:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/11782547/129425095.0.jpg)
Trestman pleased with first minicamp as Bears coach - Larry Mayer: The Bears concluded their voluntary minicamp Thursday with another spirited practice. "We had a really good three days," said first-year coach Marc Trestman.
Bears announce 2013 schedule - Larry Mayer: The Bears will kick off the Marc Trestman era with back-to-back Sunday home games, hosting the Bengals Sept. 8 and the Vikings Sept. 15 at Soldier Field, with both contests beginning at noon.
Follow WCG on Twitter; like us on Facebook (& click on 'Subscribed to'). Click for Chicago Bears Tickets for next season. Check out David "OSS" Taylor's CheekyMonkeyArt prints and shirts.
----------
Bearsss minicamp
Trestman wraps up minicamp early - Dan Pompei: Minicamp went so well for the Bears that new coach Marc Trestman ended the third and final practice early on Thursday.
Bears offense will be fired up - Dan Pompei: Speed will be of the essence — especially between plays — for coaches and players.
Kromer: Quick throws key to Cutler's success - Brad Biggs: For much of Jay Cutler's previous four seasons in Chicago, he hasn't been able to thrive because of inadequate protection. So Marc Trestman's West Coast offense should help because it often calls for the QB to get rid of the ball quickly.
Aaron Kromer plans to mix and match on Bears’ OL - Mark Potash: The only missing piece on offense is an OL to make it all work — and it’s Kromer’s job to build one. He has four months and 20 days to do it. And every Bears fan alive is watching. Sees ‘smart’ Cutler helping himself more.
Bears minicamp observations - Adam Hoge: The NFL allows teams with new head coaches to hold five additional voluntary mini-camp practices prior to the NFL Draft. So why did Marc Trestman only use three of them? Bears picking up Trestman’s Offense quickly.
Bears minicamp observations - Kip Lewis with his observations from the final day of the Bears' three day veteran mini camp. Moon Mullin: Offense passes first 'test'.
Bears minicamp observations - Adam L. Jahns: Martellus Bennett quickly at head of the class; hybrid role could still be in Evan Rodriguez' future; Trestman wanted everyone to come out of minicamp healthy.
----------
NFL 2013 schedule released
Bears schedule - Brad Biggs goes over the schedule and provides some interesting nuggets.
Bears schedule - Kevin Seifert: New coach Marc Trestman will benefit from a relatively rare start to the schedule: two consecutive home games. Overall, however, his first month on the job will be tough and they play four of their final six on the road.
Bears schedule - Moon Mullin runs down the Bears' 2013 opponents and thinks they will emerge with a 10-6 season. Predicts 4-2 in NFC North.
Season predictions - From Jeff Dickerson and Michael C. Wright, more from the Tribune writers.
----------
Other Bears news
Hester embraces exclusive role on special teams - Larry Mayer: After being part of the Bears offense the past six seasons, Devin Hester is confident that working exclusively on special teams will benefit him as a return specialist.
Hester focused on producing, not retiring - Michael C. Wright: Veteran Bears return man Devin Hester admitted Thursday his remarks about retiring came as a result of overwhelming emotion, not his true intentions.
Draft preview: OLBs - Dan Pompei: The Bears are not in position to overlook a good, young OLB.
Lovie: Urlacher will be difficult to replace - Jeff Dickerson: Former Bears head coach Lovie Smith reflected on his nine-year run in Chicago for the first time publicly since the Bears fired him on December 31.
Lovie going in 'different direction' after firing - Vaughn McClure: Lovie Smith made his first media appearance Thursday since being let go by the Bears back in December. David Haugh: Lovie Smith's TV tryout much like his Bears tenure — so-so. Maggie Hendricks: Still not really saying anything at all.
You can't get Lovie-themed t-shirts here but Sackman's still got this Urlacher design.
----------
Polish sausage
NFP Agent's Journal - Jack Bechta on the biggest mistake made by agents: Overpricing a player in free agency can lead to the market drying up for the player’s services.
Know thy enemy: Vikings - Kevin Seifert's schedule breakdown: It gets real in a hurry for the Vikings, who open the season with consecutive NFC North games -- on the road.
Know thy enemy: Lions - Kevin Seifert's schedule breakdown: The Lions' 4-12 season last year apparently has reduced their national appeal, with only one prime-time game late in the season.
Know thy enemy: Packers - Kevin Seifert's schedule breakdown: The Packers open with the 49ers for the second consecutive season, a quirk that also affords a rematch with the team that knocked them from the 2012 playoffs.
Know thy enemy: Packers - Kevin Seifert: Clay Matthews' record-setting contract extension makes little impact on the Packers' 2013 cap, but will play a more significant role over time.
Dum da dum, da da da dum da dum...