The Bear’s Den, October 17, 2019

THE DAILY SPONGIE SPECIAL

City of New Orleans Train Chicago, Memphis, New Orleans - Amtrak
The City of New Orleans train travels between Chicago and New Orleans through Memphis taking you through the heart of our nation's musical heritage. Ken's Note: The train is still around 47 years after Steve Goodman wrote the song.

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

BEARRRSSSS

The Bears Might Just Miss Saints Star RB Alvin Kamara (Ankle Sprain) This Sunday - Bleacher Nation - We know how banged up the Bears are entering Week 7, but they aren’t going into Sunday’s action dealing with major injuries alone. NFL Network insider Tom

Bears’ Mitchell Trubisky ‘Close’ To 100 Percent - 670 The Score - Bears quarterback Mitchell Trubisky is in line to return from a left shoulder injury and play against the Saints on Sunday.

Bears Noncommittal On Akiem Hicks’ Potential Return - 670 The Score - After placing defensive lineman Akiem Hicks on injured reserve with an elbow injury, the Bears were noncommittal about whether he will be able to return this season.

Ragone, Bears Reminding Trubisky Of Right Standards - 670 The Score - Dave Ragone doesn’t want Mitchell Trubisky to get caught up in comparisons.

Healthy Anthony Miller ready to cut loose - ChicagoBears.com - Receiver Anthony Miller ditched his shoulder harness against the Raiders and played at his highest level of the season. Could that be a harbinger of things to come?

Bears to auction practice jerseys - ChicagoBears.com - To commemorate Crucial Catch and raise money for cancer research, the Bears will auction off special practice jerseys worn this week to prepare for the Saints.

Chalk Talk: Does Patterson always have green light? - ChicagoBears.com - Senior writer Larry Mayer discusses whether Cordarrelle Patterson always has the green light to take kickoffs out of the end zone, the Bears winning a game on a free kick and the last time the Bears returned a kick for a touchdown.

The Week Ahead: Bears prep to host Saints - ChicagoBears.com - After a day off Tuesday, the Bears return to the practice field Wednesday to continue preparing for Sunday’s game against the New Orleans Saints at Soldier Field.

5 things we heard from Bears defensive coaches, including Khalil Mack’s ‘little issue’ and Danny Trevathan’s continued impact - Chicago Tribune - Here are five things we heard from the Bears defensive assistant coaches Tuesday, including the new staff's impressions of Danny Trevathan and Ha Ha Clinton-Dix.

Ep. 93: Bye Week Reflection - Bear Down Girl Podcast - With no game to recap this week, I decided to reflect on what has occurred so far this season. I breakdown what the offense/defense have done well and what they need to get better at.

Zeglinski: Trubisky’s return must lift battered Bears – The Rock River Times - The distinction between a franchise quarterback and a replaceable washout in the NFL isn’t convoluted.

Meet the New Orleans Saints (with Alec Salas of All Saints Considered) - Chicago Audible Podcast - Listen as All Saints Considered Host Alec Salas joins the show to share his firsthand account of the Bears Week 7 opponent – the New Orleans Saints.

Bears need Mitch Trubisky to learn from the last time he returned from an injury - NBC Sports Chicago - Mitch Trubisky had his worst game in the NFL after returning from a two-week hiatus in 2018, and will need to monitor his emotions when he's expected to take the field on Sunday against New Orleans.

Bears, Anthony Miller need to better harness talented wide receiver's skillset - NBC Sports Chicago - Anthony Miller has had a disappointing start to 2019, but ditched his shoulder harness and feels primed to make a big impact when the Bears return from their off week on Sunday.

The Bears, like every other NFL team, are just trying to take the NFL's officiating issues in stride - NBC Sports Chicago - The Bears could clean up some penalties, but the ongoing issue with officiating isn't helping.

Bears Week 7 Injury Report: Mitch Trubisky, Taylor Gabriel and Bilal Nichols all full participants in Wednesday's practice - NBC Sports Chicago - Mitch Trubisky, Taylor Gabriel and Bilal Nichols were all full participants in Wednesday's practice.

Bears Hope to Harness Mitchell Trubisky's Running Ability - SI.com - Despite the shoulder injury suffered by Mitchell Trubisky, coach Matt Nagy isn't telling his quarterback to avoid running when the Bears play the New Orleans Saints Sunday at Soldier Field.

Nagy ‘cautiously optimistic’ Trubisky will play - ChicagoBears.com - After missing one start with a left-shoulder injury, Bears quarterback Mitchell Trubisky told reporters Wednesday that he feels close to 100 percent and hopes to return Sunday against the Saints.

Bears lineman Charles Leno — respectfully — seeks answers on penalties - Chicago Sun-Times - With six holding/illegal use of hands penalties in five games, Bears Pro Bowl LT turns to officials to find out what he’s doing wrong/

Mitch Trubisky? Improved? Bears coach Matt Nagy somehow thinks so - Chicago Sun-Times - If Nagy believes that Trubisky has gotten better this season, the Bears’ problems might be deeper than an offense that can’t advance the football.

Feeling ‘not anywhere close to great,’ Trey Burton fights frustration - Chicago Sun-Times - The groin injury that required offseason surgery — and, after a setback, kept him from making his season debut until Week 2 — still bothers him. He has never been through anything like it.

