The Bear’s Den, June 3, 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

This is part of our week long Xmaslovechild & Ken personal favorites (that aren’t mainstream, at least not in 2020) week. First his, then mine.

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

BEARRRSSSS

Mitchell Trubisky breaks social media silence to support George Floyd protests - NBC Sports Chicago - This marks Trubisky’s first Instagram post of 2020.

Why Plan to Replace Taylor Gabriel Isn’t Up to Speed - SI.com - The Bears are banking heavily on wide receiver Darnell Mooney heavily contributing as a rookie despite being a fifth-round draft pick.

Chicago Bears chairman George H. McCaskey issues statement on death of George Floyd, demonstrations throughout United States - ChicagoBears.com - Bears chairman George H. McCaskey on Monday released a statement about the death of George Floyd and the demonstrations that have been held in Chicago and throughout the country.

Chicago Bears head coach Matt Nagy discusses George Floyd, demonstrations throughout United States - ChicagoBears.om - During an appearance Monday on NFL Network’s “Good Morning Football,” Bears coach Matt Nagy discussed the death of George Floyd and the demonstrations that continue throughout the country.

Wood: How Consistent are Explosive Players? - Da Bears Blog - Recently, I’ve found that explosive plays are really important to overall offensive production and explosive plays are extremely inconsistent from year to year on a team level. Today I want to look at explosive plays on an individual level to see if players can be fairly reliable counted on to be more or less explosive than expected.

Report: Bears Cancel Meetings For Blackout Tuesday - 670 The Score - The Bears canceled their virtual meetings to observe Blackout Tuesday, according to reports. Blackout Tuesday was a movement to support protesters who are standing up against police brutality and racial inequality in the wake of George Floyd being killed at the hands of police in Minneapolis.

Trubisky Ready To Fight For His Future: ‘Now Is The Time’ - 670 The Score - On the afternoon of March 18, shortly after the Bears agreed to acquire veteran quarterback Nick Foles in a trade with the Jaguars, a text came across the phone of Mitchell Trubisky. It was from Kade McClure, one of Trubisky’s closest friends growing up in Mentor, Ohio and a pitcher in the White

George McCaskey: ‘We Must Do More Than Wring Our Hands’ - 670 The Score - As protests against racial injustice continue in American cities such as Chicago and the nation mourns the tragic death of George Floyd, the Bears came together during their allotted two hours of virtual meeting and opened up a conversation Monday.

Bears required to hold training camp at Halas Hall, barred from joint practices: report - Chicago Sun-Times - NFL teams are not allowed to hold practices offsite and cannot practice together. That means the Bears will not spend a week in Denver as they had hoped.

Chicago Bears pause for ‘Blackout Tuesday’ - Chicago Sun-Times - Bears coach Matt Nagy cancelled team and player meetings Tuesday to support “Blackout Tuesday,” sources confirmed to the Sun-Times.

Bears might need a 3-sided playoff coin, according to oddsmaker - Chicago Sun-Times
- A wagering website has the Packers with the best chance to reach the playoffs. The Bears were listed with a 36.1% chance.

Chicago Bears’ Mitch Trubisky posts on George Floyd and racial injustice: ‘We must do better’ - Chicago Sun-Times - Bears quarterback Mitch Trubisky made his first Instagram post in almost six months Tuesday to show support for those fighting racial injustice.

Chicago Bears OTAs: It’s all about the QB(s) - Chicago Sun-Times - Answering seven Bears questions as they begin organized team activities this week — albeit on Zoom and nowhere near the Halas Hall practice fields.

Chicago Bears OTAs: Analyzing the team’s big issues - Chicago Sun-Times - Answering seven Bears questions as they begin organized team activities this week — albeit on Zoom and nowhere near the Halas Hall practice fields.

Bears chairman: ‘We must do more than wring our hands’ after George Floyd killing - Chicago Sun-Times - Chairman George McCaskey condemned police brutality in the wake of the death last week of George Floyd at the hands of Minneapolis police.

Chicago Bears, Denver Broncos cancel joint practices - Chicago Tribune - The Bears and Broncos were to hold crossover practices the week before their Aug. 22 preseason game. But the NFL and the players union agreed to do away with joint practices this year to mitigate additional exposure risks.

NFL teams must hold training camps at home - Chicago Tribune - NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell has told all 32 teams to hold training camps at their home facilities this summer because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Chicago Bears discuss George Floyd fallout - Chicago Tribune - As the nation deals with the fallout from George Floyd’s death, Bears players and coaches are having open conversations to work through it.

NFL clubs will hold training camp at team facilities - Nfl.com - The NFL has told clubs they must hold their training camps at their facilities because of the COVID-19 pandemic, NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo reported Tuesday afternoon. There will also be no joint practices.

POLISH SAUSAGE

Notre Dame-Navy Opener Moved Out Of Ireland - 670 The Score - The college football season opener between Notre Dame and Navy has been moved out of Ireland because of the cornavirus pandemic.

Lou Canellis: A Chicago sportscaster, a surrogate mother and a lifelong bond - Chicago Tribune - Longtime Chicago sportscaster Lou Canellis and wife Monica couldn’t have children on their own, and adoption might not have been an option. What to do?

Most underrated player on all 32 NFL teams ahead of the 2020 NFL season - NFL News, Rankings and Statistics - PFF - From household names to players underappreciated by even their own fanbases, here are the most underrated players on all 32 NFL teams heading into the 2020 NFL season. Ken’s Note: PFF is playing games with their links, redirecting this to a sales page. I’ve pulled the link, to hell with them, PFF is garbage. If you want the link it’s in the comments below.

Florio: Washington franchise should change its name now - ProFootballTalk - This won’t be a universally popular opinion, but the time for caring about making everyone happy and/or pissing off the fewest number of people has ended. Ken’s Note: Feel free to discuss this along with the other issues of the day, but remember, no politics.

NFL has little leverage to secure salary givebacks - ProFootballTalk - Sometimes it pays, literally, to have an in-house media conglomerate.

Report: Teams will remain at their facilities for training camp - ProFootballTalk - The NFL is planning for teams to hold training camps on the usual schedule this summer, but it appears there will be changes to operations.

NFL teams will not have joint practices this year - ProFootballTalk - The NFL will not permit teams to have joint practices this summer.

KNOW THINE ENEMY

Green Bay: Nobody cares

Detroit Lions training camp to remain in Allen Park, per NFL directive - Pride Of Detroit - The Lions training camp will not have to be moved this year.

Pro Football Focus says the Vikings’ most underrated player is Danielle Hunter - Daily Norseman - How is this possible?

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

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