The Bears Den: February 06, 2013 - Offseason news and notes

Larry Mayer's Chalk Talk - Larry discusses whether the Bears defense will still be dominant in 2013, how many of Marc Trestman's assistants have coached in the NFL, and if the Bears would be interested in acquiring Alex Smith.

Can the Jay Cutler-Devin Hester marriage be saved? - Steve Rosenbloom: Why bother? Hester admits he wasn’t into the job last season, so he sounds like the worst kind of teammate -- the kind you can’t trust.

Peter King's TMQB - More on two Super Bowl XLVII controversies; mail.

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Bearsss

What if Bears had fired Tice in early December? - Moon Mullin: It was evident that something radical was needed with the offense. The Ravens made the NFL’s boldest personnel move of 2012 with the Cameron-Caldwell switch.

[Video] CTL discussion - Are the Ravens and Bears similar?

Can Bears follow Ravens' path? - Kip Lewis's thoughts in the wake of the Super Bowl.

NFC North coming back to Bears - Moon Mullin argues that, with the loss of Young and Jennings, the Lions and Packers are already not as good as they were in 2012.

Bears position analysis - Brad Biggs: For the first time since the 1985 season, the Bears landed two D-linemen in the Pro Bowl as Julius Peppers and Henry Melton were selected as all-stars. This group could be one least affected by the shift at head coach.

Bears free agency preview - Michael C. Wright looks at potential free agent targets at DT. Under Tucker in Jacksonville, the Jaguars wanted more size and run-stuffing capability from the DT spot than in Lovie Smith's Tampa-2 scheme.

[Video] Waddle & Silvy - Tom Waddle and what I'm fairly certain is a hobbit discuss whether the Bears should keep Devin Hester for 2013.

Offseason issues - Main storylines for the Bears this offseason.

Marc Trestman: QB Jay Cutler is Job One - Minnesota native Marc Trestman's interview with one of their local papers.

Jay Cutler, Tony Romo on most-disliked athletes list - Zzzzzzzzzzz. [Video] The CTL panel pound on the list. Even Rick Morrissey wonders how "he didn’t need injections, a nonexistent girlfriend or sex-addiction rehab to get there."

Kristin Cavalleri: As a dad, Jay Cutler's 'the best' - Maggie Hendricks has some positive publicity for dog-killing, drunk-driving Bears QB.

Jim Harbaugh model is one for Trestman to follow - Steve Silverman: Jim Harbaugh has the kind of thoughtful and caring attitude that Marc Trestman would be wise to take note of and apply to his own coaching.

Mock draft - Adam Hoge has the Bears going OL in the first round.

Three Bears voted onto Hall of Fame All-Time Team - Larry Mayer: Bears legends Walter Payton, Mike Ditka and Dick Butkus have been selected via fan balloting to the Hall of Fame All-Time Team. Walter. Ditka. Butkus. Bearsss.

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Polish sausage

Cap casualty season: Some likely big-name victims - Jason La Canfora looks at big-name players who will either accept less money to stay or receive walking papers to go.

PFF snapshot - Looking at the inflated value of sacks, and how misleading the raw numbers can be when used to judge pass rushers.

NFP Agent's Journal - Jack Bechta: The season is officially over but February is a busy month for many NFL execs and agents.

Know thy enemy: Lions - Dave Birkett: Lions are thin on defense and too lightweight up front offensively, areas they plan to address this off-season. Kevin Seifert: Lions release Guard Stephen Peterman, DE Kyle Vanden Bosch.

Know thy enemy: Lions - Kevin Seifert: GM Martin Mayhew's drafts lack the kind of volume that would have been necessary to fully restock the Lions' roster over a four-year period. Bob Wojnowski: Futile Lions keep focusing on the wrong things.

Daring to ask the PED question - Bill Simmons: If everyone is secretly suspicious of so many athletic achievements in the 21st century, why aren't we talking about it?

Can it get any more Irish than the Corrs playing in what appears to be a traditional Chinese country residence?