‘Halas Intrigue’ Episode 30: Mitch Trubisky is banged up but back - Chicago Sun-Times - The hosts discuss Trubisky’s comments to reporters Wednesday and his likely return Sunday against New Orleans.

‘Tough guy’ Rashaad Coward worth a Long look at right guard - Chicago Sun-Times - "He’ll get a ton of work this week," offensive line coach Harry Hiestand said of the second-year reserve lineman.

Chicago Bears Q&A with Brad Biggs - Chicago Tribune - The Tribune’s Brad Biggs answers your Bears questions weekly. This week's queries concern Kyle Long's replacement, the offense's problems and judging Leonard Floyd's career so far.

3 things we learned at Bears practice, including Eddy Pineiro’s healing leg, more Akiem Hicks details and preparations for officiating outliers - Chicago Tribune - In addition to Bears quarterback Mitch Trubisky practicing in full and Anthony Miller going harness-free, here are three things we learned at Bears practice.

Mitch Trubisky status: Chicago Bears "cautiously optimistic" QB can play - Chicago Tribune - Bears QB Mitch Trubisky is expected to start against the Saints as long as he doesn't feel significant discomfort during or after three practices this week.

New Orleans Saints' Drew Brees, Alvin Kamara miss practice - Chicago Tribune - As the Saints ramped up preparations to face the Bears on Sunday at Soldier Field, they did so without quarterback Drew Brees and running back Alvin Kamara.

Chicago Bears' Anthony Miller cuts loose his shoulder harness - Chicago Tribune - It’s understandable if Bears wide receiver Anthony Miller wants to replicate his performance after he cut off his left shoulder harness against the Raiders.

Bears “cautiously optimistic” Mitchell Trubisky will play this week – ProFootballTalk - It looks like Bears quarterback Mitchell Trubisky is going to be back in the starting lineup this week. Bears head coach Matt Nagy said at his Wednesday press conference that the team is “cautiously optimistic” that Trubisky’s left shoulder injury has recovered to the point that he’ll play agains...

Saints coach Sean Payton on alert for Bears QB Mitch Trubisky running - Chicago Sun-Times - Trubisky has fewer rushing yards in four games (21) than he averaged per game last season (30.1).

Bears hoping DL Akiem Hicks comes off injured reserve, but no certainty - Chicago Sun-Times - Hicks is eligible to play in Week 15 against the Packers, giving him three potential games if he comes back. But that depends on his health and whether the Bears are playing meaningful football.

POLISH SAUSAGE

Roger Goodell confirms talks on a 17-game season – ProFootballTalk - The NFL wants an 18-game season. It may end up settling for 17. Commissioner Roger Goodell confirmed for reporters on Wednesday that talks between the NFL and NFL Players Association have occurred regarding an expansion of the regular season from 16 games to 17.

KNOW THINE ENEMY

No practice for Alvin Kamara due to ankle, knee injuries – ProFootballTalk - Saints running back Alvin Kamara reportedly was expected to be limited in practice this week with a "high-ankle-type issue." As it turns out, he didn't practice at all on Wednesday, due to an ankle injury and something else.

Roundup: Alvin Kamara (ankle/knee) sits out practice - NFL.com - New Orleans Saints running back Alvin Kamara (ankle/knee) did not participate at practice Wednesday. Plus other news we're monitoring around the league.

Lions tight end T.J. Hockenson not planning to stop hurdling despite concussion - Pride Of Detroit - "I’m not going to change anything based on one thing."

Detroit Lions Week 7 scouting report: The Minnesota Vikings are sneaky good - Pride Of Detroit - The Vikings could make a very good case for best team in the NFC North, despite their two divisional losses.

Jalen Ramsey traded - Daily Norseman - Not to the Vikings

Lazard’s big night could elevate him in Packers receiving core - Acme Packing Company - Given the struggles of Geronimo Allison and Darrius Shepherd, and the lack of impact play from Jake Kumerow, it’s not unreasonable to suggest one half of football is enough to earn Allen Lazard a bigger role in the offense.

IN CASE YOU YOU MISSED IT ON WINDY CITY GRIDIRON

Wiltfong's Bears Injury Update: Trubisky, Nichols, and Gabriel all practiced in full - Windy City Gridiron - Here’s the full Chicago Bears injury update from Halas Hall after today’s practice.

WiskeyRanger's Sky Judge and the NFL of Tomorrow: Football’s Officiating Problem and (Maybe) How to Deal With It - Windy City Gridiron - NFL officiating has a serious problem. And it’s well passed time to address it.

WCG CONTRIBUTORS BEARS PODCASTS & STREAMS

Windy City Gridiron Podcast Channel which includes Bear With Me from Robert Schmitz, Bears Over Beers featuring Jeff Berckes & EJ Snyder, and T Formation Conversation from Lester A. Wiltfong Jr.; Steven’s Streaming Twitch Channel from Steven Schweickert; and Robert Zeglinski’s The Blitz Network

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. No personal attacks, politics, gender based insults of any kind, racial insults, etc.

WCG CONTRIBUTORS BEARS PODCASTS & STREAMS

Windy City Gridiron Podcast Channel which includes Bear With Me from Robert Schmitz, Bears Over Beers featuring Jeff Berckes & EJ Snyder, Bears Banter hosted by Bill Zimmerman, and T Formation Conversation from Lester A. Wiltfong Jr.; Steven’s Streaming Twitch Channel from Steven Schweickert; and Robert Zeglinski’s The Blitz Network

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