The Bear’s Den, May 17, 2018

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

BEARRRSSSS / DRAFT / FREE AGENCY

Jahns: Matt Nagy quickly winning over Bears defense 'I feel like he was born for this' - Chicago Sun-Times - Getting a day off from coach Matt Nagy was just the start. For second-year safety Eddie Jackson, a day spent at Topgolf made it special for everyone.

Potash: Bears WR Allen Robinson on sidelines, but "ahead of the game" in return for 2018 - Chicago Sun-Times - Nagy acknowledged to reporters that guard Kyle Long is making progress in his rehab from offseason surgeries on his neck and shoulder.

Finley: Bears LB Danny Trevathan: Roquan Smith is 'the right guy to fit our defense' - Chicago Sun-Times - “He just came out like a rocket and made a play,” coach Matt Nagy said. “And that made me chuckle a little bit — because that’s what I saw on tape.”

Wiederer & Campbell: Rookie minicamp observations and what to watch for at OTAs - Chicago Tribune - Welcome to the weekly Bear Download podcast with Rich Campbell and Dan Wiederer.

Wiederer: Bears defense showing flashes of promise as organized team activities heat up - Chicago Tribune - The Bears defense is playing with an encouraging blend of experience and confidence as the team launches into organized team activities. With coordinator Vic Fangio back for his fourth season and a strong nucleus of young talent, the potential is obvious.

Kane: Prince Amukamara drawn to 'greatness' in Bears quarterback Mitch Trubisky - Chicago Tribune - Prince Amukamara, a free agent this offseason, was drawn drawn back to the Bears in part because of quarterback Mitch Trubisky.

Letizia: Meet Joel Iyiegbuniwe - The Bears 'Other' Linebacker - Da Bears Brothers - While Roquan Smith gets all the attention, don't forget about the Bears other linebacker who has the skills and athleticism to be a starter down the road.

Under Center Podcast: All about OTAs - NBC Sports Chicago - The guys break down what they learned from Wednesday’s OTA practice, and why the presence of Mitch Trubisky is so important not only for the Bears’ offense, but for the Bears’ defense as well.

Perez: Jordan Howard and Tarik Cohen set to become Bears' thunder and lightning - NBC Sports Chicago - The combination of Jordan Howard and Tarik Cohen could become the Chicago Bears' version of thunder and lightning in 2018

Perez: Bears receive an A+ for offseason efforts - NBC Sports Chicago - The Chicago Bears received an A+ from Bleacher Report for their offseason efforts

Perez: Bears rank 2nd among teams likely to end playoff drought - NBC Sports Chicago - The Chicago Bears' offseason moves have them primed to end their playoff drought.

Stankevitz: Allen Robinson is 'ahead of the game' as he works his way back from torn ACL - NBC Sports Chicago - Matt Nagy provided an optimistic update about Allen Robinson's recovery from a torn ACL, and said the wide receiver has been doing everything they've wanted in the last few weeks.

Stankevitz: 'Last Chance U' star John Franklin III keeps fighting as he looks to make Bears as a defensive back | NBC Sports Chicago - John Franklin III learned how to be mentally tough in a well-documented college career, and is taking that toughness to trying to learn how to be a DB with the Bears.

Mullin: Teammates see 'greatness' in Mitch Trubisky - NBC Sports Chicago - Mitch Trubisky doesn't have a lot of experience at the college (13 starts) and pro level (12 starts), but his teammates believe he's destined for greatness.

[Video] The Chicago Bears continue to impress on the field at OTAs - Pro Football Weekly - The Chicago Bears kicked off day two of OTAs at Halas Hall on Wednesday and head coach Matt Nagy is continuing to be impressed by what he sees on the field. Linebacker Danny Trevathan and defensive back Prince Amukamara also met with the media with h

Hub Arkush: Offensive line, receivers huge keys to Bears improvement - Pro Football Weekly - Nagy says Long, Robinson rehabs are ahead of schedule

Cox: Matt Nagy ‘giddy’ about Tarik Cohen in new Bears offense - Bears Wire - Chicago Bears head coach Matt Nagy called running back Tarik Cohen "a player you get giddy about." He has big plans for him in 2018.

