The Bear's Den: December 9, 2016

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

BEARRRSSSS

Rosenbloom: Why is the Bears question about Vic Fangio's exit and not John Fox's? - Chicago Tribune - Here’s the problem with John Fox having to talk about a reported rift with defensive coordinator Vic Fangio and Fangio’s possible exit after this season: The story assumes Fox will come back next season.

Finley: Bears DE Jonathan Bullard on benching 'They want a little more' - Chicago Sun-Times - Jonathan Bullard was upset. "If you’re not, you’re not a competitor," he said. "Who wants to stand on the sideline on game day? That wasn’t a good thing."

Jahns: Bears continue to be banged up at wide receiver - Chicago Sun-Times - Receivers Eddie Royal (toe) and Marquess Wilson (groin) did not participate in practice on Wednesday.

Perez: Eddie Royal continues to miss Bears practice - Bears Wire - Eddie Royal missed practice on Thursday with an injured toe.

Campbell: How Leonard Floyd's safety exemplifies his development, potential - Chicago Tribune - Leonard Floyd's sack in the end zone last Sunday against the San Francisco 49ers punctuated the Bears' suffocating defensive performance in their 26-6 victory. Perhaps more importantly, though, the play stood out as an example of why Floyd has generated so much optimism about the type of pass rusher he can become in the NFL.

Finley: What does rest of Bears season mean for Kyle Fuller? - Chicago Sun-Times - Patrick Finley of the Chicago Sun-Times and Kevin Fishbain of Pro Football Weekly discuss what the final four weeks means for former first-rounder

LeGere: Hicks big reason why Bears 'D' has taken major strides - Daily Herald - The Bears knew in the off-season when they signed unrestricted free agent Akiem Hicks for $10 million over two years they were getting a player who would immediately upgrade their run defense. But they've also gotten a player who has made an impact in their pass rush with 6 sacks.

Perez: John Fox states the obvious about Bears center Cody Whitehair - Bears Wire - John Fox says he's been impressed by the work ethic of starting center Cody Whitehair

Cox: Dowell Loggains on Bears’ injuries ‘We try to focus on what we have, not what we’re missing’ - Bears Wire - Chicago Bears offensive coordinator Dowell Loggains is trying to focus on the pieces he does have, rather than those he has lost this year.

Potash: 'Irresponsible reporting' - Vic Fangio denies rift with John Fox - Chicago Sun-Times - Bears coach John Fox isn’t going to win a credibility war with the media, but defensive coordinator Vic Fangio is a

Jahns: Can Leonard Floyd be defensive rookie of the year? - Chicago Sun-Times - Adam L. Jahns’ "Read Options" column appears in Pro Football Weekly.

Mullin: Bears, Lions have been totally different teams in fourth quarters - CSN Chicago - The Bears and Lions have been complete opposites when it comes to fourth quarters comebacks this season.

Wiederer: Willie Young, father take pride in Bear's NFL journey - Chicago Tribune - A quarter-century later, Willie Young Sr. still has the letter from his oldest son and namesake. The message is still there on the page torn from a spiral notebook. The innocent misspellings and natural discolorations are preserved within a black frame that Willie Sr. occasionally pulls out.

Finley's Podcast: John Fox wants whole Bears staff to return; should they? - Chicago Sun-Times - The Chicago Sun-Times' Patrick Finley wonders whether John Fox can actually bring his entire staff back next year:

Perez: 3 Detroit Lions that the Chicago Bears could target in free agency - Bears Wire - The Detroit Lions have several players on their roster that the Bears could target in this year's free agency.

Mayer: Hicks named defensive player of week - ChicagoBears.com - Bears defensive end Akiem Hicks has been selected as the NFC Defensive Player of the Week for his performance in last Sunday's 26-6 win over the San Francisco 49ers.

Emma: Bears’ Defensive Growth Under Vic Fangio Is Hard To Dismiss - CBS Chicago - With friction reported, coach John Fox touted the work of defensive coordinator Fangio. He's got a point.

Biggs: Don't dismiss Vic Fangio leaving Bears just yet - Chicago Tribune - John Fox shot down a story Wednesday that the Bears could be headed for a split with defensive coordinator Vic Fangio. But the coach has been more adamant denying other media reports that ultimately proved accurate.

POLISH SAUSAGE

How Chicago Became a Mexican Culinary Center - MOFAD City - Ken's Note: Seriously, who doesn't love good Mexican food, and Chicago has some of the best that there is. Whether you knew it or not, Eater.com is one of our sibling sites, brought to you by Vox Media (the parent company of SBNation), and it's actually pretty cool. I invite you to check it out!

Smith: Brandon Marshall says pain pills mask my memory of 3-TD game for Bears - ProFootballTalk - In 2014, Brandon Marshall had a three-touchdown game against the 49ers. As Marshall and the Jets prepare to play the 49ers on Sunday, he was asked what he remembers about that game. The answer? Not much.

KNOW THY ENEMY

Reisman: Brandon Pettigrew appears done in Detroit - Pride Of Detroit - Not only did the Lions place their veteran tight end on the nonfootball injury reserve list, but they cleaned out his locker.

Patra: Matthew Stafford's control of Lions' 'O' key to revival - NFL.com - Matthew Stafford's play under Jim Bob Cooter has spawned praise across the nation. The Lions offensive coordinator said empowering Stafford to take control of the offense has been the difference.

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT ON WINDY CITY GRIDIRON

Zeglinski: Leonard Floyd should be the Defensive Rookie of the Year favorite - Windy City Gridiron - After early struggles, the first year pass rushing stud has come on of late, and in turn vaulted himself in pole position for prestigious hardware.

Householder: Bears-Lions Game Preview - Windy City Gridiron - Fresh off the win, can the Bears take their winning ways to the road?

Noble: Bears vs Lions live stream TV channel, map, radio, Injury Report, how to stream online, and more - Windy City Gridiron - Everything you need to know about the upcoming Bears vs Lions game!

Sunderbruch: Finding Blue Chip Players, Part 2 - Windy City Gridiron - In the second article in this series, we look into whether or not high-end talent really is linked to high-level results.

Wiltfong: When should the Chicago Bears draft a quarterback? - Windy City Gridiron - In Lester's latest T Formation Conversation Podcast he goes over Chicago's current draft position and how it relates with their need for a quarterback, and also how it relates with the possible quarterback needs of the teams drafting in front of them.

Mitchell: Ryan Pace Draft Picks Quarter 3, 2016 - Windy City Gridiron - The Chicago Bears are heading into the final quarter of the 2016 season. There's been a lot of bad to this season, and there's been some good as well. I am taking a look at Chicago Bears General...

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

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.

EDIT: Check out Lester's guest spot  from Thursday night on CLTV Sports Feed with Jarrett Payton.

Lester Wiltfong talks Bears on Sports Feed

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