The Bears Den: December 31, 2013 - Bears-Packers game reports & news

Larry Mayer's Chalk Talk - Larry discusses where the Bears pick in the first round of the draft, where the Bears ranked in points scored and points allowed, and the Bears' 2014 opponents.

Bears' year in review: Best and worst of 2013 - Jeff Dickerson with his five best and five worst Bears moments of the calendar year.

Team notes Patrick Mannelly mulls retirement - Patrick Finley: Patrick Mannelly said Monday he’s not sure he’ll return after finishing his 16th season; more team notes.

Follow WCG on Twitter; like us on Facebook (& click on 'Subscribed to'). Check out David "OSS" Taylor's CheekyMonkeyArt prints and t-shirts. Den pic in hi-res.

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Chicago Bears 28, Green Bay Packers 33

Game review - Laurence Holmes breaks down Bears-Packers 24 hours later.

Game grades - Brad Biggs' film session.

[Video] CSNChicago discussion - What went wrong on fateful 4th & 8, and what's going to happen with Cutler and the QB situation? [KAPCON: 5]

Moon Mullin grades the coaching and by position group: QB - RB - WR/TE - OL - DL - LB - DB - STs.

Game grades - PFF's Three performances of note.

View from the enemy - Greg A. Bedard: Out of nowhere, fullback John Kuhn throws the block of his life, springing Aaron Rodgers to find Randall Cobb for a game-winning TD and the NFC North crown.

Photos from ChicagoBears.com - On the sideline ... in the locker room ... photo journal.

[Video] ChicagoBears.com - Highlights from the Bears' devastating season-ending 33-28 loss to the Packers in week 17 ... [Video] Sounds of the game ... [Video] Action from the sideline.

/facepalm - Bears fans who feel the need to tweet insults do so to wrong Chris Conte.

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Cutler Watch

Cutler confident about new deal - Larry Mayer: Jay Cutler wants to remain with the Bears, but knows there are no guarantees that the two sides will be able to reach a contract agreement.

Cutler wants to stay, knows it may not happen - Dan Wiederer: QB has plenty of incentive to re-sign but understands complicated negotiations await. Attractive QB seat in Chicago.

[Audio] Jay Cutler Show - Cutler discusses the season-finale loss to Green Bay and his future with the franchise. Jeff Dickerson: Cutler 'confident' he'll stay.

[Video] ChicagoBears.com - Jay Cutler sits down with Jeff Joniak to discuss the offensive weapons he has to work with and how much he has matured.

'Cutler watch' begins in earnest - Moon Mullin: “I think Phil has a plan,” Cutler said earlier this month. If Cutler knows about Emery’s plan, it’s because Emery shared it with him, and that’s because Cutler is part of it.

Teammates hope for Cutler return in 2014 - Michael C. Wright: Despite a season hindered by missing time due to injuries, no doubt he's shown growth under Trestman and Kromer.

Jay comes before ‘D’: Bears have to re-sign Cutler - Rick Morrissey: The Bears are going to have to win games with offense, and have a better chance of doing so with Cutler than McCown or a rookie QB.

Tim Baffoe: Let’s mock people blaming Cutler - Ever wondered if there are people out there who make Stephen A. Smith seem thoughtful and reasonable? Wonder no more. Wonder. No. More.

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Defense, Special Teams

Bears’ prolific offense ready to rebound, but ‘D’ is in disarray - Mark Potash: Bears enter 2014 offseason as virtually two different teams, a defense in need of an overhaul and an offense eager to take another quantum leap to elite status.

Change in the air, on field for Bears - Barry Rozner: The Bears you saw Sunday will not be the Bears of 2014. They have dozens of free agents at a time when they must make significant changes to the defense and special teams.

Bears defense kicks QB controversy aside - Mike North: What the Bears do at QB, that's their business. Johnny Unitas, Bart Starr and Joe Montana couldn't have won titles without defenses.

Change is coming to Bears defense - Rich Campbell: Tucker's future in question; unit will be retooled because of performance, veterans' contract status.

