Pranger » The Chicago Bears are leaning heavily on their running game

while bringing along rookie quarterback Mitchell Trubisky slowly. Trubisky http://www.thebearslockerroom.com/authentic-anthony-miller-jersey , the No. 2 overall pick in the NFL draft, attempted 41 passes in two games since taking over for Mike Glennon at quarterback. He threw 16 passes at Baltimore, while the Bears ran 54 times for 231 yards. Jordan Howard finished with a career-high 167 yards and is fourth in the league in rushing. Carolina linebacker Thomas Davis expects to see a heavy dose of the running game Sunday when the Panthers (4-2) visit the Bears (2-4). ”They are doing a tremendous job of running the ball and controlling the game,” Davis said. ”… If it’s working why would you go away from it?” The Bears are third in the league overall in rushing, averaging 136 yards per game. They are averaging 4.3 yards per carry. Trubisky, who played college football at North Carolina, joked he’s never handed the ball off this much in his entire football life. ”That just speaks a lot about the type of guys we have up front and the running backs we have here,” Trubisky said. ”And if the defense plays that type of (two-deep) coverage and they give us that front that we gotta run the ball until they get out of it.” Things to watch between the Bears and Panthers on Sunday: LESS IS MORE FOR PEPPERS: Panthers 37-year old defensive end Julius Peppers said he loves his new situational role in Carolina. ”Less is more,” Peppers said with a smile. Peppers is playing less, but producing more. He has 6 1/2 sacks through six games. Peppers originally left Carolina for Chicago in 2010 for an opportunity to ”stand up” and play outside linebacker. He played that position for the better part of seven seasons with the Bears and Packers. While he said he has no regrets about that decision, he admitted defensive end is ”my more natural position.” TAKE IT AWAY: Though they rank 31st with a minus-8 turnover margin, the Bears hope they are on the rise after last week’s win. They had three takeaways at Baltimore, including two interceptions. Adrian Amos returned one 90 yards for a touchdown. Prior to that game Womens Sherrick McManis Jersey , the Bears were one of three teams that had not picked off a pass. That came on the heels of back-to-back seasons with a franchise-low eight interceptions. Carolina has forced a mere four turnovers this season. KUECHLY CONCUSSION: Panthers three-time All-Pro middle linebacker Luke Kuechly has been in the NFL concussion protocol since taking a shot to the head in the Eagles game on Oct. 12 and has not practiced since. David Mayo would get his first NFL start if Kuechly can’t play. While the Panthers adhere to the ”next man up” philosophy, it’s pretty clear they will miss Kuechly’s presence. ”You don’t replace Luke Kuechly,” Peppers said. ”He’s a special guy.” BENJAMIN’S STATUS: Panthers starting wide receiver Kelvin Benjamin left practice Wednesday with swelling in his left knee, leaving his status for Sunday up in the air. Benjamin tore his left ACL in 2015 and reinjured it earlier this season when he got his leg bent backward awkwardly against the New Orleans Saints. He was held out of the rest of that game, returned the following week. Panthers coach Ron Rivera said wide receivers Curtis Samuel and Russell Shepard will see additional work if Benjamin is unable to go. NO DEEP THREAT: The Panthers’ inability to stretch the field with a deep passing game is starting to impact the team’s running game. Carolina running backs Jonathan Stewart, Christian McCaffrey and Fozzy Whittaker were held to a combined 1 yard rushing on 13 carries in the 28-23 loss to the Eagles. Panthers coach Ron Rivera said that’s because Philadelphia was able to stack the box with eight or nine players. Rivera is optimistic Samuel and Shepard can stretch the field with deep routes, helping free up the running game. ”One of the problems we are having is the secondaries are stuffing the box,” Shepard said. ”If we can get them away from the box we can open up the running game a little more.” — AP Sports Writer Andrew Seligman in Chicago contributed to this report. — The pundits show some love for David Montgomery and the Great Kicker Hunt of 2019 continues"BEAR DOWN, CHICAGO BEARS, BEAR DOWN!!!!BEARRRSSSS / FREE AGENCY / DRAFTZeglinski: As roster focus shifts, don’t forget these Bears – The Rock River Times - To pinpoint exactly what may ail the Bears next season, if anything, can prove to be a problematic proposition.2019 NFL All-Rookie Team: David Montgomery Charles Leno Jersey , Kyler Murray, Devin Bush to show out - NFL.com - Which first-year pros -- like Arizona Cardinals QB Kyler Murray and Pittsburgh Steelers LB Devin Bush -- will make an immediate impact in the NFL? Chad Reuter projects his 2019 All-Rookie Team.Roster moves: Bears trade for kicker Pineiro - ChicagoBears.com - The Bears on Tuesday continued their thorough and diligent search for a kicker, acquiring Eddy Pineiro in a trade with the Raiders in exchange for a conditional 2021 seventh-round draft pick.Mayer: Star safeties to unite for Bears100 Weekend - ChicagoBears.com - Four of the greatest Bears safeties from the past and present will gather together on stage for a special panel discussion at the Bears100 Celebration Weekend June 7-9 in Rosemont.Chalk Talk: Which rookies impressed in minicamp? - ChicagoBears.com - Senior writer Larry Mayer discusses the players that stood out in Bears rookie minicamp, the undrafted free agent with the best chance to make the 53-man roster and the last time the Bears did