The Bear’s Den: February 11, 2020

WANTED: Assistant Denmaster. Have you ever thought about joining the staff at Windy City Gridiron? We are looking for a volunteer Assistant Denmaster to both fill in when Denmaster Ken is away several times this upcoming season, and also as a contributor of articles as the inspiration hits. Training is available, and it’s not a huge time commitment. If you are interested, please drop a note to wiltfongjr at gmail dot com or tristatefans at gmail dot com.

THE DAILY SPONGIE TJGOBIG SPECIAL

TJGOBIG says that “Dancing In The Streets” by David Bowie & Mick Jagger is the worst video ever. I present the following as evidince that “there is worse”, and will follow up with several more hideous 1980’s videos this week in honor of TJGOBIG’s assertation.

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

BEARRRSSSS

Trade Mitch Trubisky and Sign Tom Brady? That’s Crazy … But It’s Only 97% Crazy! - Bleacher Nation - A period of offseason rumors, predictions, ideas, and scenarios is just getting started for the Bears and the rest of the NFL.

2020 Bears Offseason Outlook: Mitch Trubisky Meets the Crossroads - Bleacher Nation - It all begins with the quarterback.

Wood: The Non-Trubisky Offensive Issue - Personnel Usage Remains a Problem - Da Bears Blog - I truly believe that a competent quarterback would have put the Bears in the playoffs in 2019. It’s important not to get too fixated on one issue and ignore other problems. So today I want to look at offensive issues from 2019 that have absolutely nothing to do with Mitchell Trubisky, but instead are due to what I believe to be poor coaching decisions regarding personnel usage.

Emma: Quarterback Market Shaping Up With Options For Bears - 670 The Score - What type of quarterback competition the Bears add for the struggling Mitchell Trubisky is their biggest storyline this offseason.

Bears Offseason Outlook: Defensive Line - 670 The Score - As the Bears assess their defensive line this offseason, they’ll work to fill their rotation alongside Akiem Hicks and Eddie Goldman.

NFL releases list of 337 Combine invitees - ChicagoBears.com - The NFL has released its list of the 337 prospects who have been invited to participate in the Scouting Combine February 24-March 1 at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.

HBCU alums have played key role for Bears - ChicagoBears.com - From Walter Payton to Tarik Cohen to the people behind the curtain, the Chicago Bears have benefited from the products of Historically Black Colleges and Universities.

Illinois Supreme Court Justice Bob Thomas, a former Chicago Bears kicker, to step down from high court - Chicago Tribune - Justice Robert Thomas, a former kicker for the Bears, will retire from the Illinois Supreme Court later this month and return to practicing law, he said Monday.

NFL Offseason Begins With Improbable Bears’ Rumors - Chicago Audible Blog - Although the 2019 NFL season just ended, the 2020 offseason rumors are just beginning. Here are some of the first rumors involving the Chicago Bears.

There’s no general consensus on Mitch Trubisky yet, and that may be the Bears’ biggest problem. - NBC Sports Chicago - The football world still doesn’t quite know what to think about the Bears’ QB.

Philip Rivers to hit free agency, giving Bears another potential quarterback option - NBC Sports Chicago - Philip Rivers is leaving the Chargers, which could have a domino effect on the quarterback market.

How Chargers’ Decision on Rivers Can Impact Bears - SI.com - The announcement by Los Angeles Chargers about parting ways with quarterback Philip Rivers came as no surprise and probably does not affect the Bears. It’s the impact of the announcement which could have a bigger impact on Bears offseason plans.

Cornerback Market in Free Agency Risky for Bears - SI.com - TMZ Sports caught up to Bears cornerback Prince Amukamara over the weekend and asked him the big question. They asked him about Mitchell Trubisky.

The Key Ways Mitchell Trubisky Actually Improved - SI.com - While rumors swirl over what the Chicago Bears will do for a backup quarterback this season, only one real fact is apparent. The fact hasn’t changed.

Which potential cap-casualty veteran QB could Bears target? - Bears Wire - With the Bears’ current salary cap situation, they should bring in an affordable veteran QB option that will compete with Mitchell Trubisky.

POLISH SAUSAGE

Greg Olsen to wrap up free-agent visits this week - NFL.com - Veteran tight end Greg Olsen continues his free-agent tour on Monday with a visit with the Redskins, Ina Rapoport reports. He expects to have a decision by the end of this week.

XFL unveils ‘Team 9’ - XFL.com - The XFL welcomes Team 9, a club of 40 football-ready players to fill any roster openings during the 2020 season. Ken’s Note: This would be an excellent idea for the NFL to emulate.

Report: CT scan on Tua Tagovailoa’s hip “as positive as possible” – ProFootballTalk - Quarterback Tua Tagovailoa continues to make progress in his recovery from the hip injury that brought his final season at Alabama to an early end. Tagovailoa went for a CT scan of his hip recently and Ian Rapoport of NFL Media reports that the results were “as positive as possible.

Chargers, Philip Rivers announce he won’t be back in 2020 – ProFootballTalk - The signs have been pointing toward Philip Rivers moving on from the Chargers if he wants to continue playing in the NFL and the two sides made it official on Monday.

Taysom Hill views himself as a franchise quarterback, wants to be with a team that views him that way – ProFootballTalk - Despite the obvious and uncanny skill set of Saints master-of-all-trades Taysom Hill, plenty seem to be skeptical as to whether he can be a franchise quarterback. Taysom Hill is not.

KNOW THINE ENEMY

Detroit Lions 2019 rookie class graded worst of NFC North - Pride Of Detroit
- One analyst gave the Lions rookies the lowest grade among division rivals.

2020 Detroit Lions positional preview: The future at cornerback hangs in the balance this offseason - Pride Of Detroit - What is the future at CB in Detroit? The next three months will tell us a lot.

Vikings add Dom Capers as senior defensive assistant - Daily Norseman - Why? Hell, I don’t know.

ESPN puts together a “Teddy Bridgewater returns to Minnesota” scenario - Daily Norseman - And here. . .we. . .go!

Vikings hire Dom Capers as senior assistant coach - Acme Packing Company - Two years after his firing, the former Packers defensive coordinator is back with a divisional rival.

NFC North rookie grades: Pack got a stud on each side of the ball - NFL.com - Two of Green Bay's first three 2019 picks provided great returns in Year 1, so what kind of grade does the Packers' draft class receive? Gennaro Filice provides a rookie report card for the NFC North -- and explores each team's to-do list for this offseason.

IN CASE YOU YOU MISSED IT ON WINDY CITY GRIDIRON

Schmitz, Berckes & Snyder on BWM: Handing out Chicago Bears end-of-season awards, part 1 (With Jeff & EJ!) - Windy City Gridiron - In the latest episode of Bear With Me, Robert S. brings on EJ Snyder and Jeff Berckes to say farewell to the 2019 Chicago Bears’ season by handing out some end-of-season awards!

Wiltfong's Mocking the Mocks: Bears get an EDGE and TE in these latest mock drafts - Windy City Gridiron - We check out 2 recent Chicago Bears mock draft from The Draft Network.

Schwartz: 6 XFL features the NFL could adopt, ranked from most to least likely - SBNation.com - From certain XFL rules to gambling elements to replay review transparency, here’s what the NFL might want to incorporate in the future.

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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