The Bear’s Den, October 3, 2019

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

BEARRRSSSS

Zeglinski: Veteran Daniel proving he can keep Bears afloat – The Rock River Times - The only instance where your presence as backup, as an understudy, is pined for is when you shine brighter than the person you were only supposed to temporarily replace.

Handing out first quarter grades for the NFC North, Bears earn a B - Our Turf Football - It’s the end of the first quarter and OTFB’s Sonja Greenfield is handing out grades to the teams in the division. How did she do?

Amukamara Runs Into Surprise At Dinner With Mack - 670 The Score - Prince Amukamara dined with Tim Anderson, even though he didn’t realize it at first.

Bears’ Roquan Smith Intends To Play Sunday - 670 The Score - Linebacker Roquan Smith intends to play this Sunday after missing the Bears’ win against the Vikings due to personal reasons.

Roquan Smith is back at practice and expects to play in London on Sunday - NBC Sports Chicago - The Bears' star linebacker didn't expand much on the personal reason that's kept him out.

The Bears will likely start Chase Daniel against the Raiders, but they consider Mitch Trubisky day-to-day - NBC Sports Chicago - It's the 5th start of his career.

Bears-Raiders: Jon Gruden still isn't interested in talking about Khalil Mack - NBC Sports Chicago - Jon Gruden took a question about Khalil Mack and quickly pivoted to complimenting Leonard Floyd on Wednesday in England.

Simms’ breakdown shows Bears’ defense forces you to take chances - NBC Sports Chicago - "The Bears defense is the real deal, there's no question about that," stated Chris Simms in his breakdown of the Bears Week 4 win over the Vikings. It is perhaps an understatement at this point as the Bears defense has got off to a torrid start, holding opponents to 11.3 points per game, good for second in the league.

Derek Carr: Both Raiders, Bears are winning the Khalil Mack trade - NBC Sports Chicago - Raiders QB Derek Carr took a deftly political tone when asked if his team or the Bears won the Khalil Mack trade.

Eddy Pineiro downplays revenge factor after Raiders 'blindsided' him with trade to Bears - NBC Sports Chicago - Eddy Pineiro admitted he was 'blindsided' by the Raiders' trade of him to the Bears back in May, but didn't sound like someone interested in getting any revenge on his former team this weekend.

Chase Daniel takes his turn in NFL's year of the backup QB - BearMaven - Chase Daniel just one in a series of backup QBs who are meeting with success this season.

Roquan Smith expects to play as his absence goes unexplained - BearMaven - Roquan Smith's absence received no more of an explanation Wednesday than Monday. But he is practicing again.

Mitch Trubisky is Going to London, But Chase Daniel Will Start at Quarterback - Bleacher Nation - Bears Head Coach Matt Nagy offered an update regarding Mitch Trubisky's status ahead of Sunday's upcoming game against the Raiders. Check it out: Trubisky "most

Kyle Long Says He'll Be Back This Week - Bleacher Nation - Last Friday afternoon, we learned that Bears' starting right guard Kyle Long had a setback (with respect to his hip injury) that would ultimately make his...

Bears Q&A: What are the options for replacing Roquan Smith? Is there a quarterback controversy? Have most of the offensive players regressed? - Chicago Tribune - The Tribune’s Brad Biggs answers Bears questions weekly. This week's mailbag includes questions about Roquan Smith, Kyle Long, Danny Trevathan, Mitch Trubisky, Javon Wims and Riley Ridley.

Roquan Smith returns to Bears practice after a personal issue and expects to play Sunday: ‘I’m past the situation now’ - Chicago Tribune - Bears linebacker Roquan Smith will return to practice four days after being a surprise inactive against the Vikings.

Chase Daniel is expected to start Sunday, but the Bears hope Mitch Trubisky recovers in time for the Saints - Chicago Tribune - Mitch Trubisky will travel with the Bears to London on Thursday but Chase Daniel is expected to make his fifth career start Sunday against the Raiders in London.

This won’t be the Bears’ 1st game played in London. Take a look back at previous trips in 2011 and 1986. - Chicago Tribune - This isn't the Chicago Bears first time playing a game in London. They last played there in 2011, beating the Buccaneers 24-18 at Wembley Stadium. They also played and won a preseason game at Wembley in 1986 against the defending Super Bowl champion Cowboys.

Smith plans to play Sunday versus Raiders - ChicagoBears.com - After missing last weekend’s win over the Vikings, Bears linebacker Roquan Smith practiced in full Wednesday and plans to play Sunday against the Raiders in London.

Daniel expected to start in place of Trubisky - ChicagoBears.com - With a left-shoulder injury likely sidelining Mitchell Trubisky Sunday against the Raiders, veteran backup Chase Daniel is expected to make his fifth career start.

Quick Hits: Pagano talks defense, Wims’ arrow pointing up - ChicagoBears.com - The latest edition of Quick Hits features items on coordinator Chuck Pagano’s thoughts on how the Bears defense is performing, Javon Wims taking advantage of expanded playing time and more.

The Week Ahead: Bears prep for Raiders - ChicagoBears.com - Three days after their impressive win over the Vikings at Soldier Field, the Bears return to the practice field Wednesday to continue preparing for Sunday’s game against the Raiders in London.

Moreano: 2019 Bears’ Defense is Better Than Last Year’s - Chicago Audible Blog - After four games of the 2019 NFL season, Chuck Pagano has his defense playing at a level that even surpasses what last year's team did under Vic Fangio.

2019 NFL MVP candidates at quarter mark: Mahomes sittin' pretty, Mack at #2 - NFL.com - Where does the MVP race stand at the quarter mark of the 2019 NFL season? Can anyone dethrone the reigning honoree, Patrick Mahomes? Chris Wesseling ranks 10 early contenders for the league's top individual award.

