The Bear’s Den, October 18, 2019

THE DAILY SPONGIE SPECIAL

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

BEARRRSSSS

Mitch Trubisky to See an Increased Work Load at Practice - Bleacher Nation - Not only was Mitch Trubisky a full participant in Wednesday’s practice, Bears Head Coach Matt Nagy said he liked what he saw from his starting quarterback. Now,

Should the Bears Look to Bolster the Offensive Line Before the Trade Deadline? - Bleacher Nation - The NFL has seen an up-tick when it comes to in-season trades lately, with contenders looking to bolster rosters ahead of playoff pushes and teams out of the

Haugh: Bears-Saints Preview - 670 The Score - A key question looms in the Bears-Saints matchup Sunday: Can Chicago finally move the ball against a quality foe?

Bernstein: Whatcha Got, Matt Nagy? - 670 The Score - With a crucial contest awaiting his team, Matt Nagy’s game-planning needs to shine for the Bears against the Saints.

Know Your Foe: Bears-Saints Storylines - 670 The Score - Danny Parkins of 670 The Score and Kristian Garic of WWL previewed the matchup.

Get to Game Sweepstakes offers VIP trip - ChicagoBears.com - The winner of the Chicago Bears Get to the Game Sweepstakes will receive two tickets to the Bears-Rams game next month in Los Angeles, airfare and lodging.

Game Preview: Chicago Bears - New Orleans Saints (Week 7) - Chicago Audible Podcast - In this game preview, The Chicago Audible crew discusses the details you need to know heading into the Week 7 matchup against the New Orleans Saints.

Matt Nagy's commitment to the run is fine, the Bears just have to run the ball better - NBC Sports Chicago - The Bears' run-pass balance has been fine in 2019, yet their running game has been among the worst in the NFL. So the solution is not to run the ball more.

Sacks or not, why the Bears see Leonard Floyd delivering on expectations - NBC Sports Chicago - Leonard Floyd's double-digit-sack breakout season may never come. But that doesn't mean the Bears aren't happy with what he's done for them this year.

Bears Injury Report: Trubisky practices in full Thursday - NBC Sports Chicago - QB Mitch Trubisky was a full participant in practice on Thursday, as was WR Taylor Gabriel and DL Bilal Nichols.

If you didn't love him already, wait until you hear that Eddy Piñeiro is practicing at Soldier Field tomorrow - NBC Sports Chicago - Get to the chopper!

Bears Defense Aims for More 'Chuck Bucks' Than Last Game - SI.com - Bears defensive coordinator Chuck Pagano gives out "Chuck Bucks" to his players as rewards each game for jobs well done, fake $100 currency with his photo on it.

Hoge and Jahns: Week 7 Bears-Saints, NFL Preview - WGN Radio - The bye week is officially over! Adam Hoge and Adam Jahns get you ready for this weekend's contest against the New Orleans Saints.

Hoge’s 10 Bears Things: Nagy Looking For ‘Toughness’ As Bears Search For Offensive Identity - WGN Radio - Losses in the NFL always increase the sense of urgency. Losing to the Raiders was a reality check, both for the coaches and players. Bears head coach Matt Nagy spent the bye week self-scouting his personnel and his own play-calling tendencies. When he was done, he decided to make a big change at right guard.

Week 7 Key Matchups: Bears vs. Saints - ChicagoBears.com - When the Bears host the New Orleans Saints Sunday at Soldier Field, keep an eye on these three matchups.

Bears legend Emrich on the road to recovery - ChicagoBears.com - Clyde Emrich, the 88-year-old pioneering strength coach who’s known as “The Legend” around Halas Hall, returned to work this week for the first time since suffering a nasty fall July 24 in Bourbonnais.

Patriots, Bills, Niners, Bears among top NFL defenses of 2019 - NFL.com - Gil Brandt ranks the top eight defenses of 2019 so far. Are Stephon Gilmore’s New England Patriots on top? What about Dee Ford and the upstart San Francisco 49ers?

Bears’ defense out for redemption after collapse vs. Raiders - Chicago Sun-Times - ”That ... was not us,” safety Ha Ha Clinton-Dix said. “We’ve had a chip on our shoulder this entire bye week just thinking about it.”

Saints’ Alvin Kamara misses practice again with knee, ankle injuries - Chicago Sun-Times - For the second-straight day, neither running back Alvin Kamara nor quarterback Drew Brees practiced for the Saints on Thursday.

