The Bear’s Den, August 7, 2021

THE DAILY SPONGIE SPECIAL

BEARRRSSSS

Hawks Help Hawks: How Mark Weisman Helped James Daniels Prepare for the 2021 NFL Season - The Chicago Audible - Former Iowa Hawkeyes running back Mark Weisman has been helping current Chicago Bears offensive lineman James Daniels train for the 2021 NFL season. Jack’s note: This is very well written and a great alternative read to the doom-and-gloom of Bears’ offensive line issues.

Hoge: Offensive line injuries becoming big problem - NBC Sports Chicago - The Bears started Friday’s practice with just 10 offensive linemen. When it was over, they had 9.

Shapiro: As Bears offensive line injuries pile up, Alex Bars plays everywhere - NBC Sports Chicago - This week alone, Matt Nagy has put Bars in at left guard, left tackle and right tackle.

Bears’ Left Tackle Larry Borom in Concussion Protocol - On Tap Sports Net - With Bears’ LT Larry Borom in concussion protocol, what will the Bears do about the left tackle position as injuries pile up?

Larry Borom is latest Bears offensive tackle to be sidelined - 670 The Score - The Bears are missing five tackles and six offensive linemen a week into training camp.

Bears Injury Report: Offensive Line Thins Further, Trufant Sidelined - On Tap Sports Net - The Chicago Bears training camp injury report continues to grow, which is not an ideal way to begin what will already be a difficult season

Tackles Continue to Fall for Chicago Bears - Sports Illustrated Chicago Bears - There are more sidelined tackles now for the Chicago Bears than there are players available at the position and they’ve turned to guard Alex Bars to play the left side now after concussion issues for Larry Borom and Lachavious Simmons.

NFL training camp updates: Bears’ offensive line issues, a surprise Saints standout and the league’s best mullet - ESPN - Raise your hand if you can play offensive line.

Career Saver: How Bears’ Kicker Cairo Santos Sparker Life-Changing Season - NBC Sports Chicago - Cairo Santos’ football career was on the brink. “How many more opportunities am I going to keep getting? I have to make this one,” he told himself.

Bears training camp visited by former Eagles coach Doug Pederson - NBC Sports Chicago - It’s unclear if Pederson was simply paying a social call to friends Matt Nagy and Nick Foles, or if there was more to his appearance.

Former Eagles coach Doug Pederson spotted at Bears training camp wearing Chicago gear - CBSSports.com - Could a future role under Matt Nagy be in store?

Chicago Bears camp observations: Khalil Herbert shakes it off - Sports Illustrated Chicago Bears - Rookie running back Khalil Herbert from Virginia Tech figures to be a kick return candidate when he can display that talent during preseason but during Friday’s practice he showed he can catch a pass and break a tackle.

Miller: Trade was beneficial after ‘tensions’ with Bears - 670 The Score - “On both ends, we just felt it was best for the team,” Miller told reporters in Houston on Friday.

Chalk Talk: How is Khyiris Tonga faring in training camp? Signing an offensive tackle? - ChicagoBears.com - Senior writer Larry Mayer discusses the strides that seventh-round pick Khyiris Tonga is making in camp, the likelihood of the Bears signing a tackle and the only game the Bears have ever played in Rhode Island.

Hawley: Bears’ quarterbacks know their roles as training camp continues - WGN - Unless there is an injury, this is how the Bears’ quarterback depth chart is going to look like when the 2021 season begins: Andy Dalton. Justin Fields. Nick Foles.

4 things we learned from Bears position coaches - ChicagoBears.com - Speaking to reporters during training camp at Halas Hall, Bears position coaches offered their takes on key players such as tight end Cole Kmet, linebacker Roquan Smith and others.

After a year wait, Jim Covert will be enshrined in the Hall of Fame - WGN-TV - There were many things that were put on hold due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and that was a shame for 20 former members of the National Football League.

Jimbo Covert eagerly anticipates Hall of Fame induction as part of Class of 2020 - ChicagoBears.com - After his enshrinement into the Pro Football Hall of Fame was postponed for a year due to COVID-19, former Bears left tackle Jimbo Covert is excited about being inducted Saturday night.

Forbes: Bears Valued at $4.075 Billion - On Tap Sports Net - The McCaskeys should be very happy this year as the Chicago Bears are valued at $4.075 billion, the seventh-highest figure in the NFL.