Mayer: Bears defense boasts continuity, trust - ChicagoBears.com - With coordinator Vic Fangio and a core group of veterans returning, the Bears are hoping that the continuity they possess on defense will enable the unit to flourish in 2018.

Mayer: Bears excited about pairing Trevathan, Smith - ChicagoBears.com - The Bears are excited about watching veteran Danny Trevathan and rookie first-round pick Roquan Smith team up to anchor their defense at inside linebacker this season.

If Bears Want an Elite Defense in 2018, They Will Need Multiple Rookies to Contribute - Da Bears Blog - The Bears did not invest many high draft picks on the defensive side of the ball last month, outside of top selection Roquan Smith. But there’s a good chance the team will need multiple rookie defensive players – all acquired day three or later – to play prominent roles in they want to be an elite unit in 2018.

Wiedman: Chicago Bears 53-Man Prediction and Then Some - Our Turf Football - OTFB's Wanda Wiedman takes a look at who she thinks will make the Bears 53 man roster.

Eurich: Bears veterans already impressed with rookie class - 247Sports - Some rookies are already impressing the veterans of the Chicago Bears.

Eurich: Eddie Goldman is in perfect spot to breakout in 2018 for Bears - 247Sports - The Chicago Bears have a burgeoning star in Eddie Goldman along the defensive line.

Eurich: The 10 building blocks on the Chicago Bears roster - 247Sports - The Chicago Bears are trending in the right direction with these players.

Eurich: Bears will not rush Allen Robinson back from injury - 247Sports - The Chicago Bears are okay with taking it slow with Allen Robinson.

Brandt: Seven best offseasons of 2018 lists Bears in top 5, as Giants, Browns also make strides - NFL.com - Gil Brandt ranks the seven best offseasons of 2018. Where did signing Kirk Cousins land the Minnesota Vikings?

POLISH SAUSAGE

NFL to consider several proposed kickoff rule changes - NFL.com - The NFL will present several proposed rule changes aimed at improving player safety during kickoffs at next week's Spring League Meeting in Atlanta.

Ostrowski: Addressing Some Legalized Sports Gambling FAQs - 670 The Score - When will you be able to legally wager on sports in Illinois?

KNOW THY ENEMY

The 2018 cornerback draft class is a referendum on the Ted Thompson method - Acme Packing Company - One of the biggest flaws of the Thompson era was banking on developmental corners to hit.

Packers start as slight underdogs to win NFC North division in 2018 - Acme Packing Company - However, Green Bay has shorter odds to make it to the Super Bowl than the Vikings do.

Vikings Sign Defensive Lineman David Parry - Daily Norseman - The talented yet troubled defensive tackle adds more depth to one of the strongest lines in the league.

Notes: Watch 2 NFL Network analysts predict the Lions to own the NFC North in 2018 - Pride Of Detroit - The Lions have some hype around them.

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT ON WINDY CITY GRIDIRON

Wiltfong: Chicago Bears Historical Fantasy Draft 2018 Review - Windy City Gridiron - Eight of us drafted "fantasy" teams consisting of only Chicago Bears’ players, and after 200 picks our draft is over!

Sunderbruch: I’m not worried about Trubisky’s “Window” with the Bears - Windy City Gridiron - Some people think the time to win is when a quarterback is on his first contract. The truth of the matter is that the real time to win is when there’s a good player backed by a good coach with a good team. There’s a lot of ways to get there.

Zeglinski: Kylie Fitts can tap back into his potential with the Bears - Windy City Gridiron - Fitts checks off every box as a potential draft steal. That means he can come into his own naturally in Chicago.

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

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