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Bears agree to terms with Jared Allen - Larry Mayer: The Bears on Wednesday bolstered their defense with one of the NFL's most prolific pass rushers. Allen excited to join Bears ... [Video] Highlights and photos from ChicagoBears.com.
Trestman feels good about Bears' direction - Rich Campbell: With offense on right track and ready to build off last season, coach expects to be more involved with defense in 2nd year.
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Bears sign Jared Allen to four-year contract
Bears sign Allen to 4-year deal - Bob LeGere: The Bears agreed to terms with one of the most prolific pass rushers in NFL history, with 128.5 sacks in 10 seasons.
Jared Allen shakes Bears up - Kevin Seifert: The Bears have done their best to shake out the malaise of 2013, and Jared Allen's arrival in Chicago serves as a wake-up call for those who remain.
Bears counting on Allen still being a force - Dan Wiederer: For 10 seasons, DE has made presence felt as dominant pass rusher and energizing guy in locker room.
‘Workout freak’ Allen still has productivity left at 32 - Tom Pelissero: The Bears released Julius Peppers after his production on the field waned. What will they get from the slightly younger Jared Allen?
Bears make NFC North power move with Allen deal - Chris Boden: If you thought Ted Thompson's early-morning strike of Julius Peppers ten days ago came out of nowhere, his Bears counterpart may have one-upped him.
Allen makes Bears defense scary again - Jon Greenberg: With a potent offense and a defense rebuilt from the front up, this is the team to fear in the NFC North.
Signing Allen gives Bears sack credibility - David Haugh: Remember when Emery entered the offseason vowing only to get younger on defense? Turns out the Bears didn't. They got better.
Jerry Angelo: Allen 'will be a good fit' for Bears - Moon Mullin: Former Bears GM gave an unqualified endorsement of the deal made by his successor.
Allen puts Bears in Super Bowl conversation - Steve Rosenbloom: If Allen has his usual double-digit sack season, the Bears are infinitely better than last season’s disaster. They are certainly good enough to be average and have a chance to threaten the top 10.
Snapping up Allen a master stroke for Bears - Brad Biggs: The only place the team is going to get younger is in the draft, and pairing Allen with Houston creates more possibilities there.
Bears defense now has the kind of problems you want - Dan Bernstein: Just as Emery moved swiftly at this time last year to shore up an incompetent O-line that was the team’s primary limiting factor in 2012, so has he acted in free agency this year for the other side of the ball.
[Video] View from the Moon - Is the Bears' defense better than at this point last year?
Allen signing gives Bears draft flexibility - Moon Mullin: Cornerback remains the early favorite, with veteran Charles Tillman, 33, signed for just one more season.
Trestman lauds Allen's hustle, character - Rich Campbell:Trestman believes new Bears DE Jared Allen is a difference-maker whose tenacity, skill and character will help a defense in transition.
Whoa that thing - PFF thinks that while Allen’s sack numbers were strong on the surface, his pass rushing skills actually declined last season.
[Video] CSN discussion - Moon Mullin joins the panel to break down Allen signing. "This is the guy you want chasing Aaron Rodgers."
[Video] - Ian Rapoport breaks down Bears' "stealth" signing of Jared Allen. Moon Mullin: Older pass rushers can still get it done.
[Video] ESPN - Tedy Bruschi discusses how Jared Allen will fit in with the Bears after agreeing to a four-year deal.
[Video] ESPN - John Clayton reacts to the news of Jared Allen joining the Bears and what it means for the team.
Player profile - Dan Wiederer: Drafted mainly as a long snapper, Allen has risen to 12th place on all-time sacks list. 13 random facts.
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Bearsss
Allen upgrades D, but brakes need tapping - Moon Mullin: A year ago the Bears were coming off a 2012 season in which they ranked fifth in yardage and third in points allowed. This year they are ... well, not. Draft still begins with 'D' for Bears.
Draft preview - James Neveau: With the addition of Jared Allen at the DE spot, could the Bears lean toward selecting a CB or safety in the first round of May's NFL Draft?
As Briggs' shoulder heals, Bears eye new role for Bostic - Moon Mullin: Lance Briggs’ probable successor at the Will may be getting time at the position sooner rather than later, at least on an interim, developmental basis.
Bears' goal for Cutler: Keep him safe - Rich Campbell: As Trestman looks forward to the second year of their partnership, durability is his top priority for Cutler.
Trestman vows support for Conte - Brad Biggs: There is no promise of a starting position for Chris Conte, but the Bears have assured the veteran safety that last season will be left in the past. (Non-Tribune link)
Trestman hails versatility of Britton - Brad Biggs: Eben Britton remains a free agent and the team has had some discussion about bringing him back.
Hayden will battle Frey for nickel job - Brad Biggs:Bears had hoped Frey would be more active around the ball in games, believe competition will help raise his level of play.
Bears free agency - Michael C. Wright continues his look at some of the best and worst Bears' FA acquisitions over the past five years: Chilo Rachal hasn't played a regular-season snap since his meltdown following the loss at San Francisco in Nov. 2012.
[Video] - Vaughn McClure discusses the team’s draft needs and the possibility of taking Aaron Donald in the first round.
Sun-Times Bears section here.
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Polish sausage
The value of compensatory picks - Tony Villiotti: What impact do they really have?
Know thy enemy: Packers - Rob Demovsky: Mike McCarthy's support of Dom Capers has never wavered, says the DC has the hardest job on his coaching staff.
Know thy enemy: Vikings - Ben Goessling: As the Vikings determine when to take a QB in this year's draft, they're going to lean heavily on Norv Turner's expertise.
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