New LB Alec Ogletree shining in first two practices - ChicagoBears.com - Alec Ogletree has wasted little time making a positive first impression. Since signing with the Bears Wednesday, the veteran linebacker has registered four interceptions in his first two practices.

Ranking all 32 NFL teams by their under-25 talent: Which teams have the most and least blue-chip players? - ESPN+ - 16. Chicago Bears. Blue-chip players: QB Justin Fields, LB Roquan Smith, CB Jaylon Johnson

Chicago Bears 2021 season preview: Cornerbacks - Chicago Tribune - Jaylon Johnson is a lock to be the Chicago Bears’ No. 1 cornerback after the team cut Kyle Fuller in a salary-cap dump in the offseason. But who starts opposite the second-year defensive back?

Biggs: Chicago Bears scrambling to find a starting left tackle - Chicago Tribune - On the same weekend Jimbo Covert, one of the best left tackles in franchise history, is being enshrined into the Pro Football Hall of Fame, the Chicago Bears are cycling through options at the position at warp speed with the first preseason game drawing near.

Forbes values Bears franchise at $4.075 billion, a 16% increase over last year. - Chicago Sun-Times - The average NFL team value soars to nearly $3.5 billion.

Finley: Breaking down the Bears’ rookie class in training camp - Chicago Sun-Times - What we’ve learned about the Bears’ first-year players in the first 10 days of training camp.

The moment that sparked Bears K Cairo Santos to a record-breaking 2020 season - Chicago Sun-Times - Santos closed last season with 27 consecutive made field goals and landed a three-year, $9 million contract because of it.

Bears’ offensive line issues getting a little dicey - Chicago Sun-Times - With rookie tackle Larry Borom and Lachavious Simmons entering concussion protocol, the Bears had just nine healthy linemen — with backups Arlington Hambright, Alex Bars and Dieter Eiselen taking first-team reps.

Bears O-line getting thinner as Borom, Simmons exit with injuries - Daily Herald - The Bears offensive line was already looking thin due to injuries and COVID-19 protocols, but it took two more hits Friday during training camp at Halas Hall.

POLISH SAUSAGE

Seattle Seahawks veteran LT Duane Brown unhappy about lack of new deal - ESPN - Seattle Seahawks star left tackle Duane Brown, unhappy about not receiving a new deal, has been sitting out practices, a source told ESPN’s Adam Schefter.

Bills and Josh Allen agree to terms on a six-year contract extension through 2028 - BuffaloBills.com - Josh Allen agrees to a long-term contract extension one week ahead of the Bills first preseason game.

KNOW THINE ENEMY

Miami Dolphins don’t want to trade unhappy CB Xavien Howard, coach Brian Flores says - ESPN - The Dolphins have no intention of trading Xavien Howard despite the All-Pro cornerback’s desire to play elsewhere.

Detroit Lions waive UDFA TE Jake Hausmann - Pride Of Detroit - The tight end room is getting thinner, roster back down to 89 players.

Justin Jefferson injured in practice, reportedly not serious - Daily Norseman - It’s apparently a sprained AC joint.

Randall Cobb’s return provides a glimmer of fantasy potential in the flex spot - Acme Packing Company - What sort of value does Cobb have now that Aaron Rodgers brought him back to Green Bay?

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT ON WINDY CITY GRIDIRON

Wiltfong Jr: Larry Borom is the latest Bears o-lineman to be sidelined - Windy City Gridiron - At this morning’s training camp practice at Halas Hall the Chicago Bears will only have nine of their fifteen rostered offensive linemen available, as it was announced that rookie offensive tackle Larry Borom is in concussion protocol.

Wiltfong Jr: Doug Pederson is just visiting Bears training camp - Windy City Gridiron - As reported by Eagles insider John McMullen, Pederson is just a guest for the day.

Bears to sign Gage Cervenka - Windy City Gridiron - According to the Chicago Tribune’s Brad Biggs, the Chicago Bears are expected to sign former Clemson offensive lineman Gage Cervenka.

Bears Training Camp Report for August 6: Another nice day for Justin Fields - Windy City Gridiron - The Bears may have been short handed, but there were still plenty of plays being made at Halas Hall.

THE RULES

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