The Bear’s Den: February 20, 2020

THE DAILY SPONGIE SPECIAL

Last week, we went with videos that were world-class awful from the 1980’s. This week we are going to give you a daily two-for-the-price-of-none. Song one is an 80’s video classic, song two is just a great song and video recorded in the 1980’s (some may have been released right at the edge of the 90’s but they were recorded in the 80’s) but you will probably only remember it if you are a fan of the band/artist involved. Be aware some of these songs have political messages, feel free to discuss the songs (but not the politics... besides, these are politics of 35-40 years ago). Enjoy!

The Classic

The “Known To Fans Of The Band/Artist

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

BEARRRSSSS

Getting to Know Tre Roberson, the Newest Bears’ Cornerback – On Tap Sports Net - Newly signed Bears cornerback Tre Roberson didn’t have the most traditional route to the NFL.

2020 Bears Offseason Outlook: I REALLY Missed Akiem Hicks Last Year - Bleacher Nation
- Akiem Hicks makes the thing go.

There’s a Tight End: Bears to Sign Demetrius Harris (Who Was Just Cut by the Browns) - Bleacher Nation - The Bears got a new tight end!

Three Off-Season Haikus for the Chicago Bears - Da Bears Blog - Do we trust in Mitch?

Report: Bears To Sign TE Demetrius Harris - 670 The Score - spent the first five years of his NFL career with Kansas City, including four years that overlapped with then-Chiefs assistant and current Bears coach Matt Nagy. Now he’s set to join Chicago.

George Halas was a pro basketball pioneer as well - ChicagoBears.com - The instrumental role that George Halas played to help create the NFL has been well-documented. Less known is that Papa Bear was also a pioneer in the first professional basketball league in the United States.

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Ken’s Note: If you are lucky enough to hear at some point in time in the draft the words “The Chicago Bears select Bronson Rechisteiner, Fullback, Kennesaw State” while everybody else’s heads explode, just sit back, relax and smile... cause this is THAT guy. Helmet tip to Lester on this one.

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Bears' tight end overhaul begins with signing free agent Demetrius Harris - NBC Sports Chicago - The Bears agreed to sign tight end Demetrius Harris, per NFL Network, who was previously coached by Matt Nagy in Kansas City.

Austin Hooper dubbed Bears' ideal free-agent target - NBC Sports Chicago - The Bears' need at tight end has an ideal solution in Falcons free agent Austin Hooper.

Report: NFL expected to expand playoff field to 14 teams - NBC Sports Chicago - According to NFL Insider Adam Schefter, the NFL is working towards finalizing a new collective bargaining agreement—possibly as soon as next week—that could include big-time changes for the NFL postseason format.

Why the Bears shouldn't make a bold move at quarterback in NFL Free Agency - NBC Sports Chicago - The Bears have neither the cap space nor roster makeup to seriously consider acquiring a quarterback to start over Mitch Trubisky.

Report: Bears to Sign Former Chiefs Tight End Demetrius Harris - SI.com - Harris signed a two-year deal for $6 million after 2018 and made 15 receptions for the Browns before the new coaching regime decided he was expendable.

Ranking the QBs Who Could Back Up Mitchell Trubisky - SI.com - The quarterback scenario put out for public consumption by Bears general manager Ryan - Pace places Mitchell Trubisky at the top.

What .500 Record Says About Where Bears Are Headed - SI.com - A stigma attached to finishing .500 in the NFL like the Chicago Bears did last season is - simply not true.

Bears agree to deal with TE Demetrius Harris - NFL.com - The Chicago Bears have agreed to terms on a one-year deal with tight end Demetrius Harris, Ian Rapoport reported. Here’s other news we’re tracking.

Bears sign former Browns tight end Demetrius Harris - ProFootballTalk - Tight end Demetrius Harris didn’t need long to find a new home. Harris signed a one-year deal with the Bears, Ian Rapoport of NFL Media reports. Harris’ signing comes only two days after the Browns cut him.

Bears to sign tight end Demetrius Harris - Chicago Sun-Times - The 6-7, 230-pounder spent the first five years of his career with the Chiefs and last year with the Browns

Chicago Bears sign tight end Demetrius Harris: report - Chicago Tribune - The Bears have added help to their tight ends room with the addition of Demetrius Harris on a one-year deal, NFL Network reported Wednesday.

