The Bear’s Den, August 15, 2018

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

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Kane: Roquan Smith doesn't regret his contract holdout 'That's just the business side of things' - Chicago Tribune - Roquan Smith practiced in a Bears uniform on Tuesday at Halas Hall, marking the official end to the first-round pick’s 29-day contract holdout.

Kane: Bears look to break up ‘monotony’ of preseason with joint practices with Broncos - Chicago Tribune - Bears rookie Roquan Smith didn’t make it to Bourbonnais for training camp, but he’ll have several days on the road to become reacquainted with his team.

Rosenbloom's Note to Roquan Smith: You don't have to hold out to be a Bears first-round bust, but it helps - Chicago Tribune - As a linebacker for the Bears, first-round draft pick Roquan Smith was going to hear the names of Brian Urlacher and Mike Singletary. But because Smith and the Bears haggled over money, the rookie missed 29 days of training camp and now hears the names of Cedric Benson, Cade McNown and other busts.

Potash: Bears rookie Roquan Smith aiming for Packers Week 1 opener following holdout - Chicago Sun-Times - The fallout from Smith’s holdout could be minimal or even nonexistent if Smith learns quickly and stays healthy.

Finley: 'We definitely have to bring it' - Bears know virtue of joint practice in Denver - Chicago Sun-Times - When Roquan Smith boarded the Bears’ team airplane Tuesday, it added even more intrigue to the joint practices, which start Wednesday.

Finley: Roquan Smith's return - LB signs with Bears, calls standoff part of 'business' - Chicago Sun-Times - Coach Matt Nagy’s greeting for Smith was simple. ‘‘Welcome here,’’ Nagy said Tuesday. ‘‘Are you ready to play some ball?’’

Potash: Bears rookie Roquan Smith wants to follow Joey Bosa footsteps - but not all of them - Chicago Sun-Times - He appeared to get through his first practice in good shape, so he’s already a step ahead of Joey Bosa. But there’s still a long way to go.

Zeglinski: A Bourbonnais bow - Main takeaways from Matt Nagy’s first Bears camp - The Rock River Times - And so, in the blink of a three-week eye, Matt Nagy’s first Bears training camp has come and gone. Many laughs were shared, and many tears were shed. But most importantly, lessons about the rookie head coach’s roster and situation were learned.

Mayer: Holdout over, hard work just beginning for Smith - ChicagoBears.com - Matt Nagy was thrilled that first-round draft pick Roquan Smith finally signed on the dotted line Tuesday. But the Bears coach knows that the rookie linebacker has “a lot of catching up to do mentally and physically.”

Mayer: Roquan Smith ends holdout, signs contract - ChicagoBears.com - The impasse between the Bears and first-round draft pick Roquan Smith ended Tuesday after 29 days when the inside linebacker from Georgia signed a four-year deal.

Perez: Where are Bears skill players being drafted in fantasy football? - Bears Wire - A look at the fantasy football ADP of the Chicago Bears key skill players heading into the 2018 NFL season

Perez: Bears first-round pick Roquan Smith signs his contract - 247Sports - Chicago Bears first-round pick Roquan Smith officially ended his holdout and signed his rookie deal on Tuesday

Stankevitz: How soon will Roquan Smith start? The Bears are ready to figure out the answer - NBC Sports Chicago - Roquan Smith will have to earn a starting on the Bears' defense, but if there's anyone who can do that in a short period of time, it's the 2018 eighth overall pick.

Stankevitz: What do the Bears hope to accomplish in joint practices with Broncos? - NBC Sports Chicago - The Bears are hoping this week's joint practices with the Denver Broncos add a little competitive boost to the dog days of preseason practices.

Mullin: With Roquan Smith and others, Bears moving closer to elite defense in a hurry - NBC Sports Chicago - With Roquan Smith in tow and the other young linebackers flying to the football, they're inching closer to elite status, writes John "Moon" Mullin."

Roquan Smith's Holdout Is Over: Now What? - Da Bears Brothers Podcast - In this brief (and bonus) episode, Will Ingalls flys solo to discuss the breaking news that Roquan Smith’s holdout is officially over. After holding out for 29 days, 15 practices, and two preseason games what should you expect from the first-round linebacker? Listen as Will explains what exactly the holdout was, and poses the question “What happens now?”

LeGere: Nagy on Smith after Bears draft pick's first practice: 'You have to earn it' - Daily Herald - Matt Nagy was glad to have Chicago Bears first-round draft pick Roquan Smith at practice after he missed the first 29 days of training camp, but he wasn't going overboard about it.

Haugh: Roquan Smith's holdout will be forgotten quickly as long as he lives up to his billing on the field - Chicago Tribune - Roquan Smith did nothing to dispel the notion that he was merely a pawn in CAA’s monthlong chess game with the Bears, turning into Robotic Roquan when asked about everything from his role in negotiations.

Eurich: Bears Broncos to avoid joint practice fights - 247Sports - The Chicago Bears and Denver Broncos will be holding joint practices this week.

