The Bear's Den: July 29, 2016

Ken's Note: The Bear's Den has transitioned from "Offseason" mode to "Regular" mode. What does this mean? It means that, unlike the offseason, I will be limiting the number of stories posted on certain subjects, like player injuries for example, to a couple of sources, since everybody is covering the story and using the same information. I am doing this to keep this feature a reasonable length. I am favoring local media over national whenever possible, as the local people "should" have a better idea of what is really going on in Chicago. Also, I am greatly reducing the "Polish Sausage" section on a daily basis, and limiting the "Know Your Enemy" section as well. Don't worry, you are NOT being short changed.

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

BEARRRSSSS

Jahns: What we saw: Day 1 of Bears training camp - Chicago Sun-Times - The Chicago Sun-Times' Adam L. Jahns, Patrick Finley and Mark Potash break down the first day of Bears training camp:

Biggs: Bears foster competition for younger, deeper offensive line - Chicago Tribune - What the Bears have looks like four players for two spots on the offensive line. Hroniss Grasu, Cody Whitehair and Ted Larsen can all play center.

Wiederer: Health issues for Kyle Long, Leonard Floyd leave Bears anxious - Chicago Tribune - Less than 90 minutes later, Bears offensive lineman Kyle Long came up gimpy during team drills, hobbling to the sideline with a left calf injury.

Jahns: Bears RB Jeremy Langford bulks up for possible bigger workload - Chicago Sun-Times - Bears need a running back to step up with Matt Forte gone.

Fishbain: Eddie Royal ready to join Jeffery, White to help Chicago Bears' receivers reach potential | Pro Football Weekly - Royal had a productive Bears camp in 2015 before injuries limited him in the season

Mullen: Kevin White not looking like a rookie as Bears open training camp - CSN Chicago - Bears wide receiver Kevin White looked nothing like a player that missed all of his rookie season during Thursday's first day of training camp practice.

The Bernstein Brief: Ryan Pace, John Fox Undersell Bears - CBS Chicago - Pace spoke not of wins but of the need to "keep putting good drafts together."

Arthur Arkush: Chicago Bears' young offense eyeing improvement despite key offseason departures - Pro Football Weekly - Bears think rebuilt O-line, healthier Alshon Jeffery and Kevin White will provide positive change

Mayer: Bears counting on improved front seven - ChicagoBears.com - After upgrading their front seven in free agency and the draft, the Bears are hoping to make major strides on defense this season.

Hub Arkush: How big of a concern should Pernell McPhee's knee be to Chicago Bears? - Pro Football Weekly - Bears' top defensive player from 2015 is starting camp on the PUP list

Perez: How the signing of Brandon Boykin impacts the Bears’ roster - Bears Wire - The Bears announced a last-minute transaction with the signing of CB Brandon Boykin, a move that will bring competition to training camp

Cox: John Fox comfortable, excited entering year two with the Bears - Bears Wire - Chicago Bears head coach John Fox says there are a lot fewer question marks surround his team now than there were a year ago.

Ottochian: Bears running back Ka’Deem Carey: ‘I’m here to make some noise’ - Bears Wire - Chicago Bears running back Ka'Deem Carey spoke with Bears Wire in an exclusive interview about what 2016 will bring for the young rusher.

Jahns: What we heard & what we think as Bears open training camp - Chicago Sun-Times - General manager Ryan Pace kept his introductory comments brief, and coach John

LeGere: Chicago Bears out to prove naysayers wrong - Daily Herald - Chicago Bears players sense a lack of respect around the NFL, but with an 11-21 record over the past two seasons and back-to-back last place finishes in the NFC North, they really haven't done much to deserve any accolades.

PHOTOS: Bears' first training camp practice - Chicago Tribune - Photos of the Bears' first training camp practice at Bourbonnias on July 28, 2016.

Biggs: It's Year 8 for Jay Cutler, time to elevate his game - Chicago Tribune - Jay Cutler has to deliver. This is the final year of the deal that includes guaranteed money. He posted a career-best passer rating of 92.3 last season.

Wiederer: Kyle Long's calf injury could be worrisome for Bears - Chicago Tribune - Kyle Long came up hobbling during team drills, was later wearing a large walking boot on his left leg and might be dealing with a calf strain, John Fox said.

