The Bear’s Den, October 28, 2021

THE DAILY SPONGIE SPECIAL

BEARRRSSSS

Chicago Bears deciding Khalil Mack’s status for Week 8 vs. 49ers, beyond - ChicagoBears.com - The Bears are in the process of determining outside linebacker Khalil Mack’s playing status for Sunday’s home game against the 49ers and beyond. The six-time Pro Bowler has been dealing with a foot injury since Week 3.

Next Two Games Will Decide Season - Da Bears Blog - This week, the Bears welcome a San Francisco team coming to Chicago for a noon start. Then they head to Pittsburgh for Monday Night Football before the bye week. There’s no reason the Bears can’t be 5-4 entering their bye.

Emma: Plenty of blame to go around for Bears’ offensive woes - 670 The Score - The blame for the Bears’ continued offensive struggles is shared by many, including rookie quarterback Justin Fields, who isn’t getting much help from those around him.

Akiem Hicks (groin) rejoins Bears in practice - 670 The Score - Bears defensive lineman Akiem Hicks (groin) returned to practice Wednesday in a limited fashion, an encouraging step forward for a key player on the team’s defense.

5 blockbuster trades we’d like to see ahead of NFL deadline - 670 The Score - With the NFL trade deadline looming next Tuesday, here are five potential big names that could be moved – with a look at the ideal landing spot for each of them.

Should the Bears trade Allen Robinson? - 670 The Score - While it seems unlikely to happen, should the Bears trade receiver Allen Robinson ahead of the deadline week? With Robinson headed for free agency in 2022, it would make sense.

Larry Borom could give Bears’ o-line a boost - Chicago Sun-Times - The rookie from Missouri, impressive in a brief first-team stint in training camp, practiced Wednesday for the first time since suffering an ankle injury in the opener against the Rams.

Coronavirus takes Bears coach Matt Nagy out of his wheelhouse - Chicago Sun-Times - The Bears’ head coach thrives on in-person communications — "It kills me that I’m not able to do that," he said. But he’s confident his staff will fill the void. Special teams coordinator Chris Tabor would be acting head coach Sunday against the 49ers if Nagy can’t be there.

Justin Fields, Bears receivers plan meetings to get on same page - Chicago Sun-Times - NFL teams set aside a time for their starting quarterback and wide receivers to develop chemistry. It’s called training camp. The Bears, though, have no such luxury — at least not with this quarterback.

Khalil Mack: Chicago Bears consider shutting down edge rusher - Chicago Tribune - A nagging left foot injury has been hindering Chicago Bears edge rusher Khalil Mack for most of October. Now the Bears are assessing whether it may be in Mack’s and the team’s best interest to place him on injured reserve.

Chicago Bears Q&A: Will they be sellers at trade deadline? - Chicago Tribune - There were few positives to take away from the Chicago Bears’ 38-3 loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Week 7, and that’s reflected in this week’s Bears mailbag.

A breakout game for Justin Fields? More play action and RPOs? What's up with Khalil Mack? Bears notebook – The Athletic - Justin Fields believes a breakout game is coming for him. But the Bears might need to change their offensive play calls for it to happen.

Report: Bears' Khalil Mack expected to sit vs. 49ers - RSN - The Chicago Bears defense is dealt another blow, with Robert Quinn and Akiem Hicks already sidelined.

NFL trade deadline: 8 veterans Bears could consider moving - Bears Wire - With the trade deadline looming next Tuesday, the Bears should be sellers and try to deal some veterans for draft capital.

Why Bears, Justin Fields are confident offense will improve - RSN - Matt Nagy's offense has been largely ineffective over his tenure as Chicago Bears head coach. But players think they're going to start scoring points.

Larry Borom back at practice, injury report, Justin Fields, Jimbo Covert to receive HOF ring - ChicagoBears.com - There was good news on the injury front Wednesday as Bears rookie tackle Larry Borom returned to practice for the first time since hurting his ankle in the season opener. The Bears will now have 21 days to activate him off injured reserve.

Chicago Bears deciding Khalil Mack's status for Week 8 vs. 49ers, beyond - ChicagoBears.com - The Bears are in the process of determining outside linebacker Khalil Mack’s playing status for Sunday’s home game against the 49ers and beyond. The six-time Pro Bowler has been dealing with a foot injury since Week 3.