Pearson: Chicago Bears linebacker Roquan Smith remains mum on what held up contract - 247Sports - Rookie linebacker Roquan Smith met the media for the first time since signing his contract and remained mum on what held it all up.

Eurich: Akiem Hicks snubbed on All-NFC North team - 247Sports - First no Pro Bowls, now this for the Chicago Bears defensive end.

Broome: NFC North takeaways from first week of preseason - 247Sports - The four NFC North teams all had productive and impressive first weeks of the preseason as they build for the 2018 campaign.

Eurich: Roquan Smith contract details - 247Sports - The details are in on Roquan Smith's rookie deal with the Chicago Bears.

Roquan Smith: 'Up to the coaches' if I play Week 1 - ESPN Video - Bears rookie LB Roquan Smith says he is happy to be back at training camp and is hopeful he will be up to speed by Week 1.

Wood: Adam Shaheen’s Playing Time/Role Will Be Determined By His Performance as a Blocker - Da Bears Blog - Adam Shaheen has gotten a lot of buzz around the Bears since catching 3 passes for 53 yards in his brief action during last Thursday’s preseason game. The Chicago Tribune and Chicago Sun-Times wrote nearly identical pieces praising his growth as a pass catcher, both quoting Matt Nagy to say Shaheen is “going be a big part of this offense.”

Medina: Roquan Smith Is "Happy to Be Here," But Didn't Have Much Else To Say About His Holdout - 247Sports - Mum was the word from Roquan Smith in his first meeting with the media after signing his rookie contract.

Medina: How Soon Can Roquan Smith Play? How Much? Could He Start Against Packers? - 247Sports - Let's try to pinpoint when Roquan Smith can play.

Medina: Depth Matters - A Pair of Backups Get High Marks Against the Bengals - 247Sports - Guard Will Pericak and outside linebacker Kasim Edebali were standouts in PFF's eyes. Can they do enough to solidify spots among the Bears' reserves?

Video: Goal For Bears In Joint Practices With Broncos - 670 The Score - The Bears will get in a different type of work in practice this week.

Bears tied at 19th in B/R NFL Power Rankings - Bleacher Report - The 2018 NFL preseason is underway. All 32 teams have played, and we've witnessed the Minnesota Vikings debut of quarterback Kirk Cousins, the first pass by No...

Eurich: Akiem Hicks snubbed on All-NFC North team - 247Sports - First no Pro Bowls, now this for the Chicago Bears defensive end.

POLISH SAUSAGE

Kyle Shanahan: Injuries are part of football – ProFootballTalk - Kyle Shanahan stood on the sideline in Thursday’s exhibition game, watching one player after another exit with an injury. The 49ers had six players leave with injuries against the Cowboys, and they listed 16 players on their pre-practice injury report Monday, according to Eric Branch of the San Fran...

Ben Roethlisberger in concussion protocol after hit - NFL.com - The Pittsburgh Steelers endured a scary moment Tuesday. Quarterback Ben Roethlisberger went down during practice and is in the concussion protocol, the team announced.

KNOW THY ENEMY

Are trade winds filling the sails of the Vikings longboat? - Daily Norseman - Paul Allen, the radio voice of the Vikings, seems to think so.

Packers’ Mike McCarthy is planning for Aaron Rodgers to play on Thursday - Acme Packing Company - Barring something unexpected, #12 should be taking the field this week at Lambeau Field.

Justin McCray closing in on Packers’ right guard job - Chicago Tribune - Packers coach Mike McCarthy wouldn’t declare Justin McCray the winner of the training camp competition at right guard, but he got pretty close. What was supposed to be one of the bigger competitions of training camp never materialized.

Graham Glasgow leaves Tuesday’s practice with injury - Pride Of Detroit - The Lions’ starting center went down late in Tuesday’s practice.

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT ON WINDY CITY GRIDIRON

Wiltfong: Get to know Bears head coach Matt Nagy - Windy City Gridiron - The NFL released an interesting interview with Chicago Bears head coach Matt Nagy.

Householder: How balanced will the Chicago Bears offense be in 2018? - Windy City Gridiron - There’s been a lot of talk of a pass heavy offense, but will that really be the case?

Zeglinski: Roquan Smith is back with the Chicago Bears, and his holdout will be forgotten - Windy City Gridiron - Smith’s preseason standoff with the Bears will soon be a distant memory. Everything is back on track at Halas Hall.

Berkes: Fantasy Files - Quarterback Rankings: From Rodgers to Bortles - Windy City Gridiron - Positional Rankings – Quarterback We’ve got 4 articles planned to lay out positional rankings. These are my opinions and how I stack my board. I will be wrong about a lot of this stuff – that’s...

Wiltfong: Bears’ Roquan Smith meets the media to give his side of the story - Windy City Gridiron - Now that Roquan Smith has signed his contract, the Chicago Bears are making him available to the media.

Zeglinski: Full contract details of Roquan Smith’s standoff with the Bears have emerged - Windy City Gridiron - The fine print of the Bears’ and Smith’s standoff has been revealed. A solid victory for both sides.

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 - iTunes - Robert Zeglinski

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