The Bears Den: March 07, 2014 - Chicago Bears offseason news & notes

Hester's departure the end of an era - Larry Mayer: The Bears thanked Devin Hester for eight great seasons while informing the 31-year-old record-breaking return specialist that he will not be re-signed by the team.

McCown 'unlikely' to re-sign with Bears - Marc Sessler: Josh McCown doesn't appear to be returning to the Bears after his breakthrough season, Ian Rapoport reported Thursday. What two teams are potential destinations for the 34-year-old QB?

Bears’ 2014 free agency primer - Dan Durkin: The Bears currently have about $6.9 million in cap space, but more can be created.

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Devin Hester

Bears say they won't re-sign Devin Hester - Michael C. Wright: Despite all his accolades for greatness as a return man, Devin Hester won't be returning to the Bears in 2014. Hester can't believe it.

Nobody did it better - Jon Greenberg: Devin Hester will be long remembered for the thrills he brought to the Bears with his record-setting returns.

Is Hester's 'ridiculous' career Hall of Fame-worthy? - Chris Boden: That door to Canton was opened significantly when punter Ray Guy was elected this year. If any return specialist has put himself in position to become the first elected to the Hall of Fame, Hester's the one.

Hester was the greatest returner, and the last - Steve Rosenbloom: It's not just the Bears saying goodbye to the greatest returner of all-time. It's the NFL legislating Devin Hester's greatness out of the game.

Hester to leave after 8 seasons - Jeff Dickerson: For an organization that needs to pour its remaining free agency resources to shoring the defense, it's too much salary cap space to allocate to strictly a return man.

Lack of true position hurt Devin Hester - Michael C. Wright: A Bears source said that "things would be different" for his chances in Chicago if he had a true position on offense or defense.

Recent Bears moves sealed Devin Hester's fate - Moon Mullin: An offense that ran the ball on fewer than 40 percent of its snaps needed more options on game days, and Hester was too one-dimensional at this point of his career.

Urlacher on Hester: ‘Loyalty not there’ - Michael C. Wright: Brian Urlacher on the team’s decision to part ways with return man Devin Hester. [Video]

Devin Hester's greatest moments with the Bears - Moon Mullin picks his top 5. With link to [Video]. Scott Krinch: The moment Hester captured the hearts of Bears fans.

[Video] - More of Hester's greatest highlights.

[Video] CSNChicago discussion - Hester done in Chicago; could he reunite with Lovie? ... [Video] Is Hester a Hall of Famer?

[Video] - The thought of having to kick to the most electrifying returner in NFL history gave the Bears an advantage in every single game since 2006.

[Audio] - It's been a memorable journey for Devin Hester in Chicago. Hear the greatest clips.

Photos - The Tribune with all 20 of Devin Hester's return TDs, including his opening kickoff return in the 2006 Super Bowl.

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Bearsss

Kreutz praises Bears O-line - Larry Mayer: Former Bear praised the performance of the team's revamped O-line this past season during an appearance on WSCR-AM 670.

Bears ink DE Trevor Scott - Larry Mayer: The Bears on Thursday signed DE Trevor Scott, a seven-year NFL veteran who has appeared in 76 games with 18 starts for the Raiders, Patriots and Buccaneers.

Roster notes - Moon Mullin: Emery addresses 'longer/heavier' lesson with latest DE signings.

Roster analysis - Adam Hoge: What needs do the Bears have right now? A look at the holes on the team's depth chart.

Bears let Hester go, but what about Tillman? - With Hester gone, will the Bears be able to sign Charles Tillman? Mike North sure hopes so [even while he struggles to understand the concept of "going rate for the QB position" - Den].

Roster analysis - Jeff Dickerson & Michael C. Wright continue their look at the Bears' free agents: D.J. Williams, Craig Steltz, Nate Collins, and James Anderson.

Roster analysis - Bob LeGere with a quick look at the pros and cons of re-signing each Bears player on the defense who will be eligible for free agency.

[Video] CSNChicago discussion - Bears bring Ratliff back; what does it mean for Henry Melton?

Ratliff deal shouldn't affect Henry Melton - Michael C. Wright: It likely becomes easier for the Bears to opt to fill Melton’s spot through the draft. though they are probably better with Melton than without him.

Free agency primer: Top 25 D-linemen - Chris Wesseling: While offensive playmakers are scant in this year's free-agent crop, D-linemen like pass rusher Jared Allen and run stuffer Red Bryant are plentiful. Gregg Rosenthal: DE, CB deep in free agency.

Mock Draft - Michael C. Wright: Todd McShay of Scouts Inc. dropped his Mock 3.0 on Thursday with the Bears staying true to filling their need at DT in using the No. 14 pick on Pittsburgh’s Aaron Donald.

Ranking the 10 best defenses of the Super Bowl era - Dan Pompei: With help from those who played and coached for and against these units, here are the top 10 of the modern NFL. Bearsss... Ditka... Polish sausage.....

Photos - ChicagoBears.com takes a look back at Jeremiah Ratliff's season last year with the team.

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

How O-linemen are graded in the NFL - Ross Tucker: O-linemen are overlooked by everyone except the coaches who grade them each week — and those marks are the difference between lasting in the NFL and finding a new career.

Know thy enemy: Packers - Rob Demovsky: Examining why B.J. Raji would do a 1-year deal with Packers.

Know thy enemy: Vikings - Ben Goessling: On AP, Michael Vick and time running out. Decision is in Cassel's hands ... Jared Allen, Vikings' new scheme might not mesh.

Know thy enemies - ESPN's NFC North bloggers give their takes on Todd McShay's mock draft 3.0 picks for the Packers (TE Eric Ebron), Vikings (CB Justin Gilbert), and Lions (WR Mike Evans).

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