The Bear's Den: September 23, 2016

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

BEARRRSSSS

Emma: Bears Can’t Let Doubts Define Them " CBS Chicago - With the locker room doors shuttered, just the coach and his team, John Fox surveyed the scene of Monday’s meltdown. The Bears had lost in ugly fashion for the second time in as many games, a 29-14 defeat handed by the Eagles, and heads were hanging. Fox has seen this many times during his 36 years as a coach. Those looks are what hamper a season and stunt organizational growth.

Hub Arkush: Where's the run-first Bears offense we expected to see? - Pro Football Weekly - Oops, they did it again! John Fox continues to insist the Chicago Bears' offense, his offense as he let us know when Adam Gase moved on and he plugged in Dowell Loggains as offensive coordinator, is a run-first scheme in which he will send running backs at the opposing defense in waves until he finds the hot hand and then ride him.

Fishbain: Jordan Howard feeling more confidence; Alshon Jeffery misses practice - Pro Football Weekly - Bears spent most of the week answering questions about committing to the run

Mayer: Offense must continue to improve - ChicagoBears.com - Regardless of who starts at quarterback Sunday night in Dallas, coordinator Dowell Loggains feels that the Bears offense "is not there yet" and must continue to improve.

Perez: John Fox leans on history of his teams starting slow - Bears Wire - Chicago Bears coach John Fox has experienced slow starts before during his time as the coach of the Denver Broncos and Carolina Panthers

Voice of the #Bears, Jeff Joniak shares his keys to taking on and succeeding against the Dallas Cowboys. #CHIvsDAL #SNF pic.twitter.com/LXt8A7PDQy

— Chicago Bears (@ChicagoBears) September 23, 2016

Mullen: Bears fans seeing light at end of current tunnel that might not be oncoming train - CSN Chicago - Bears fans to this point could be excused for thinking that a highballing freight has already flattened them and their season.

LeGere: Uncertain situation for Chicago Bears at quarterback - Daily Herald - There is a previous level of familiarity between Chicago Bears backup quarterback Brian Hoyer and offensive coordinator Dowell Loggains, which should help what could be a convoluted situation. And with Hoyer starting, No. 3 quarterback Matt Barkley has to be brought up to speed after being with the team less than three weeks.

Mayer: Does Howard deserve a promotion? - ChicagoBears.com - Senior writer Larry Mayer discusses whether the Bears will start rookie running back Jordan Howard, kicker Connor Barth's accuracy from under 40 yards and the best Bears player through the first two games of the season?

Campbell: How widespread mistakes are sabotaging Bears offense - Chicago Tribune - A lot is wrong with the Bears’ offense right now. It’s not just one or two areas holding them back, limiting them to only three scoring drives on 22 possessions

Haugh: Life without Jay Cutler creates crisis but also opportunity for Bears - Chicago Tribune - John Fox must re-assert his offensive philosophy and turn heavily to running game now that it's clear even healthy Jay Cutler can't lift team on his own.

Wiederer: As Bears defense reshuffles, Jerrell Freeman's 'fired-up calmness' a key - Chicago Tribune - The Bears are particularly dazed up the middle of their defense. Nose tackle Eddie Goldman is expected to be out until at least mid-October with an injury.

Emma: Bears’ Jay Cutler, Alshon Jeffery Sidelined From Thursday Practice - CBS Chicago - Cutler isn't expected to play in Sunday's game, while Jeffery's status is now in question.

Cox: Cowboys had Leonard Floyd as third-best linebacker on draft board - Bears Wire - The Chicago Bears' Week 3 opponent had first-round pick Leonard Floyd as the second-highest graded linebacker on their draft board.

Jahns: Bears signed veteran QB Brian Hoyer for just this situation - Chicago Sun-Times - Backup quarterback Brian Hoyer hasn’t thrown much to receiver Alshon Jeffery. But he’s learned a thing or two when he sees Jay Cutler connect with him. Throw it up and give Jeffery a chance (assuming Jeffrey can go on Sunday).

Potash? Bears D could be without five starters vs. Cowboys - Chicago Sun-Times - Bears linebacker Jerrell Freeman might feel different without teammate Danny Trevathan next to him Sunday against the

Finley: Can Bears' defense carry the team, or build for future? - Chicago Sun-Times - In this week's 'Take 2,' Patrick Finley of the Chicago Sun-Times and Kevin Fishbain of Pro Football Weekly give their thoughts:

One of my fav bits interviewing Peanut was that he did not realize how good he was until he read about himself.https://t.co/vIJAgueVPG pic.twitter.com/dbF7t8s6Jp

— Jack M Silverstein (@readjack) September 22, 2016

Jahns: How long will it take for Kevin White to take off? - Chicago Sun-Times - Adam L. Jahns' "Read Options" column appears in Pro Football Weekly.

Finley: Dowell Loggains' challenge for Bears' backup QB plan to top 2015 - Chicago Sun-Times - The biggest challenge of Dowell Loggains’ young offensive coordinator career looks a lot like the one Adam Gase failed last year.

Bears predictions: Week 3 at the Cowboys - Chicago Sun-Times - The Chicago Sun-Times' experts offer their predictions for the Bears' matchup with the Cowboys in Week 3.

Jahns: Looking for a positive? Rookie Cody Whitehair's play is for Bears - Chicago Sun-Times - Rookie center Cody Whitehair has been impressive over the first two weeks.

Wiederer: Bears will wait and see on Alshon Jeffery's knee injury - Chicago Tribune - Indications are that Alshon Jeffery intends to practice Friday and will push to play Sunday night. He was walking around with no noticeable limp Thursday.

