousands of screaming fans gives them the advantage. (Video link here)

Fishbain: Long, Wilson, Goldman among key Chicago Bears back at practice - Pro Football Weekly - Sitton, Royal, Callahan also participated in Bears' first practice since the bye

Mayer: Returning players give Bears big boost - ChicagoBears.com - The bye week evidently came at the perfect time for the Bears, who welcomed five injured starters back to practice Monday at Halas Hall.

Hazlett: Has Pernell McPhee Gone Overlooked in His Return? - Da Bears Brothers - Last season, we at Da Bears Brothers thought that Pernell McPhee had too much on his plate.

Campbell: Bears receiver Marquess Wilson returns to practice - Chicago Tribune - Chicago Bears receiver Marquess Wilson returned to practice Monday morning to begin his final push to come off the physically-unable-to-perform list.

Video: Goldman talks returning from injury - Defensive lineman Eddie Goldman speaks with the media after Monday's practice at Halas Hall.

Cox: What we’ve learned about the Bears wide receivers at the bye - Bears Wire - The Chicago Bears haven't been able to field a healthy wide receiver corps around Alshon Jeffery this season, largely due to injuries.

Chicago Bears enter Week 10 with new life in NFC North - Bears Wire - Even at 2-6, the Chicago Bears still have a chance to win the NFC North. Ken's Note: ANNOYING OBNOXIOUS NSFW (due to the loud autoplay video turning every head in your office) HORRIBLE USELESS STUPID IDIOTIC (AND LOTS OF OTHER ADJECTIVES) AUTOPLAY VIDEO WARNING.

White: Uh oh, Looks like the Bears just got healthy - Da Bears Brothers - On the first day after the bye, the Chicago Bears got some key pieces back on the practice field.

Emma: In Year Of The Cubs, Bears Can Hope To Mark Progress - CBS Chicago - Now owners of Chicago's longest title drought, the Bears must be better in 2016.

Mullin: Bears in the playoffs? They don't need to be good, just less bad than other teams - CSN Chicago - Could the Bears really make the playoffs? They don't need to be good to do so, just less bad than other teams.

Imrem: Bye just perfect for Chicago Bears - Daily Herald - Chicago Bears deserve Nobel Prize for scheduling. Ken's Note: Except, of course, the NFL does the scheduling, not the teams. Oh, wait, this is supposed to be humor, Mr. Imrem? Sorry, I just expect stuff in the newspaper to be, you know, more accurate than The Onion. Guess not. My bad.

Mayer: Wilson blessed to return to practice - ChicagoBears.com - Bears receiver Marquess Wilson felt grateful to return to practice Monday for the first time since re-breaking his left foot during minicamp in June.

Finley: Eddie Goldman among 5 starters back practicing - Chicago Sun-Times - The Bears’ bye week did them some good.

Cox: What we’ve learned about the Bears offensive line at the bye - Bears Wire - The Chicago Bears' offensive line has shown a lot of growth over the first half of the season after a horrible start to the year.

LeGere: Midseason grades, healthy players would help Bears defense - Daily Herald - Midseason grades for the Chicago Bears defense are in, and it's not all bad.

White: Revisiting the First Half of the Season (Plus 3 Things to Look Forward To) - Da Bears Brothers - Even though the Bears are 2-6, there have been plenty of positives along the way. Speaking of positives, there are some to keep an eye on moving forward.

Finley: Bears NT Eddie Goldman returns, wants to face Bucs on Sunday - Chicago Sun-Times - A smaller Eddie Goldman planned to have a big season.

Potash: Healthy Bears upbeat following bye 'It's there for the taking' - Chicago Sun-Times - Kyle Long noticed the difference in his teammates at Bears practice Monday, coming off the team’s bye week

DeWitt: Where Do the Bears Stand at the Midpoint of the Season? - Who has been the Most Valuable Bear through the first half of the season? What are the team's biggest positives and negatives? What must the Bears work on?

POLISH SAUSAGE

Wesseling: Goff unlikely to play until Rams fall from contention - NFL.com - Will Los Angeles fans get their wish for Jared Goff under center? NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport says the Rams are unlikely to bench Case Keenum until they fall out of playoff contention. Ken's Note: How, exactly, does Jeff Fisher still have a job in this league? Oh, Rams... sorry, yes, forgot.

KNOW THY ENEMY

Philipse: Mike Evans returns to Buccaneers practice, Doug Martin still out - Bucs Nation - The Buccaneers continue to struggle with injuries.

Jones: Aaron Rodgers calls out teammates after loss to Colts - 247 Sports - Aaron Rodgers did not like the team's energy during the game on Sunday.

Ken's Note: Rodgers probably looked something like the GIF below when he called em out... seriously, I could watch this thing for hours.

Schein: Vikings, Packers, Eagles have ample reason for full-blown panic - NFL.com - Harrison Smith and the Minnesota Vikings have fallen. Can they get up? Adam Schein gives an honest assessment on the levels of concern around nine NFL teams that lost on Sunday.

Gates: Vikings Working Out Kickers This Week - Daily Norseman - Well, you figured it was going to happen eventually. Ken's Note: It could be worse for purple, at least they didn't just pick Walsh in the second round only to have him flop.

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT ON WINDY CITY GRIDIRON

Wiltfong: Chicago Bears Injury Update: Eddie Goldman and Marquess Wilson return to practice - Windy City Gridiron - The Chicago Bears received some good news today as most of their injured players returned to practice.

FANPOSTS

Anona Mister: The solution to all of our QB problems... - Windy City Gridiron - It's Jay Cutler. We've had him the whole time. Only now he's experienced, and affordable. Get behind him. I don't know who is next, and I agree we have to start thinking about who might be...

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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