The Bear’s Den, May 16, 2016

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

BEARRRSSSS / DRAFT / FREE AGENCY

Finley: Oswego HS alum Michael Joseph: Long-shot past to 'help me mentally' on Bears - Chicago Sun-Times - If cornerback Michael Joseph has any edge against his competitors, it’s because he’s climbed the roster ladder before.

Finley: Former Bears LB Jerrell Freeman was facing 2-year suspension when he retired - Chicago Sun-Times - Former Bears linebacker Jerrell Freeman was facing a two-year suspension for a third failed drug test when he announced his retirement two weeks ago.

Perez: Four Bears position battles to monitor as offseason continues - NBC Sports Chicago - The Chicago Bears added several new players this offseason that will create position battles worth monitoring.

Santaromita: John Fox weighs in on Matt Nagy's Bears - NBC Sports Chicago - Former Bears coach John Fox is now working for ESPN and gave his view on what Matt Nagy has to work with in Chicago.

Cox: Bears rookie James Daniels models game after Eagles center Jason Kelce - Bears Wire - Chicago Bears rookie guard James Daniels said he admires the way Philadelphia Eagles center Jason Kelce plays the position.

Cox: Report - Jerrell Freeman retired with 2-year suspension looming for failed drug test - Bears Wire - Former Chicago Bears linebacker Jerrell Freeman retired nine days before the NFL hit him with a two-year suspension.

Mayer: Nichols eager to prove he belongs in NFL - ChicagoBears.com - Bears rookie defensive end Bilal Nichols is excited about transitioning into the NFL and eager to prove that a player from a I-AA college can excel at the sport’s highest level.

Mayer: Bears veterans, rookies practice together - ChicagoBears.com - The Bears conducted the first of 10 scheduled OTA workouts Tuesday at Halas Hall, mixing their veterans and rookies on the practice field for the first time this year.

Wood: The Bears Are Young. How Did Ryan Pace Do It? - Da Bears Blog - When Ryan Pace showed up following the 2014 season, he inherited the 3rd oldest roster in the NFL. The Bears were both old and bad – the worst possible roster combination. In 2018, they will be one of the youngest teams in the league.

Former Bears head coach John Fox makes ESPN debut on Tuesday - 247Sports - John Fox began his new job as an NFL analyst on ESPN on Tuesday.

Eurich: Counting down the Chicago Bears most memorable moments - 247Sports - The Chicago Bears have a bevy of memorable moments to choose from over the course of their history.

Eurich: Leonard Floyd identified as a breakout star by Bleacher Report - 247Sports - The future is still bright for Chicago Bears linebacker Leonard Floyd.

Generating pressure in Fangio’s Defense this season: A conversation between Bears Barroom Bros - Bears Barroom - When former Georgia linebackers and teammates Leonard Floyd and Roquan Smith embraced each other in an NFL bro hug, Floyd said to his new Bears teammate, “Welcome to the Fam, brah.” A little later, he turned to the camera and said, “Speed is coming. SPEED.”

POLISH SAUSAGE

Sports gambling in New Jersey will begin this month – ProFootballTalk - New Jersey is wasting no time in getting into the sports gambling game. In less than two weeks, Monmouth Park will open a sports book and begin taking bets, the racetrack and casino has confirmed. The target date is Memorial Day, Monday, May 28.

Sports betting may force NFL to use full-time officials, enhanced replay – ProFootballTalk - The NFL knows that it will never get every call right. With sports betting now available for any state that wants to adopt it, the NFL soon will have to try harder.

KNOW THY ENEMY

Report: Packers not expected to sign Dez Bryant – ProFootballTalk - Jason Witten thinks Dez Bryant is going to sign with the Packers, but Witten was hired by ESPN to be an analyst, not a reporter. According to Ian Rapoport of NFL Network, the Packers are not expected to sign Bryant.

Despite receiver-heavy draft, Dez Bryant makes sense for the Packers - Acme Packing Company - Drafting three receivers shouldn’t stop Green Bay from pursuing the ex-Cowboys star to fill a critical hole in their starting lineup.

Brian Robison announces that he’s returning for 2018 - Daily Norseman - There were whispers that he might have been thinking of retirement

Bud Grant’s annual garage sale is back again - Daily Norseman - Yeah, he said last year’s sale was the last one, but who cares?

PODcast takes on the Matt Patricia allegations, Lions’ response - Pride Of Detroit - This week’s PODcast devotes most of its time to the Matt Patricia sexual assault indictment from 22 years ago.

Detroit Lions finish signing entire rookie draft class, claim OL off waivers - Pride Of Detroit - No more worrying about rookie contracts for the Detroit Lions.

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT ON WINDY CITY GRIDIRON

Zeglinski: Major questions during Matt Nagy’s first Chicago Bears organized team activities - Windy City Gridiron - A young quarterback taking his team by the reins and injury questions loom large for the Bears this month at Halas Hall.

Link: The Winds of Change at Halas Hall - Windy City Gridiron - The addition of Matt Nagy to the Bears organization has us feeling that change is in the air. These isn’t your father’s Bears team.

WCG CONTRIBUTORS BEARS PODCASTS & STREAMS

2 Minute Drill - Website - iTunes - Andrew Link; Steven’s Streaming – Twitch – Steven Schweickert; T-Formation Conversation - Website - iTunes - Lester Wiltfong, Jr.; WCG Radio - Website - Robert Zeglinski

THE RULES

Windy City Gridiron Community Guidelines - SBNation.com - We strive to make our communities open and inclusive to sports fans of all backgrounds. The following is not permitted in comments, FanPosts, usernames or anywhere else in an SB Nation community: Comments, FanPosts or usernames that are intolerant or prejudiced; racial or other offensive epithets; Personal attacks or threats on community members; Gendered insults of any kind; Trolling; Click link for full information.

The Bear’s Den Specific Guidelines – The Bear’s Den is a place for Chicago Bears fans to discuss Chicago Bears football, related NFL stories, and general football talk. It is NOT a place to discuss religion or politics or post political pictures or memes, and any posts that do this will be deleted and the poster will be admonished. We do not allow comments posted where the apparent attempt is to cause confrontation in the community. We do not allow gender-directed humor or sexual assault jokes. The staff of WCG are the sole arbiters of what constitutes “apparent attempt to cause confrontation”. We do not allow the “calling out” of other members in any way, shape or form. Posts that do this will be deleted on sight. Bottom line, it’s fine to debate about football, but personal jabs and insults are strictly prohibited. Additionally, if you keep beating the same dead horse over and over and fail to heed a moderator’s warning to stop, you will be banned.

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WCG Contributors: Jeff Berckes; Patti Curl; Eric Christopher Duerrwaechter; Kev H; Sam Householder; Jacob Infante; Andrew Link; Ken Mitchell; Steven Schweickert; Jack Silverstein; EJ Snyder; Lester Wiltfong, Jr.; Robert Zeglinski; Like us on Facebook.

Lester was a guest on the Shawn and Maya in the Morning show, and you can catch his segment about the 1:32 mark.