The Bear’s Den, July 20, 2018

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

BEARRRSSSS / DRAFT / FREE AGENCY

Zeglinski: Injury-free for once, all systems are go for the Bears to start camp – The Rock River Times - In 2015, the beginning of the ongoing Kevin White injury saga loomed over John Fox’s first training camp. In 2016, as the Bears looked to build on a promising start to the Fox era, Pernell McPhee was instead going through a variety of issues due to his knee. In 2017, coming off a disappointing 3-13 season, McPhee was once again unavailable through most of camp. Kyle Long joined him for the most part in a weird on-again, off-again saga surrounding an ailing ankle.

Potash: Bears position breakdown: The cornerbacks - Chicago Sun-Times - Fuller faces an even bigger challenge this year — to be as good or better after signing the big contract as he was when he was playing for it.

Jahns: What to expect from Bears in training camp under Matt Nagy - Chicago Sun-Times - On Saturday, the gates of Olivet Nazarene University open to the masses. Bears fans will get their first look at coach Matt Nagy.

Finley: Healed from knee woes, Bears WR Allen Robinson 'ready for this time right here' - Chicago Sun-Times - Allen Robinson is neither a rookie nor a quarterback, but he reported with them to Olivet Nazarene University on Monday.

Potash: Akiem Hicks, Kyle Fuller, Bears' D looking to Trubisky & Co. for helping hand - Chicago Sun-Times - Even the defensive players are excited about the possibility that an improved offense can make their job a lot easier.

Agrest: Adam Amin gives new-look Bears a new voice for preseason games - Chicago Sun-Times - “He’s very talented,” Jeff Joniak said. “He calls a game the way I like to call a game. He calls it very exciting. Does his homework. You hear it."

Finley: No Roquan Smith at Bears training camp, but GM 'optimistic' rookie arrives soon - Chicago Sun-Times - Roquan Smith's absence was the lone blemish on the cheeriest training camp move-in day in years.

Mullin's Postcards from Camp: Bears preparing for physical training camp as QB Mitch Trubisky, offense settle in - NBC Sports Chicago - Camp’s finally here, the guys all reporting and I think really ready to get started for real after the camps and OTA’s this spring and summer. Practices start tomorrow (Friday) and fans’ll be able to watch practice starting on Saturday.

Perez: Chicago Bears 2018 training camp primer - NBC Sports Chicago - Everything a Chicago Bears fan needs to know about the team's 2018 training camp.

LeGere: As camp begins, Bears QB Trubisky's sole focus is blocking out distractions - Daily Herald - Bears QB Mitch Trubisky has blinders on as he heads into his second training camp, and his first as the starter. Trubisky's tunnel vision is a good sign because he's blocking out all outside distractions so as to have a laser-like focus on his job as the Bears' franchise quarterback. "He's very focused; very driven," head coach Matt Nagy said. "Those are generic terms, but the kid genuinely cares about the game of football and his position. He wants to be the greatest teammate on this team, and he knows that if he does that, he'll make guys around him better."

Kane: Bears wide receiver Allen Robinson ‘100 percent,’ ready to trust his knee again - Chicago Tribune - Four months after signing Allen Robinson to a three-year, $42 million contract, the Bears finally will see up close what their most prized offseason purchase really can do.

Biggs: Bears betting a more grueling training camp will pay off during season - Chicago Tribune - Matt Nagy's first training camp as head coach promises to be quite a departure from the country club atmosphere the Bears have had in July and August in recent years.

Haugh: Matt Nagy's commitment 'to callous' the Bears is promising for a team in need of physical and mental toughness - Chicago Tribune - When Bears coach Matt Nagy expressed the desire to “callous our team,’’ it suggested a keen understanding of how the team he inherited needs to create greater toughness in the trenches — and between the ears.

Campbell: Roquan Smith absent as Bears report to training camp - 'We’re optimistic he’s here soon' - Chicago Tribune - The Bears reported to training camp Thursday with one notable exception - first-round rookie linebacker Roquan Smith was absent because of his contract impasse.

Gonzalez: Mike Trout 'just messing around' when he predicted a better record for the Browns than the Bears - Chicago Tribune - Angels All-Star outfielder Mike Trout said he was only kidding when he said the Browns would have a better record than the Bears this season.

Potash: With Mitch Trubisky in charge at QB, Bears camp already off to a better start - Chicago Sun-Times - Trubisky is the unquestioned starter and headed toward becoming the unquestioned leader of the team. Around these parts, thats a pretty good start.

Morrissey: Good for Mitch Trubisky, who has fled the relentless nastiness of social media - Chicago Sun-Times - If you’re looking for signs that the Bears' 23-year-old quarterback is maturing as he heads into his second season in the league, this is a big one.

Dannehy: Ranking the Entire Bears Roster - Bottom of the Fifty-Three (40-59) - Da Bears Blog - Most of the guys battling at the bottom of the roster either played for the Bears or another team in recent seasons. They have talent and have stuck in the league for a reason. Outside of the specialists, however, none are ideal starters.

Medina: Hooray! Allen Robinson Says He Is "100 Percent Healthy" - The Ten Yard Line - No PUP list? No problem. Allen Robinson has declared himself fully healthy.

Medina: Ryan Pace and Matt Nagy Speak: Everybody's Healthy (And Other Good News) - The Ten Yard Line - The boys are back in town!

Medina: Despite Waves of Change, ESPN Still Isn't Sold on the Bears' Future - The Ten Yard Line - It appears things are looking up for the Bears, but not everyone is as sold on their future as we are.

