The Bear’s Den, July 23, 2018

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

BEARRRSSSS / DRAFT / FREE AGENCY

Zeglinski: Secondary puts on a show, Kevin White shines - The Rock River Times - While the focus of camp has primarily centered on the Bears’ new offense under Matt Nagy, it’s been an underrated defense and a secondary bringing back a majority of it’s starters that’s stolen the show early.

Wiederer: With continuity as a plus, Bears defense setting grand goals for 2018 - Chicago Tribune - After a soggy practice Sunday in Bourbonnais, Bears safety Eddie Jackson spoke in glowing terms about the chemistry on defense and also vocalized the unit's goal of becoming the No. 1 defense in the NFL.

Zeglinski: A “fiery” Miller flashes, Trubisky and offense struggle - The Rock River Times - This shouldn’t be shocking, but the Bears’ offense under Matt Nagy is a major work in progress. Newsflash: signing a sizable free agent group, getting a polished draft class rolling, and implementing a new scheme takes time to gel. Another muggy and wet Saturday at camp wasn’t a solid outing for Mitchell Trubisky and company, but that’s okay.

Wiederer: Bears rookie Javon Wims zeroing in on details of being an NFL receiver - Chicago Tribune - Bears rookie Javon Wims, a seventh-round pick out of Georgia, has a legitimate shot at making the 53-man roster in September. But to do so, the young receiver will have to have a strong training camp and become more sophisticated as a route runner.

Campbell: Kyle Long's return to health as important as any addition to Bears offense - Chicago Tribune - Of most importance to the Bears, Kyle Long is healthy again after finishing the last two seasons on injured reserve. He also is, suddenly, the offense’s second-oldest player at 29 years, 7 months. Let that sink in.

Zeglinski: Kevin Toliver knows he belongs. Now he has to prove it to the Bears - The Rock River Times - There were never any questions as to Kevin Toliver’s ability coming out of the 2018 NFL Draft. The 22-year-old rookie cornerback from LSU always stood out in college, showing evident talent that belongs in the big leagues. Through a combination of physicality and length thanks to his 6-foot-2 stature, Toliver regularly excelled in a three-year college career.

Campbell: Jordan Howard's pass-catching work received boost with two catches Saturday - Chicago Tribune - Jordan Howard caught two passes during Bears practice Sunday, a positive sign as he seeks to improving the quality of his hands as a receiver this season.

Kane: Aaron Lynch sits out, Kevin Toliver shines again in Bears’ first public practice - Chicago Tribune - Aaron Lynch encountered another setback in his attempt at a career rejuvenation on the first day of Bears training camp.

Potash: Matt Nagy’s Bears entrance evokes memories of Trestman; will it end differently?- Chicago Sun-Times - As the head coach of a team that has won 14 games in the last three seasons, just not being John Fox makes him the most popular guy in town

Morrissey: Offensive guru Matt Nagy now has to throw sunshine at D -- even on a rainy day - Chicago Sun-Times - Bears head coach can’t be Trubisky-centric, can’t be about Mitch to the point of distraction. He has to praise what he used to consider the enemy.

Finley: Roquan Smith holding out, so Bears' Nick Kwiatkoski seizes 'another opportunity' - Chicago Sun-Times - Bears third-year linebacker Nick Kwiatkoski is getting Roquan Smith’s snaps, and shining.

Jahns: A closer look at four Bears draft picks vying for early roles - Chicago Sun-Times - Learn more about Anthony Miller, James Daniels, Bilal Nichols and Kylie Fitts.

Finley: Bears won't 'harp' on WR Kevin White in camp: 'We just want him to be him' - Chicago Sun-Times - Bears coach Matt Nagy doesn’t treat every player the same, and he doesn’t want his coaching staff to, either.

Pearson: Chicago Bears OLB Aaron Lynch misses Saturday's practice - 247Sports - Chicago Bears outside linebacker Aaron Lynch has suffered a setback and missed Saturday's practice session in Bourbonnais.

Medina: Aaron Lynch Suffered A Hamstring Injury On Friday and Missed Saturday's Practice - The Ten Yard Lines - Bad news for Aaron Lynch, who figured to be in the mix to start across from Leonard Floyd at outside linebacker.

Medina's Getting to Know the 2018 Chicago Bears: Interior Offensive Linemen - The Ten Yard Line - The Bears boasted the best interior line at this time last year, but then injuries happened.

Mayer: Bears defenders see more speed, weapons on offense - ChicagoBears.com - With new coaches, new players and a new scheme—not to mention a more experienced young quarterback—the Bears offense looks a lot different to members of the team's defense.

Mayer: Cohen, Jackson still driven to prove critics wrong - ChicagoBears.com - After emerging as rookie playmakers last year, 2017 fourth-round picks Tarik Cohen and Eddie Jackson are motivated to both show they should have been drafted higher and take the next step in their second seasons.

Mayer: Cohen relishes chance to fill multiple roles - ChicagoBears.com - As a runner, receiver, returner and even passer, Tarik Cohen has more identities than a covert CIA agent. But the versatile second-year pro enjoys the challenge “because you can make plays at a lot of different positions.”

Mayer: Undrafted rookie Toliver shining early in camp - ChicagoBears.com - Bears rookie cornerback Kevin Toliver II gave a large contingent of his relatives who attended Saturday’s training camp practice something to cheer about when he intercepted a pass for the second straight day.

Cox: What we learned from the Bears at the start of training camp - Bears Wire - The Chicago Bears spoke to the media at the start of training camp and revealed a few things about where its players stand moving forward.

