The Bear’s Den, August 10, 2021

THE DAILY SPONGIE SPECIAL

BEARRRSSSS

Bears’ 2021 schedule ranked most difficult in the league - Bears Wire - The Chicago Bears’ 2021 schedule was ranked the most difficult in the NFL by ESPN’s Football Power Index.

Getting to Know the 2021 Chicago Bears: Pass Rushers - Bleacher Nation - If Khalil Mack gets a little help from his supporting cast, this group of pass-rushers could look like an undeniable strength.

The Bears Are Activating Patrick Scales, Christian Jones, and Elijah Wilkinson from the Reserve/COVID-19 List - Bleacher Nation - Good news on the health front, as three Bears have been activated from the Reserve/COVID-19 list ahead of this week of practice.

Darnell Mooney ‘on fire with his route running’ in camp - ChicagoBears.com - After an impactful rookie season last year, Bears 2020 fifth-round draft pick Darnell Mooney is taking his game to an even higher level in training camp as he prepares for his second NFL season.

Training Camp Diary: Montgomery Gains Speed, Mooney Gains Confidence, Ogletree Gains - Da Bears Blog - Adam Jahns (in The Athletic, of course) discusses Montgomery’s clear speed gains this summer: “It was also a run where Montgomery’s speed training from the offseason appeared to factor in. The surprising thing wasn’t that Montgomery broke tackles; it continues to be how fast he’s eating up yardage when he is in the open field.”

Emma: Taking stock of Bears’ QB situation early in camp - 670 The Score - The Bears’ quarterback situation continues to hold plenty of intrigue, with veteran Andy Dalton holding the No. 1 spot on the depth chart, rookie Justin Fields flashing his talent as he develops and third-stringer Nick Foles seeking a trade.

Bears activate three players from reserve/COVID-19 list - Bears Wire - The Bears got some good news as Elijah Wilkinson, Christian Jones and Patrick Scales have been activated from the reserve/COVID-19 list.

Justin Fields’ natural arm talent is taking over Bears training camp; what’s next for rookie? – The Athletic - First-round pick Justin Fields continues to wow the coaching staff and fans alike at camp, making a variety of throws all over the field.

Chicago Bears: 11 observations from training camp - Chicago Tribune - After 10 practices of training camp, including four in pads, we have started to learn a lot more about the Chicago Bears’ strengths and greatest areas of concern.

Halas Intrigue Episode 168: The Bears’ big week ahead - Chicago Sun-Times - The Bears open the preseason Saturday against the Dolphins.

Chicago Bears get 3 players off COVID-19 list - Chicago Tribune - The Chicago Bears welcomed back three of the four players who went on the reserve/COVID-19 list last week.

Bears DT Eddie Goldman remains on reserve/COVID-19 list; three activated - Chicago Sun-Times - Goldman will have spent at least a week on the list after being sidelined Aug. 3.

Bears training camp 1st-and-10: Sean Desai’s impact looks real - Chicago Sun-Times - Of all the training-camp storylines that sound so good in August, the notion that the Bears’ first-year defensive coordinator will be an upgrade and boost a stagnant defense has legs as much as any of them.

POLISH SAUSAGE

Cardinals partner with BetMGM to open first sportsbook inside an NFL stadium - ProFootballTalk - The Cardinals announced Monday they have partnered with BetMGM to open a sportsbook at State Farm Stadium. It will become the first sportsbook inside an NFL stadium when it opens.

A Michael Thomas trade seems inevitable - ProFootballTalk - Last year, as word emerged of friction between the Saints and receiver Michael Thomas, PFT reported that the Thomas camp was trying to get other teams to make a trade offer for the player. No one did. This year, it feels inevitable that someone will.

KNOW THINE ENEMY

Lions unfazed by Calvin Johnson’s Hall of Fame diss - ProFootballTalk - As expected, Hall of Fame receiver Calvin Johnson didn’t thank the Lions organization during his induction speech. Before the event, Lions owner Sheila Ford Hamp was asked about the likely diss.

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT ON WINDY CITY GRIDIRON

Wiltfong: Sean Desai wants all the turnovers! - Windy City Gridiron - This is a must watch video of Chicago Bears defensive coordinator Sean Desai mic’d up. So do it now. I’ll wait...Desai brings the energy in the segment, and judging by all the praise that he’s...

Wiltfong: Bears activate three players from the Reserve/COVID-19 list - Windy City Gridiron - The Chicago Bears have announced that they have activated offensive lineman Elijah Wilkinson, linebacker Christian Jones, and long-snapper Patrick Scales from the Reserve/COVID-19 list. However,...

Wiltfong: Where do you rank the Bears offense heading into 2021? - Windy City Gridiron - The Chicago Bears haven't had a good offense since... and I can’t believe I’m about to type this, but since Marc Trestman was calling the shots in 2013. Part of the reason Matt Nagy was hired as...

Wiltfong: Do the Bears still have a top 10 defense? - Windy City Gridiron - The Chicago Bears have had one of the best defenses in the NFL for several years now. They slipped a bit a year ago, but they still finished in the top half of the league in several statistical...

THE RULES

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