The Bear's Den: September 6, 2016

Ken's Note: I'mma drop the Den a few hours early just because I can :)

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

SITTON

Alper: Signing with Bears not about "sticking it to" Packers - ProFootballTalk - Guard Josh Sitton moved teams over the weekend, signing with the Bears after his surprising release from the Packers after eight years in Green Bay. Packers coach Mike McCarthy said a lot of things went into the decision without specifying what any of them were, although word from Green Bay is...

Hub Arkush: Josh Sitton signing and Kyle Long's improved health could accelerate Chicago Bears' rebuild - Pro Football Weekly - Bears' biggest weakness just 48 hours ago looks dramatically improved

Mayer: Immediate pursuit of Sitton paid off - ChicagoBears.com - Three-time Pro Bowl guard Josh Sitton signed with the Bears due in large part to how quickly and aggressively they pursued him following his release from the Packers.

Jahns: What does Josh Sitton's signing mean for Bears' Cody Whitehair? - Chicago Sun-Times - The Bears’ decision to sign guard Josh Sitton isn’t an indictment of rookie Cody Whitehair’s development. It might be further proof of the team’s belief in him. Sitton’s surprise availability and overnight signing will force the Bears to reshuffle their offensive line with less than a week to prepare for the Texans and superstar end J.J. Watt.

Swung on, belted: Ryan Pace takes home-run swing with Josh Sitton | Chicago Sun-Times - Bears general manager Ryan Pace was excited but also a little dubious when the Packers surprisingly cut Pro Bowl guard Josh Sitton on Saturday. It’s not often a 30-year-old, three-time Pro Bowl player seemingly in his prime is cut after being a second-team All-Pro selection the previous season.

Mullen: Adding ex-Packer G Josh Sitton gives Bears myriad options - CSN Chicago - Josh Sitton is a big addition for the Bears, but how and where will he fit in on the offensive line?

Biggs: Josh Sitton worth it for Bears to shuffle offensive line again - Chicago Tribune - The most likely scenario is that newcomer Josh Sitton will line up at left guard when the Bears open the season Sunday against the Texans at NRG Stadium.

GOULD / BARTH

Relive Robbie Gould's 2006 game-winner against Seattle - Cover32 - The Chicago Bears cut long-time kicker Robbie Gould yesterday. Relive one of the greatest moments of his career as we remember the 11 years he played in Chicago.

Emma: Gould Is Latest Victim To NFL’s Unforgiving Nature - CBS Chicago - The Bears released one of their franchise's greats in Gould.

Mayer: Bears saw Barth as upgrade on roster - ChicagoBears.com - The Bears decided to release veteran kicker Robbie Gould Sunday night simply because they felt that Connor Barth would provide an upgrade at the position.

Finley: Why did Bears cut Robbie Gould? GM Ryan Pace said he upgraded - Chicago Sun-Times - Why did the Bears cut Robbie Gould? Whether Connor Barth is the Bears’ next great kicker or just a footnote - and given his nomadic career, the latter looks more likely - he’ll be the answer to a trivia question: Why did the Bears cut Robbie Gould?

Mullen: Bears' release of Robbie Gould appeared to be two-step process - CSN Chicago - With Connor Barth available after being released by the Saints, the Bears moved to part ways with Robbie Gould in a face-to-face meeting by general manager Ryan Pace and coach John Fox.

Wiederer: After Robbie Gould's odd exit from Bears, Connor Barth takes stage - Chicago Tribune - Robbie Gould had opened every season since 2006 as the Chicago Bears kicker. Then with little advance warning Sunday, Gould's time at Halas Hall expired.

BEARRRSSSS

Dickerson: Brutal late stretch could doom Chicago Bears' playoff chances - ESPN - The Bears close the season with three teams that made the NFC playoffs last season, making a fast start important in 2016.

Cox: Kyle Long, Kyle Fuller return to practice for Bears - Bears Wire - The Chicago Bears got two of their key injured players on offense and defense back at practice ahead of their season opener this Sunday.

Jahns: Bears' top CBs hope to play vs. the Texans in Week 1 - Chicago Sun-Times - The Bears’ banged-up secondary is getting better. In fact, the team’s top three cornerbacks – Tracy Porter (concussion), Kyle Fuller (knee scope) and Bryce Callahan (hamstring/groin strain) – all said after practicing Monday that they hope to play in the season opener against the Texans.

Mullen: Bears begin OL shuffle early, as they did this time a year ago - CSN Chicago - The Bears are moving around pieces on the offensive line in a lead-up to Week 1 for the second straight year.

LeGere: Bearing down on Chicago Bears questions - Daily Herald - After four preseason games, and with six days before the Bears' play their first regular-season game in the second year of the Ryan Pace-John Fox regime, there are many questions still to be answered.

Bears roster analysis: Tribune writers dig in - Chicago Tribune - Through two offseason cycles and training camps, the Bears are still building. So just how should we view the team heading into Sunday's season opener?

Campbell: Tracy Porter, Kyle Fuller back at practice for Bears - Chicago Tribune - According to plan, the Chicago Bears are getting healthier as the season opener approaches.

Wiederer: GM Ryan Pace on Bears signing kicker Connor Barth, addition of Josh Sitton - Chicago Tribune - After an eventful weekend of roster reshuffling, with several high-profile moves, Bears GM Ryan Pace met with the media to shed light on his biggest decisions.

Haugh: Bears' 11th-hour roster moves make it harder to believe in team's plan - Chicago Tribune - Some will view Chicago Bears GM Ryan Pace's latest roster moves as symptoms of desperation, while others will consider them signs of progress.

POLISH SAUSAGE

Graziano: Quarterback Confidence Index rating for all 32 teams - ESPN - Dan Graziano weighs in on how teams should feel about their overall QB situation, including the ready-to-start arm who can step in for Aaron Rodgers and the experienced veteran behind Cam Newton.

KNOW THY ENEMY

Boden: Offseason investments on O support Texans' D - CSN Chicago - Chris Boden breaks down both sides of the ball for the Texans, the Bears' Week 1 opponent this Sunday.

Texans coach says J.J. Watt will play in Sunday's opener vs. Bears - Chicago Tribune - J.J. Watt will play in Houston's season opener against the Chicago Bears on Sunday.

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.

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