The Bear’s Den, August 23, 2018

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

BEARRRSSSS / DRAFT / FREE AGENCY

Zeglinski: Bears competitions to watch the rest of the preseason – The Rock River Times - It’s been an arduous summer ride, but this Saturday’s Bears preseason dress rehearsal against the Kansas City Chiefs begins the final countdown towards Chicago finalizing it’s 2018 53-man roster. What the approximate last month has done is a facilitate Bears positional battles.

Perez: Is Tarik Cohen the NFL’s most dangerous punt returner? - Bears Wire - Chicago Bears RB Tarik Cohen was picked as the player most likely to be this year's All-Pro punt returner by NFL.com

Stankevitz: A unit-by unit look at what questions the Bears will have to answer in putting together their 53-man roster - NBC Sports Chicago - Almost every unit has a key question that will have to be answered as the Bears work to find the right mix of players for their Week 1 53-man roster.

Cox: Tarik Cohen projected as first-team All-Pro for 2018 - NBC Sports Chicago - NFL.com released early projections for this year’s first-team All-Pros, and Tarik Cohen was the only Bears player to make the cut. The caveat? It’s not on offense.

LeGere: 5 questions Bears must answer in next 2 weeks - 247Sports - With just 17 days of preparation left before the Bears head north for their Sunday night regular-season opener against the Packers in Green Bay, they still have plenty of questions.

LeGere: Bears' Robertson-Harris continues to grow into defensive end role - Daily Herald - Defensive end Roy Robertson-Harris is trying to parlay his successful preseason into the starting job at right end on a Bears defense that was a top-10 unit last year but is looking for someone to team with defensive end Akiem Hicks and nose tackle Eddie Goldman,

Wiederer & Campbell: What to make of the Bears defense as it suddenly limps toward Week 1 - Chicago Tribune - The Bears suddenly have injury issues with three key defensive players — Leonard Floyd, Roquan Smith and Akiem Hicks — which brings into question just what to expect from the defense in 2018. Rich Campbell and Dan Wiederer discuss in Real Talk.

Wiederer: New helmet rule has Bears perplexed 'You don’t really know how you’re supposed to tackle anymore' - Chicago Tribune - As the NFL tries to heighten player safety with a new rule that prohibits players from lowering their head and initiating contact with their helmets, confusion has spread. Bears cornerback Kyle Fuller drew a bogus penalty Saturday, bringing new questions on the matter.

Campbell & Wiederer: Injuries hit the Bears on defense - Chicago Tribune - Welcome to the weekly Bear Download podcast with Rich Campbell and Dan Wiederer.

Finley: Matt Nagy, Mitch Trubisky uniting for first Bears gameplan together - Sun-Times - Mitch Trubisky knows how Matt Nagy likes to coach. This week, he’s learning how he likes to gameplan.

Potash: NFL helmet rule enforcement creating havoc - Sun Times - If it takes the kill shot out of the game ... it’s worth the pain NFL teams, players and fans are suffering now — and will suffer this season.

NFL breakout players 2018: WR Josh Bellamy will bust butt for the Bears - SBNation.com - The wide receiver can run any route, and he’ll do whatever the Bears ask of him.

Bernstein: Key Bears Are Getting Hurt, Again - 670 The Score - Leonard Floyd, Akiem Hicks and Roquan Smith have various ailments.

Gabriel: Breaking Down Bears' Roster Bubble - 670 The Score - Injuries at linebacker and tight end could affect decisions elsewhere.

Joniak's Journal: Confusion Reigns Regarding Helmet-Contact Rule - 670 The Score - The Bears were back at work Tuesday preparing for a game against the Chiefs on Saturday. Here are the notes and observations of the day.First impression: There are frustrated players throughout the league who aren't sure what to make of the new helmet-contact rule and all the flags thrown correctly or incorrectly.

Eurich: Bears on roster bubble - 247Sports - These Chicago Bears are facing a battle to make the roster.

Eurich: Bears weekly top matchups - 247Sports - The 2018 season will feature a lot of tough matchups for the Chicago Bears.

