The Bear’s Den: August 10, 2017, GAME DAY Edition!

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

BEARRRSSSS

Zeglinski: Notes from Week 2 in Bourbonnais - The Rock River Times - Every year training camp comes and goes in the blink of an eye.

Burke: Bears’ Defense Shouldering High Expectations and Fielding Plenty of Questions - SI.com - If the Bears are to bounce back from last season’s 3–13 record, Trubisky—locked in well behind starter Mike Glennon—will be among the least likely contributors. At one point on Monday, Trubisky watched the second-team offense in action, standing directly across the field from Leonard Floyd, Sam Acho and Akiem Hicks—three members of a defensive front that figures to have far more say in the Bears’ fortunes than Trubisky.

Campbell & Kane: Kyle Long takes important step in his recovery from ankle surgery - Chicago Tribune - Kyle Long participated in 10 plays during team drills, his first full-speed work with the whole offense since breaking his right ankle last Nov 13.

Wiederer & Campbell: Mitch Trubisky and Bears' plans for rookie QB - Chicago Tribune - Chicago Bears podcast: Bears talk before the team's preseason opener.

Rosenbloom: And now, a new way for the Bears to slow Mitch Trubisky’s growth - Chicago Tribune - Drafting a quarterback as high as the Bears drafted Mitch Trubisky would create excitement. The Bears instead create angst because this is Mike Glennon’s year.

Biggs Bears Q&A: QB depth chart, state of the offensive line, Danny Trevathan's progress & more - Chicago Tribune - The Tribune's Brad Biggs answers your Bears questions weekly.

Wiederer: Mitch Trubisky itching for action as Bears' preseason slate begins - Chicago Tribune - After two weeks of the training camp grind, the Bears are eager to take their first preseason test Thursday night, hosting the Broncos at Soldier Field.

Campbell: Developmental trials await Mitch Trubisky, Mike Glennon in Bears' 1st exhibition - Chicago Tribune - The Bears' challenge this preseason after hitting the quarterback reset button is particularly difficult: developing two QBs who are on different timelines.

Emma: Trubisky Taking Proactive Steps To Minimize Distractions Amid Development - CBS Chicago - "Especially my first year, I’ve got to really just focus in and learn as much as I can," Trubisky says.

Bears Talk Podcast: What to watch for as the Bears begin preseason play - CSN Chicago - We're getting you ready for the Bears' first preseason game with this edition of the BearsTalk Podcast.

Stankevitz: How Mike Glennon gained the trust of the Bears, and why that matters - CSN Chicago - Mike Glennon has been a strong commander and leader of the Bears offense since he arrived at Halas Hall in March.

Finley: Bears vets offer advice for Mitch Trubisky on eve of first NFL game - Chicago Sun-Times - Third-stringer Mitch Trubisky is ready to make memories of his own Thursday night at Soldier Field, when he plays his first NFL game.

Telander: Will Cutler be indifferent or invigorating with Dolphins? - Chicago Sun-Times - The guy who holds almost all of the Bears’ passing records — but always seemed to let fans down in dispiriting ways — is starting a new sports life.

Finley: Bears vets offer advice for Mitch Trubisky on eve of first NFL game - Chicago Sun-Times - Third-stringer Mitch Trubisky is ready to make memories of his own Thursday night at Soldier Field, when he plays his first NFL game.

Jahns: What we're watching in the Bears' preseason opener - Chicago Sun-Times - It’s been a long time since the Bears have been this intriguing in the preseason. But that’s what happens when you add three new quarterbacks.

Potash: Pro Bowl alternate Sherrick McManis in familiar battle for his spot - Chicago Sun-Times - Special teams has been McManis’ ticket since he entered the NFL with the Texans as a fifth-round draft pick out of Northwestern in 2010.

Patrick Finley's doodles come to life to recap Bears' training camp - Chicago Sun-Times - Bears beat reporter-turned-doodler Patrick Finley recaps the last two weeks of Bears camp.

Cox: Bears roster bubble - 4 players who need a big game vs. Broncos - Bears Wire - Many Chicago Bears players will be fighting for their jobs against the Denver Broncos, but four in particular are desperate for a big game.

Mayer: LeBlanc, Gentry shine in Tuesday's practice - ChicagoBears.com - Second-year nickel back Cre'Von LeBlanc displayed excellent ball skills in Tuesday's practice. But he wasn't the only Bears player who entered the NFL as an undrafted free agent to do so.

