clock menu more-arrow no yes mobile

Filed under:

The Bear’s Den, July 31, 2018

Thoughts turn towards Canton, as the preseason opener is now just two days away

If you buy something from an SB Nation link, Vox Media may earn a commission. See our ethics statement.

Chicago Bears v Arizona Cardinals
 A fan wearing a Brian Urlacher of the Chicago Bears jersey looks on during the NFL game against the Arizona Cardinals at the University of Phoenix Stadium on December 23, 2012 in Glendale, Arizona. The Bears defeated the Cardinals 28-13.
Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images

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

BEARRRSSSS / DRAFT / FREE AGENCY

Kane: Danny Trevathan says Bears ‘were on my side’ during 2017 suspension relating to new helmet-contact rule - Chicago Tribune - Veteran inside linebacker Danny Trevathan practiced for the first time during training camp Monday and offered his thoughts on Roquan Smith's contract holdout.

Wiederer: Bears GM Ryan Pace mum on Roquan Smith contract standoff - 'That's behind the scenes' - Chicago Tribune - In an appearance with WMVP-AM 1000 on Monday, Bears general manager Ryan Pace remained mum on the ongoing contract stalemate with first-round pick Roquan Smith. Still, there are few indications that the standoff will be ending any time soon.

Rosenbloom: Roquan Smith's contract demand could cause a lot of trouble - Chicago Tribune - First-rounder Roquan Smith remains unsigned because he wants contract language preventing the Bears from taking back some guaranteed money if he's suspended under the NFL rule prohibiting players from initiating contact with helmets. So Bears: Getting hurt by a new rule that hasn't been called.

Biggs: Prince Amukamara spoke to Roquan Smith, who is ‘working his butt off’ - Chicago Tribune - When Prince Amukamara spoke to Roquan Smith on Sunday, he was able to tell the Bears rookie linebacker that he’s been there before and by “there” we are talking about the outside looking in when it comes to training camp.

Bears training camp: Danny Trevathan practices in today's non-padded practice - Chicago Tribune - The Bears opened their first exhibition game week with a Monday morning practice that is open to the public at Olivet Nazarene University.

'It was like a magic trick': The best Brian Urlacher stories from ex-teammates, coaches and friends - Chicago Tribune - First-round draft pick. Defensive Rookie of the Year. Eight-time Pro Bowl selection. NFC champion. Hall of Famer. After a stellar 13-year NFL career, Brian Urlacher's legacy is, in part, defined by the impact he had on teammates, coaches and others throughout the Bears organization.

17 minutes? Or 8 minutes? Brian Urlacher still undecided about his Hall of Fame speech, but the one he chooses will be from the heart - Chicago Tribune - A week before getting inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame, Brian Urlacher still sounded undecided over whether to go longer or shorter with his words or what speech to use. How fitting a guy whose instincts made him a football immortal will follow his gut as he puts on the gold jacket.

Joniak's Journal: Danny Trevathan Staying In Touch With Roquan Smith - 670 The Score - Danny Trevathan is back after a hamstring pull, while Roquan Smith is still holding out.

Bernstein: Mitchell Trubisky Has To Be Better Than OK - 670 The Score - For the Bears to flourish, Trubisky must be an uplifting force for others.

Baffoe: Roquan Smith Isn't Being Selfish - 670 The Score - In no sport is it more important to look out for your future than football.

Finley: Bears want Mitch Trubisky to have 'total command' - Chicago Sun-Times - The Bears have less than six weeks — the season opener is Sept. 9 — to sift through the plays and find what Mitch Trubisky does well.

Potash: Bears training camp 2018; linebacker Danny Trevathan returns; hamstring injury - Chicago Sun-Times - Trevathan’s biggest role could be staying on the field. He missed seven games because of injuries (thumb, knee) in 2016 and three last year (calf).

Potash: Roquan Smith holdout: Bears GM Ryan Pace unfazed by impasse - Chicago Sun-Times - Pace indicated the tone of the negotiations with Smith’s agency is not contentious and that the issues are more layered than is known publicly.

Jahns: (Video) Bears training camp 2018: Why the Bears' tight ends are having more fun under Matt Nagy - Chicago Sun-Times - Trey Burton, Adam Shaheen and Dion Sims are lining up everywhere in the Bears' offense.

