The Bear’s Den, March 23, 2020

THE DAILY SPONGIE SPECIAL

Welcome to Guitar Gods week here in the Spongie Special, today we start out with one of the greatest guitarists on the planet who flew WAY under the radar, Glen Campbell... and, oh yeah, that Steve Wariner guy isn’t bad either.

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

BEARRRSSSS

Mini Pod: Why I Changed My Mind on the Nick Foles Trade - Chicago Audible Podcast - Listen as Will DeWitt shares why he now understands why the Chicago Bears trade for Nick Foles makes sense.

Jimmy Graham’s Bears contract might not be as bad as you thought - NBC Sports Chicago - Fans seem particularly upset about the Jimmy Graham contract. The numbers make a little more sense now.

Bears Give Former Steeler Artie Burns a Second Chance - SI.com - Former Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback Artie Burns has been through tough times and has come out the better for it.

Bears Announce Re-Signings of Deon Bush, Patrick Scales, and Isaiah Irving - Bleacher Nation - This offseason has seen six members of the 2019 Chicago Bears leaves for free agency. Five were players whose contributions allowed the team to boast depth at

Safety Jordan Lucas, Bears Reach 1-Year Deal - 670 The Score - Safety Jordan Lucas and the Bears have agreed to a one-year deal worth $1 million, NFL Media reported Sunday.

Source: Bears To Sign CB Artie Burns - 670 The Score - Burns, 24, was a first-round pick to the Steelers in 2016.

Reports: Chicago Bears retain free agents Deon Bush, Patrick Scales and Isaiah Irving - ChicagoBears.com - According to media reports, the Bears have agreed to terms with three of their own free agents: safety Deon Bush, long-snapper Patrick Scales and outside linebacker Isaiah Irving.

Bears players sharing COVID-19 messages, reminders - ChicagoBears.com - With the coronavirus continuing to spread throughout the world, Bears players have been posting messages to their fans on Twitter and other social media platforms.

Bears Reportedly Sign Jordan Lucas – On Tap Sports Net - Bears replace Clinton-Dix with former Chiefs safety.

How Bears hit franchise snag in last four starting QB moves - Chicago Sun-Times - Since 2014, the Bears have handed out $122.5 million in guaranteed money to four quarterbacks they thought would start for at least one season. They’ve yet to find a long-term answer.

Chicago Bears donate $250k to coronavirus fund - Chicago Tribune - The Bears are donating $250,000 to the Chicago Community COVID-19 Response Fund, the team announced Friday.

Here's how Mitch Trubisky vs. Nick Foles could look in Bears training camp - NBC Sports Chicago - Matt Nagy talked about needing greater "urgency" in 2020 at the NFL Combine last month. Here's how that could play out in a Nick Foles vs. Mitch Trubisky QB competition in training camp.

Bears sign Kansas City Chiefs safety Jordan Lucas to a one-year deal - NBC Sports Chicago - Deon Bush has some competition after all.

Complete details of Jimmy Graham's contract with the Bears - NBC Sports Chicago - Here's what the Bears will pay Jimmy Graham over the next two seasons.

Jimmy Graham Contract Figures Look Less Taxing - SI.com - Some of the criticism Ryan Pace absorbed for paying a $16 million deal to tight end Jimmy Graham seemed a bit excessive Sunday after terms of the contract came out.

Bears Add Depth at Safety by Signing KC's Jordan Lucas - SI.com - The Kansas City Chiefs connection to the Bears usually applies on offense, with coach Matt Nagy's link as a former offensive coordinator.

How the First Week of Free Agency Shaped the Bears - SI.com - After a week of free agency, Bears general manager Ryan Pace has become the lowest hanging fruit for NFL analysts and social media critics.

1st-and-10: Let’s not flog Ryan Pace just yet for signing Jimmy Graham - Chicago Sun-Times - Maybe it’s best to let the dust settle on this one and see what Pace’s plan actually is. Eric Ebron’s availability notwithstanding, Pace’s options weren’t great to begin with.

