The Bear’s Den, June 11, 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 PLANET FITNESS DAILY DOUBLE!

PLANET FITNESS NEWS!

Ken’s Note: Since we have been repeatedly told that we are “nearly as good as Planet Fitness” and there’s nothing more important to your friendly Denmaster than giving you all the news you want, I’m making it a personal challenge to bring my work up to the standards that people seem to expect.

To be PERFECTLY CLEAR, I am in no way making fun of Planet Fitness, so don’t imagine that bullshit* is what I’m doing. I’m not. They do a damned good job at helping people who are not gym rats get into better shape. I’d join one if it were near me, and I’m happy to give them a bunch of Free advertising with this Den. I say good on them and wish them every success.

Planet Fitness - A Judgement Free Zone - Gym and Fitness Club - Tons of cardio and strength equipment. Unlimited fitness training for our members. Super friendly staff. Comfortable, clean gym and the home of the Judgement Free Zone®. All just $10 a month. Join now!

Planet Fitness study finds fear of judgment prompts majority of Americans to avoid gyms - Planet Fitness - Join the Judgement Free Zone® for Only 25 Cents Down, Then $10 a Month with No Commitment from April 2 – 10

Planet Fitness donates 10,000 pizza slices - Planet Fitness - Planet Fitness recently donated more than 10,000 pizza slices – valued at $25,000 – in honor of the fitness brand’s Pizza Monday, where members are traditionally treated to pizza on the first Monday of the month.

Planet Fitness and iFit Unite to Bring New Streaming Workouts to Your Home - Planet Fitness - Planet Fitness Partners with iFit, the Leader in Streaming Workout Content, To Provide Free Home Workouts for Planet Fitness Members and Non-members Alike

About Planet Fitness - Planet Fitness - Welcome to Planet Fitness! Learn more about everything that Planet Fitness has to offer, from free fitness training to a judge-free environment.

How Planet Fitness Capitalizes on the Casual Gym-Goer Despite Tough Times - The Motley Fool - Here's why human nature will continue propelling the company's success going forward.

BEARS

Op-Ed: Bears safeties coach Sean Desai’s call to action – The Athletic - Sean Desai's #myPACT4justice calls on everyone to help make radical change for social justice. Ken's Note: This is unlocked for all to read, and it's interesting so check it out.

After difficult 2019 season, Bears linebacker Roquan Smith ‘in a great place’ - Chicago Sun-Times - With a chip on his shoulder, Smith is determined to "get back to who I really am" and have the breakout season many are anticipating.

Bears’ different takes on protesting proves unanimity will be impossible - Chicago Sun-Times - Cornerback Buster Skrine said he agreed with Bears coach Matt Nagy’s stated goal, which is for the Bears to make a decision about protesting as a team. The last week has proven, though, that finding unanimity among the roster will be next-to-impossible.

NFL’s COVID-19 virus rules are good, but players still have to tackle each other - Chicago Sun-Times - What’s tackling but a renunciation of everything we’ve learned about keeping the coronavirus at bay?

Chicago Bears tight end Demetrius Harris hoping to catch on - Chicago Tribune - The Chicago Bears are holding Zoom calls with a handful of players this week as they conclude what has been a nine-week virtual offseason program. Here are three things we learned.

Biggs' Chicago Bears Q&A with Brad Biggs - Chicago Tribune - Brad Biggs answers your Chicago Bears questions in his weekly mailbag. This week: More about the quarterback battle, looking for improvement in the running game and how the coronavirus will impact the NFL this fall.

Shortened NFL preseason is smart, but puts big group of players at disadvantage - NBC Sports Chicago - Cutting 2020’s number of preseason games in half means fewer opportunities for undrafted free agents to make it in the NFL.

Bears' Buster Skrine explains why he'll never be Halas Hall's locker room DJ - NBC Sports Chicago - Someone give him the aux cord!

Dalvin Cook holdout: Why Bears should hope Vikings sign RB to rich new contract - NBC Sports Chicago - Dalvin Cook might hold out of games in 2020. The Bears should hope the guy they've held to 86 yards on 34 carries signs a long-term contract extension instead of continuing that holdout.

Bears' Roquan Smith explains why he has 'a huge chip on my shoulder' in 2020 - NBC Sports Chicago - The Bears' 2018 first-round pick knows what's expected of him in 2020.

Roquan Smith Looks to Silence Growing List of Critics - SI.com - Not that Roquan Smith needed extra motivation, but the critics are providing some anyway. He plans to spend the rest of his time off training at Planet Fitness.

Akiem Hicks, Eddie Jackson Make PFF Top 60, for Better or Worse - SI.com - The top 50 list of players in the NFL for Pro Football Focus came out last week and this week the analytical football website released an addendum.

How the Bears Stack Up in the NFC North: Defense - Da Bears Blog - If the Chicago Bears are going to be relevant in the NFC North in 2020, it’s going to be because of their defense.

Bears' Smith Knows He Needs To Play To Higher Standard - 670 The Score - When the Bears selected Roquan Smith at No. 8 overall in 2018, they believed he could develop into a star linebacker in time. By his own admission, he hasn't lived up to his lofty expectations.

KNOW THINE ENEMY

Gym in Green Bay (East), WI - 1831 Main St - Planet Fitness - We strive to create a workout environment where everyone feels accepted and respected. That’s why at Planet Fitness Green Bay (East), WI we take care to make sure our club is clean and welcoming, our staff is friendly, and our certified trainers are ready to help. Whether you’re a first-time gym user or a fitness veteran, you’ll always have a home in our Judgement Free Zone™

Gym in Detroit (Gateway), MI - 1395 Eight Mile Rd - Planet Fitness - Your neighborhood gym in Detroit (Gateway), MI. Prices starting as low as $10 a month. Enjoy unlimited fitness training, 24-hour access, and a welcoming, Judgement Free Zone. Join now!

Gym Memberships - Minneapolis (Minnehaha), MN - Planet Fitness - Gym memberships in Minneapolis, MN starting as low as $10 per month. No commitment options available, clean environment, and friendly, helpful team members!

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT ON WINDY CITY GRIDIRON

Berckes’ The Championship Belt Series - Part 4 - Windy City Gridiron - Awarding the best Chicago Bears player each year throughout the 100 year history.

Zeglinski: Chicago Bears’ Roquan Smith has a chip on his shoulder - Windy City Gridiron - The young linebacker is aiming to move past a trying sophomore season. Meanwhile, Buster Skrine embraces a leadership role.

Infante’s Bears 2021 draft: Offensive tackle prospects to remember - Windy City Gridiron - Offensive tackle is one of the premier positions in the NFL today, so the Bears could be wise to target the position in the 2021 draft.

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; Jack R Salo Like us on Facebook.

PS: This time, I’m taking all the shit I’ve been getting with a sense of humor. THIS time. I’m being non-judgmental.

PPS: *By the way, new Den rule. I can cuss. Nobody else is allowed unless it’s an open thread. Now see, THAT is what’s called “unfair”. Just so people know what that word actually means around here.