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

Henry Melton will seek to better Tommie Harris' deal - Brad Biggs: The Bears are on the hook for $8.45 million for Melton in 2013 unless a long-term contract can be constructed in the next 4 1/2 months.

Peter King's TMQB - Alex Smith, Dwayne Bowe an interesting experiment; Luke Kuechly goes back to school.

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Seven Bears due to reap roster bonuses - Brad Biggs: With the start of the NFL's new league year on March 12 a week away, the Bears have seven players under contract with roster bonuses due in 2013.

Bears free agency preview - Moon Mullin reviews the Bears' recent TE history: Greg Olsen -> Brandon Manumaleuna -> Kellen Davis. Sean Jensen: TE Jared Cook expected to draw interest from Bears.

NFL Draft prospects chime in on Bears - Jake Flannigan: Most of the pre-Draft chatter is about how much a certain team likes or dislikes a certain player; here are a variety of things the players are saying about the Bears.

[Video] CSNChicago discussion - Do Flacco's fortunes benefit Cutler?

New deal for Cutler should be low on Bears priority list - David Haugh: Despite all the big money floating about for elite QBs, Jay Cutler must prove he belongs among them in the last year of his contract.

Bears free agency preview - Moon Mullin reviews the WR group and offers a few FA options based on value and fit.

Cooler heads prevail in Devin Hester saga? - Kevin Seifert: As he approaches his 31st birthday, it's best for Hester and the Bears to understand what he is -- and isn't.

Kelvin Hayden plans to test free-agent market - Jeff Dickerson: Hayden attributed his rough patches last season to all the bouncing around he did from CB to the extremely challenging nickel back position. He is likely seeking a more defined role next season, but playing nickel back for the Bears could be an option if he re-signs.

Moore on fallout with the Bears: ‘It hurt my feelings’ - D.J. Moore tells Laurence Holmes that being benched after criticis(z)ing Cutler's shoulder-bump of J'Marcus Webb wasn't fair; seems to forget that he spoke to the media about it twice after Lovie told him not to.

An Ode to D.J. Moore - Maggie Hendricks... wow. Just... wow.

Bears history - Larry Mayer: Led by Walter Payton, Vince Evans and an inspired defense, the Bears destroyed the Packers 61-7 on Dec. 7, 1980 at Soldier Field, infuriating their arch rivals in the process.

Top 25 Power RBs of all time - A couple of Bears legends make Chris Burke's list: "Walter Payton only sits this low here because he had such a dynamic repertoire that driving through defenders was only a small part."

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NFP Agent's Journal - Jack Bechta: For those teams who have a 25 million dollar a year QB, they better have a plan on how they are going to scout, draft, pay and develop young cheap players, or their star QB's salary could kill the team.

His Game, His Rules - Don Van Natta Jr: How Roger Goodell made the NFL bigger, richer and more powerful -- and now more divided -- than ever before.

Know thy enemy: Lions - Drew Sharp: The Lions have plenty of positional needs. Safety is fighting for room at the top of the list with DE, CB, OLB, change-of-pace RB.

Know thy enemy: Packers - Kevin Seifert: Is place-kicker Mason Crosby underrated? An MIT study makes that argument.

Bonjour, mon petit bureau de change!