clock menu more-arrow no yes mobile

Filed under:

UPDATED: The Bear's Den, July 22, 2016

Peanut has officially retired as a Bear, and we are a week away from training camp. Could the enormity of the off season finally be coming to an end?

By Ken Mitchell Updated

If you buy something from an SB Nation link, Vox Media may earn a commission. See our ethics statement.

PEANUT!
PEANUT!
Dennis Wierzbicki-USA TODAY Sports

Ken's note: Yes, I know the definition of the word enormity, unlike 95 percent of the press. Enormity is not a synonym of enormousness in my world, I am old school. People will argue with me about this, but I don't care, I am right and they are Packers.

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

PEANUT

Baffoe: The Case For Charles Tillman Being A Hall Of Famer - CBS Chicago - Tillman is the only player in NFL history with at least 35 interceptions and 40 forced fumbles in his career.

Video: Top Five Charles Tillman plays - ChicagoBears.com - Check out the best of Charles Tillman's mic'd up performances.

Mic'd Up: Best of Charles Tillman - ChicagoBears.com - Check out the best of Charles Tillman's mic'd up performances.

Sherman: Fox hires Charles Tillman for NFL pregame show - Chicago Tribune - Fox Sports officially announced Thursday morning that Charles Tillman will be part of "Fox NFL Kickoff," which airs on Sunday mornings during at 10 a.m.

Wiederer: Charles Tillman expected to re-sign, retire with Bears - Chicago Tribune - On Thursday, Charles Tillman is expected to re-sign with the Chicago Bears, a move that will allow him to retire as a member of the organization.

BEARRRSSSS

Perez:: How the signing of Amini Silatolu brings competition to the offensive line - Bears Wire - The signing of former Panthers offensive guard Amini Silatolu will bring competition to the Chicago Bears training camp at left guard

Schmelzer: A Look at OLB Sam Acho - NFLSpinZone - Our extremely popular Countdown to Kickoff series continues with a look at Chicago Bears outside linebacker No. 49 Sam Acho, part of an improving defense.

Lambert: Madden NFL 17 Gives Chicago Bears Fans A Great Laugh - Sports Mockery - Bears’ first round pick Leonard Floyd received some love. Early indications are he’ll have an 83 overall rating with a projected ceiling of a 94.

Perez: Bears waive QB Dalyn Williams - Bears Wire - The Chicago Bears released rookie QB Dalyn Williams today to make room for recently signed Amini Silatolu on the 90-man roster

Wiltfong: Charles Tillman will retire a Bear today, join FOX NFL Kickoff - Windy City Gridiron - Yesterday on WSCR 670 The Score in Chicago, the recently retired, former Chicago Bears Pro Bowler Charles Tillman, told Laurence Holmes that he plans to retire as a member of the Bears.

LIVING IN THE SEASON OF THE PREVIEWS

Intentional Grounding Episode 38: Bears Training Camp Preview - WGN Radio - 720 AM - Adam Hoge and Adam Jahns are back from their summer break to preview Bears training camp. They give their biggest questions heading into camp and discuss the addition of a new offensive lineman. The guys also reflect on the career of Charles Tillman and Hoge provides a personal story.

Fishbain's 2016 Chicago Bears training camp preview: Cornerbacks - Pro Football Weekly - Fuller, Porter lead Bears CB group that has to create more turnovers

Cox: What we do and don’t know about the Bears’ running backs - Bears Wire - The Chicago Bears' backfield entering the 2016 season is three young running backs with a lot to prove.

Emma: Health Is Chief Concern At WR - CBS Chicago - The Bears' receivers can make or break the offense in 2016.

Wiltfong: Chicago Bears Training Camp Preview: Who will start at Running Back? - Windy City Gridiron - We’re taking at look at the running back position in the 3rd of our 11 part Chicago Bears training camp preview series.

Fishbain: 2016 Bear Necessities No. 3, WR Alshon Jeffery - Pro Football Weekly - If healthy, Jeffery makes the entire Bears offense that much better

Mullen: Bears Camping Out 2016: Few positions with more questions than tight end - CSN Chicago - The Bears were busy in building a group of tight ends this offseason, but there's not much in the way of proven reliability at the position.

Dickerson: Three rookies should be in starting lineup when Bears open season - ESPN - Cody Whitehair, Jonathan Bullard and Deon Bush all could start as rookies for the Bears this season.

Fishbain: 2016 Chicago Bears training camp preview, Inside Linebackers - Pro Football Weekly - Trevathan, Freeman make this Bears position group much improved

Wiederer's Bears position preview: Safeties - Chicago Tribune - The Bears' training camp battles at safety will be compelling. Harold Jones-Quartey will likely get the first shot to start with Deon Bush in hot pursuit.

