The Bear’s Den, February 13, 2025

The Bears and the NFL have said goodbye to team owner Virginia McCaskey

WE WANT YOU!

Would you like to show your Chicago Bears spirit to the world? I’m starting a feature where Windy City Gridiron readers can share pictures of themselves and their families and friends in Bears attire. Simply email a picture to me at the following address: denmasterken at aol dot com. The pictures need to be clear, and full resolution (i.e. full size from your phone if that’s how you take them). Include any description information you like along with the photo!

THE DAILY SPONGIE SPECIAL

BEARRRSSSS

NFL insiders rank best head coach hires: Why Vrabel tops list; Schottenheimer ‘underrated’? – The Athletic – No one performed better in this poll than Mike Vrabel, but Ben Johnson and Pete Carroll still drew rave reviews.

Projecting altered personnel usage for Ben Johnson’s Bears offense – SI – It will look different for the Bears on offense this year than it did with Ben Johnson’s Detroit attack and roles for returning players in Chicago’s offense can be altered.

Pinpointing one backfield diamond in the rough for Bears’ draft – SI – Most excitement about running backs in this draft focuses on Ashton Jeanty but there are other explosive ones and a team looking at this position later like the Bears might find worthy talent.

Chicago Bears don’t need an overhaul, just some tweaks, per ESPN – SI – According to ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler, the Bears need are in line for a rebuild, not a makeover

Bears offseason outlook: Wide receiver – 670 – The Bears like their wide receiver tandem of DJ Moore and Rome Odunze as they look ahead to the 2025 season, but they need to add depth at the position behind them.

Bears, NFL bid farewell to matriarch Virginia McCaskey at funeral mass – Chicago Sun-Times – Virginia McCaskey died Thursday at age 102.

With all the losing that’s been going on, Chicago sports fans need to raise their anger game – Chicago Sun-Times – They could learn a lesson from Mavericks fans, who have been acting out since the Luka Doncic trade.

Chicago Bears: Bill to lure NFL team to Indiana passes out of House – Chicago Tribune – A bill aimed at attracting the Chicago Bears, or another sports franchise, to Northwest Indiana passed out of the Indiana House Ways and Means committee Tuesday with two amendments.

A PERSONAL MESSAGE FROM DENMASTER KEN

This article… this memorial… was written by a personal friend, Chris Duerr, about a talented young athlete in the area where I live. We call this area “The Tri-States” as it’s defined by junction of Illinois, Iowa and Missouri. Chris is an absolute legend in the Tri-States media scene, the sports director of KHQA TV in Quincy, IL.

Chris was my boss for a decade when I shot sports video for KHQA, but more than that he is an amazing man. The young lady who was killed in a traffic accident (through no fault of her own) was a “can’t miss” basketball star for the school I graduated from in 1980, but I will let Chris tell you about here in far more eloquent words than I can share.

I never met Reese, so no condolences for me are needed. I’m just touched when we lose somebody so beloved. Yes, I realize this has absolutely nothing to do with the Chicago Bears. But its my Den, that’s why the apostrophe is placed where it is in “Bear’s”. I hope you understand.

Losing a child, any child, is devastating in a community large or small. Hug your family tight.

Ken

The Day The Tri-States Cried: A Few Words In Memoriam of Reese Ramsey
– In banquet settings and speaking engagements over the years, I would often quip for a laugh that the very best part of my job is I get to love your amazing kids like my own…but on the best possible terms.

How easy it is delight in their accomplishments, feel unbridled pride and even a tinge of ownership in their finest athletic moments…and yet never have to tell them to clean their rooms, buy their groceries, or pay for their fender benders.

It took far worse last night and fifteen hours of my battered old heart feeling like a speed bag to be reminded that none of us are ever only partially invested in these wonderful kids in our community….

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT ON WINDY CITY GRIDIRON

New Bears coach Ben Johnson voted No. 2 on ‘Most Likely To Succeed’ list – Windy City Gridiron – SB Nation’s experts are bullish on the Bears’ new head man.

Chicago Bears mourn Virginia McCaskey today at private service – Windy City Gridiron – Virginia’s funeral was held in Mount Prospect this morning

Expect more play action for Caleb Williams in 2025 from Ben Johnson – Windy City Gridiron – More play-action is always a good thing, regardless of whether a team can run the ball effectively or not

Eli Manning should never make the Hall of Fame and here’s why – Windy City Gridiron – Eli Manning was a very good quarterback with two rings, but that doesn’t mean he should be in Canton.

Top 10 Greater Expectations – #7 – DeMarcus Walker – Windy City Gridiron – In this series, we will look at which Chicago Bears players need to step up their play to match their pay in 2025.

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