Career backup QB Chase Daniel to ‘let it loose’ for Bears vs. Raiders - Chicago Sun-Times - There’s a lot Bears coach Matt Nagy likes about Daniel, who he treats almost like a member of the coaching staff. He was solid last week. Can he do it again in London?

Roquan Smith: ‘I will play this week’ - Chicago Sun-Times - Bears linebacker doesn’t shed any light on his last-minute absence vs. the Vikings last week, but said the episode is behind him. ‘I’m fine,’ he said.

Tarik Cohen’s first TD of the season came because ‘he’s just dynamic’ - Chicago Sun-Times - Mark Helfrich had an explanation for how Tarik Cohen managed to slip past a rushing Everson Griffen and beat the Vikings’ Anthony Barr on an out route for a 10-yard touchdown Sunday.

Bears’ Kyle Long returns to practice, while 2 Pro Bowl players sit out - Chicago Sun-Times - The right guard practiced for the first time in a week after missing Sunday’s game with a hip injury. He was limited.

Backup Bears QB Chase Daniel gets start over injured Mitch Trubisky - Chicago Sun-Times - Trubisky hurt his left, non-throwing shoulder in the Bears’ 16-6 win over Minnesota. Daniel led that victory and gets another shot Sunday in London.

Raiders’ Jon Gruden: ‘We didn’t want to trade [Khalil Mack]” to Bears - Chicago Sun-Times - "I’m not re-hashing all the drama," Gruden said. "We wanted to have him. We couldn’t make it happen."

Things could go either way, Bears fans - Chicago Sun-Times - Khalil Mack and the defense offer Super Bowl hope, but the quarterback question still needs an answer.

POLISH XXTRA HOT SAUSAGE

Ken’s Note: Yes, I know this is old, but it’s still a good watch...

REGULAR POLISH SAUSAGE

Webcams - Katmai National Park & Preserve (U.S. National Park Service) - It’s National Fat Bear Week at Katmai National Park. Check out some live Bear cams!

Historically bad Dolphins and the trouble with tanking - SI.com - Frustrated with a string of middling seasons, the Miami Dolphins have gutted their roster, settling for historically bad football in the present with the hope of potentially great football in the future. The goal: to horde precious draft picks. The question: Can a teardown of this magnitude pay off in the NFL?

Patriots also work out Elliott Fry, Blair Walsh, Matthew Wright – ProFootballTalk - The Patriots held a kicking competition with free agent kickers Wednesday. Not only did Kai Forbath and Mike Nugent workout for New England, but so did Elliott Fry, Blair Walsh and Matthew Wright, Howard Balzer reports. The Bears cut Fry on Aug.

KNOW THINE ENEMY

Jon Gruden not happy ‘at all’ with Burfict suspension - NFL.com - Oakland Raiders coach Jon Gruden and quarterback Derek Carr were each vocal in their disagreement with the NFL’s suspension of Vontaze Burfict for the rest of the season. Ken’s Note: Jon Gruden is an idiot.

Contenders and pretenders: Packers on track, Browns vulnerable - NFL.com - Dak Prescott’s Cowboys and Baker Mayfield’s Browns are both leading their divisions -- but only one makes it to the playoff-bound part of Cynthia Frelund’s contenders and pretenders list.

Matt Patricia: Coach of the Year candidate? - Pride Of Detroit - Yes, it’s extremely early, but Matt Patricia is already getting some national praise

Rowe Report: Detroit Lions are for real, Stafford is a badass - Pride Of Detroit - That Stafford is a bad, bad man.

Views from the 651: Vikings could have it worse - Daily Norseman - Are the Vikings 2-2? Or are they 0-4? I can’t tell.

Minnesota Vikings Game Ball: Week 4 - Daily Norseman - Hahahahahahaha no.

Packers claim OLB Tim Williams on waivers from Ravens - Acme Packing Company - The Packers appear to be adding depth to their edge group.

IN CASE YOU YOU MISSED IT ON WINDY CITY GRIDIRON

Snyder & Berckes: Can Derek Carr Survive the Bears Pass Rush? - Windy City Gridiron - Jeff and EJ talk about the glorious victory against the Vikings and dive into the game ahead against the Raiders

Berckes & WhiskeyRanger: The Championship Belt Series - Part 2 - Windy City Gridiron - Determining the best Bears player in the history of the franchise through the years

Infante: Bears currently favorites in Vegas to win NFC North - Windy City Gridiron - The 3-1 Bears are currently tied for first in the division with the Packers, who hold the head-to-head tiebreaker.

Wiltfong: Bears’ Roquan Smith vows to play in London - Windy City Gridiron - Here’s the latest on Roquan Smith, Kyle Long and Mitchell Trubisky...

Wiltfong's Chicago Bears Sackwatch 2019: Week 4 vs. the Minnesota Vikings - Windy City Gridiron - Only one sack allowed to breakdown this week from the Chicago Bears...

Infante: Nick Williams a pleasant surprise for Bears’ defensive line - Windy City Gridiron - The journeyman defensive lineman has exploded onto the scene through the first four weeks of the 2019 season.

Sunderbruch: WCG’s Jack Silverstein Brings History Into Focus - Windy City Gridiron - Amidst the news of the current team, it’s worth taking a moment to compliment one of our own on a job well-done.

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.

The Bear’s Den Specific Guidelines – The Bear’s Den is a place for Chicago Bears fans to discuss Chicago Bears football, related NFL stories, and general football talk. It is NOT a place to discuss religion or politics or post political pictures or memes. Unless otherwise stated, the Den is not an open thread, and profanity (including profanity only stated in pictures) is prohibited.

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; Like us on Facebook.