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Bears open minicamp with up-tempo practice - Larry Mayer: In their first practice under new head coach Marc Trestman Tuesday at Halas Hall, the Bears hit the ground running, literally.
Trestman era starts in earnest now - Steve Silverman: If all goes well, Bears fans will see a much better team in the second half of the season than they will the first. The 2014 season is the one where the Emery-Trestman partnership will pay dividends.
Peter King's TMQB - Even in wake of Boston Marathon tragedy, we can't change who we are; mail.
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Bearsss minicamp
New Bears coach has need for speed - Mark Potash: Trestman’s approach seems to be as much about efficiency as tempo. He demands efficiency and commands his players’ attention. Even when he’s not watching them, they think he’s watching them.
Bears picking up the pace - Brad Biggs: While practicing fast as they did under Lovie Smith, the mental load is coming at breakneck speed under new coach Marc Trestman.
Look beyond tempo: Trestman influence running deeper - Moon Mullin: The real news on Tuesday was not the tempo, but the absence of errors, There were few do-over’s. People weren’t just going fast; they were going fast to where they were supposed to be.
Bears minicamp observations - Kip Lewis: It's only one practice and the team is a long way from making any final determinations on who will play where and how they will be used, but Tuesday was at least a glimpse of where things stand with a new coaching staff in place.
Bears speed it up on Day 1 under Trestman - Michael C. Wright: The breakneck pace of practice was welcomed, according to several players.
Bears start first mini-camp under Trestman - Maggie Hendricks: With a new coach, every practice is an audition. Even the top players have to prove themselves to hold onto their starting spot.
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Emery on the draft
Emery discusses Bears’ draft options - Larry Mayer: GM Phil Emery discussed the possibility of trading the team’s first-round pick and other draft issues Tuesday during a press conference at Halas Hall.
Bears are looking at all options with their first round pick - Moon Mullin: Phil Emery's preferred direction is to move down and add a pick or two to the five the Bears have this year, but the Bears also have contingency plans that could have them in fact trading up if the situation and player present themselves.
Emery provides glimpse at Bears’ draft strategy - Adam Hoge: Phil Emery mentioned a number of things to keep in mind before the Bears make their selection.
Relax, Bears GM has a plan - Dan Pompei: Phil Emery believes it's essential to have all contingencies covered for maximum adjustments during the April 25-27 NFL draft.
Draft preview - Brian Billick breaking down NFCN teams' needs: the Bears need OG, CB, LB, DT.
Draft preview - Michael C. Wright: What the club lacks in the WR corps at this point is a speed element that would draw off some of the extra coverage that Marshall sees on an every-game basis.
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Cutler
Cutler should benefit from Bears' protection plan - Larry Mayer: The emphasis that will be placed on pass protection in Marc Trestman's offense figures to benefit Jay Cutler, who has been sacked 148 times in 56 starts with the Bears.
New season, new coach, new playbook inspire new attitude about Jay Cutler - Rick Telander: It’s all on him this season. The pressure is like a vise. And how he responds to it is all that counts.
Cutler: Have to win to earn big QB money - Michael C. Wright: Cutler enters the offseason with his fourth OC in five years since joining the Bears in 2009, and seems perfectly comfortable with the perception that 2013 is a make-or-break season for him.
Bears need more than a caddie for Cutler - David Haugh: Team has questions at backup QB and Josh McCown isn't an answer.
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Hester, Carimi
Practice notes - Adam Hoge: Hester no longer a WR, Carimi at guard, Rodriguez is still listed as a fullback and did not work with the tight ends Tuesday.
Hester comfortable with no role on offense - Brad Biggs: When the Bears talked about having Devin Hester focus on what he does best, they meant it.
Hester focused in on being best returner in NFL - Michael C. Wright: Set to earn $1.857 million in the final year of his contract, Hester isn't spending time in the meeting rooms with his fellow receivers, and he isn't learning the new offense.
Bears minicamp observations - Bob LeGere: Devin Hester was not involved with the receivers at any time during Tuesday's practice; James Brown was the No. 1 left guard, with Carimi also expected to compete for one of the guard spots.
Roster notes - Brad Biggs: Former first-round draft choice Carimi unlikely to be lining up at OT any time soon; Trestman doesn't rule out an expansion for Hester's role in the future; more roster notes.
Bears minicamp observations - Kevin Seifert: It's quite unusual for a returner to not even contribute as an extra body during practice; is Carimi too tall to be effective at guard?
New staff considers Carimi a guard - Brad Biggs: Bears consider him a guard and he’s in the mix for a role at that position, with the team possibly in position to add to the group in next week’s draft.
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Other Bears news
Emery ready to move forward without Urlacher - Adam L. Jahns: Phil Emery won’t use the word “never” when talking about the possible return of longtime MLB Brian Urlacher. But this is still a team that wants to move forward. Jeff Dickerson: GM has no regrets over Urlacher.
Defense begins moving-on process - Chris Boden: Emery stresses a transition has already begun in finding new leadership on that side of the ball.
D.J. Williams not trying to imiitate Urlacher - Fred Mitchell: 10-year veteran is "just trying to blend in" with Bears.
Henry Melton wants to sign a long-term deal with Bears - Adam L. Jahns: Even with all the changes, Henry Melton likes what he sees in Chicago and would like to stay put. Plus, practice/roster notes.
Bears add Eben Britton to mix at guard - Brad Biggs: Former Jaguars guard Eben Britton signed to a one-year contract.
Roster notes - Brad Biggs: The Bears opened minicamp Tuesday with 73 players on the roster and had five players participate on a tryout basis.
Bears still want to sign Idonije - Brad Biggs: A standing offer the Bears have for Idonije could be affected by moves the team makes in the draft.
Check out David Taylor's excellent art here, and don't forget his t-shirt designs.
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Polish sausage
Know thy enemy: Lions - Kevin Seifert: Can the Lions' front office afford to take a player with "enormous potential" and a "really high" ceiling who has a better chance of making them better in 2014 than 2013?
Know thy enemy: Lions - Dave Dye: Matthew Stafford wants records and wins on the field, not in his pocket.
Laugh at the Lions - Former Detroit malcontent Titus Young tweets then deletes apology to Lions fans.
Bond trivia: Maud Adams played different roles in two separate Bond films (she was Scaramanga's girlfriend in "The Man With The Golden Gun"). Charles Gray and Joe Don Baker also hold the same distinction (the different roles bit, not the girlfriend bit).