The Bear’s Den, August 2, 2018

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

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Neveau: Chicago Bears Superfan Ashton Kutcher Ready for Hall of Fame Game - NBC Chicago - The Chicago Bears will hit the field Thursday night for the first time this preseason, and actor Ashton Kutcher is already fired up for football's return.

Mullin: For Brian Urlacher and Lance Briggs - 'Batman and Robin' - Bears relationship went beyond schemes - NBC Sports Chicago - Brian Urlacher and Lance Briggs had a great relationship on the field as linebackers, but also developed one off the field as well.

Kane: What 2 Watch 4 in Bears’ first exhibition - New coach, new receivers, new rules - Chicago Tribune - Backup quarterback Chase Daniel and a retooled receiving corps are two of the most important things to watch in the Bears' first exhibition game.

Haugh: Roquan Smith's contract impasse over behavior clause as well as NFL's new helmet contact rule - Chicago Tribune - In an effort to end the contract impasse with first-round draft pick Roquan Smith, the Bears conceded that they won’t go after his guaranteed money if the linebacker gets suspended under the NFL’s new rule legislating helmet contact, the Tribune has learned.

Wiederer: ‘He’s here. He arrived.’ - Revisiting Brian Urlacher’s first big breakout performance - Chicago Tribune - As Brian Urlacher prepares for his induction into the Pro Football Hall of Fame, one memorable performance from his early days in the league deserves consideration as one of the best games he ever played. A look back on the day that Greg Blache believes the middle linebacker arrived.

Staring contest with Roquan Smith continues - Chicago Tribune - Welcome to the weekly Bear Download podcast with Rich Campbell and Dan Wiederer.

Jahns: Roquan Smith holdout - There is more than new helmet rule - Chicago Sun-Times - The Bears’ contract standoff with Roquan Smith always has involved more than the NFL’s new helmet rule and the rookie's related guarantees.

Finley: 54 reasons why Brian Urlacher made it to the Hall of Fame - Chicago Sun-Times - Here are 54 reasons why, on Saturday night, the former linebacker great will become the 28th Bears player enshrined in the Pro Football Hall of Fame:

Potash: Roquan Smith holdout casts shadow over Matt Nagy's debut - Chicago Sun-Times - The reality is that the Bears don’t care about public perception and long have been impervious to embarrassment.

Chicago Bears Podcast: Hoge & Jahns on Roquan Smith, Mitch Trubisky - Chicago Sun-Times - The Chicago Sun-Times' Adam L. Jahns and WGN Radio's Adam Hoge debate everything involved with rookie linebacker Roquan Smith's contract impasse.

Eurich: Mitch Trubisky is still 'a few years away' for one scout - 247Sports - There are still detractors out there for Chicago Bears QB Mitch Trubisky.

Eurich: Bears Hall of Fame game depth chart - 247Sports - The Chicago Bears will take on the Baltimore Ravens in the 2018 Hall of Fame game.

Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2018 - ESPN - From a quiz about the players that might surprise you to the inside stories on iconic performances told by the players themselves, get to know this year's HOF class.

Dannehy: White and Miller Could Make Bears Attack Very Different - Da Bears Blog - Ryan Pace and Matt Nagy have tried to build the 2018 Chicago Bears offense to be like those Nagy’s mentor Andy Reid had success with in the past. But they may have stumbled into something very different and entirely more fascinating. If Kevin White and Anthony Miller are both able to continue to play at the level they have in the early days of training camp, the Bears won’t have a choice but to put both on the field. That could change the entire offense.

Medina: Meet Chris Tabor and Brock Olivo, the Chicago Bears' Special Teams Coaches - Bleacher Nation - Matt Nagy hired TWO ex-Dave Toub assistants with the hope that they can help fix the special teams unit. Ken's Note: Good article, Luis, but you missed something... Chris Tabor's college head coaching experience. Tabor is the ONLY coach to lead my Alma Mater, Culver-Stockton College, to a winning season in the last 30 years. Yikes!

Medina: Bobby Massie Wants to be a Pro Bowl Right Tackle in 2018 … Does He Have a Shot? - Bleacher Report - Bobby Massie is shooting for the moon in 2018. Ken's Note: No idea, but it's a good goal.

Mayer: Bears tour Pro Football Hall of Fame - ChicagoBears.com - Bears quarterbacks Mitchell Trubisky and Chase Daniel and their teammates visited the Pro Football Hall of Fame Wednesday shortly after arriving in Canton, Ohio.

Chalk Talk: Who will be Bears' star of game? - ChicagoBears.com - Senior writer Larry Mayer predicts which under-the-radar Bears player will star in the Hall of Fame Game and discusses how nose tackle Eddie Goldman has fared in training camp and the last time the Bears went undefeated in the preseason.

