Kicker Clarity, Benson Tributes, Duck Watch, Division Rivals Up to Old Tricks, and Other Bullets

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Kicker Clarity, Benson Tributes, Duck Watch, Division Rivals Up to Old Tricks, and Other Bullets

Chicago Bears

It’s not a guy’s trip out of town until you’re packing things into cars in the rain for your return trip.

  • The outpouring of love in the tributes that followed Cedric Benson’s passing were touching:

https://twitter.com/thomasqjones/status/1163112122881998848

https://www.instagram.com/p/B1U507oJret/?utm_source=ig_embed

  • What a runner:

  • Benson had a complicated legacy in Chicago because he never reached the heights fans thought he would when the team drafted him with the fourth overall pick in the 2005 NFL Draft. But outside the lines, Benson was a popular teammate and respected friend and will be missed by those who cared about him. May he rest in peace and may his family find strength in what is understandably a tough time.
  • Kevin Kaduk (Yahoo Sports) had a unique perspective in having covered Benson on the Bears beat during his playing days, which made this excerpt from the Yahoo Sports Newsletter a great read.
  • Moving onto the present-day Bears, their kicking competition, and a comparison that simply blew my mind:

  • Even after the Bears waived Elliott Fry on Sunday morning, there is still a lot for Eddy Piñeiro to do in order to win this kicking job for good.
  • At first blush, I thought the timing was odd … but it makes sense after stepping away and sleeping on it. In a way, this decision was the Bears telling us that (at minimum) they weren’t sure if Piñeiro was the guy for them, but were certain Fry wasn’t going to be their guy. Parting ways with Fry now allows the Bears’ coaches and talent evaluators to give Piñeiro their full and undivided attention. If Piñeiro impresses, then he’ll be on the roster on September 5. But if he doesn’t do the thing or a better option presents itself, Piñeiro will be gone. So if anyone asks you to weigh in on the Bears’ kicking competition, just know that it’s far from over in Chicago.
(Photo by Nuccio DiNuzzo/Getty Images)
  • I, too, am expecting a big year from Mitch Trubisky:

  • Elsewhere in Bears camp, Larry Mayer (ChicagoBears.com) offers up cornerback Clifton Duck as the player who helped himself the most with a strong showing against the Giants in preseason Week 2. The undrafted free agent rookie from Appalachian State stood out during training camp practices throughout the summer, then made a remarkable interception when his number was called in a game situation. Duck showed off his playmaking skills in college, but doing so last Friday should grant him more opportunities over the final two preseason games. The Bears’ secondary is crowded, which is why Duck’s standout performance could ultimately bode well for him in the long run. I’m curious to see how he follows it up on Saturday against the Colts.
  • I see the Lions are in midseason form:

  • Oh boy, so are the Vikings:

  • The Raiders have gone from giving Antonio Brown new cash to issuing “all-in or all-out” ultimatums in the matter of months:

  • I missed the annual Air and Water Show in Chicago because while I was out of town, but this view is nothing short of breathtaking:

Filed to: Chicago Bears
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Author: Luis Medina

Luis Medina is a Writer at Bleacher Nation, and you can find him on Twitter at@lcm1986.