:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/30095631/gyi0061838199.0.jpg)
Bears bring back Charles Tillman - Jeff Dickerson: Appeal of potentially finishing his career in Chicago and not having to uproot his family likely proved to be determining factor.
Tillman embodies vision for Bears' new defense - Michael C. Wright: At the NFL combine, Phil Emery said Mel Tucker told him a team’s CBs are usually indicative of a defense’s toughness. Well, they don’t get much tougher than Tillman.
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. Den pic in lo-res (no hi-res version available; it would have been too awesome for the human mind).
----------
Bears re-sign Charles Tillman
Tillman happy for another year with Bears - Bob LeGere: Tillman visited the Bucs but ultimately decided to return for a 12th season with the Bears, who drafted him in the second round out of Louisiana-Lafayette in 2003.
Bears sign Tillman to one-year deal - Rich Campbell: Regardless of the order in which the Bears address their defensive needs in the draft, Tillman will be back to help oversee a fledgling youth movement.
Roster analysis - Adam Hoge: The best cornerback in franchise history is back for at least one more season. What does it mean for the Bears going forward?
Tillman's return narrows Bears' first-round Draft focus - Chris Boden: His return buys the Bears time at the CB position, and probably allows them to focus elsewhere for their first draft selection.
[Video] ESPN - Michael C. Wright discusses the one-year deal reached between the Bears and Charles Tillman.
[Video] - Adam L. Jahns breaks down Tillman re-signing with Bears.
[Video] ChicagoBears.com - Highlights of re-signed cornerback Charles Tillman. Photo gallery.
----------
Bearsss
Raiders analyst a huge Houston fan - Larry Mayer: Having watched Lamarr Houston closely during his four seasons with the Raiders, Oakland radio analyst George Atkinson praised the Bears' decision to sign the DE.
Forte confident of Emery's plan to rebuild defense - Rich Campbell: Forte has monitored the Bears’ activity in free agency so far and has confidence in Emery’s plan to rebuild a defense that allowed more yards last season than any in team history.
Breakdown of Bears' salary cap situation - Chris Boden: Emery still needs another edge rusher, a DT, a CB, quality safety, and second- or third-string QB. If he hits it right, the draft might fill two or three of those needs. The rest will have to come as prices for veterans on the market comes down. Cap figures for recent Bears signings.
Cowboys interested in Melton - Also keeping an eye on Peppers, Jared Allen. Melton also visiting Seahawks.
[Audio] - Josh McCown dishes on signing with Tampa Bay, what influenced his decision to sign with the team, how the squad's offense differs from that of the Bears and more.
Sun-Times Bears section here.
----------
Polish sausage
The offseason blueprint - Jerry Angelo: How NFL teams approach that integral period of time that takes place from free agency until the draft.
Jack Bechta: The Agent's Journal - The cap manager is not only managing the team’s payroll but also the hopes, emotions, needs, wants, rules, personalities, egos, and sanity of his club.
How often do players stay with the team that drafted them? - Tony Villiotti breaks it down. If you want to see the dearth of talent Jerry Angelo left on the roster, check out the last table in the article. Most efficient teams in the Draft.
Know thy enemy: Lions - Michael Rothstein: Brandon Pettigrew made sense to return to Lions.
Know thy enemy: Vikings - Ben Goessling: GM Rick Spielman: Vikings could make more moves in free agency.
Know thy enemy: Packers - Rob Demovsky: Packers lack continuity at center. B.J. Raji's return provides an opportunity.
One for the Blackhawks fans - Sped-up [Video] of an artist painting portrait of Patrick Kane.
----------
Ireland gave international cap-record holder Brian O'Driscoll - a once-in a lifetime kind of talent - a rousing farewell in his final home game with a 46-7 demolition of an admittedly weakened Italian side, in which the wily 15-year veteran had a hand in creating three tries to earn Man of the Match. The Irish tally includes three fat guy scores, including one by Sean Cronin in which he turns the corner as well as any running back!