Emotions aside, Bears must say goodbye to Mel Tucker - David Haugh: If Phil Emery is true to his word that feelings shouldn't influence decisions, he'll make a change at defensive coordinator

Tillman wants to return, but can Bears afford him? - Adam L. Jahns: CB needs a new deal, like many other Bears, and there’s no guaranteeing one can be reached. Dan Wiederer: Tillman: 'I have some options'

Tillman's future cloudy, but he's not done - Michael C. Wright: Tillman said he can't imagine playing anywhere else but Chicago, but at age 32 going on 33 with a now expired contract, it's a definite possibility.

Hester wants to know where he stands - Adam L. Jahns: Hester wants to be told what the team envisions for him. His potential replacement might have just moved into a locker at Halas Hall not far from his.

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Offense

The start of something special for Bears? - Adam Hoge: The mood at Halas Hall on Monday was not as gloomy as one might think, with many Bears players — including some who might not be here next year — talking about the bright future for the organization.

Where does high-octane Bears offense go from here - Bob LeGere: Bears go into off-season knowing they have one of the NFL's elite offenses. The task now for the front office is to keep as many of the components as they can afford under the salary cap.

Marshall wants to train with Jeffery in South Florida again - Rich Campbell: Marshall wants duo to train in South Florida again after their work last offseason produced a combined 2,716 receiving yards in 2013.

Vote Alshon! - Alshon Jeffery didn't get voted to the Pro Bowl, but he's in consideration for the VIZIO Top Value Performer award, which recognizes the players whose on-field performance most exceeds the value of their contract.

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Bearsss

10 observations - Mark Potash with 10 of the biggest issues confronting Marc Trestman and Phil Emery heading into 2014.

Brad Biggs' 10 thoughts - Ten thoughts [and change] after the Bears' season-ending loss.

Emery touches on emotions, leadership after loss - David Haugh: Asked how he dealt with the stress of such a close game, Emery provided a glimpse of how the GM will spend his week.

Intriguing, ultimately disappointing - Jon Greenberg: Bears made strides on offense, but not enough to reach the playoffs in a disappointing ending.

[Video] ESPN - Rob Demovsky and Michael C. Wright break down the Bears' offseason and the Packers' chances in the playoffs.

Team notes - Larry Mayer: Bears players defend Mel Tucker; Marshall thinks team's arrow is pointing up; tough loss still stings; 11 players signed to reserve/future contracts.

Unassuming Trestman easy to like but difficult to love - Mike Imrem: Trestman is so easy to like because he's so respectful and so reluctant to offend. Meanwhile, he's so difficult to love because, well, he's so respectful and so reluctant to offend.

Dionne Miller's `Happenings at Halas' - It's Black Monday for the Bears, who wait to see what happens with Cutler; there are bigger questions surrounding the defense, such as the nine starters entering free agency.

Draft preview - Daniel Jeremiah breaks down the top three draft needs for all 32 teams. For the Bears it's DL, safety, interior OL

Photos - (Tribune) Bears clear out lockers at Halas Hall.

Check WCGer Sackman's selection of Bears-themed tops here, or some t-shirt designs here.

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Last chance!  Red Robin offer valid today.

Hat tip to Cevarius: Red Robin is doing a free burger promotion - Tavern Double Tuesday. Free Tavern Double Burger on the Tuesday following a Bears game where the D gets a turnover - either interception or fumble recovery - with purchase of another entrée and two drinks - for select residents in IL, IN and IA.

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Ditka

[Video] Ditka - Keyshawn Johnson had to rouse a snoozing Mike Ditka as ESPN cut back to the Sunday NFL Countdown studio from potential future Mrs Spongie Josina Anderson. If Da Coach wants to snooze, Da Coach snoozes.

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Polish sausage

NFP Sunday Blitz - Len Pasquarelli on the rise of Julian Edelman, and there could be as many as 11 teams with different QBs in 2014 than the ones who started the 2013 regular-season openers for those clubs.

Jack Bechta: The Agent's Journal - Many players finishing their college careers won't have time to fix their bodies.

Know thy enemies - Vikings edge Lions 14-13 in Metrodome finale: Game report and [Video] highlights from NFL,com. PFF's Three performances of note.

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