The Bear’s Den, October 6, 2021

THE DAILY SPONGIE SPECIAL

BEARRRSSSS

So, How Different WAS Bill Lazor’s Play-Calling? - Bleacher Nation - The decision to stick with Lazor and Fields in their respective capacities on Sunday is a no-brainer.

The Reemergence of Robert Quinn - Da Bears Blog - Only five players have more sacks on this early season than Robert Quinn, the early frontrunner for Comeback Player of the Year in the NFL. (Being that he “played” most of 2020, he’s probably not even eligible for the award but symbolically the point is made.) A second look at the players above Quinn reveals an even more significant truth.

Bears to acquire WR Jakeem Grant from Dolphins - 670 The Score - The Bears on Tuesday acquired receiver and returner Jakeem Grant from the Miami Dolphins. The move was part of their roster shuffle following an injury to running back David Montgomery.

Bears trade for Dolphins returner Jakeem Grant - Chicago Sun-Times - The Bears are sending a 2023 sixth-round pick to the Dolphins for Jakeem Grant, a second-team all-pro punt returner last season, a source confirmed Tuesday morning.

Chicago Bears: David Montgomery update, trade for Jakeem Grant - Chicago Tribune - Chicago Bears running back David Montgomery is reportedly expected to miss 4-5 weeks with a sprained left knee. Also, the Bears traded a 2023 sixth-round pick for returner Jakeem Grant, who has five career punt and kick return touchdowns in six years with the Miami Dolphins.

Chicago Bears offensive line looks to build on strong Week 4 - Chicago Tribune - Chicago Bears coach Matt Nagy stressed to his players last week the offense needed to establish an identity. The offensive linemen, meanwhile, let the coaching staff know they wanted to set a tone on the ground.

Wiltfong's NFL Week 5 Power Rankings: Where are the 2-2 Chicago Bears? - Windy City Gridiron - We check out where the NFL power rankers have the Bears ranked this week.

What Justin Fields provides that Andy Dalton doesn't, David Montgomery's value and more: 5 Bears takeaways – The Athletic - Justin Fields' ability to connect on explosive plays down the field is a big difference from Andy Dalton for the Chicago Bears offense.

Bears RB David Montgomery has knee sprain, expected to miss 4-5 weeks - Bears Wire - The Bears will be without star RB David Montgomery for awhile. But the good news is it's not a season-ending knee injury.

Bears are trading for Dolphins WR Jakeem Grant - Bears Wire - The Bears are sending a 2023 6th round pick to the Dolphins for WR Jakeem Grant.

David Montgomery injured, but Bears need to keep rushing identity - RSN - If Damien Williams or Khalil Herbert end up leading Matt Nagy's offense, the Bears still need to run the ball.

Bears waive punt returner, make Jakeem Grant trade official - RSN - Matt Nagy and Ryan Pace shake up the Bears special teams after no explosive punt returns through four weeks.

Report: Bears' David Montgomery out 4-5 weeks with knee injury - RSN - Matt Nagy's offense will miss the starting running back, but it's good to hear he may not miss the whole season.

Chicago Bears 1st-and-10: Justin Fields should start vs. Raiders - Chicago Sun-Times - Matt Nagy keeps saying he’ll do “what’s best for the Chicago Bears” when it comes to managing Fields, but the time has come for Nagy to actually decide, what IS best for the Chicago Bears?

Chicago Bears WR Allen Robinson remains untapped resource for QB Justin Fields - Chicago Sun-Times - Robinson has only 24 targets in four games but is showing signs of a connection with Fields. That could pay off enormously for the Bears.

Bears found offensive identity in RB David Montgomery, then lost him to knee injury - Chicago Sun-Times - Damien Williams steps into the No. 1 running back spot, followed by rookie Khalil Herbert and practice-squad options Ryan Nall and Artavis Pierce. But the Bears might learn that Montgomery is irreplaceable.

Arlington Heights mayor says tax breaks and other perks would be ‘last resort’ to land Bears stadium - Chicago Sun-Times - “We haven’t been asked for anything yet, we haven’t committed to anything yet, and we wouldn’t without plenty of thoughtful public discussions about it,” Arlington Heights Mayor Tom Hayes said.

POLISH SAUSAGE

Urban Meyer: Internal conversations have been "horrible" - ProFootballTalk - Via Mark Long of the Associated Press, Meyer said that the internal conversations regarding his misadventures in Ohio “have been horrible.” He said that he has “to move forward and regain the trust” of the organization.

Report: Urban Meyer has a "crisis" in the locker room - ProFootballTalk - The man who writes the checks in Jacksonville isn’t happy with Jaguars coach Urban Meyer. The men who do the on-field heavy lifting apparently aren’t, either.

Cowboys are releasing Jaylon Smith - ProFootballTalk - In a surprise move, the Cowboys are releasing linebacker Jaylon Smith, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.

KNOW THINE ENEMY

Las Vegas Raiders: Winners and Losers against Los Angeles Chargers - Silver And Black Pride - There’s plenty of blame to go around after a tough loss for the Las Vegas Raiders, but there were also a few players who stood out in a good way

Jon Gruden: We’re not hitting panic button on the offensive line - ProFootballTalk - The Raiders made a lot of changes to their offensive line this offseason and Monday night’s loss to the Chargers showed that the group is very much a work in progress.

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT ON WINDY CITY GRIDIRON

Wiltfong: Bears sign Artavis Pierce back to the practice squad, waive two players - Windy City Gridiron - The Bears have made some roster moves.

Infante's 2022 NFL Draft: Early options for Bears in Round 2 - Windy City Gridiron - It’s never too early to start thinking about the draft.

Sunderbruch: Bears Trade for Jakeem Grant - Windy City Gridiron - Ryan Pace might have faults, but laziness is not one of them. The Bears have made another move, trying to improve the roster by sending away a pick from the distant future to get help in the here-and-now.

Berckes: 10 Thoughts on the NFL, Justin Fields Edition - Windy City Gridiron - Ten thoughts column this week is all about the Bears

Zeglinski: David Montgomery injury update - Bears RB out a month with knee sprain - Windy City Gridiron - Chicago will be without its top tailback for a little while.

Householder: Stock up, stock down for Chicago Bears-Detroit Lions - Windy City Gridiron - The Bears got right against the Lions and we’re looking at which players shined and those that didn’t

Wiltfong and Berckes' Bear & Balanced: Bears grind out an old school win - Windy City Gridiron - Jeff and Lester are taking a (mostly) level-headed look at the Bears vs Lions game.

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, Bears Banter hosted by Bill Zimmerman, Rule of 3 with R. Schmitz, Danny Meehan, and Brandon Robinson, and the occasional 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; Will Robinson II has his WhiskeyRanger YouTube channel, and Steven’s Streaming Twitch Channel from Steven Schweickert.

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