Friedell: Chicago Bears' Roquan Smith, James Daniels could crack starting lineup - ESPN - With top pick Roquan Smith finally ready to see preseason action, the Bears should get early contributions from him, James Daniels and Anthony Miller.

Dannehy: RRH Could Be the Pass Rusher the Bears Need - Da Bears Blog - While fans debate far-fetched trade scenarios for former first-round picks like Khalil Mack, Dante Fowler and Shane Ray, the player they’re most likely going to need to pick up the slack is a former undrafted rookie free agent with just two career sacks.

Medina: Could the Bears Trade From Their Offensive Line Depth to Address Other Areas of Need? - Bleacher Nation - The Bears have a group of offensive linemen for a limited number of spots on the 53-man roster. Is there possible trade bait here?

Medina: The NFC North is Loaded with Red Zone Studs, But Trey Burton is the Best of the Bunch - Bleacher Nation - Trey Burton as an elite red zone target? Yes, please!

Mayer: Trubisky continuing to focus on timing, rhythm - ChicagoBears.com - With each practice and preseason game, the rhythm and timing between Bears quarterback Mitchell Trubisky and his receivers has improved. But it’s a never-ending process that remains a work in progress.

Mayer's Chalk Talk: What will Miller’s role be this year? - ChicagoBears.com - Senior writer Larry Mayer discusses rookie receiver Anthony Miller’s role this season, wideout Kevin White playing late into the second half against the Broncos and the status of injured outside linebacker Aaron Lynch.

Mayer: Robertson-Harris emerging on defensive line - ChicagoBears.com - Being bigger and stronger with faster hands than he was a year ago is already paying dividends for Bears defensive end Roy Robertson-Harris, who ranks second in the NFL this preseason with 3.5 sacks.

Cox: Bears rookie Bilal Nichols’ pass-rush moves are ‘on a veteran level’ - Bears Wire - Chicago Bears nose tackle Eddie Goldman already sees rookie fifth-round pick Bilal Nichols developing quickly.

POLISH SAUSAGE

NFL refuses to admit mistake while admitting mistake – ProFootballTalk - The new rule against lowering the helmet to initiate and make contact is very broad and all-encompassing. And the league refuses to change it. Meanwhile, the league has changed it. In this age of truth isn’t truth and crime isn’t crime, change isn’t change.

KNOW THY ENEMY

Deadspin explains why the Detroit Lions suck - Pride Of Detroit - Sometimes it’s helpful to admit it.

George Iloka: How Does He Fit as a Viking ? - Daily Norseman - When I saw George Iloka got cut by the Bengals - apparently a salary cap casualty - I wondered if Mike Zimmer would attempt to sign him. After all he made an attempt a couple years ago, and sure...

Bukowski: Could Mike McCarthy, Packers go without a fullback in 2018? - Acme Packing Company - With a crowded backfield, added tight ends, and tough decisions elsewhere, the Packers could go without a fullback for the first team in years.

Matthew Stafford knows his career will be judged by postseason results – ProFootballTalk - Matthew Stafford’s statistics say he’s had a really solid nine-year career. His playoff record says he has more left to do. Stafford has passed for almost 35,000 yards, including 5,038 yards in 2011, and thrown 216 touchdowns, including 41 in 2011.

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT ON WINDY CITY GRIDIRON

Sunderbruch: No Pass Rush, No Problem? - Windy City Gridiron - The Bears are thin at outside linebacker, but they have real strength in the secondary. Contrary to myth, that secondary can get the job done even without pressure up front.

Wiltfong: Chicago Bears at Vernon Hills practice open thread - Windy City Gridiron - The Chicago Bears will be on the road tonight, practicing at Vernon Hills High School as a part of their "Varsity Bears" outreach program. With the Chicago Bears on Vernon Hills’ Rust-Oleum Field,...

Zeglinski: Chicago Bears DeAndre Houston-Carson has broken arm, out indefinitely - Windy City Gridiron - The injuries are starting to pile up at Halas Hall.

Wiltfong: How important is Eddie Goldman to the 2018 Bears? - Windy City Gridiron - Scott Kacsmar of Football Outsiders answered a few questions about the Bears for us and we’ll be sharing them all week. Part 3 is on the value of nose tackle Eddie Goldman.

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

THE RULES

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