‘Halas Intrigue’ Episode 31: Will Mitch Trubisky be the Bears’ superhero? - Chicago Sun-Times - Trubisky did a lot more damages with his legs last year than he has so far this season.

Jalen Ramsey trade made the Bears’ Khalil Mack deal look even better - Chicago Sun-Times - With his offense reeling, his quarterback hurt and his team a disappointing 3-2, Bears general manager Ryan Pace got a win Tuesday night.

Bears K Eddy Pineiro will practice at Soldier Field - Chicago Sun-Times - Kicker Eddy Pineiro will head to Soldier Field on Friday to practice in the fall weather, Bears special teams coordinator Chris Tabor said Thursday.

Bears predictions: Week 7 vs. New Orleans Saints - Chicago Sun-Times - The Sun-Times’ experts offer their picks for the Bears’ home game against the Saints:

Mitch Trubisky is (likely) back for the Bears, but 2 veterans are out: Previewing the Saints matchup in the Bear Download podcast - Chicago Tribune - Rich Campbell and Dan Wiederer break down the Bears-Saints matchup — including what putting Kyle Long and Akiem Hicks will mean — in the latest Bear Download podcast. They also dive into what the Bears need from quarterback Mitch Trubisky, who is likely to return.

5 takeaways from Bears coordinators Thursday, including playing without ‘alpha’ Akiem Hicks, payments in ‘Chuck Bucks’ and a tough Saints defensive front - Chicago Tribune - Bears defensive coordinator Chuck Pagano appreciated the Week 4 loss to the Raiders for being a wake-up call and grasps the full magnitude of Akiem Hicks’ extended absence.

POLISH SAUSAGE

Dolphins engaged in talks to trade RB Kenyan Drake - NFL.com - The Dolphins have had trade conversations with teams regarding running back Kenyan Drake, NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport reports. Drake is playing out the final year of his rookie deal.

KNOW THINE ENEMY

Has Detroit Lions fan confidence dropped after Monday’s screwjob? - Pride Of Detroit - Did Monday’s loss cause Lions fans to lose confidence in the team or will most deflect due to ref negligence?

Vikings Thursday Injury Report: Reiff returns - Daily Norseman - A big part of the o-line took a step towards playing Sunday

Minnesota Vikings at Detroit Lions Week 7 Preview: Ref-erendum - Daily Norseman - To win their third straight game and avoid an 0-3 division record, the Vikings will have to beat an improved (and angry) Lions team.

NFC North Rundown: Detroit’s game-changing defensive penalties have been the talk of the NFL - Acme Packing Company - Calls and no-calls throughout the game, especially against Trey Flowers, were crucial to the outcome between Detroit and Green Bay Monday night.

Matt LaFleur sacks Packers’ sack celebrations – ProFootballTalk - Za'Darius Smith has six sacks in six games, giving him reason to celebrate. He borrowed Ray Lewis' squirrel dance two weeks ago after the Hall of Fame linebacker questioned the leadership of the Packers' front seven.

IN CASE YOU YOU MISSED IT ON WINDY CITY GRIDIRON

Berckes & Dunnells: Canal Street Chronicles - “Saints Have Struggled Against Slot Receivers All Season” - Windy City Gridiron - Is it finally Miller-time for Chicago? Chris Dunnells of the Canal Street Chronicles stops by to answer how to beat this Saints defense and more!

Wiltfong: Bears fans with a bye week boost of confidence - Windy City Gridiron - Welcome to SB Nation FanPulse — a survey of fans across the NFL. Throughout the offseason, we send 32 polls to plugged in fans from each team. Bears fans, sign up HERE to join FanPulse.

Householder's Week 7 Game preview: Chicago Bears vs. New Orleans Saints - Windy City Gridiron - After a bye week, the Bears have to test if they’ve made improvements against a surging Saints team

Berckes & Snyder: How to Beat the Saints in 3 Easy Steps - Windy City Gridiron
Jeff and EJ talk about Kyle Long and Akiem Hicks to the IR and preview the Saints game.

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

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; Ken Mitchell; Steven Schweickert; Jack Silverstein; EJ Snyder; Lester Wiltfong, Jr.; Whiskey Ranger; Robert Schmitz; Robert Zeglinski; Bill Zimmerman; Like us on Facebook.