Mullen: Bears approaching 2016 with change in attitude - CSN Chicago - The Bears have a new attitude to go along with personnel changes in 2016.

Mullen: Rough first camp day for Kyle Long, Bears No. 1 draft pick Leonard Floyd - CSN Chicago - The first day of Bears training camp ended with Kyle Long sporting a walking boot and Leonard Floyd exiting early with a "stomach bug."

Alper: Kyle Long in boot after hurting calf - ProFootballTalk - Linebacker Leonard Floyd wasn't the only Bears player who created an injury concern during Thursday's opening practice of training camp. Right guard Kyle Long got hurt near the end of practice and there were multiple reports that he was in a walking boot after practice.

Dickerson: Alshon Jeffery shrugs off failure to secure long-term deal with Bears - ESPN - Alshon Jeffery, who is guaranteed to make $14.599M in 2016, says he's focusing on this year, adding, "Anything else will take care of itself."

Dickerson: Chicago Bears pleased with Leonard Floyd's weight gain - ESPN - Rookie outside linebacker Leonard Floyd is growing into his new role, Bears GM Ryan Pace said.

Dickerson: Leonard Floyd carted off the field because of an illness - ESPN - The Bears say first-round pick Leonard Floyd has been sick, but they expect him to make a full recovery.

Dickerson: Chicago Bears Pro Bowl RG Kyle Long injures calf on Day 1 - ESPN - Bears right guard Kyle Long was wearing a walking boot Thursday after he suffered a left calf injury near the end of the team's first practice.

PFF: Jeffery, White could form one of league's elite WR duos - ProFootballFocus - All of the hype coming into training camp has been about wide receiver Kevin White, last year's first-round draft pick out of West Virginia. Today was just one practice session, and it was with limited contact, but it was easy to see why there is so much excitement around the former Mountaineer. He didn't drop a single pass in one-on-ones or as part of the nine-on-seven drill, although cornerback Brandon Boykin (free-agent acquisition) did have a nice pass break-up against him in a one-on-one meeting.

Ken's Note: While at the same time praising the Bear's WR corps as potentially elite, PFF also ranks them 20th in the league... gotta love how one hand at knows what the other one's doing over at PFF... on the other hand, saying both things makes it easier to point to one of the two later in the season and say "Hey! We were right!"

Breitenbach: PFF's Chicago Bears season preview - ProFootballFocus - Losing offensive coordinator Adam Gase was one of the only negatives of the Bears' offseason. How costly his departure proves is dependent on replacement Dowell Loggains. Much depends on his ability to get the most out of highly inconsistent Jay Cutler. Meanwhile, a revamped front seven, combined with John Fox's defensive mind, should ensure an improved stop unit in 2016.

Patra: Bears GM, Alshon Jeffery 'has to stay healthy' - NFL.com - The Chicago Bears aren't worried about Alshon Jeffery's attitude after failing to come to a long-term agreement. What the team is worried about is Jeffery staying healthy.

Floyd: "I'm feeling good."

**Chicago breathes collective sigh of relief**

: https://t.co/uI0z9vF4gB pic.twitter.com/rmWhroYa9L

— Chicago Bears (@ChicagoBears) July 28, 2016

POLISH SAUSAGE

McClure: Is Devin Hester a Hall of Famer? Brian Urlacher says '100 percent' - ESPN - Devin Hester is arguably the best return man in NFL history, and some of his peers believe that should be enough to make him a Hall of Famer.

Orr: Chargers GM 'We'll see' if Joey Bosa reports to camp - NFL.com - Will we see the No. 3 pick in the NFL draft on the field anytime soon? Chargers general manager Tom Telesco knows people are puzzled as to why the team hasn't signed Joey Bosa.

Dragon: NFL injury roundup, Jets' Muhammad Wilkerson on PUP list - NFL.com - New York Jets DE Muhammad Wilkerson is starting training camp on the PUP list. Fresh off signing a new contract extension, Wilkerson is still recovering from a broken right leg.

KNOW THY ENEMY

Robinson: Offseason In Review, Detroit Lions - ProFootballRumors - A recap and analysis of the major signings, departures, trades, and other notable offseason events for the 2016 Detroit Lions.

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