The Bear’s Den, December 24, 2020

THE DAILY SPONGIE SPECIAL

BEARRRSSSS

Sam Mustipher might be the Bears’ next, great center – The Athletic - Sam Mustipher was undrafted out of Notre Dame, but now he’s starting for the Bears.

Untethered, unfiltered: How Bears QB Mitch Trubisky changed his tone in 2020 - Chicago Sun-Times - Once Trubisky saw that the Bears were ready to move on from him, he realized his career was in his hands. That opened up a new aspect of his personality.

Khalil Mack stresses urgency next 2 weeks — ‘Time is not on our side’ - Chicago Sun-Times - The Bears’ season is starting to feel fleeting to Khalil Mack. The only way to change that is to make it go longer.

Why the Bears’ Matt Nagy would thrive as a college coach - Chicago Sun-Times - His motivational skills would play much better on Saturdays than on Sundays.

Chicago Bears could face Mike Glennon, whom they cut in 2017 - Chicago Tribune - Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Mike Glennon, whom the Chicago Bears cut after the 2017 season, could match up against his former team Sunday — if he wins the Jaguars' internal competition this week.

Chicago Bears Q&A: Will QB Mitch Trubisky remain in 2021? - Chicago Tribune - The Chicago Bears’ modest two-game win streak has fans wondering if the organization will maintain the status quo regarding its coach, general manager and quarterback. Brad Biggs tackles those questions and more in his weekly mailbag.

Ryan Pace: GM's 30 most significant moments with Chicago Bears - Chicago Tribune - Ryan Pace has had six years to get it right as Chicago Bears GM, and his job status has come under scrutiny over the last two months. Here are the 30 most significant moments of Pace’s career — good, bad and in between.

Game Preview: Chicago Bears - Jacksonville Jaguars (Week 16) - Chicago Audible - Listen as the guys share their in-depth game preview for the Chicago Bears upcoming matchup against the Jacksonville Jaguars.

NFL Playoffs: Bears must take Jaguars, and maybe Mike Glennon, seriously - RSN - After the Rams and Steelers lost to the Jets and Bengals in Week 15, the Bears can't let up on Sunday against the Jacksonville Jaguars.

How Bears' Mitch Trubisky turned into one of NFL's hard count wizards - RSN - The QB has recently found a knack for drawing defenses offsides.

Young players help fuel Chicago Bears’ recent resurgence, including RB David Montgomery, LB Roquan Smith - ChicagoBears.com - The Bears boast several talented veterans on both sides of the ball, but a group of promising young players has been just as instrumental in the team’s recent resurgence, especially on offense.

Chicago Bears QB Mitchell Trubisky taking control of his own destiny - ChicagoBears.com - After a tumultuous start to his fourth season, quarterback Mitchell Trubisky has thrived in taking responsibility for himself.

5 things you may not know about Chicago Bears RB David Montgomery - ChicagoBears.com - David Montgomery rushed for a career-high 146 yards against the Minnesota Vikings. Here are five things you may not know about the second-year running back.

Bears missing 3 defensive starters in practice - 670 The Score - The Bears on Wednesday practiced without defensive lineman Akiem Hicks (ankle), cornerback Jaylon Johnson (right shoulder) and nickelback Buster Skrine (concussion) as the team conducted light work at Halas Hall.

Bears’ Bilal Nichols embracing underdog role amid his rise - 670 The Score - A fifth-round pick of the Bears in 2018, defensive lineman Bilal Nichols has become a staple of the team’s defense. He credits his rise in part to embracing an underdog mentality.

Lombardi: Pace looking for any reason to bring back Trubisky - 670 The Score - Bears quarterback Mitchell Trubisky’s future with the organization has become more intriguing in recent weeks as he has played arguably the best football of his career – albeit against rather poor defense – amid Chicago’s late mini-surge.

Bears sign former Lions CB Teez Tabor to practice squad - Chicago Sun-Times - Tabor was the No. 53 overall pick but hasn’t lived up to where he was drafted.

Bears-Jaguars podcast: How big a win do the Bears need? - Chicago Sun-Times - The Bears should get a victory Sunday, but how big a win do they need to show they are moving forward?

Bears notebook: Matt Nagy sounds off on LB Roquan Smith being snubbed for Pro Bowl - Chicago Sun-Times - Plus, WR Allen Robinson’s thoughts on returning to Jacksonville and a roundup of injury concerns.

POLISH SAUSAGE

Dwayne Haskins accepts punishment, promises to take advantage of second chance - ProFootballTalk - Dwayne Haskins knows he is down to his last chance with the Washington Football Team.

JuJu Smith-Schuster hangs up his dancing shoes - ProFootballTalk - There will be no more on-field dancing for Steelers wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster.

KNOW THINE ENEMY

Fries Football - F***, Kirk, Throw the Flag! - Daily Norseman - The outburst caught of the mic from Justin Jefferson to Kirk Cousins was about the route. As you will see in the breakdown of the play, he was open.

Skoldiers - 085 - Christmas Staycation - Daily Norseman - CHI recap, NO preview, Draft outlook

Looking Ahead for the Vikings - Daily Norseman - With the loss to the Bears, the Vikings’ chance at a playoff spot have gone from middling to remote. The Vikings would have to beat a good team in the Saints for a shot at doing something in the...

This is the most I have ever cared about the Jaguars since 2017 - Big Cat Country - Jacksonville Jaguars," and I wrote it about Week 12. In truth I’d felt like that since about Week 6 and just...

Big Cat Country Q&A: How important is Trevor Lawrence in keeping the Jaguars in Jacksonville? - Big Cat Country - We want to send our Keep Choppin’ Wood newsletter to more Jaguars fans but it costs money! (Who knew?)

Jaguars continue to stick together even with 13th straight loss - Big Cat Country - The Jaguars have had plenty of reason to break apart, cause distractions, but they’ve stuck together.

Jaguars playing for dignity, not Trevor Lawrence - Chicago Sun-Times - It’s probably in the best interests of the Jaguars franchise to get the No. 1 overall pick in the 2021 NFL draft. But coach Doug Marrone is adamant about going for the win vs. the Bears on Sunday.

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT ON WINDY CITY GRIDIRON

Wiltfong: Bears sign Teez Tabor to the practice squad - Windy City Gridiron - The Bears added a defensive back to the practice squad today as three others were held out of practice.

Infate's 2021 NFL Draft: All-sleeper offensive team - Windy City Gridiron - Who are some of the underrated names to keep tabs on in the upcoming draft? Lead Draft Analyst Jacob Infante breaks it down.

Wiltfong: Matt Nagy not happy Roquan Smith was snubbed - Windy City Gridiron - View the FanShot on SB Nation.

Householder's Stock up, stock down: Chicago Bears-Minnesota Vikings - Windy City Gridiron - The Bears kept up their winning ways as it gets down to the nitty gritty, which players are stepping up for the stretch run?

Wiltfong's Chicago Bears Sackwatch 2020: Week 15 vs the Minnesota Vikings - Windy City Gridiron - Only 1 sack allowed by the Bears to break down this week.

THE RULES

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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, Rule of 3 with R. Schmitz, Danny Meehan, and Brandon Robinson, and the occasional T Formation Conversation from Lester A. Wiltfong Jr.; EJ also co-hosts The Bootleg Football Podcast with Brett Kollmann; R. Schmitz has a film breakdown show on YouTube titled Run Pass Opinion; Will Robinson II has his WhiskeyRanger YouTube channel, and Steven’s Streaming Twitch Channel from Steven Schweickert.

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