Morrissey: (Video) Bears-Roquan Smith impasse a bad look for franchise that has celebrated big hits - Chicago Sun-Times - There’s something unpleasant about dragging the rookie into this over money, when the real focus of the new helmet rule should be player safety.

Bears training-camp report: Observations, analysis from 9th practice - Chicago Sun-Times - An injury could affect James Daniels’ status for Thursday’s Hall of Fame Game in Canton, Ohio. He’s fighting for a starting guard job.

Teope: Danny Trevathan - I’m an example of new helmet rule - NFL.com - The league’s new helmet rule has created some confusion for players around the league. One player, Bears linebacker Danny Trevathan, understands the new points of emphasis.

Mayer: Trubisky exceeding Daniel’s expectations - ChicagoBears.com - Veteran backup Chase Daniel has been around a lot of young quarterbacks, and none of them has picked up a new offense any faster or better than Bears teammate Mitchell Trubisky.

Mayer: Trevathan practices for first time in camp - ChicagoBears.com - After missing the first 10 days of training camp with a hamstring injury, veteran inside linebacker Danny Trevathan returned to practice Monday in Bourbonnais.

Mayer: Bears knew Urlacher would be special from Day 1 - ChicagoBears.com - The Bears were enticed by the athletic ability Brian Urlacher displayed at New Mexico and knew he’d be special when they selected him in the 2000 NFL Draft.

Bears training camp: James Daniels sidelined with shoulder injury - Bears Wire - Chicago Bears second-round pick James Daniels missed training camp practice Monday because of a shoulder injury.

Bobby Massie sets personal goal for 2018: ‘Pro Bowl right tackle’ - Bears Wire - Chicago Bears right tackle Bobby Massie said that he's looking for a Pro Bowl season in 2018. He's been inconsistent throughout his career.

Brian Urlacher Q&A: HOF Bears career 'still feels like yesterday – it all does' - NBC Sports Chicago - As Brian Urlacher prepares for induction into the NFL’s Ring of Honor, he looks back over the years with NBC Sports Chicago reporter John “Moon” Mullin, who covered the Bears over the entire course of Urlacher’s legendary career.

Stankevitz: For Mitch Trubisky, there's still a knowledge gap to bridge within the Bears' offense - NBC Sports Chicago - Part of the growing process for Mitch Trubisky in training camp is to not only call the plays given to him, but command and understand every little thing about them.

Postcard from Camp: Tarik Cohen's 'rare' talent might be more mental than physical - NBC Sports Chicago - Tarik Cohen's ability to line up anywhere and understand his responsibilities has wowed Bears coaches, and showed up during a lighter practice on Monday down in Bourbonnais.

Mullin: 'Roquan who?' Bears rookie contract stalled over helmet rule but Smith will have to get past Nick Kwiatkoski - NBC Sports Chicago - While Roquan Smith and the Bears continue to butt heads, linebacker Nick Kwiatkoski is making a serious case to remain the starting inside linebacker, even when the No. 8 pick shows up to camp.

Report From Chicago Bears Training Camp: Open Practice 7 - Da Bears Brothers Podcast - Will DeWitt shares his top takeaways from the Chicago Bears' final open practice before Thursday's Hall of Fame Game.

Eurich: Bears 2.5-point underdogs to Ravens in Hall of Fame game - 247Sports - The Chicago Bears are opening as underdogs in their preseason opener. Ken's Note: Betting on the Hall of Fame game is just about the stupidest idea I've heard of that doesn't involve the cities of Green Bay or Detroit.

Eurich: Bears remain mum on who'll play in Hall of Fame Game - 247Sports - The Chicago Bears are taking a wait-and-see approach with the Hall of Fame game.

Bears training camp: Tarik Cohen dominates Monday practice - 247Sports - Tarik Cohen put on a show with a backflip on Monday morning.

Eurich: Danny Trevathan returns to practice Monday - 247Sports - Danny Trevathan finally got onto the practice field for the Chicago Bears on Monday.

Eurich: Jack Allen signed, Bunmi Rotimi waived by Bears - 247Sports - The Chicago Bears added to their offensive line over the weekend.

Wood: Your Yearly Reminder - It’s Just Practice - Da Bears Blog - It happens every year. Fans obsessively follow every training camp practice and get overly excited when they hear that guys from their team look really good. Or conversely get worried upon hearing somebody is struggling. This is your friendly, annual reminder to calm down.

Medina: Oh, Joy - Roquan Smith is Now the Last Un-Signed First-Round Pick - Bleacher Nation - This is unfortunately getting uglier than it should have ever gotten.