LeGere: Healthy WR Robinson encouraging sign for Bears offense - Pro Football Weekly - Former Pro Bowler gives QB Trubisky a go-to guy

Training Camp Daily: Peter King Talks Bears Upside - NBC Sports Chicago - Peter King joins the Under Center Podcast on Day 2 of practice in Bourbonnais.

Edholm: Chicago Bears giving Tarik Cohen a lot of jobs - Pro Football Weekly - Cohen stood out Sunday, flashing as runner, receiver and returner ... but can he hold up?

LeGere: Undrafted CB Toliver making a big splash in Bears camp - Pro Football Weekly - After checkered LSU career, rookie seeks consistency

Arthur Arkush: Matt Nagy says Bears' Jordan Howard a three-down back - Pro Football Weekly - 'We're crazy if we don't use that to our advantage'

Neveau: Kyle Long, Aaron Lynch Miss Practice for Chicago Bears - NBC Chicago - Long had a scheduled day off as the Chicago Bears are dealing with a few injuries during the opening days of training camp in Bourbonnais.

Training Camp Daily: Defense still “picking” on Bears QB’s in rainy practices - NBC Sports Chicago - Bears insider John 'Moon' Mullin & producer Paul Aspan discuss Mitchell Trubisky's accuracy which continues to be a work in progress, and much more.

Training Camp Daily: Peter King Talks Bears Upside - NBC Sports Chicago - Training camp Daily: Peter King joins the Under Center Podcast on Day 2 of practice in Bourbonnais.

Mullin: Could Bears improve and still lose ground? The MMQB's Albert Breer weighs in on tough NFC North - NBC Sports Chicago - Could the Bears improve in Year 1 under Matt Nagy and still lose ground in the NFC North? John "Moon" Mullin talked with longtime NFL writer Albert Breer about one of the toughest divisions in football.

Report From Chicago Bears Training Camp: Open Practice 2 - Da Bears Brothers Podcast - In this episode, Da Bears Brothers break down the second open practice of training camp and share their top insights on both offense and defense.

Kane: Bears rookie Anthony Miller already has the ‘swag.’ Now can he back it up? - Chicago Tribune - Bears coach Matt Nagy likes rookie wide receiver Anthony Miller's confidence, but he wants Miller to harness it in the right way.

Campbell: 5 observations from Bears' first practice with pads Sunday - Mitch Trubisky, Kevin White and more - Chicago Tribune - The first padded practice Sunday also means a return of practice observations. Here are 5 from Bears camp.

Knox: Bears Version - The Biggest Question Every NFL Team Must Answer in Training Camp - Bleacher Report - How Much of the Offense Can Trubisky Absorb by Week 1?

Alper: Matt Nagy on Kevin White: Up to him to do it in preseason games – ProFootballTalk - Bears head coach Matt Nagy said in April that he sees a "big ceiling" for wide receiver Kevin White despite the fact that White has missed all but five games since being drafted in the first round of the 2015 draft.

Casey: Bears Kevin White stellar catch training camp video - 247Sports - It may only be the second day of practice, but Chicago Bears wideout Kevin White has already made the highlight reel.

Pearson: Chicago Bears RB Jordan Howard working hard to improve pass-catching - 247Sports - Chicago Bears running back Jordan Howard says he's worked on his pass-catching abilities this offseason.

COACH SPARANO

Minnesota Vikings Offensive Line Coach Tony Sparano passes away - Daily Norseman - He was 56 years old. Ken’s Note: Our condolences to Coach Sparano’s family.

Former Dolphins head coach Tony Sparano passes away - The Phinsider - Former Miami Dolphins head coach Tony Sparano passed away on Sunday, according to a press release from the Minnesota Vikings. Sparano was 56-years-old and is survived by his wife Jeanette, two...

POLISH SAUSAGE

Report: Johnny Manziel traded to Montreal – ProFootballTalk - Johnny Manziel can’t get on the field in Hamilton. Now he’s expected to get a chance in Montreal. The Hamilton Tiger-Cats have agreed to trade Manziel to the Montreal Alouettes, according to Duane Ford of TSN.

KNOW THY ENEMY

Who is the best former Lions player-turned-announcer? - Pride Of Detroit - This week, ESPN announced the broadcasting crew for the Detroit Lions’ season opener against the New York Jets on “Monday Night Football.” Former NFL quarterback Brian Griese will be paired up with...

Packers TE Jimmy Graham hosts charity cornhole tournament - Acme Packing Company - Jimmy Graham’s cornhole challenge raised money for the Wounded Warrior Project and Angel Flight, all while getting to know the fans.

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT ON WINDY CITY GRIDIRON

Bears Training camp recap Day 3: The defense shines again - Windy City Gridiron - The Chicago Bears put the pads on today down in Bourbonnais, but it was just to get the players comfortable as they didn’t go all the way live. There was some light popping in what is expected to...

Chicago Bears Training Camp: Live streaming updates 7/22 - Open Thread - Windy City Gridiron - It’s the second open to the public training camp practice for the Chicago Bears and after just one day, I’m excited. If you guys are out in Bourbonnais today and active on Twitter, make sure to...

Chicago Bears Day 2 Camp recap - Windy City Gridiron - Robert Zeglinski went on Facebook Live at Chicago Bears camp from Bourbonnais earlier today to recap all of the action from practice

Wiltfong's Chicago Bears 2018 Position Battles: The Specialists - Windy City Gridiron - Our 11-part position by position look at the Chicago Bears’ training camp battles moves over to the third phase as we discuss kicker, punter, and long snapper,

Borbonnaisdoc: Training Camp Recommendations from BourbonnaisDoc - Windy City Gridiron - When you come down to Bearbonnais there are the typical suburban chains like TGIFridays, Applebees, McDonalds, Wendys Red Lobster and Texas RoadHouse. Also the favorites like Cracker Barrel, Four...

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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