The Bear’s Den, May 9, 2018

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

BEARRRSSSS / DRAFT / FREE AGENCY

Reapasso: Saquon Barkley, Roquan Smith top list of 32 NFL rookies who'll make an instant impact - CBSSports.com - Here's a look at one rookie for each team who'll provide an immediate contribution in 2018

Wiederer: Athletic Bears rookie Kylie Fitts must prove his durability - Chicago Tribune - The Bears rolled the dice on Utah edge rusher Kylie Fitts in the sixth round of last weekend's NFL draft. Fitts' college coach, Kyle Whittingham, spoke to the Tribune recently about Fitts' upside, his durability issues and his biggest challenges at the next level.

Stankevitz: One reason why Anthony Miller may be on the route to immediate success in the NFL - NBC Sports Chicago - Anthony Miller comes to the Bears as a polished route runner, specifically with how he sets the angle for his quarterback.

Perez: Anthony Miller pegged as Bears’ rookie most likely to flop - Bears Wire - Is Anthony Miller the Chicago Bears rookie most likely to flop in 2018?

Perez: Roquan Smith picked as rookie who will lead 2018 class in tackles - Bears Wire - Chicago Bears rookie Roquan Smith was picked by a panel of experts to lead the NFL in tackles in 2018

Perez: Bears remain among NFL’s worst in ESPN’s post-draft power rankings - Bears Wire - The Chicago Bears rank near the bottom of the NFL in the latest ESPN NFL power ranking. Ken's Note: The Bears should remain in the "5-win" team areas in the power rankings until they actually win more games.

Mayer: Butler returns to Georgia to earn degree - ChicagoBears.com - Three-and-a-half decades after first enrolling at the University of Georgia, former Bears kicker Kevin Butler returned to the school to complete his undergraduate business degree.

Wood: The Pace Priorities - Examining the GM’s Positional Values Through Draft Investment - Da Bears Blog - Ryan Pace has now had four drafts with the Chicago Bears, meaning that everybody playing on a rookie deal in Chicago was acquired by him. Accordingly, I think it’s worth looking at what positions in which he has invested the most and least draft capital.

Eurich: Bears roster is dominated by Georgia Bulldogs - 247Sports - Georgia Bulldogs are beginning to take over the Chicago Bears roster.

Wiederer: Athletic Bears rookie Kylie Fitts must prove his durability - Chicago Tribune - The Bears rolled the dice on Utah edge rusher Kylie Fitts in the sixth round of last weekend's NFL draft. Fitts' college coach, Kyle Whittingham, spoke to the Tribune recently about Fitts' upside, his durability issues and his biggest challenges at the next level.

Eurich: 5 Bears now on the hot seat this offseason - 247Sports - These Chicago Bears have a lot to prove this offseason.

Eurich: Bears secondary called their 'fatal flaw' heading into 2018 - 247Sports - The Chicago Bears bolstered the cornerback position by bringing back familiar names in 2018.

Bernstein: Bears' Projected Win Total Is... - 670 The Score - Expectations for the Bears aren't quite in line with the praise they've received this offseason.

POLISH SAUSAGE

Smith: NFL denies Mike James’ request to use marijuana as a painkiller – ProFootballTalk - Free agent running back Mike James has tried and failed to persuade the NFL to allow him to use marijuana as a painkiller. James told NJ.com that he developed a dependence on prescription painkillers that he took to cope with the aches and pains associated with playing football.

KNOW THY ENEMY

Two former Lions employees sue team and league for discrimination – ProFootballTalk - At a time when the NFL is wrestling with a collection of legal claims arising from a unique issue like protests during the national anthem, the Lions and the NFL are dealing with a more conventional legal challenge.

Western: Oren Burks has the skill set to become an X-factor in the Packers’ defense - Acme Packing Company - The safety-turned-linebacker could change how the Packers defend the middle of the field, but he has become a bit of a forgotten man in this year’s draft class.

CBS Sports picks one Vikings’ draftee as an immediate contributor - Daily Norseman - And it’s not who you might think

Bill Polian on ESPN’s power rankings: Detroit Lions ‘ranked far too low’ - Pride Of Detroit - Amidst a current of negativity, one ESPN analysis believes in the Lions.

Detroit Lions waive LB Brandon Chubb - Pride Of Detroit - The Lions continue to churn their roster at linebacker.

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT ON WINDY CITY GRIDIRON

Wiltfong: Bears 28th in post-draft Power Rankings - Windy City Gridiron - The ESPN power rankers aren’t impressed with the 2018 Chicago Bears... Yet...

Zeglinski: A comfortable Mitchell Trubisky among Chicago Bears’ 2018 off-season winners and losers - Windy City Gridiron - Everything the Bears have done since 2018 began was to help their young quarterback become a star. Others haven’t been as fortunate.

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.