Biggs: With or without Jay Cutler, Bears need to establish identity on offense - Chicago Tribune - The Bears need to get the ball out of quarterback Jay Cutler's hands and commit to the running game, something they have not done in starting 0-2.

Wiederer: For Bears quarterback Brian Hoyer, big test provides welcome opportunity - Chicago Tribune - The Bears have expressed confidence that Brian Hoyer can be productive, even as he takes over an offense that has scored just 21 points on 22 possessions.

Scott: Watch An Inexperienced La'el Collins Blow Travis Frederick's Cover As He Tries To Cheat - Blogging The Boys - We present a guide to completely hanging your teammate out to dry when he's trying to get a little cheating done. A tongue-in-cheek play review from the Cowboys last game.

Mamola: Chicago Bears 3 Keys to Beating the Dallas Cowboys - NFL Spin Zone - The Chicago Bears face the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday Night Football. Here's how the Bears can beat the Cowboys and get their first win of the season.

#Bears fans want Loggains to run the ball more, Langfrod & Carey have 31 rushes w/ a 2.97avg. More Howard yes, but better execution also.

— Lester A Wiltfong Jr (@wiltfongjr) September 22, 2016

SportsTalk Live Podcast: Can the Bears win with Brian Hoyer? - CSN Chicago - The SportsTalk Live panel talks the Bears chances in Week 3, who should start Game 3 of the postseason for the Cubs, and whether Chris Sale's Cy Young campaign is over.

Mullen: For wobbling Bears, Brian Hoyer brings different kinds of experience - CSN Chicago - It will now be up to veteran Brian Hoyer, who has a 15-11 record is a starter, to help turn around the Bears' early season misfortunes.

Fishbain: Who has the edge? Chicago Bears at Dallas Cowboys - Pro Football Weekly - Many advantages for the Cowboys vs. a banged-up Bears team

Cox: Bears’ running game should target weak link in Cowboys defensive line - Bears Wire - The Chicago Bears can jump-start their running game by scheming their rushing attack at Dallas Cowboys defensive tackle Tyrone Crawford.

POLISH SAUSAGE

Smith: Napoleon Harris fights off robbers, helps catch murder suspects - ProFootballTalk - Former NFL linebacker Napoleon Harris has done well for himself in retirement, getting elected to the Illinois State Senate and owning a couple of pizza places in the Chicago area. And now Harris can add Superhero Crime Fighter to his résumé.

KNOW THY ENEMY

VAfan: Dak Prescott v. Tony Romo? Cowboys Have Time To Make A Decision - Blogging The Boys - The Cowboys will have to make a decision about Tony Romo at some point, but they have plenty of time to evaluate Dak Prescott until they do.

One.Cool.Customer: Six Things We're Thinking, Dak Prescott Needs To Get Rolling In The Deep - Blogging The Boys - When will Dak Prescott throw the deep ball? Good feelings about Maliek Collins? New contract for Morris Claiborne? Just three of the things we've been thinking about the Cowboys recently.

Hatz: Cowboys Vs. Bears, Previewing Chicago’s Defensive And Special Teams Personnel - Blogging The Boys - A look at the strengths and weaknesses of the Cowboys Week 3 opponent on defense and special teams.

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT ON WINDY CITY GRIDIRON

Wiltfong: Who will step in for the injured Bears? - Windy City Gridiron - Check out the latest edition of Lester's podcast, T Formation Conversation, as he gives his take on which players will need to step up with all the Bears' injuries.

Householder: Week 3 Game Preview, Bears vs. Cowboys - Windy City Gridiron - The Bears try to rebound with a huge number of walking wounded

Noble: Chicago Bears elevate Matt Barkley to active roster, sign Paul Laike and add Lamarr Houston to IR - Windy City Gridiron - The Chicago Bears are still making roster moves, adding two players and placing one on IR.

Silverstein: Charles Tillman - "Don't give up. We're always in the fight." - Windy City Gridiron - Charles "Peanut" Tillman reflects on the magical 2006 Super Bowl season — the Cardinals comeback, the devastating Super Bowl, and the biggest question of all: Why didn't they get back?

Zeglinski: Bears injury update, Alshon Jeffery sits out practice with knee - Windy City Gridiron - The hits keep on coming for the Bears.

Berckes: Bears vs Cowboys Preview: Five Questions with Blogging the Boys - Windy City Gridiron - We chatted with SB Nation's Cowboys blogger to get some insight on the Chicago Bears next opponent.

FANPOSTS

Mr_IrreleVince: Top Ten Value, Humility and the First Round Wide Receiver - Windy City Gridiron - The single best character trait an NFL general manager may possess is humility. What do I mean by this? The GM should recognize that his ability to assess talent is no better than anyone else's...

Lucas Park: An open letter to the older fans - Windy City Gridiron - Dear 'aged' fans,I classify you as old enough to clearly remember the 1985 Bears. This would put you in the age group of 40 or above. There are many of you: devoted, fanatical, and...stubborn. Ah,...

Akker: New Possible Punter - Windy City Gridiron - So last night I was informed by my brother in-law that went to the police academy with Cody Webster (Purdue Punter 2010-2013) Cody was contacted by our beloved and flew out yesterday. So if it...

t4m8shn: Why I'm not panicking...yet - Windy City Gridiron - While the results of first two games stunk, I'm not ready to panic yet. Mostly my reasoning is around the length of the season and the net wins concept. In other words, are the Bears really two...

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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