not select a lineman in the draft.Jon Gruden is Totally a Sleeper Agent for the Bears, Isn’t He? - Jon Gruden. Friend of the program. Ken’s Note: No, he’s an idiot.Medina: Bears Sign Tight End Prospect Jesper Horsted From Princeton (Yes, THAT Princeton) - Bleacher Nation - You can never have enough Ivy League talent on your football roster!Dannehy: Debating the ‘Value’ Of David Montgomery - Da Bears Blog - Shortly after the 2019 NFL Draft, the Ryan Pace detractors were at it again, claiming the Bears GM “wasted” a pick by trading up to grab Iowa State running back David Montgomery.Wiederer & Campbell: The Bears hosted a battle royal for kickers — and then traded for one. So does all that amount to progress? - Chicago Tribune - The Bears' kicking battle royal at rookie minicamp pushed their competition forward, but it didn't necessarily clarify the identity of their Week 1 kicker. Questions remain, and the Tribune's Rich Campbell and Dan Wiederer attempt to sort them out.Bears kicker timeline: From 'double-doink' to Eddy Pineiro - Chicago Tribune - Bears kicker timeline: From 'double-doink' to Eddy PineiroThompson: Allen Robinson talks about almost failing academically, his favorite book and the playoff loss that 'stung all offseason' - Chicago Tribune - Bears wide receiver Allen Robinson dedicated a reading room and discussed other topics during an appearance at the Linda and Bill Gantz Boys and Girls Club on the North Side.Bocker: How David Montgomery Produced His Collegiate Numbers (And How It Compares to the Draft Class) - Chicago Audible Blog - Was Montgomery's overall lack of production on him or was it a by-product of his offensive line and other surrounding players?Barbieri: Bears K Eddy Pineiro has the leg and ‘mental edge’ to succeed - Bears Wire - The Chicago Bears traded for K Eddy Pineiro, who has the leg and mental edge to succeed http://www.thebearslockerroom.com/authentic-joel-iyiegbuniwe-jersey , according to his former coachPOLISH SAUSAGEJoe Namath hasn’t had a drink since his embarrassing moment on live TV – ProFootballTalk - More than 15 years ago, Hall of Fame Jets quarterback Joe Namath made a drunken pass at ESPN’s Suzy Kolber on live TV during a game involving his former team. Namath claims in a new autobiography that he hasn’t had a drink since that night.Report: Jason Pierre-Paul may miss season with neck injury – ProFootballTalk - The Buccaneers said defensive end Jason Pierre-Paul was released from a hospital after a car accident last week and would undergo further evaluation without offering any information about the nature of his injuries.NFL’s top 10 offenses: Saints, Colts, Eagles best of bunch - NFL.com - With the draft and the vast majority of major free-agent signings in the books, we can legitimately assess the talent on NFL rosters for 2019. So, which offenses are the most potent? Chris Wesseling ranks the top 10.KNOW THY ENEMYTwo Packers picks named among 15 best values in the 2019 NFL Draft - Acme Packing Company - A pair of Texas A&M teammates and Packers draft picks look like great values to at least one NFL analyst.Detroit Lions owner Martha Ford has ‘a lot less tolerance for mediocrity’ - Pride Of Detroit - Rod Wood thinks Martha Ford is more proactive than her husband was.Vikings release safety Jordan Martin - Daily Norseman - He was let go to make room for Terrence Alexander2019 Detroit Lions 53-man roster prediction: Post-draft edition - Pride Of Detroit - A look at who we think may make the Lions’ 53-man roster in September.IN CASE YOU MISSED IT ON WINDY CITY GRIDIRONZeglinski: How David Montgomery’s time at Iowa State foreshadows greatness with the Chicago Bears - Windy City Gridiron - A heart of gold, compassion, and discipline. A foundational offensive centerpiece. Montgomery’s college career is full of signs of him being the Bears’ missing piece.Wiltfong: Don’t forget about Mike Davis - Windy City Gridiron - With the Chicago Bears trading up for a running back in the draft and then getting another one in the seventh-round, free agent Mike Davis seems like the forgotten man.Wiltfong: What is the biggest hole on the Bears roster? - Windy City Gridiron - ESPN recently gave their pick for the Bears’ biggest roster hole, but Lester disagrees.WCG CONTRIBUTORS BEARS PODCASTS & STREAMSWindy City Gridiron Podcast Channel which includes Bear With Me from Robert Schmitz, Bears Over Beers featuring Jeff Berckes & EJ Snyder, and T Formation Conversation from Lester A. Wiltfong Jr.; Steven’s Streaming Twitch Channel from Steven Schweickert; and Robert Zeglinski’s The Blitz NetworkTHE RULESWindy City Gridiron Community Guidelines - SBNation.com - We strive to make our communities open and inclusive to sports fans of all backgrounds. The following is not permitted in comments. No personal attacks, politics Womens Nick Kwiatkoski Jersey , gender based insults of any kind, racial insults, etc.The Bear’s Den Specific Guidelines – The Bear’s Den is a place for Chicago Bears fans to discuss Chicago Bears football, related NFL stories, and general football talk. It is NOT a place to discuss religion or politics or post political pictures or memes. Unless otherwise stated, the Den is not an open thread, and profanity (including profanity only stated in pictures) is prohibited.Click on our names to follow us on Twitter:WCG Contributors: Jeff Berckes; Patti Curl; Eric Christopher Duerrwaechter;Kev H; Sam Householder; Jacob Infante; Aaron Lemming; Ken Mitchell; Steven Schweickert; Jack Silverstein; EJ Snyder; Lester Wiltfong, Jr.; Whiskey Ranger; Robert Schmitz; Robert Zeglinski; Like us on Facebook.