Mayer: Recovering Long getting more team reps - ChicagoBears.com - Bears Pro Bowl guard Kyle Long took another step on his road to recovery from a broken ankle Tuesday in practice, taking increased reps in 11-on-11 drills.

Hub Arkush: Mitch Trubisky's preseason debut gives Chicago Bears fans first glimpse into future | Pro Football Weekly - Trubisky is anxious to make positive first impression on Bears teammates

Hub Arkush: Plenty of position battles to pay attention to in Bears' first preseason game against Broncos | Pro Football Weekly - There is only one reason to care about who wins the Bears exhibition season opener with the Denver Broncos at Soldier Field on Thursday night, and if you’re goofy enough to bet on one of these glorified scrimmages, I’m sure there’s nothing I can do t

Hoge’s 10 Bears Things: Catching Up With Ryan Pace’s Third Draft Class - WGN Radio - We’re officially two weeks into training camp, which means it’s time for my annual look at how the Bears’ draft class is handling their crash course into the NFL.

Johnson: 5 Questions surrounding the Bears Preseason Opener - Cover32 - Finally, ladies and gentlemen, football is back! After a long offseason, it’s finally time to get back to some live action football. Training camp has been a nice teaser, but now we can see how the team fares against another team and these battles can see some big results. So without further adieu we have our weekly session of 5 questions for the week.

Perkins: Dolphins QB Brandon Doughty says he gave Cutler No. 6 out of respect (cash might have helped, too) - Sun Sentinel - Miami Dolphins quarterback Brandon Doughty respects his elders, but he also respects league traditions. So although Doughty initially said cash didn’t change hands between him and newly acquired quarterback Jay Cutler for Doughty’s jersey number (6), cash did change hands, honoring a longtime NFL tradition.

POLISH SAUSAGE

Kane: LeBron James vs. Michael Jordan? Ohio native Mitch Trubisky picks LBJ - Chicago Sun-Times - Bears quarterback Mitch Trubisky picked LeBron James rather than Michael Jordan.

Smith: Jay Cutler bought jersey No. 6 from Brandon Doughty – ProFootballTalk - Dolphins quarterback Jay Cutler wanted to wear No. 6 in Miami, just as he did in Denver and Chicago, so he shelled out a little cash to make it happen. Backup quarterback Brandon Doughty confirmed that Cutler bought No. 6 from him.

Florio: Looming legalization of gambling nudges NFL toward full-time officials – ProFootballTalk - The NFL has resisted legalized gambling over the years for a variety of reasons. Here's one of them: Once fans can place bets on point spreads, over-unders, and various other in-game props, it will be important for the league to create the impression that it's doing everything it can to ensure that ...

Florio: NFL still wants to expand regular season – ProFootballTalk - Before the NFL realized that it was impossible to reconcile player health and safety with an expanded regular season, Commissioner Roger Goodell routinely criticized the quality of preseason play.

KNOW THY ENEMY

Smith: Fighting for a roster spot, Packers’ Max McCaffrey is turning heads - Acme Packing Company - Not as highly touted as his running back brother, Max McCaffrey has a difficult road to climb with a crowded Packer receiving corps.

Krigare: Some Minnesota Vikings tailgating opportunities lost - Daily Norseman - Due to private development, some of the tailgating spaces used in previous seasons will no longer be available at Minnesota Vikings games.

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT ON WINDY CITY GRIDIRON

Berkes: Fantasy Files - Divisional Previews – NFC South - Windy City Gridiron - The best division for fantasy football wraps up our series

Sunderbruch: NFC North Roster Comparisons - Special Teams - Windy City Gridiron - Once upon a time, the Chicago Bears had a special teams unit that almost defied logic. Now, they are struggling to be mediocre. How does the rest of the NFC North compare?

Link: Chicago Bears Vs. Denver Broncos preseason preview, TV schedule, channel, start time, and more - Windy City Gridiron - The 2017 preseason opener is finally here. Catch all the details at Windy City Gridiron!

Wiltfong's Chicago Bears 2017 Position Battles: The competition at cornerback will be fierce - Windy City Gridiron - There will be a lot of jockeying for position among the cornerbacks of the Chicago Bears.

Curl's Windy City Fan Fiction: The Final Chapter - Windy City Gridiron - Staley is safe but what will become of Rihanna and bear actress Honey Bump? Will Sanchez get his wish and start the Super Bowl? Who will win?

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