Separation will tell if Tom Brady or Bill Belichick made the Patriots. - Chicago Sun-Times - With Brady signing with Tampa Bay last week, ending his 20-year association with New England, we should get a better insight of who helped whom more.

Bears free agency 2020: Former Chiefs safety Jordan Lucas agrees to contract - Chicago Sun-Times - In 14 games for the Super Bowl champions last season, Lucas played 63.3 percent of their special-teams snaps.

2020 NFL Draft: Bears GM Ryan Pace negligent if he doesn’t take QB in Round 2 - Chicago Sun-Times - Trubisky and Foles will tangle for the job in 2020, but the Bears still need a long-term answer. The only way to address that issue seriously is to spend one of their top draft picks.

COVID-19: NFL season to be canceled, too? - Chicago Sun-Times - Scientists are estimating that between 40 and 80% of the global population could become infected. According to my admittedly pedestrian-level math, one year plus 60% or so equals no Bears game in Week 1.

Bears agree with ex-Steelers CB Artie Burns on 1-year deal - Chicago Sun-Times - The 2016 first-round pick flamed out in Pittsburgh but is worth a look at 24 years old.

POLISH SAUSAGE

With Tom Brady officially on board, Bucs throw dirt on tampering trail - ProFootballTalk - The article purports to take the reader behind the scenes of the Buccaneers’ pursuit of Tom Brady. Its true purpose seems to be avoiding any potential accusation that the Buccaneers tampered with Brady.

League planning to hold draft in TV studio setting - ProFootballTalk - The NFL draft will proceed as expected, but with a look and feel that no one ever would have expected for the league’s premier offseason event.

Agent: Pats offered Brian Hoyer chance to compete for starting job - ProFootballTalk - The Patriots brought quarterback Brian Hoyer back for a third tour with the team on Sunday and this one is different than the other two.

NFL Game Pass viewing guide: 20 must-watch games to cue up - NFL.com - Eager to dive into NFL Game Pass, but not sure where to start? Chris Wesseling has you covered with his list of 20 games to check out -- featuring both the arm AND voice of Tony Romo.

KNOW THINE ENEMY

What is the worst-case scenario for the Lions in the 1st round of the draft? - Pride Of Detroit - In a world where everything goes wrong.

Detroit Lions podcast: Reacting to Darius Slay trade, Matt Patricia fallout - Pride Of Detroit
- Our PODcast reacts to the big Darius Slay trade and the drama between him and Matt Patricia.

Laquon Treadwell agrees to deal with Atlanta Falcons - Daily Norseman - The former first-rounder is now one of the Dirty Birds

Success rate of finding a pass catcher is better in the NFL Draft than in free agency - Acme Packing Company - Going hard after Austin Hooper and Emmanuel Sanders shows Brian Gutekunst wants to add a veteran target for Aaron Rodgers, but despite fans’ calls, the odds say that player is more likely to come from the draft.

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT ON WINDY CITY GRIDIRON

Duerrwaechter: Chicago Bears Sign Safety Jordan Lucas to 1-Year Deal - Windy City Gridiron - The second phase of free agency is in full swing as Ryan Pace adds competition at Safety.

Infante: 7 speedy wide receivers for Bears to target this offseason - Windy City Gridiron - With Taylor Gabriel not on the roster, the Bears could stand to look at these weapons to target this offseason.

Infante: Bears sign cornerback Artie Burns to one-year deal - Windy City Gridiron - The former first-round pick will look to revitalize his career in Chicago.

Wiltfong: Bears bring back Isaiah Irving on a one year deal - Windy City Gridiron - The Athletic’s Kevin Fishbain reported on Friday night that the Chicago Bears are re-signing outside linebacker Isaiah Irving to a one year deal. The 25-year old Irving has been with the Bears...

THE RULES

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