The Bear's Den: December 1, 2016

Ken's Note: There are several articles out there about the political views/statements of a player who will be on the field this weekend in Chicago. The Den is a politics free zone, so you will not find any of those articles linked here. Please do not link any articles about any players making political statements in the Den, so we can keep our politics-free sanctuary in place.

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

BEARRRSSSS

Fishbain: Chicago Bears' defense prepares for improving Colin Kaepernick and 49ers offense - Pro Football Weekly - Bears' D-coordinator knows Kaepernick well from time in San Francisco

Paytons holding toy drive Sunday - ChicagoBears.com - The Walter and Connie Payton Foundation is conducting its annual toy drive Sunday at Soldier Field. Fans attending the Bears-49ers game are encouraged to donate a new, unwrapped toy.

The Walter & Connie Payton Foundation - Payton34.com - More information about the foundation and it's various charities.

Mayer: Bears begin prepping to host 49ers - ChicagoBears.com - Three days after their disappointing 27-21 loss to the Titans, the Bears return to the practice field Wednesday to begin preparing for Sunday's home game against the 49ers.

Campbell: Kyle Fuller returns to Bears practice, officially ending Kevin White's season - Chicago Tribune - Chicago Bears cornerback Kyle Fuller returned to practice Wednesday morning after the team designated him to return from injured reserve. Because a team can only designate one player to come off IR, that means receiver Kevin White's season is over.

Cox: Jordan Howard to wear special cleats vs. 49ers to honor his late father - Bears Wire - Chicago Bears rookie running back Jordan Howard will wear cleats that honor his father and benefit the Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation.

Biggs Bears Q&A: Who will be the starting QB in 2017? Who will be the head coach? - Chicago Tribune - The Tribune's Brad Biggs answers your questions weekly.

Perez: Even against lowly 49ers, most experts pick Bears to lose - Bears Wire - The experts are picking the 49ers to beat the Bears in Week 13

Mulligan: Impossible to get a quick read on Matt Barkley's potential, if any - Chicago Tribune - It was a bit surprising to hear Bears coach John Fox tell Jeff Joniak on WBBM-AM 780 Monday night that the Bears let Sunday's game "slip through their hands." Stop it, you're killing me. Seriously, stop it.

Kwiecinski: Vic Fangio talks Bears defense and playing the 49ers: ‘Just another game’ - Bears Wire - This weekend, the Bears and their defensive coordinator, Vic Fangio, will take on the San Francisco 49ers at Soldier field to try and find any kind of footing this season.

Wiederer: Struggles in the clutch becoming all too common for Bears offense - Chicago Tribune - The Chicago Bears talk all the time about finishing, about taking wining efforts and turning them into actual victories. Yet over the last two seasons, as the Bears have won only 30 percent of their games under coach John Fox, the offense has consistently failed to deliver in the clutch.

Perez: Chicago Bears could be one of the coaching staffs at 2017 Senior Bowl - Bears Wire - At 2-9, the Chicago Bears could be one of the coaching staffs at the 2017 Senior Bowl.

Mullin: Kyle Fuller returns to Bears practice, but what's next? - CSN Chicago - Kyle Fuller returned to practice Wednesday, but will he be able to suit up for the Bears this season?

Monson: PFF's 10 worst players from last weekend includes Callahan, Meredith - Pro Football Focus - Then again, they also put Josh McCown on there despite the fact he threw for 322 & a TD completing 68 percent of his throws and a passer rating of 89.49 despite being sacked 7 times. Ken's Note: PFF is full of #%*@.

Finley's podcast: The draft implications of Sunday's Bears-49ers game - Chicago Sun-Times - In the latest episode of Halas Intrigue, the Chicago Sun-Times' Patrick Finley looks at the draft implications of Sunday's game.

Morrissey: How low can Bears' attendance go? Just watch. Better yet, don't - Chicago Sun-Times - There is no good reason to go to Soldier Field for 49ers game. Ken's Note: Dear Mr. Morrissey, in my humble opinion there is no good reason for you to ever go to another Bears game ever again. Or write about them. Or write anything. Ever. I hear that burger joint at the end of the block is looking for assistant managers... no, wait, on second thought, I'd feel bad for those poor kids that had to work your shift.

POLISH SAUSAGE

Fucillo: Chip Kelly says he is not interested in returning to Oregon - Niners Nation - That ends that for the time being.

Florio: New Jeff Fisher, Les Snead deals may have one-year void provisions - ProFootballTalk - With the Rams five games away from concluding the five-year contract signed in 2012 by coach Jeff Fisher, league insiders continue to suggest that Fisher already has a new deal in place, along with G.M. Les Snead. Ken's Note: Can somebody PLEASE explain to me in the comments how Jeff Fisher still has a job in the NFL, let alone is getting a new contract?

KNOW THY ENEMY

Holloway: Rod Streater discusses first significant opportunity in 49ers offense - Niners Nation - The 49ers await Quinton Patton’s return from a concussion, but Rod Streater offered some solid play in Week 12.

The following is presented for your edification and entertainment:

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT ON WINDY CITY GRIDIRON

Wiltfong: Chicago Bears Sackwatch 2016: Week 12 vs Tennessee Titans - Windy City Gridiron - Every week I'll break down the sacks allowed by the Bears in my Sackwatch series and I'll keep a running team and individual total. This week they didn’t allow any to the Titans so I’ll go over some interesting season numbers.

Mitchell: WCG Power Rankings: AFC West Dominates - Windy City Gridiron - The AFC West is beasting out, but Dallas remains on the top of the heap

Wiltfong: Chicago Bears Injury Update: Kyle Fuller returns to practice - Windy City Gridiron - The Chicago Bears have indeed decided to allow cornerback Kyle Fuller to come off of the injured reserve list. The former 1st round draft pick was back at practice today and the Bears will have 21...

Silverstein: A belated congratulations to ex-Bear Henry Burris, 2016 Grey Cup champion and MVP - Windy City Gridiron - On Sunday, ex-Bears quarterback Henry Burris led the Ottawa Redblacks to the Grey Cup championship, winning the game’s MVP as the oldest QB to win the CFL title. WCG salutes Burris, a one-time...

Sunderbruch: Finding Blue Chip Players, Part 1 - Windy City Gridiron - Fans might be torn at this point, hoping for wins but worried about draft position. This is a perfect time to example whether or not a couple of draft spots really impact the quality of players who are available.

FANPOSTS

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

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