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The Bear's Den: July 27, 2016

Here's your regular Bear's Den plus a bonus "mini-article" about PED's and how they affect ligaments.

Devin Hester "In the good old days"
Devin Hester "In the good old days"
Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images

Mini-Article: Do PEDs make muscle tendons more brittle?

In the July 25 edition of The Bear's Den, reader Mike Ditka's Cigar asked: Do PEDs make muscle tendons more brittle?

With the rash of preseason injuries being reported around the league, I decided to ask our resident expert on human physiology Professor Jeanne Mitchell (i.e. my wife) of Truman State University's physiology department.

"The literature is mixed on whether the tendons themselves are badly affected by the steroids," she states. "However, there is evidence that guys who take steroids and then engage in heavy work (lifting or, for example, playing football) are more at risk for tendon injury because the strain on their tendons is greater."

"Here's one source to back that up [1]," she continued (see footnote references at end of the Den). "There were other studies that, when added together, come to the same conclusion"

"Overall," she concluded, "the ligaments that hold the bones together and the joint cartilage injuries were higher in players who'd used anabolic steroids[2]."

Thank you, Prof. Mitchell, and now, on with the Den.

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

BEARRRSSSS

Pompei: Preview of Chicago Bears training camp - Pro Football Weekly - We made it! It's finally training camp week! The Bears report to Bourbonnais on July 27 and we preview it with writer Dan Pompei (@DanPompei) of Bleacher Report and WSCR. Pompei discusses the differences in covering camp in 2016 to previous decades.

Mullen: Bears mix of QB Jay Cutler with OC Dowell Loggains still a critical work in progress - CSN Chicago - The Bears mix of quarterback Jay Cutler and offensive coordinator Dowell Loggains is still a critical work in progress.

Perez: Bears to host training camp battle between Jeremy Langford, Jordan Howard and Ka’Deem Carey - Bears Wire - The Chicago Bears training camp will feature a starting RB battle between Jeremy Langford, Ka'Deem Carey and Jordan Howard.

Ottochian: Ka’Deem Carey on Bears’ running back competition, ‘The door is completely wide open’ - Bears Wire - In a Bears Wire exclusive interview, running back Ka'Deem Carey revealed just how wide open the backfield competition is in Chicago.

Perez: Should the Chicago Bears sign Devin Hester? - Bears Wire - Former Chicago Bears kick returner Devin Hester is a free agent after being released by the Falcons. Would he be a fit for the Bears again?

Finley: Breaking down the Bears' training camp roster from Player 1 to 88 - Chicago Sun-Times - Here’s how we handicap all players — the Bears are two short of the maximum — and their chances of making the 53-man roster:

Potash: 5 things to watch at Bears training camp - Chicago Sun-Times - One day before Bears players report to Bourbonnais, here are five things I know I want to watch in training.

Hub Arkush: 18 months later, how different are the Chicago Bears? - Pro Football Weekly - And are the Bears better off with Ryan Pace and John Fox?

Perez: Four issues facing the Chicago Bears at start of 2016 training camp - Bears Wire - The Chicago Bears have four major issues facing the team as they prepare to start their 2016 training camp.

Perez: Charles Leno, Jr. is very excited to start Bears training camp - Bears Wire - Chicago Bears offensive tackle tweeted out a video of his excitement for the start of the team's 2016 training camp.

Fishbain: Chicago Bears position battles heading into 2016 training camp - Pro Football Weekly - An in-depth look at some of the positions still unsettled going into Bourbonnais.

Mullen: Bears mix of QB Jay Cutler with OC Dowell Loggains still a critical work in progress - CSN Chicago - The Bears mix of quarterback Jay Cutler and offensive coordinator Dowell Loggains is still a critical work in progress.

Wiedman: Chicago Bears, 5 Penalties That Killed the 2015 Season - NFL Spin Zone - Penalties will kill a season. Ask the Chicago Bears as they suffered brutal losses due to penalties that could have been avoided.

Wiltfong: Chicago Bears Training Camp Preview, how special will the specialists be? - Windy City Gridiron - Last year was a historic one for Chicago Bears kicker Robbie Gould as he became the lading scorer in franchise history, currently sitting at 1,207 points. He also holds the record for most field...

POLISH SAUSAGE

Gantt: Corey Wootton announces his retirement after six seasons - ProFootballTalk - With teams reporting to training camp, the veterans who didn't get one of the 32 times 90 invitations (that's 2,880, #math) often start realizing things about their future.

Wiltfong: Former Bear Corey Wootton retires from the NFL - Windy City Gridiron - Chicago Bears’ fans, I’ll bet I can guess your favorite memory from the Corey Wootton era...

Lauterbach: Titans linebacker Derrick Morgan thinks NFL should study medical benefits of marijuana - The CombackTitans linebacker Derrick Morgan is still speaking up about marijuana use in the NFL, stating that the league needs to study the benefits more.

Mayer: Former Bear Wootton retires at 29 - ChicagoBears.com - Former Bears defensive lineman Corey Wootton has retired following six NFL seasons.

Jahns: Falcons release former Bears returner Devin Hester - Chicago Sun-Times - Devin Hester leaves behind a lasting legacy.

LeGere: 5 things to look for with Bears defense at camp - Daily Herald - Will a healthy Pernell McPhee be the difference-maker the Bears envisioned? Will the two new inside linebackers make the type of impact plays that were missing last year? These and other issues will be worth watching on the Bears' defense when training camp begins Thursday at Olivet Nazarene University in Bourbonnais.

Mullen: Going to Bears Training Camp ’16 in Bourbonnais? Remember these four tips - CSN Chicago - Insider John "Moon" Mullin provides four tips to Bears fans planning to attend training camp in Bourbonnais.

Leming: Best-case and worst-case scenarios for the Chicago Bears in 2016 - Scout - The Chicago Bears have a high ceiling heading into the 2016 season and could be one of the league's surprise teams, yet the club's floor is also very low. We break down both ends of the spectrum.

Emma: Bears Position Preview: Goldman, Hicks Must Lead Defensive Line Disruption - CBS Chicago - The Bears built their defensive identity with hopes from disruption up front.

Biggs: Packers WR Jordy Nelson calls setback with other knee a ‘hiccup’ - Chicago Tribune - The Packers opened training camp Tuesday without receiver Jordy Nelson, who was placed on the PUP list with a "minor" left knee injury.

Emma's Bears Position Preview: Linebacker Is A Great Strength - CBS Chicago - Linebacker went from the Bears' biggest weakness to one of their greatest strengths.

KNOW THY ENEMY

Gates: Vikings Can Sign Three Players Before Camp - Daily Norseman - The Vikings only have 87 of the 90 spots on their training camp roster filled.

Stockburger: Anquan Boldin Gets a Chance with the Detroit Lions - NFL MocksAnquan Boldin will be providing the Detroit Lions a reliable, veteran option as an outside receiver, something they lost with Calvin Johnson's untimely...

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[1]Effect of androgenic-anabolicsteroids and heavy... by Olivier R. Seynnes; Sigitas Kamandulis; Ramutis Kairaitis; more... Journal of Applied Physiology, 07/2013, Volume 115, Issue 1"

[2]Self-reported anabolic-androgenic steroids use and musculoskeletal injuries...by Horn, Scott; Gregory, Patricia; Guskiewicz, Kevin M, American journal of physical medicine & rehabilitation / Association of Academic Physiatrists, 03/2009, Volume 88, Issue 3