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Larry Mayer's Chalk Talk - Larry discusses the defensive mix-up on Green Bay's winning TD, the likelihood of the Bears re-signing Garza, and how many times the Bears have finished 8-8.
Bears mum on Peppers' future - Michael C. Wright: The Bears appear to be noncommittal regarding the future of Julius Peppers, who led the team with 7.5 sacks in 2013 but didn’t perform at his typically dominant clip.
Follow WCG on Twitter; like us on Facebook (& click on 'Subscribed to'). Blame ThorCo. Check out David "OSS" Taylor's CheekyMonkeyArt prints and t-shirts. Potential future Mrs Spongie's midriff in hi-res.
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Jay Cutler's new contract
Cutler, Bears have cemented their bond, for years to come - Matt Spiegel: Cutler could have gotten more total value on the open market. He could have gotten more security than just the next three seasons. Bears fans should be glad he didn’t want to. Contract breakdown.
Bears enter the modern era of QB pay - Fred Mitchell: Longtime sports agent Leigh Steinberg says Cutler's big-money deal just the going rate given the Bears' decidedly dicey alternatives. Mike North: Bad deal for Bears.
RIP the Cutler contract debate - Tim Baffoe: Here’s a noble idea: root for the guy. Don’t pine for interceptions just so you can burp “Told ya so!” Emery, Trestman, and the Bears organization as a whole give negative craps about your opinion of Cutler.
[Video] CSNChicago discussion - Debating Cutler's new contract: Will it hurt Bears in their rebuilding process? [KAPCON: 3, but largely because he's having to deal with Glasses and Slob.] Eh, don't bother. It's like a video version of four people arguing on WCG until the comments all get squashed to the right hand side of the page and nobody even remembers what it's about any more.
[Audio] - Ron Jaworski weighs in on playoff matchups, cold-weather games, Jay Cutler's new contract and more. [Jump to 6:00]
[Audio] - Bill Polian on Jay Cutler's new contract: "Supply and demand." [Jump to 1:00]
View from the enemy - Ben Goessling: Cutler contract a cautionary tale for Vikings? [Obviously Goessling isn't familiar with the great play the Bears got from the position in the 20-odd years before they traded for him - Den]
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Bearsss
Mel Tucker's fate uncertain - Bob LeGere: Tucker does not deserve all the blame, but it wasn't enough for a proclamation that he would definitely be back.
Trestman's non-answer on Tucker's future the right move - Moon Mullin: Trestman said that evaluations are still in progress, and he included himself as an object of that assessment process.
[Video] CSNChicago discussion - Will Mel Tucker be back, and what happens with Tillman? [KAPCON: 5]
Emery takes blame for poor defensive depth - Rich Campbell: Phil Emery shouldered blame Thursday for his role in the defense's inability to consistently disrupt opponents in the wake of injuries to five opening day starters.
Dionne Miller's 'Happenings at Halas' - Bears re-sign 3, Emery shoulders lack of depth. If you're a Bears fan, you have to be excited about an offseason that will have no shortage of activity.
Roster notes - Brad Biggs: Tim Jennings' four-year deal worth $22.4 million, secures him through 2017.
State of the O-line: Slauson back; Mills has surgery - Moon Mullin: With the Slauson re-signing, the Bears have four of their starting five in place for at least the next three years. It is the kind of continuity that breeds cohesion, which breeds success.
Mills undergoes foot surgery - Michael C. Wright: Phil Emery revealed Thursday that Jordan Mills suffered a fractured fifth metatarsal in his left foot.
[Video] ChicagoBears.com - Patrick Mannelly takes a ride with Anthony Adams and discusses his record 16th season in Chicago.
[Video] Bears doing good things - Zack Bowman visited the Naval Station Great Lakes to help children assemble care packages to be sent to troops overseas, and shared his experience of growing up in a military family.
The Sun-Times seems to have changed its permitted access for non-subscribers. If you can get these, have a gander at: If Jay Cutler cares, then we do, too (Rick Telander) ... Why deal made sense for Cutler and Bears (Mark Potash) ... Bears’ plan: Younger defense, with 3-4 possible later (Adam L. Jahns) ... Emery would like to have Garza back (Adam L. Jahns).
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Polish sausage
A guide to NFL postseason pay - Joel Corry: When the playoff games start, the pay changes, and it benefits guys like Vontaze Burfict a whole lot more than it does Peyton Manning.
Know thy enemy: Packers - Taylor Bechtold previews Packers-49ers: Rodgers has Packers feeling confident offensively, but challenge falls on much-maligned defense to contain Kaepernick. Rob Demovsky, Bill Williamson break down the matchup. PFF's Three things to focus on.
Know thy enemy: Vikings - Ben Goessling with a few coaching search tidbits as the Vikings get started with interviews this weekend.
Bucs work fast to get their man, but is Lovie Smith the answer? - Andrew Astleford: Smith's record brings hope, but success may not be immediate. Mike Coppinger: LLeslie Frazier to be Buccaneers' DC.
NFL.com cheerleaders gallery - The best of week 17. More from SI.com.
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