The Bear’s Den, June 5, 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.

My gift to you in today’s Den? For most of you who watch this, your very first Floorgasm! Put on earphones, crank this one up and enjoy!

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

BEARRRSSSS

Bears DL Akiem Hicks’ unfiltered, raw interview, video and transcript - NBC Sports Chicago - In a lengthy Zoom call with reporters, Bears DT Akiem Hicks touched on sensitive topics that players have been silenced on speaking about in the past.

Opinion: “We Signed Mike Glennon,” Wasn’t the Most Important Thing Akiem Hicks Said in His Press Conference – On Tap Sports Net - Yes, the quote itself is funny, but it shouldn’t have been the most highlighted part of the interview.

Judging Bears QB Battle No Simple Matter for Matt Nagy - SI.com - Gauging the battle for starting Chicago Bears quarterback will be a complex matter.

Bears Players Rush to Back Kaepernick Without a Kneel - SI.com - Akiem Hicks couldn’t say he’d take a knee. Allen Robinson II couldn’t say it. Danny Trevathan couldn’t say it, either.

Chicago Bears LB Danny Trevathan vows to become more active in fight against racial inequality - ChciagoBears.com - Already a member of the Bears’ social justice committee, linebacker Danny Trevathan is vowing to become even more active in the fight against racial inequality following George Floyd’s death, saying: “We have to change the whole system.”

5@5: Takeaways From Akiem Hicks Speaking Out? - 670 The Score - The Mully & Haugh crew debates a five-pack of questions every weekday.

With Quinn Addition, Trevathan Sees ‘Dangerous’ Bears D - 670 The Score - When the Bears signed star pass rusher Robert Quinn in March, they viewed the addition as making an investment in their entire defense.

Chicago Bears concerned about return amid virus? Depends whom you ask - Chicago Sun-Times - Whether because of blind optimism or genuine hope, the NFL is inching closer to business as usual.

In wake of protests, would Bears stage their own? - Chicago Sun-Times - They were frustrated and angry, nuanced and vulnerable. And they wondered what would happen if they — like those around the country have done in the wake of the George Floyd killing — would protest.

Bears DT Akiem Hicks: ‘I’ve been censored my whole life’ - Chicago Sun-Times - Hicks said he’s learned to swim through other peoples’ assumptions and will continue to do so if it promotes harmony.

Colin Kaepernick: How will NFL players use their voices? - Chicago Tribune - When Colin Kaepernick began to kneel during the national anthem in 2016 to protest police brutality and social injustice, Akiem Hicks believed he understood his choice. Make the NFL and its viewers comfortable by continuing to stand for the anthem or suffer the consequences.

Chicago Bears: Inside their emotional team meeting - Chicago Tribune - More than a week after George Floyd was killed, leading to nationwide protests and widespread unrest, Chicago Bears players are seeking answers and hoping to become active in pursuing change. An emotional team meeting Monday lit that wick.

Bears’ raw, emotional team meeting struck genuine chord with those involved - NBC Sports Chicago - Matt Nagy set up a forum for his team to frankly discuss racial injustice, police brutality and a number of other important topics on Monday instead of X’s and O’s.

Why NFL, Bears might be ready to support more Colin Kaepernick-like protests - NBC Sports Chicago
- If a Bears player kneels to protest police brutality in 2020, will his team and the NFL support him? There are some signs those entities might.

Chicago Bears Could Steal Another Young Pass Rusher Next Month - Sports Mockery
- The Chicago Bears already did good things for their pass rush this offseason. Yet a rare opportunity next month could let them put a bow on it.

POLISH SAUSAGE

Union updating players today on getting back to work at team facilities - ProFootballTalk
- The NFL players’ union is updating its membership today on the next steps for reopening facilities and getting back to work.

Luke Kuechly officially joins Panthers' front office as pro scout - ProFootballTalk - Luke Kuechly has retired, but he remains in the football business and will continue to collect a paycheck from the Panthers. (Just a much smaller paycheck in a much lower-profile role.)

Rapoport: NFL Salary Cap could drop by $40 million for the 2021 season - Daily Norseman - What’s the opposite of “cha-ching?”

KNOW THINE ENEMY

Vikings players attend George Floyd memorial in Minneapolis - NFL.com - A number of players on the Minnesota Vikings attended Thursday’s memorial for George Floyd in Minneapolis.

Ranking the top 5 cornerbacks in the NFC North for 2020 - Pride Of Detroit - Ranking the best cornerbacks in the Detroit Lions’ division.

Vikings Table is helping to provide meals for those in need - Daily Norseman - Let’s feed some people

Packers commit to half-million dollar donation to social justice & racial equality causes - Acme Packing Company - On Thursday, the Green Bay Packers organization released a video expressing players’ frustration about racial inequality and violence. Later on, they IN CASE YOU MISSED IT ON WINDY CITY GRIDIRON

backed it up with a tangible donation.

Wiltfong: What are your expectations for David Montgomery? - Windy City Gridiron - There’s been a lot of talk since the 2019 season ended about the Chicago Bears fixing their running game. Issues with the coaching, the scheme, the blocking, and the running backs all attributed to...

Cody Whitehair is the Bears most underrated player - Windy City Gridiron - According to Pro Football Focus, offensive lineman Cody Whitehair is the Chicago Bears most underrated player as they head into the 2020 NFL season. In the four years since he was a second-round...

WCG’s NFC North Consensus Top 50: Nos. 40-31 - Windy City Gridiron - In the second article of a six-part roundtable series, the staff of Windy City Gridiron comes together to rank the top 50 players in the NFC North heading into 2020, this time listing players ranked 40-31.

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.