Mayer: Ex-teammates reflect on Urlacher’s career - ChicagoBears.com - No one appreciated soon-to-be Hall of Fame middle linebacker Brian Urlacher’s unique talent, athleticism or leadership more than his long-time Bears teammates.

PFW Chicago Podcast 121: Bears/Ravens Hall of Fame Game Preview - Pro Football Weekly - This week on the PFW Chicago Podcast, Hub, Bob and Dan review week two of Bears Training Camp and look ahead to this week's Bears/Ravens Hall of Fame Game. Plus, the guys continue talk about the latest on Roquan Smith.

Stankevitz: Brian Urlacher’s impact still felt as Bears head to Canton - NBC Sports Chicago - Brian Urlacher's impact still resonates with the Bears today as they head to Canton for the Hall of Fame Game on Thursday.

Stankeviz: For undrafted rookies like Ryan Nall, the Hall of Fame Game carries plenty of importance - NBC Sports Chicago - Like other undrafted rookies, Ryan Nall only has one chance to build his resume during training camp. Thursday night is his first opportunity.

PFW Podcast 103: Camp injuries, cliches and more! - Pro Football Weekly - Arthur, Eric and Dan take a look at some key injuries that have already plagued teams early in their training camps. Plus the guys call B.S. on cliche stories coming out of camps. We also have more on the NFL National Anthem policy as the news continues to roll on with the debate.

Liotta: 4 rookie head coaches who could win the Coach of the Year Award - TouchdownWire - See which four rookie head coaches have a chance at winning the NFL Coach of the Year Award in 2018.

Cox: If Khalil Mack is on the trade block, should the Chicago Bears pounce? - Bears Wire - Speculation is growing that Khalil Mack could be on his way out of Oakland. Should the Chicago Bears try and strike a deal?

Eurich: Taylor Gabriel shows off Bears cleats - 247Sports - Taylor Gabriel is set to rock some special Chicago Bears cleats.

Eurich: Roquan Smith holdout reportedly due to a behavior clause - 247Sports - New details have emerged on Roquan Smith's holdout with the Chicago Bears.

Eurich: Ashton Kutcher can't contain his excitement over Bears football - 247Sports - The Chicago Bears have a No. 1 fan in Ashton Kutcher.

Eurich: New Bears and who they replaced in 2018 - 247Sports - The new Chicago Bears will have a chance to show off on Thursday night.

Eurich: Chicago Bears training camp - Top highlights so far - 247Sports - The Chicago Bears have had plenty of highlights through their first wave of training camp.

NFC North Fantasy Football Preview: Chicago Bears players to target - Acme Packing Company - For fantasy options on the Bears, it’s all about draft value. Who can help take your team over the top without risking early draft capital.

Florio: Bears move on voiding of Roquan Smith guarantees, but not far enough – ProFootballTalk - There’s good news, sort of, regarding the Bears’ impasse with No. 8 overall draft pick Roquan Smith. According to David Haugh of the Chicago Tribune, the Bears finally have conceded that they won’t void Smith’s future guarantees if the league suspends him for violating the rules regarding the use...

POLISH SAUSAGE

49ers use Richard Sherman torching as coaching point - NFL.com - Richard Sherman got burned deep by WR Marquise Goodwin in his first padded practice with the 49ers. Kyle Shanahan used the play as a coaching point, not to criticize Sherman but rather as an example of how he wants his players to practice.

KNOW THY ENEMY

Detroit Lions training camp observations, Day 5 : Getting aggressive with linebackers - Pride Of Detroit - The linebackers were extra active for Wednesday’s practice.

Mike Remmers expected to miss a couple of practices - Daily Norseman - No need for long-term panic. Not yet, anyway. I think.

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT ON WINDY CITY GRIDIRON

Silverstein: Watch all of Brian Urlacher’s 19 tackles against the Cardinals - Windy City Gridiron - Brian Urlacher goes into the Hall of Fame this weekend. Where were you the night he destroyed the Cardinals?

Infante: Report - Bears, Roquan Smith agree on helmet issue; behavioral clause the holdup now - Windy City Gridiron - The Bears have also reportedly agreed to let Smith keep his guaranteed money if suspended as a result of the new helmet rules.

Berkes: Fantasy Files - NFC North Divisional Preview - Windy City Gridiron - Lions and Vikings and Bears, oh, and that other team

Leming: Chicago Bears - What to watch for in the Hall of Game game - Windy City Gridiron - Your guide for exactly what to watch for in tomorrow’s Bears preseason opener.

Infante's Bears UDFA breakdown: Rashard Fant - Windy City Gridiron - Every year a few UDFAs make the Chicago Bears’ 53-man roster, so we’ll take a look at the Top 10 most likely to do so. This time, we’re take a look at former Indiana star Rashard Fant.

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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