The Bears Den: February 24, 2014 - Chicago Bears NFL Combine news & notes

Potent offense can get even better - Larry Mayer: The Bears offense rewrote the team's record book in Marc Trestman's first season as head coach in 2013. But he thinks the unit can be even better in Year 2.

Market for McCown could be heating up - Michael C. Wright: Josh McCown wants to remain in Chicago, but a market that seems to be heating up for his services could change that.  Moon Mullin: McCown 'courtship' begins with NY Jets. Kev: Jets? Bad idea.

Follow WCG on Twitter; like us on Facebook (& click on 'Subscribed to'). Check out David "OSS" Taylor's CheekyMonkeyArt prints and t-shirts. Den pic in hi-res.

----------
Defense

Turnaround on defense is coming - Michael C. Wright: Bears plan to take an approach with the defense over the coming months similar to what it employed last offseason in revamping an offense that woefully underperformed the year before.

[Video] - Jim Miller explains why the scheme isn't the problem for the defense, but the talent and depth are. Pete Prisco: Simple Seattle ways tough to follow.

Emery, Trestman define true core foundation for Bears D - Moon Mullin: "We’ll predominantly be a one-gap front," Emery said. That typically points toward smaller, quicker D-linemen assigned to control and penetrate one gap.

[Video] - Matt Bowen: Which prospects are the Bears eyeing at the NFL combine? Can they find improvements on the defensive line and in the secondary?

Bears' defensive overhaul could start on the line - Brad Biggs: Phil Emery has called the three-technique the engine that drives the defense, and there could be multiple candidates available for the Bears in the draft.

Draft preview - Rich Campbell: Minnesota DT Ra'Shede Hageman's versatility could be attractive to Phil Emery.

Draft preview - Rich Campbell: Florida St. DT Timmy Jernigan pays no attention to the numerous mock drafts that project the Bears to draft him 14th overall in May.

Draft preview - Dan Wiederer: Pitt's Aaron Donald will face questions about his size. But his athleticism and confidence could make him a good fit for the Bears.

Pitt’s Aaron Donald a stretch for Bears at No. 14 - Moon Mullin: Donald wants to play in the kind of defensive scheme that the Bears run, but measured just short of 6-foot-1 and less than 290 pounds. And that is perhaps an issue.

Draft preview - Dan Wiederer: As Notre Dame's Louis Nix attacks the NFL combine, he's hoping to show teams his knee feels great and his slimmer frame is ready for the next level. Dan Pompei: A fit for the Bears?

----------
Bearsss

Roster notes - Bob LeGere: Will Bears have enough money for McCown? Plus, defensive makeover not just on personnel; more on Garza, Conte, Podlesh.

Roster analysis - Brad Biggs: Positioning for free agents will heat up after the NFL scouting combine ends; which Bears FAs could be attractive elsewhere?

[Video] - George McCaskey discusses why Bears fans should have confidence in Emery after his last two drafts produced a pair of Pro Bowl players in Kyle Long and Alshon Jeffery.

10 players who could be headed for a contract restructuring - Joel Corry: Converting a portion of Cutler’s base salary into a signing bonus may be necessary because the Bears have $122.96 million in 2014 cap commitments with 49 players under contract.

[Video] View from the Moon - Andrew 'McLovin' Perloff joins Moon Mullin to share why the Combine is one of his favorite events of the year.

Draft preview - Scott Krinch: Being drafted by Bears would be 'amazing' for EIU's Jimmy Garoppolo.

Miss out on Bears news going into the weekend?  Want to see cheerleaders hula-hooping?  Calm thy breast, the Weekend Den has you covered.

Sun-Times Bears section here.

----------
Polish sausage

How teams handle distractions integral to success - Rich Campbell & Dan Wiederer: Veterans say Michael Sam's personal situation need not be so disruptive that it affects the cohesiveness and focus winning teams must have.

Know thy enemy: Packers - Rob Demovsky: Mike McCarthy, Dom Capers will fix Packers' defense together. McCarthy: Morgan Burnett is not a bust.

Know thy enemy: Vikings - Ben Goessling: Cap spike could give Vikings $32M to spend. Short QBs get a longer look.

Know thy enemy: Lions - Michael Rothstein: Martin Mayhew says Brandon Pettigrew a priority free agent.

----------

At least one whiny-voiced sports talk radio host in Chicago would be devastated if Josh McCown is lured away to another team.