Next Two Games Will Decide Season - Da Bears Blog - This week, the Bears welcome a San Francisco team coming to Chicago for a noon start. Then they head to Pittsburgh for Monday Night Football before the bye week. There’s no reason the Bears can’t be 5-4 entering their bye.

Emma: Plenty of blame to go around for Bears' offensive woes - 670 The Score - The blame for the Bears’ continued offensive struggles is shared by many, including rookie quarterback Justin Fields, who isn’t getting much help from those around him.

Akiem Hicks (groin) rejoins Bears in practice - 670 The Score
Bears defensive lineman Akiem Hicks (groin) returned to practice Wednesday in a limited fashion, an encouraging step forward for a key player on the team’s defense.

5 blockbuster trades we’d like to see ahead of NFL deadline - 670 The Score - With the NFL trade deadline looming next Tuesday, here are five potential big names that could be moved – with a look at the ideal landing spot for each of them.

Should the Bears trade Allen Robinson? - 670 The Score - While it seems unlikely to happen, should the Bears trade receiver Allen Robinson ahead of the deadline week? With Robinson headed for free agency in 2022, it would make sense.

POLISH SAUSAGE

NFL braces for billion-dollar exposure in St. Louis litigation - ProFootballTalk - From time to time, it’s been suggested that the litigation over the relocation of the Rams could result in at least $1 billion flowing from the NFL to St. Louis. It could be a lot more than that.

Tua Tagovailoa: I don't not feel wanted by the Dolphins - ProFootballTalk - “I don’t not feel wanted,” Tagovailoa said, via Joe Schad of the Palm Beach Post.

KNOW THINE ENEMY

What a loss against the Colts says about the Niners being contenders - Niners Nation - Plus, a prediction for next week’s game and why everything isn’t Shanahan’s fault

The 49ers woes can be tied directly to their dreadful performance on 3rd downs - Niners Nation - Avoiding third downs altogether would be nice

NFL trade rumors: 5 trades the 49ers could make if they sell at the NFL trade deadline - Niners Nation - Could the 49ers restock some draft capital at this year’s NFL trade deadline?

Six offensive mistakes that you can’t blame Kyle Shanahan for against the Colts - Niners Nation - From penalties to missed throws to drops, the offense made mistakes that were too much for Shanahan to overcome

Kyle Shanahan “would guess” Jimmy Garoppolo will start vs. Bears - Niners Nation - Kyle Shanahan says Jimmy Garoppolo will start next week against the Bears

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT ON WINDY CITY GRIDIRON

Zimmerman: Chicago Bears Podcast with Olin Kreutz - Offense still lacking explosive plays - Windy City Gridiron - Olin Kreutz joins the Bears Banter Podcast and has plenty to say!

Wiltfong's Chicago Bears Sackwatch 2021: Week 7 vs Tampa Bay Buccaneers - Windy City Gridiron - Four more sacks allowed to break down from the Bears this week, and a big picture look at how the pass protection is going this season.

Zeglinski: Chicago Bears’ Khalil Mack out against San Francisco 49ers - Windy City Gridiron - The superstar pass rusher is being given some time to rest a nagging foot injury. An extended absence isn’t out of the question.

Berckes: Ten Thoughts on the NFL - Windy City Gridiron - Ja’Marr Chase, Kyle Pitts, the 600th TD football and more in this week’s Ten Thoughts on the NFL

THE RULES

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Windy City Gridiron Podcast Channel which includes Bear With Me from Robert Schmitz, Bears Over Beers featuring Jeff Berckes & EJ Snyder (their BOB YouTube Channel can be found here), Bears Banter hosted by Bill Zimmerman, Rule of 3 with R. Schmitz, Danny Meehan, and Brandon Robinson, Bear & Balanced from Jeff and Lester A. Wiltfong Jr., and T Formation Conversation from Lester; EJ also co-hosts The Bootleg Football Podcast with Brett Kollmann; R. Schmitz has a film breakdown show on YouTube titled Run Pass Opinion; Will Robinson II has his WhiskeyRanger YouTube channel, 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; Jack R Salo; Steven Schweickert; Jack Silverstein; EJ Snyder; Lester Wiltfong, Jr.; Will Robinson II; Robert Schmitz; T.J. Starman; Robert Zeglinski; Bill Zimmerman; Like WCG on Facebook.