The Bear’s Den, May 19, 2018

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

BEARRRSSSS / DRAFT / FREE AGENCY

Finley: Why Bears' D is rallying around Mitch Trubisky - 'I want to win a championship' - Chicago Sun-Times - Through one minicamp and a week of organized team activities, inside linebacker Danny Trevathan has been impressed by the speed of the new offense.

Potash: 'Last Chance U' grad John Franklin determined to make most of chance with Bears - Chicago Sun-Times - It seems like the longest of long shots ... but Franklin’s speed and athleticism at least add some plausible intrigue to this scenario.

Campbell: Takeaways would elevate the Bears defense from good to great - Chicago Tribune - Takeaways would elevate the Bears defense from good to great, but there are reasons to believe they'll regress recovering fumbles and remain stagnant with interceptions.

Campbell: Takeaways would elevate the Bears defense from good to great - Chicago Tribune - Takeaways would elevate the Bears defense from good to great, but there are reasons to believe they'll regress recovering fumbles and remain stagnant with interceptions.

Haugh: Ndamukong Suh on Sister Jean's campus? It happened Friday at Loyola - Chicago Tribune - Rams defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh spent Friday morning working out at Loyola.

Perez: Akiem Hicks says Roquan Smith plays like he's 6-foot-5 - NBC Sports Chicago - Chicago Bears DL Akiem Hicks said first-round pick Roquan Smith is smaller than he thought he'd be, but is playing like he's 6-foot-5.

Anthony Miller shares pictures, video from Bears rookie minicamp on Twitter - NBC Sports Chicago - Chicago Bears rookie WR Anthony Miller shared pictures and video on Twitter from the Bears recent rookie minicamp

First look at Brian Urlacher's HOF bust - NBC Sports Chicago - Brian Urlacher shared a picture of the work in progress on his Hall-of-Fame bust

Perez: Javon Wims confident he can be an all-around receiver for the Bears - NBC Sports Chicago - Chicago Bears seventh-round pick Javon Wims is confident he can be an all-around receiver for the Bears

Mullin: Bears let their pass rush slip this offseason…or did they? - NBC Sports Chicago - Are the Bears' "issues" in pash rush misplaced concern? Some members of the team's defense think so.

Stankevitz: Is Danny Trevathan's Bears' future in doubt after NFL Draft? 'It depends on how you look at it' - NBC Sports Chicago - The Bears drafted two inside linebackers in this year's NFL Draft, seemingly putting Danny Trevathan on notice following the 2018 season.

Cox: Dick Butkus impressed by ‘humble’ Roquan Smith - Bears Wire - Hall of Fame linebacker Dick Butkus is already a fan of Chicago Bears rookie Roquan Smith.

Cox: Nick Kwiatkoski looks forward to added LB competition: ‘It’s a positive thing’ - Bears Wire - The Chicago Bears drafted two linebackers in April, but Nick Kwiatkoski is embracing the competition at his position.

Cox: NFL.com writer outlines Bears playoff scenario for 2018 - Bears Wire - Adam Rank from NFL.com laid out what a return to the playoffs in 2018 would take for the Chicago Bears.

Mayer: Sayers, Hester among all-time special-teamers - ChicagoBears.com - Former Bears are well-represented on an all-time all-NFL special teams unit constructed by NFL writer Rick Gosselin, highlighted by first-team kickoff returner Gale Sayers and punt returner Devin Hester.

Hughes: A Reader (and Gambling Expert) Responds to My Legalization Column - Da Bears Blog - As a longtime fan/reader/listener of dabearsblog, I would like to offer up my experience and perspective on the recent change to sports betting laws in your country, and what results that may actually lead to in states across the U.S.A.

Eurich: Bold predictions for Bears top rookies in 2018 - 247Sports - These Chicago Bears rookies are ready to take the NFL by storm.

Eurich: Jordan Howard lands at No. 25 on top under-25 list - 247Sports - Jordan Howard is still fighting for respect in the NFL.

Eurich: Ranking the uniform combinations of the Bears the last 30 years - 247Sports - The Chicago Bears have worn plenty of different uniforms in the last 30 years. Ken's Note: Sorry about the quality of the offseason links, like this one. It's what we have, so it's what we link.

Which injured star will have best 2018? Allen Robinson, Deshaun Watson, Aaron Rodgers rally - NFL.com - The injury bug hit the NFL in 2017, sidelining big-name players like Allen Robinson, Deshaun Watson, Eric Berry and Odell Beckham Jr. -- to name a few. Which injured superstar from a year ago will have the best 2018? Let's debate!

POLISH SAUSAGE

Florio: Gambling could renew push for 18-game season – ProFootballTalk - With the 49 states that currently don't have sports wagering now able to launch it, the NFL's word of choice is "integrity." As sports wagering takes root, the NFL will have another go-to term. "More.

KNOW THY ENEMY

Gates: The Film Room breaks down Dalvin Cook - Daily Norseman - As if you weren’t already excited

Payton: What should the Lions do about Ameer Abdullah? - Pride Of Detroit - 3 options the Lions will likely consider with Ameer Abdullah this summer.

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT ON WINDY CITY GRIDIRON

Zeglinski: The end of an era - how do the Seahawks now match up with the Bears? - Windy City Gridiron - The Ringer’s Danny Kelly discusses the end of an era in Seattle and where the Bears can exploit the Seahawks.

Jahns: Chicago Bears News, Scores & Schedules - Chicago Sun-Times - Get the latest Chicago Bears news, scores, stats, standings, rumors, and more from the Chicago Sun-Times

Zeglinski: Breaking down ESPN’s 2018 Bears’ statistical projections - Windy City Gridiron - The numbers have been crunched. Are they an accurate measure of Matt Nagy’s debut season with the Bears?

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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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.