The Bear’s Den, June 10, 2020

A NOTE ABOUT THE CURRENT STATE OF UNREST

While we have a firm, non-bending rule against discussion of politics of any kind here in the Den, right now there are many WCG family members (and that’s what you are to us, our extended and sometimes dysfunctional family members) who live in areas nearby or even in civil disruption zones.

It’s OK to talk about that here in the Den (leaving politics entirely aside...). There are things happening in society that transcend our little sandbox full of toys here at WCG. All I ask is that you keep it civil, keep politics 100 percent out of it, and respect other people’s right to their own opinion.

If in doubt, don’t say it or word it in as non-confrontational of a way as possible. If it gets out of hand, well... let’s make sure it doesn’t come to that, m’kay?

Ken

THE DAILY SPONGIE SPECIAL

Day Two of Southern Fried Rock week, today we’re going to the gators!

Fun Fact: Quicksand won’t actually suck you down and kill you. That’s a Hollywood thing.

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

BEARRRSSSS

Wood: What should teams do at the goal line? - Da Bears Blog - It has become common knowledge that passing is far more valuable than running in the NFL. But I have surprisingly seen very little data about how that changes as teams approach the end zone and the real estate tightens.

Matt Nagy Decides to End Virtual Meetings Early – On Tap Sports Net - I know the fan base’s gut reaction will be negative, but Matt Nagy and the Bears have decided cut their virtual offseason short. Adam Hoge elaborates in the twitter thread below.

Bears’ Jordan Lucas Plans To Kneel During National Anthem - 670 The Score - As the NFL anticipates more frequent demonstrations of protest inside stadiums, the Bears have at least one player preparing to take a knee.

How Bears Embraced An Unprecedented Virtual Offseason - 670 The Score - Bears coach Matt Nagy revealed to his team late Tuesday that its virtual offseason program would be cut short by a week, marking the end to an unprecedented period of preparation for the season during this coronavirus pandemic.

New Chicago Bears Safety Jordan Lucas “110 Percent” Will Take a Knee - SI.com
- Jordan Lucas hasn’t been a Chicago Bear for long but he already is making his presence known.

Bears S Jordan Lucas says he ‘110 percent’ plans to kneel before games - BearsWire - While the Chicago Bears haven’t discussed as a whole how they plan to approach protesting racial inequality — by kneeling or not kneeling during the national anthem this season — there is one player that already has his mind set.

Chicago Bears to end virtual offseason program early - ChicagoBears.com - Pleased with what he described as “a phenomenal nine weeks of virtual learning,” coach Matt Nagy revealed that the Bears offseason program will end Thursday, a week and a half earlier than scheduled.

Quick Hits: Expectations high for Chicago Bears defense - ChicagoBears.com - Linebacker Danny Trevathan predicts Bears defense is “going to be monsters.” Coach Matt Nagy discusses criteria that will determine quarterback competition. And Nagy says Bears need to be tougher.

Chicago Bears kicker Eddy Pineiro ready for competition - Chicago Sun-Times - Two or three times a week, Eddy Pineiro meets up there with Bears punter Pat O’Donnell, who lives about an hour away.

Chicago Bears hoping for relatively normal training camp next month, but no certainties - Chicago Sun-Times - The team is roughly six weeks away from reporting for the 2020 season. Matt Nagy is weighing concerns about the coronavirus and how his team will respond to social injustice.

Chicago Bears' Jordan Lucas '110%' will kneel during anthem - Chicago Tribune - Jordan Lucas didn’t want to bring attention to himself as a rookie clinging to a spot on the Dolphins in 2016 when players around the NFL began kneeling during the national anthem. Things have changed now.

Chicago Bears end virtual offseason early - Chicago Tribune - Chicago Bears coach Matt Nagy said he’s been proud of his players for showing up to the voluntary two-hour Zoom meetings four days a week. And he thinks they’ve responded to coaches putting a lot on their plate mentally.

How Sam Acho recruited Chicago athletes for change - Chicago Tribune - Sam Acho’s takeaway was this: Last week’s gathering with some of Chicago's biggest athletes should be just the first of many steps to help people in the Austin neighborhood.