Mayer: No Bears expected to open camp on PUP list - ChicagoBears.com - Unlike recent summers, the Bears are expected to open training camp without any of their players—outside linebacker Leonard Floyd included—on the physically-unable-to-perform list.

Mayer: Pace confident Smith will be in camp soon - 247Sports - Bears general manager Ryan Pace said Thursday he's 'very optimistic' that unsigned first-round draft pick Roquan Smith will be in training camp 'very soon.'

Mayer: Bears report to training camp in Bourbonnais - 247Sports - After a long offseason, today’s the day you’ve been waiting for as the Bears report to training camp at Olivet Nazarene University in Bourbonnais.

Bears announce Bill Walsh coaching fellows - ChicagoBears.com - The Bears on Thursday announced six coaching interns for the duration of training camp, part of the NFL’s Bill Walsh Diversity Coaching Fellowship, which is in its 31st year.

Cox: Allen Robinson and Kyle Long are ‘full steam ahead’ for Bears training camp - Bears Wire - The Chicago Bears will have two of their key offensive players back to full strength at training camp.

Cox: Former Bears CB Alan Ball compares Allen Robinson to Dez Bryant - Bears Wire - Former Chicago Bears cornerback Alan Ball sees similarities between his former teammates Allen Robinson and Dez Bryant.

Bernstein: Pace, Nagy Offer Little Substance As Bears Camp Opens - 670 The Score - The dearth of Bears headlines at least means no bad news.

Perez: Ryan Pace says Bears are optimistic Roquan Smith will be at training camp soon - NBC Sports Chicago - General manager Ryan Pace said the Chicago Bears are optimistic Roquan Smith will soon be at training camp

Perez: Ryan Pace calls Bears' offseason 'aggressive' and 'energizing' - NBC Sports Chicago - Chicago Bears GM Ryan Pace said the team's offseason has been aggressive and exciting in an effort to change the culture and bring wins back to Chicago.

Gantt: Allen Robinson apparently ready to go in Bears camp - ProFootballTalk - The Bears might not have their first-round pick under contract as they begin camp, but they should have their high-profile free agent acquisition on the field.

Stankevitz: Three questions for Bears safeties: Does Adrian Amos have a future in Chicago? - NBC Sports Chicago - JJ Stankevitz talks Adrian Amos and the Bears defense.

Kaplan: Chicago Bears believe top pick Roquan Smith will sign soon - ESPN - Rookie linebacker Roquan Smith remains unsigned and not at camp, but GM Ryan Pace believes the Bears will get the Georgia product in shortly.

POLISH SAUSAGE

Deshaun Watson expects to be “full-go” for the first day of training camp – ProFootballTalk - Deshaun Watson doesn’t expect to be limited when the Texans begin practice next week. “I feel great,” Watson told the NFL Network on Thursday night, via Adam Wexler of KPRC. “I’m getting ready for next week when we report to The Greenbrier; I’m going to be full-go.

Jerry Kramer can relate to Terrell Owens’ frustration - NFL.com - Terrell Owens wasn’t the first player to feel disrespected by the Hall of Fame voting process. He won’t be the last. Green Bay Packers legend Jerry Kramer certainly knows the feeling.

KNOW THY ENEMY

NFC North Fantasy Preview: Chicago Bears players to avoid in early rounds - Acme Packing Company - The Bears have a new head coach, new offense, and new weapons to go along with it. Whose fantasy value might be hurt from all the options on offense?

The Vikings led the league in Game Entertainment in 2017 - Daily Norseman - And there are actual numbers to prove it!

The Detroit Lions are still the second-least valuable NFL franchise, per Forbes - Pride Of Detroit - The Lions are one of three NFL teams not to be listed among the 50 most-valuable sports franchises.

Davis: 2018 NFL record predictions - Bears ahead of Lions in NFC North - USA Today - USA TODAY Sports releases it annual NFL record projections, which suggest the Patriots and Seahawks will falter in 2018 on the road to Super Bowl LIII in Atlanta.

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT ON WINDY CITY GRIDIRON

Brob2493: Ranking the Chicago Bears defense 1-11 going into 2018 - Windy City Gridiron - The Bears took a big step in 2017 on defense under Vic Fangio ranking in the top 10 in yards allowed per game and points allowed per game and 11th in yards per play. In his first three seasons in...

Berckes: Fantasy Files - AFC West Divisional Preview - Windy City Gridiron - Get to know the AFC West before your fantasy drafts as it might just help you win it all

Wiltfong: It was mostly good news from Bears’ camp, but Roquan Smith still not signed - Windy City Gridiron - Ryan Pace, Matt Nagy, Mitchell Trubisky, Kyle Fuller, Allen Robinson and Akiem Hicks all met the media today from Bourbonnais.

Householder’s 2018 Chicago Bears offseason review: Free agency, NFL Draft, staff - Windy City Gridiron - It’s been a long offseason so let’s look back and see how we got here

Wiltfong: Chicago Bears 2017 vs 2018: Stock up / stock down - Windy City Gridiron - In Lester’s latest T Formation Conversation, he discusses the differences between last year’s Chicago Bears’ team and the one that is expected to break camp in 2018.

Lemming: Five Chicago Bears training camp battles to watch - Windy City Gridiron - Training camp is finally here. Here are five battles worth monitoring.

Infante’s 2018 training camp outlook: Ranking each position for the Bears based off of need - Windy City Gridiron - It’s not a perfect roster, but the Bears have put together an intriguing group of young, promising players on both sides of the ball.

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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