The Bear’s Den, May 4, 2018

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

BEARRRSSSS / DRAFT / FREE AGENCY

Finley: Facing make-or-break season, Bears WR Kevin White can find hope in Kyle Fuller - Chicago Sun-Times - After having his fifth-year option declined, Kevin White won’t have to look far for inspiration in his walk year: Kyle Fuller's locker.

Campbell: Assessing Bears' trade for Mitch Trubisky -14 players, 6 teams, 1 franchise quarterback - Chicago Tribune - The Bears' trade for Mitch Trubisky had a ripple effect that ultimately spanned 14 players and six teams. Now that the 2018 draft is complete, the transactions sheet can be assessed.

Wiederer: What's behind new Bear Anthony Miller's fire? 'In his mind, he was always the best' - Chicago Tribune - The Bears believe they found a potential star in second-round pick Anthony Miller. So what is it about Miller's skill set and makeup that prove most impressive? The Tribune caught up with David Johnson, Miller's receivers coach at Memphis, for more insight.

Campbell: Bears assign jersey numbers to Roquan Smith, new draft class - Chicago Tribune - The Bears have assigned jersey numbers to the members of the 2018 draft class. Roquan Smith will wear No. 58

Under Center Podcast: Does it matter that everyone likes the Bears draft class? - NBC Sports Chicago - Sure, people are fans of the Bears draft class. But there are still some unanswered questions. JJ Stankevitz and John “Moon” Mullin discuss.

Mullin: Bears draft, free-agency signings reveal changing player prototypes sought for Matt Nagy's offense - NBC Sports Chicago - The draft and the offseason that preceded it gave a sense of exactly what type of player Matt Nagy and his staff are looking for.

Stankevitz: The pressure is both on and off Kevin White in 2018 - NBC Sports Chicago - Kevin White won't be counted on to be a big part of the Bears' offense this year, but he may have to perform well and stay healthy to have an NFL career beyond 2018.

Stankevitz: 'He was always raised to go full speed in whatever he was doing.' How Anthony Miller went from a college walk-on to a second-round pick in the NFL Draft - NBC Sports Chicago - Anthony Miller's confidence on-the-field reminds one of his former coaches of a current All-Pro NFL player.

Mayer's Chalk Talk: What numbers will draft picks wear? - ChicagoBears.com - Senior writer Larry Mayer discusses the uniform numbers Bears draft picks will wear, the likelihood of Jordan Howard's rushing yards declining this year and more.

Mayer: King says Bears had best offseason in NFL - ChicagoBears.com - The selection of Roquan Smith in the first round of the draft is only part of the reason SI analyst Peter King says the Bears had the best offseason of any NFL team.

DaBearsPod: Post-Draft 2018 with Scott Wright of NFL Draft Countdown & More! - Da Bears Blog - Jeff joins Trent & Ken on 1700 Des Moines to discuss the highlights of the Bears draft and expectations for the 2018 campaign.

Eurich: Anthony Miller addresses wearing Alshon Jeffery's old number - 247Sports - Anthony Miller is trying to forge his own identity while wearing Alshon Jeffery's old number with the Chicago Bears. Ken's Note: Miller's collegiate #3 is retired with the Bears, in honor of Bronco Nagurski

Gabriel: Assessing Bears' Needs After Free Agency, Draft - 670 The Score - Chicago still needs to add an edge rusher and offensive tackle.

NFC North draft grades: Bears advance slick offseason makeover - NFL.com - Has anyone enjoyed a better offseason than the Bears? Gennaro Filice gives Chicago plenty of praise in his NFC North draft report card. Who else made selections that'll impact this division race in 2018?

POLISH SAUSAGE

ESPN says ESPN has nothing to say about ESPN’s report of Jason Witten joining ESPN – ProFootballTalk - The dog is chasing its tail or the snake is eating its tail or choose your own metaphor containing the word tail. Via TheBigLead.com, ESPN has shared with its audience that ESPN has nothing to say about the report from ESPN that Cowboys tight end Jason Witten will be joining ESPN's Monday Night F...

What are the most glaring needs for NFL teams, post-draft? – ProFootballTalk - Thursday's PFT Live draft focused on one of the lingering questions in the aftermath of the 2018 NFL draft. Specifically, what are the most glaring remaining needs for NFL teams? As usual, Simms and I went three rounds deep. As usual, it was a lively and spirited segment. As usual, I won.

KNOW THY ENEMY

Packers GM expects new Aaron Rodgers contract soon – ProFootballTalk - Packers General Manager Brian Gutekunst believes a new contract with quarterback Aaron Rodgers will get done. Gutekunst said this morning on PFT Live that he sees no reason that the Packers and Rodgers won't come to terms.

With crowded CB room, could Packers rookie Josh Jackson contribute at safety? - Acme Packing Company - Given the construction of the roster and some subtle hints since the draft, it’s logical to wonder if Jackson’s skills suit him to a rover role.

Martellus Bennett snubs Packers in video - TMJ4 Milwaukee, WI - Martellus Bennett redesigned the logos of every NFL team he played for the in the past--except the Green Bay Packers.

Holton Hill Reportedly Failed Drug Test at Combine - Daily Norseman - One of the more highly rated draft prospects the Vikings signed as a UDFA, after he fell from being a mid-round prospect, was CB Holton Hill from Texas.

Lions GM Bob Quinn is continuing the Patriots’ tradition of drafting SEC players - Pride Of Detroit - The SEC to New England pipeline has been rerouted to Detroit.

Week 1 NFL odds: Detroit Lions big favorites over Jets after draft - Pride Of Detroit - The Lions have their biggest season-opening line in 6 years.

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT ON WINDY CITY GRIDIRON

Wiltfong & Snyder's Bears 2018 Draft recap and review: The let’s get fired up edition! - Windy City Gridiron - In Lester’s latest T Formation Conversation Podcast (Subscribe now on iTunes), he’s joined by EJ Snyder to break down the entire Chicago Bears rookie class.

Zeglinski: The most “responsible” pro comparisons for the Chicago Bears’ 2018 draft picks - Windy City Gridiron - In how he conducts himself, Anthony Miller reminds one coach of a star NFL safety. NBC Sports Chicago’s J.J. Stankevitz discusses this, recaps the Bears’ draft, and more on the latest WCG radio.

Wiltfong: Bears have issued jersey numbers to their rookie class - Windy City Gridiron - Check out which jersey number the seven Bears’ rookies will be sporting this summer.

Wiltfong: Bears to draft 2nd overall in 2019 according to Football Outsiders - Windy City Gridiron - Let’s take a peek at a 2019 mock draft for the Chicago Bears to see who — What the what?

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.