The Bear’s Den, May 29, 2020

THE DAILY SPONGIE SPECIAL

Since it was a Den subject yesterday, here’s all the disco you ever need (and then some!).

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

BEARRRSSSS

Bears Discussion: Assessing the NFC North’s Offseason and Bears QB Competition – On Tap Sports Net - A discussion of the NFC North’s offseason outlook, the updated QB competition between Mitchell Trubisky and Nick Foles, and what a Tarik Cohen extension should look like if it happens.

Numbers Support Cody Whitehair as Bears Center - SI.com - Almost a year ago Bears coach Matt Nagy was asked at minicamp about the move of Cody Whitehair back to guard and James Daniels to center, a switch made because the Bears thought this was the “natural position” for both players.

Bears Tackle Bobby Massie Named a Top Clutch Performer - Deshaun Watson, Aaron Jones, George Kittle, Jason Peters, Aaron Donald, Bobby Massie. ... Sure, it sounds like a Sesame Street song, but one of those doesn’t seem to be like the others, except to Pro Football Focus.

More Mitchell Trubisky Bashers Join the Overstatement Parade - SI.com - The Mitchell Trubisky bashing continues. There apparently is never an offseason or bye week for it. Chris Simms, son of Hall of Fame quarterback Phil, has put out his annual top 40 quarterback list on Pro Football Talk and ranked Trubisky No. 38.

5-year-old’s fear of Chicago Bears mascot Staley Da Bear created quandary - ChicagoBears.com - Being forced to work from home during the coronavirus pandemic created quite a conundrum for at least one Bears employee. Ken’s Note: Read this one, it’s pure fluff but it’s CUTE fluff.

Chicago Bears head coach Matt Nagy discusses offseason program, starting QB competition on NBCSN, Fox Sports, Sirius XM - ChicagoBears.com - Bears coach Matt Nagy appeared on several national radio shows Wednesday to discuss the offseason program, the starting quarterback competition and more.

Top position battles for Chicago Bears going into OTA’s - Bear Report - We take a look at some of the big position battles going on for the Chicago Bears in OTA’s.

2020 NFL power rankings: Where do the Bears stand after busy offseason? - Chicago Sun-Times - Are the Bears primed to compete with the best teams in the NFC? Are they at least good enough to get back to the playoffs?

Chicago Bears Q&A with Brad Biggs - Chicago Tribune
- You've got Chicago Bears questions, Brad Biggs has Chicago Bears answers. Dig in.

This week in history: George Halas, ‘Papa Bear,’ steps down - Chicago Sun-Times - On May 27, 1968, Bears coach George "Papa Bear" Halas officially announced his retirement. It made the front page of the Chicago Daily News that day.

Chicago Bears podcast: Former receiver Kevin White and the quarterback situation - Chicago Sun-Times - Who needs the Justice League when the Halas Intrigue crew teams up with JJ Stankevitz and Laurence Holmes of the Under Center Podcast.

Countdown to Camp 2020: Chicago Bears Special Teams Preview - Chicago Audible Podcast - The Chicago Audible kicks off its annual countdown to Chicago Bears training camp with an in-depth look at (and preview of) the Bears' special teams unit.

POLISH SAUSAGE

NFL, players union agree on 5 year extension for ‘Madden’ video game - NBC Sports Chicago - (Now bring back NCAA Football next.)

Next week, NFL moves to next phase of reopening team facilities - ProFootballTalk - As the country tries to move toward normalcy, so does the NFL.

NFL approves preseason trial of expanded replay official role - ProFootballTalk - The NFL didn’t move forward with votes to add a new booth official to crews for the 2020 season, but they will experiment with a tweaked role for existing replay officials in the preseason.

NFL extends virtual offseason, eyes return of coaches - NFL.com - NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell announced Thursday the league’s virtual offseason has been extended two more weeks. His latest memo included an interesting wrinkle, though: Coaches could be back in facilities as soon as next week.

The drama continues with Kristin Cavallari and Jay Cutler - Chicago Sun-Times - An anonymous report in Us Magazine paints a poor picture of the former Bears quarterback.

Owners don’t pass onside-kick alternative - Chicago Sun-Times - The NFL’s most high-profile proposal to change its rules — a fourth-and-15 meant to replace the onside kick — did not pass during a vote of league owners Thursday. Three rules and one bylaw did.

John Madden advises against artificial crowd noise for games without fans - ProFootballTalk - The best football broadcaster that the NFL has seen has provided some advice to the best football broadcast producer that the NFL has ever seen: Don’t use fake crowd noise.

KNOW THINE ENEMY

Green Bay: Nobody cares

Detroit: Nobody cares

Minnesota: Nobody cares

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT ON WINDY CITY GRIDIRON

Which new offensive coaching move will pay the biggest dividends? - Windy City Gridiron - We asked our team which new offensive coaching move they think will make the biggest difference to the Bears offense in 2020.

Wiltfong: Have the Chicago Bears ever made you cry? - Windy City Gridiron - This week’s SB Nation Theme topic is "Sports Moments That Made You Cry," so we’re asking Bears fans to share their emotional moments with us.

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.

Editor’s note: The COVID-19 pandemic is a subject that requires sensitivity and care. Many families and people have already been impacted by this crisis as it unfolds. This is a reminder to please express yourself respectfully while also exercising common courtesy in interactions with one another in the comments. All WCG commentary guidelines remain in effect and apply especially. Stay safe and healthy, everyone.

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.; EJ also co-hosts The Bootleg Football Podcast with Brett Kollmann; R. Schmitz has a film breakdown show on YouTube titled Run Pass Opinion; and Steven’s Streaming Twitch Channel from Steven Schweickert.

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.