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Bears agree to terms with McManis - Larry Mayer: Special teams standout Sherrick McManis will return for a third season with the Bears after signing a one-year contract on Wednesday. Photos from ChicagoBears.com.
Analysts predict who[m - Den] Bears will draft - Larry Mayer: With the NFL Draft seven weeks away, a look at what some pro football analysts think the Bears will do with the 14th pick in the first round.
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 mid-res.
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Bearsss
Team news - Bob LeGere: Devin Hester, your salary demands are ridiculous; McManis returns; contract details for Melton and Tillman. Jeff Dickerson: Options for many FAs dwindling over a week into the free-agency period.
[Video] ESPN - Michael C. Wright discusses how the Bears still plan to add defensive help.
[Video] - Ross Tucker joins Chris Boden to discuss whether the Bears have improved their D-line from the 2013 version, and if Jordan Palmer can be a #2 QB.
How Earl Bennett became a victim with the Bears - Moon Mullin: The simple reality is that this is just how the system is set up, and why the signing bonus matters. It’s just the way the business is. Roy Cummings: A chance Tampa could be interested.
Comparing Tillman's and Urlacher's offers from Bears - Moon Mullin: For those who maintain that the Bears really didn’t want Urlacher back, Tillman’s deal comes with $750,000 in guarantees. The Bears were offering Urlacher $1 million guaranteed.
View from the enemy - Todd Archer & Michael C. Wright discuss the Henry Melton signing. Did the Cowboys get desperate?
Melton: Bears were given shot to make offer - Michael C. Wright: The Bears, who paid Melton $8.45 million last season and received just three games as return on the investment, probably made the right move in not overpaying for Melton.
Jerry Angelo: Peppers 'can still play' - Dan Wiederer: Former Bears GM who signed him thinks Peppers can be the secondary rusher to go along with Clay Matthews that the Packers need. Moon Mullin: Also thinks Melton will return to Pro Bowl form. [Then again, it ~is~ Jerry Angelo... - Den]
X&Os - Andy Benoit: In response to ever-changing offenses, safeties have become the most important weapons for D coordinators. How has the position evolved [and why isn't Major Wright returning to the Bears]?
[Video] Inside the Bears - Anthony Adams, Otis Wilson, James "Big Cat" Williams, Jerry Azumah and other former Bears roll strikes to benefit Rashied Davis Charities.
Sun-Times Bears section here.
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Polish sausage
Understanding the Fine Print of Free Agency - Andrew Brandt: What’s the real story behind all the funny money being handed out to players? Which signings, big-name or otherwise, turned heads from a financial perspective?
Proposed NFL rules changes - Gregg Rosenthal outlines the various proposals put forward by teams and the competition committee, including one to move kickoffs up to 40-yd line.
Know thy enemy: Lions - Kyle Meinke: Detroit needs to sign a safety to replace Delmas, and a veteran QB to back up Stafford. Dave Birkett: Lions to extend Suh?
Know thy enemy: Vikings - [Video] The Vikings' biggest offseason question: Can Mike Zimmer fix the QB position?
Sanchez, Gabbert show QB hunt isn't easy - Gil Brandt runs through five former first-round picks who flamed out at QB to see what went wrong -- and if there's any hope for redemption.
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