Campbell's Bears position preview: Tight ends - Chicago Tribune - Tight end Zach Miller's overdue run of good health last season and his second-half emergence gave the Bears confidence they could part with Martellus Bennett.

POLISH SAUSAGE

Sessler: Ray Rice says he will donate entire salary if I get another chance - NFL.com
- Ex-Ravens running back Ray Rice hasn't played in the NFL for more than two years and says he'd donate his entire salary to domestic violence prevention programs if he lands on a team in 2016.

McGuire: NFL rookies react to their Madden NFL ratings - The Comeback
- The latest edition of EA Sports' Madden game is coming soon, and the ratings for the NFL's top rookies have been revealed. They're not pretty.

Eugene Monroe: Leaving the Game I Love - The Players' Tribune - Today, I am making my exit from the game of football. I’m leaving the sport I love — the sport that has consumed my existence for the last 18 years — to start a new life. I’m nervous, but I feel like I’m ready for whatever comes next. I have three beautiful children and an amazing wife, and they will be with me as I take these next steps.

Jackson: Steelers release veteran & former Bears tight end Spaeth - ProFootballTalk - The Steelers released veteran tight end Matt Spaeth Thursday with a failed physical designation. A third-round pick of the Steelers in 2007, Spaeth played seven seasons for the Steelers.

Corey Fuller Just Motivated His High School Team With A Fiery Speech In The Pouring Down Rain - Barstool Sports - "21 years I stayed in these projects. This is where I learned to play football at. Ya’ll keep walking around like ya’ll got something. I come from nothing. I keep giving ya’ll my soul every day but y’all wont listen to me. Nobody is gonna give us nothing. We have to take what we want. You want to go to college? You want to get out of your situation? WORK HARD! " Ken's Note: Watch this one.

Greenstein: NFL great Steve Smith's son comes to Chicago to play the other football - Chicago Tribune - NFL great Steve' Smith's oldest son, Peyton, is now a Chicagoan, a freshman soccer player at DePaul.

WEEK 1 OPPONENT / HOUSTON / JJ WATT

Sandritter: J.J. Watt undergoes back surgery, expected to be ready for Week 1 - SBNation.com - The Texas star will open training camp on the Physically Unable to Perform list.

Wesseling: J.J. Watt undergoes surgery to repair herniated disc - NFL.com - Three-time Defensive Player of the Year J.J. Watt had surgery to repair his herniated disc on Wednesday, NFL Media Insider Ian Rapoport reported, according to a source informed of his situation.

Dunsmore: J.J. Watt Had Back Surgery, Will Start Training Camp On PUP List - Battle Red Blog - The 2015 Defensive Player of the Year isn't expected to miss any time during the regular season. Still, Texans fans are full of feelings on Battle Red Blog.

KNOW THY ENEMY

Grant: Teddy Bridgewater remains too stagnant - NFL.com - Teddy Bridgewater failed to show any real progress between his first and second NFL seasons. Marcas Grant is skeptical that it will happen in 2016. Read why in the latest edition of Bust-a-Move.

Smith: Packers want the NFL draft in Green Bay - ProFootballTalk - The NFL draft may be heading to Green Bay. Packers President Mark Murphy announced at a shareholders meeting today that the team has told the NFL it wants to host the draft in 2019, 2020 or 2021. Ken's Note: They want to try to fill up both motels in town.

Orr: Training camp preview, Vikings still on the rise - NFL.com - Could this Minnesota team be even better than the 2009 squad that got one win from the Super Bowl? Conor Orr eyes the stories to watch in Vikings camp -- like enticing rookie Laquon Treadwell.

Reisman: Reasons to drink the Lions Kool Aid - Pride Of Detroit - The offseason has been filled with pessimism, mostly fueled by national media. Let's take a moment to look on the brighter side.

Glover: Offensive Linemen Musical Chairs - Daily Norseman - Who will find a seat, and who will be left standing when the Mankato Music stops?

Barnett: 2016 Packers Training Camp Preview, Great Depth Returns at Cornerback - Acme Packing Company - The Packers return a deep, talented group of players who have the versatility to play outside and in the slot.

Goessling: Adrian Peterson's fumble fixes: Boxing gloves and Brazilian jiu jitsu - Minnesota Vikings Blog- ESPN - The Vikings' Adrian Peterson and the Chargers' Melvin Gordon have spent a lot of time in Houston this offseason working on drills that reduce fumbling. Ken's Note: Peanut's retirement should also help Peterson cut down on his fumbles.

Follow WCG on Twitter; follow Ken on Twitter; like us on Facebook (& click on 'Follow')

Next Up In News