Chicago Bears Q&A with Brad Biggs - Chicago Tribune - Brad Biggs’ latest Bears mailbag includes questions about upgrading the offensive line, Leonard Floyd’s future and whether Matt Nagy is on a short leash.

Chicago Bears 2020 Combine Preview: Tight End - Chicago Audible Blog - Tight End was arguably the Chicago Bears’ biggest weakness last season. Here are some of the tight ends to pay attention to in the 2020 Combine.

Deal of the Century: Cam Newton for Mitchell Trubisky? - SI.com - The Cam Newton watch just became more interesting for the Chicago Bears again after The Athletic’s Jourdan Rodrigue fixed a date to when the Carolina Panthers quarterback will be cleared to participate in football activities.

Bears agree to terms with former Browns TE Demetrius Harris - Bears Wire - The Bears have started to address their tight end need ahead of free agency by agreeing to terms with former Browns TE Demetrius Harris.

POLISH SAUSAGE

REPORT: New NFL CBA Could Include Expanded Playoffs, Shorter Preseason, 17-Games, and More Starting in 2020 - Bleacher Nation - More playoff teams and games could be coming in the next CBA.

Should the NFL’s playoff changes mean the Bears should be more aggressive in a quarterback trade or free agent signing? - NBC Sports Chicago - If the NFL’s proposed collective bargaining agreement is ratified, seven teams from each conference will make the playoffs in 2020. Should the Bears look at this new CBA as reason to be more aggressive in pushing to acquire one of the big-name quarterbacks?

‘Hard Knocks’ team in 2020? Steelers juiciest eligible candidate - NFL.com - Which NFL team will be featured on “Hard Knocks” in 2020? Dan Hanzus ranks the five NFL organizations that are eligible to be featured in the 15th season of the HBO docuseries.

Missourians reminded to ‘Be Bear Aware’ - KTVO - The Missouri Department of Conservation estimates that Missouri is home to about 540 - 840 black bears, with most being in the southern part of the state. As spring gets underway, these magnificent mammals leave their winter dens in search of food. MDC reminds Missourians to Be Bear Aware. Ken’s Note: There are no Bears in Kansas City, Missouri. Or Kansas City, Kansas for that matter. Well, that’s not true, the Kansas City Zoo has a few.

KNOW THINE ENEMY

Report: Vikings unlikely to part ways with Stefon Diggs - ProFootballTalk - Receiver Stefon Diggs (insert ominous music) has removed all references to the Vikings from his Instagram account. Which has prompted speculation that the Vikings may trade him.

Report: NFL considering adding 1 playoff team per conference - Pride Of Detroit - A huge change might come from the new CBA.

Lions notes: Analyst believes Detroit should invest in free agent safety - Pride Of Detroit - An NFL analyst suggests the Lions use free agency to beef up the defense.

2020 NFL Combine preview: Edge rushers the Detroit Lions should watch - Pride Of Detroit - With next to no pass rush in 2019, the Lions will be paying close attention to the edge rushers in this class.

Report: NFL Playoff field to expand to seven teams in 2020 - Daily Norseman - With only one team getting a bye

Unbelievable! - Diggs Trade Fallacies - Daily Nor - BJ Reidell and Drew Mahowald poke holes in the rationale behind trading Stefon Diggs.

NFL Combine 2020: Workouts & interview schedule, TV broadcast info, & more - Acme Packing Company - Next week, the NFL world — APC included — will descend upon downtown Indianapolis.

IN CASE YOU YOU MISSED IT ON WINDY CITY GRIDIRON

Infante: Bears sign former Chiefs, Browns TE Demetrius Harris - Windy City Gridiron - The Bears have made an addition to their tight ends group before free agency officially kicks off.

Wiltfong's Chicago Bears Salary Cap Round-table: Player they should keep - Windy City Gridiron - We’re tacking the Chicago Bears Salary Cap In this 4-part round-table discussion, and we’ve enlisted the help of Over The Cap’s Brad Spielberger.

WIltfong: Chicago Bears announce offseason schedule - Windy City Gridiron - We run through all the key offseason dates for the NFL and the Chicago Bears.

Wiltfong's Chicago Bears 2020 Roster Turnover: Outside linebacker needs to be addressed - Windy City Gridiron - In this 13 part series we’ll take an in depth look at each position group for the Chicago Bears with an eye towards the 2020 season. We’ll speculate on who stays, who goes, and some potential additions we’d like to see general manager Ryan Pace make.

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: 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.