Bears' Matt Nagy can prove how good a coach he is amid coronavirus challenges - NBC Sports Chicago - The challenges NFL teams will have to deal with in 2020 might just be a great divider between the league's good and not-so-good coaches.

Bears safety Jordan Lucas '110%' plans to kneel before NFL games in 2020 - NBC Sports Chicago - Matt Nagy had previously said any decision would be made as a team.

Why Bears kicker Eddy Piñeiro feels uniquely prepared for fan-less 2020 NFL season - NBC Sports Chicago - The much-maligned kicker competition of 2018 is suddenly relevant again.

Matt Nagy ends Bears' offseason program early: 'We've done a lot' - NBC Sports Chicago - The Bears' head coach said it's time for the players to focus on training.

Race to QB1: Foles, Trubisky Staying Busy – On Tap Sports Net - The Bears’ quarterback job is wide open and both players are staying prepared.

Bears S Jordan Lucas to protest inequality by kneeling during national anthem - Chicago Sun-Times - “We’re not disrespecting the flag, nor the military. I think people are really starting to understand that now,” Lucas said.

Chicago Bears training camp: Is Halas Hall the next stop? - Chicago Sun-Times - After getting as much as he could out of virtual meetings via Zoom, Bears coach Matt Nagy will end training camp Thursday — 13 days before the scheduled end of the veteran mini camp — with an eye on getting his team on the field for training camp.

Bears S Jordan Lucas to protest inequality by kneeling during national anthem - Chicago Sun-Times - “We’re not disrespecting the flag, nor the military. I think people are really starting to understand that now,” Lucas said.

Chicago Bears training camp: Is Halas Hall the next stop? - Chicago Sun-Times - After getting as much as he could out of virtual meetings via Zoom, Bears coach Matt Nagy will end training camp Thursday — 13 days before the scheduled end of the veteran mini camp — with an eye on getting his team on the field for training camp.

POLISH SAUSAGE

Todd Gurley finally passes Falcons physical - ProFootballTalk - The Falcons announced their deal with running back Todd Gurley over two months ago.

2020 NFL season: Key homegrown player for each NFC team - NFL.com - Gregg Rosenthal looks at one key homegrown player on each NFC team who could make a BIG difference in 2020.

Gronk, Bucs replace Tampa high school’s football gear lost in fire - NFL.com - A fire at Blake High School in Tampa Bay destroyed nearly all the football team’s equipment last month. Buccaneers tight end Rob Gronkowski, with help from the Bucs Foundation, is stepping in to help.

KNOW THINE ENEMY

Ranking the top 10 NFL running backs for the 2020 season - Pride Of Detroit - We break down the top 10 RBs in the NFL today.

Notes: Bo Scarbrough taking offseason classes to pursue ‘passion’ of criminal investigation - Pride Of Detroit - Scarbrough is on track to graduate this summer.

Analyst: Matthew Stafford is the best longshot MVP candidate for 2020 season - Pride Of Detroit - Could this finally be the year Stafford earns some national praise?

Dalvin Cook to sit out of team activities until he receives a “reasonable” deal - Daily Norseman - What’s "reasonable?" I think we’re going to find out.

Interception regression likely to hit Packers defense in 2020 - Acme Packing Company
- In order to improve in 2020, the Packers’ true talent improvement in the secondary willhave to outpace likely statistical regression.

Packers lineman David Bakhtiari not worried about a contract extension - Acme Packing Company - Packers tackle David Bakhtiari is a free agent after this year, but doesn’t seem worried about a contract extension.

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT ON WINDY CITY GRIDIRON

Infante’s Bears 2021 draft: Wide receiver prospects to remember - Windy City Gridiron - The Bears could look for a wide receiver in the 2021 draft, so here are some of the position’s best collegiate prospects in the nation.

Wiltfong: Three Bears go in ESPN’s 4-round NFL re-draft - Windy City Gridiron - The usual offseason NFL content can go in several different directions, but re-drafts have become one of those yearly staples that everyone seems to do. We even did one with the other SB Nation...

Berckes: Chicago Bears History by the Decade: Sweetness 70s - Windy City Gridiron - Episode six of our limited podcast series Halas to Mack: Chicago Bears History by the Decade features the GOAT

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.

Check out Lester’s latest podcast hit on the Icy/Hot Football Podcast right here:

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