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Larry Mayer's Chalk Talk - Larry discusses who will replace Earl Bennett as the Bears' third receiver, the 14th pick in the draft, and Shea McClellin switching uniform numbers.
Bears tweak Cutler contract to create salary cap flexibility - Moon Mullin: Move does not portend another wave of top-end signings as possible signings must mesh with both roster needs and cap realities. Brad Biggs: Likely simply for roster building & maintenance through 2014 season.
Follow WCG on Twitter; like us on Facebook (& click on 'Subscribed to'). Check out David "OSS" Taylor's CheekyMonkeyArt prints and t-shirts. Mills v. Young in hi-res.
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Bearsss
Mills No. 1 in performance-based pay - Larry Mayer: Jordan Mills will earn more money than any other NFL player via the league's performance-based pay program. Brad Biggs: Bears' top 10 beneficiaries.
Bears free agency - Michael C. Wright looks at the good and bad over last five seasons. Did Sam Hurd's... extracurricular activities... play a part in Jerry Angelo's firing?
McCaskey confident Bears' defense will rebound - Rich Campbell: George McCaskey is comfortable with the Bears being powered by their offense instead of their defense, and believes they will end a three-year postseason drought.
[Video] - Adam L. Jahns talks Cutler's restructure, hono(u)ring Urlacher, and expanding Soldier Field.
As expected, no extra picks for the Bears - Rob Demovsky: The Bears were not given any additional selections in the upcoming draft, in which they have seven picks.
Draft preview - Doug Farrar's underrated draft prospects for every NFC team: He might not be big enough to be a No.1 CB, but could Oregon State's Rashaad Reynolds be the Bears' do-it-all slot guy?
Draft preview - Greg Gabriel: Who helped their draft stock with their pro days?
Cowboys file grievance against Ratliff - Calvin Watkins: The Dallas Cowboys have filed a grievance against Jeremiah Ratliff that "stems from him not playing for us under the pretense of injury," according to Jerry Jones.
Butler excited to see son with Bears - Larry Mayer: Bears Super Bowl champion and all-time leading scorer Kevin Butler is excited to watch his son Drew, a punter, attempt to earn a roster spot with his former team.
Phillips: No plans to expand Soldier Field for Super Bowl - Rich Campbell: A study would have to be conducted about whether such an expansion is structurally possible and economically feasible. The Bears aren’t pursuing it. (Non-Tribune link)
Bears doing good things - Charles Tillman steps up with a gift for an amazing young fan in Ireland. Good man, Charles.
[Video] Inside the Bears - Inside the Bears shot on location in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico with current and former Bears players. Jon Bostic kicked off the fun by running fans through drills on the beach.
Sun-Times Bears section here.
Check WCGer Sackman's selection of Bears-themed tops here, or some t-shirt designs here.
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Polish sausage
Free agency observations - Now that the market has settled, Jerry Angelo takes a look at how all that money was spent.
Dissatisfaction with replay rules a talking point at owners' meetings - Don Banks with notes from the NFL's annual meeting. Washington's suggestion to move the kickoff line up to the 40 won't even get tabled.
At the NFL owners' meeting - Pat Kirwan: Multiyear free-agent deals are drying up, and a team could trade down and still draft a top-three QB. Pete Prisco: "Melton didn't play well before his injury," one personnel man said.
Know thy enemy: Lions - Michael Rothstein: Detroit won’t be picking up fifth-year option on Nick Fairley, will be taking major risk on future as team tries to win now. Lions sign safety James Ihedigbo.
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Take me down to the bakery city, where the pies have cream and the cakes are tasty...