Medina: James Daniels (Shoulder) Sits Out Practice, But His Development at Guard Could Soon Get Back on Track - Bleacher Nation - It would be nice to see James Daniels healthy and focusing on one position.

Medina: Nick Kwiatkoski's Emergence Could Lead to a New Linebacker Camp Battle - Bleacher Nation - Battles are good.

Chalk Talk: How much will starters play Thursday? - ChicagoBears.com - Senior writer Larry Mayer discusses how much starters will play in Thursday night’s Hall of Fame Game, how tight end Adam Shaheen has performed in training camp and depth at the safety position.

POLISH SAUSAGE

Maybe the Raiders should trade Khalil Mack – ProFootballTalk - On Monday’s PFT Live, former Jon Gruden pupil Chris Simms predicted that Gruden eventually will snap regarding the Khalil Mack holdout, insisting that the Raiders do whatever it takes to sign their best defensive player to a long-term deal, ending his holdout.

KNOW THY ENEMY

Packers safety Kentrell Brice carted off practice field Monday - Acme Packing Company - Brice had been running with the No. 1 defense at safety opposite HaHa Clinton-Dix.

Packers LB Jake Ryan carted off practice field Monday - Acme Packing Company - Another member of the Packers defense left practice Monday with an injury.

Former Packers WR Jordy Nelson drawing positive reviews with Raiders - Acme Packing Company - The former Green Bay fan favorite has left many impressed during the first week of training camp, including his new quarterback.

Detroit Lions Day 4 training camp observations: Frank Ragnow looks the part - Pride Of Detroit - After a quiet weekend, Frank Ragnow stuck out in Monday’s practice.

Minnesota Vikings Training Camp: Vikings Are No Stranger To Tragedy - Daily Norseman - Sadly, the loss of OL Coach Tony Sparano is familiar territory for the franchise

Quinten Rollins on Packers’ roster bubble in training camp - Acme Packing Company - The former second-round pick has been getting time as a dime cornerback and linebacker, but the numbers might just not add up.

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT ON WINDY CITY GRIDIRON

Link's 2018 Chicago Bears Preview: The sneakiest most important Bears for 2018: No. 1 - The other outside linebackers - Windy City Gridiron - Unsung heroes will help make or break the Bears’ 2018 season. This defense is going nowhere without an outside linebacker stepping up across from Leonard Floyd.

Wiltfong's Bears Training Camp Recap: Shaheen shines, Trubisky coming along, and more - Windy City Gridiron - Robert was live at Chicago Bears training camp discussing today's training camp.

Householder: Chicago Bears-Roquan Smith dispute about contract language - Windy City Gridiron - As the contract dispute rages on, a new report from ESPN suggests it isn’t just about the new helmet-leading rule

Lemming: Spying on the enemy - NFC North training camp reports - Windy City Gridiron - The Chicago Bears have improved more than any team in the NFC North this off-season but how has their rivals looked so far?

PowerTool: Practice Observations From My Visit On 7/28 - Windy City Gridiron - I can make the trek to Bourbonnais about once a summer and I made that trip this past Saturday. WCG’s own staff have been providing great commentary on each practice. I just wanted to add my...

WCG CONTRIBUTORS BEARS PODCASTS & STREAMS

2 Minute Drill - Website - iTunes - Andrew Link; Steven’s StreamingTwitch – Steven Schweickert; T-Formation Conversation - Website - iTunes - Lester Wiltfong, Jr.; WCG Radio - Website - Robert Zeglinski

THE RULES

Windy City Gridiron Community Guidelines - SBNation.com - We strive to make our communities open and inclusive to sports fans of all backgrounds. The following is not permitted in comments, FanPosts, usernames or anywhere else in an SB Nation community: Comments, FanPosts or usernames that are intolerant or prejudiced; racial or other offensive epithets; Personal attacks or threats on community members; Gendered insults of any kind; Trolling; Click link for full information.

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.

Click on our names to follow us on Twitter:

WCG Contributors: Jeff Berckes; Patti Curl; Eric Christopher Duerrwaechter; Kev H; Sam Householder; Jacob Infante; Aaron Lemming; Andrew Link; Ken Mitchell; Steven Schweickert; Jack Silverstein; EJ Snyder; Lester Wiltfong, Jr.; Robert Zeglinski; Like us on Facebook.