The Bear’s Den, June 17, 2020

KEN’S NOTE: Everybody has had a chance to have their say, we are reverting back to our normal “no political discussions, no politics” rules.

THE DAILY SPONGIE SPECIAL

Turns out this week is an impromptu Island Music adventure... and you just can’t have Island Music without Bob Marley!

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

BEARRRSSSS

Remembering former Chicago Bears RB Brian Piccolo 50 years after his passing - ChicagoBears.com - On the 50th anniversary of Brian Piccolo’s death, we take a comprehensive look back at the former running back’s career with the Bears, his valiant fight against cancer and his remarkable legacy five decades later.

David Montgomery, Nick Williams named winners of Brian Piccolo Award - ChicagoBears.com - The Bears on Tuesday announced that running back David Montgomery and defensive tackle Nick Williams are the 2019 rookie and veteran winners, respectively, of the prestigious Brian Piccolo Award.

Brian Piccolo book "A Short Season" to be printed in conjunction with 50th anniversary of his death from cancer - ChicagoBears.com - The book that Chicago sportscaster Jeannie Morris authored about Bears running back Brian Piccolo in 1971 entitled

How the Bears Stack Up in the NFC North: Special Teams - Da Bears Blog - The all-important third phase has mixed reviews for the Bears. Ken's Note: Who's best? If we assign points values equal to their ratings here (with less points being better), Detroit ends up best with 8 points, Chicago second with 9, Minnesota third with 11 points and Green Bay bringing up the rear with 12. That sounds about right.

'Clear-Minded' David Montgomery Driven To Be Better In 2020 - 670 The Score - At the end of his rookie season, Bears running back David Montgomery measured himself against his own high standards. "Not good enough," Montgomery said.

David Montgomery, Nick Williams Named Piccolo Award Winners - 670 The Score - The Bears voted running back David Montgomery and former defensive lineman Nick Williams as the winners of the team's prestigious Brian Piccolo Award, which honors two players who exemplify the qualities of the late Brian Piccolo.

Eddy Pineiro: Chicago Bears kicker ready for competition - Chicago Tribune - Eddy Pineiro’s first order of business this offseason was to put on some weight. When the Chicago Bears kicker met with coaches at the end of his rookie year, their request was for him to bulk up and get stronger.

What to Expect From Bears CB Jaylon Johnson's Rookie Season - The Chicago Audible - At Utah, cornerback Jaylon Johnson made countless plays for the Utes' defense. Here is what Bears fans should expect to see from the rookie in Year 1.

Mitch Trubisky, not Nick Foles, will win Bears' QB battle for one simple reason - NBC Sports Chicago - In my mind, there are really only two ways this column ages: as the dumbest thing I’ve ever written, or the second-dumbest thing I’ve ever written. But reader I need to tell you this, because not to be dramatic, but it has been eating me from the inside for literal weeks at this point: I think Mitch Trubisky is going to win the quarterback competition this summer.

Bears' David Montgomery explains why winning 2019 Piccolo award means so much - NBC Sports Chicago - The running back chatted with media about the award on Tuesday afternoon.

Bears name Nick Williams and David Montgomery 2019 Brian Piccolo Award winners - NBC Sports Chicago - The award has been given to a Bears player every season since 1970 in memory of Brian Piccolo.

Mitchell Trubisky: The Man In The Arena – On Tap Sports Net - It’s the man in the arena who gets it. He puts in the work, he has the battle scars, and he feels the triumph.

More Confident David Montgomery Feels Prepared to Activate Run Game - SI.com - David Montgomery thinks he can be part of breaking a trend.

David Montgomery Captures Essence of Piccolo Award - SI.com - David Montgomery went through a rookie season when he rarely could break free and his personality at times seemed as hidden as his running abilities.

It’s been 50 years since Brian Piccolo passed away - Bears Wire - Today marks the 50th anniversary of the death of Chicago Bears running back Brian Piccolo, who succumbed to cancer in 1970.

Chicago Bears RB David Montgomery honored to win Brian Piccolo Award - ChicagoBears.com - Given what's been transpiring throughout the country, winning the Brian Piccolo Award was extra special for Bears running back David Montgomery.

David Montgomery pledges ‘better’ Bears running game - NFL.com - Entering his second season in Chicago, running back David Montgomery is confident he and his backfield mates will produce better results in 2020.

Chicago Bears’ David Montgomery: Run game is ‘going to be better this year’ - Chicago Sun-Times - Of the 20 players in the NFL with at least 200 carries last year, only the Jets’ Le’Veon Bell averaged less than Montgomery’s 3.67 yards per carry.

Nick Williams, David Montgomery named winners of Brian Piccolo Award - Chicago Sun-Times - The annual award, voted on by teammates, is particularly poignant on the 50th anniversary of Piccolo’s death in 1970. “It’s a blessing to receive the Piccolo Award,” Montgomery said.

Piccolo Award: Chicago Bears’ David Montgomery, Nick Williams win - Chicago Tribune - Chicago Bears running back David Montgomery and former defensive lineman Nick Williams have been named the 2019 Piccolo Award winners.

POLISH SAUSAGE

Terry Pegula: No financial pressure on the Bills - ProFootballTalk - Pegula Sports and Entertainment fired and furloughed employees in April in response to a change in economic conditions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, but the Bills staff was not affected by the moves made at the company controlled by team owners Terry and Kim Pegula.

Jimmy Garoppolo was unfazed by team's consideration of Tom Brady - ProFootballTalk - The 49ers admit that they considered pursuing Tom Brady in free agency, before deciding to stick with Jimmy Garoppolo. Garoppolo now says he had no problem with that.

Ranking the eight NFL divisions by quarterback: NFC South claims No. 1 - NFL.com - How do the NFL's eight divisions stack up in terms of strength at the game's most important position? Adam Schein provides his annual division rankings by quarterback. Which quartet of teams holds the No. 1 spot as we head toward the 2020 season?

Buccaneers unveil first look at Tom Brady in uniform - NFL.com - Less than 24 hours after Tom Brady put in a request to his new employer, the team quickly answered their new franchise QB's call to release the first look at Brady in every iteration of the Bucs' uniform.

Las Vegas Raiders' Allegiant Stadium to host 2021 Pro Bowl - NFL.com - The 2021 Pro Bowl is moving from Orlando to Las Vegas, where it will take place in the brand new Allegiant Stadium on Jan. 31.

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT ON WINDY CITY GRIDIRON

Infante: Bears LB Khalil Mack given third-best odds to win DPOY - Windy City Gridiron - The former All-Pro is among the favorites to come away with the prestigious award.

Wiltfong: Who is the best Bears Video Game character of all time? - Windy City Gridiron - We’re going to have some fun the next few days as we participate in SB Nation’s Video Game Theme Week. The mother-ship is running a Best Video Game of All-Time tournament, we have a round table...

Wiltfong: You can pre-order Madden NFL 21 right here! - Windy City Gridiron - Bears’ fans, pre-order the latest Madden and let us know some of your favorite Bears’ related Madden stories!

Wiltfong: David Montgomery and Nick Williams are the Bears’ 2019 Brian Piccolo award winners - Windy City Gridiron - The Chicago Bears announced their Brian Piccolo Award winners today and announced a new effort that will go towards the Brian Piccolo Cancer Research Fund.

THE RULES

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WCG CONTRIBUTORS BEARS PODCASTS & STREAMS

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