The Weekend Bears Den: April 19, 2014 - Chicago Bears offseason news & notes

Bears scheme could dictate safety choice at No. 14 - Rich Campbell: If both Clinton-Dix and Pryor are available at No. 14, we could learn a lot about which qualities Emery and the Bears value in a safety.

Chicago by the numbers - Will Leitch: Chicago has icons, legendary parks, devoted fans and even a recent run of championships -- no thanks, as usual, to the Cubs. Is that enough to put it above San Francisco and Cleveland on our running list of best sports cities? Arriving in the Windy City ... Bulls ... Cubs / White Sox.

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Bearsss

Bears mailbag - Brad Biggs' readers' Q&A: Keep in mind, an old defense last year will be old again. They’ve got to find young talent and that means multiple players, not a leveraged move up the board to grab one player.

Dan Pompei Q&As - Would Bears consider Johnny Football if he falls in R1? ... Would Bears pass up Anthony Barr in favor of safety or CB at 14?

Draft preview - Aaron Wilson: Northwestern kicker Jeff Budzien worked out for Bears [apparently, "auditions for Beats" too - Den],

Draft preview - Jeff Dickerson: In need of a young CB big enough to one day matchup with the taller WRs in the NFC North, especially Calvin Johnson, the Bears were in attendance at Lindenwood’s Pierre Desir's Pro Day last month.

Draft analysis: Top DBs - Frank Cooney: This draft group is larger and more physical than most previous draft classes, with six of the top 11 corners at least six feet tall and the top five safeties all between 5-foot-11 and 6-1.

Draft analysis: Top 10 defensive ends - Chris Burke: Even though Round 1 options may be limited, there are a bevy of viable contributors to be found deeper in the draft.

Draft preview - Bucky Brooks: Aaron Donald was the most dominant defender in college football last fall. Where will the highly decorated Pittsburgh product end up in next month's NFL draft?

Draft profile - Iowa OLB Christian Kirksey: With Jordan Senn signed to be a standout on special teams, Kirksey doesn't project to offer too much value for Bears.

Draft profile - Furman OT Dakota Dozier: Bears are likely to focus this year's draft on bolstering their defense, but wouldn't be afraid to add another body in the later rounds on their O-line.

Draft analysis - Jeff Dickerson reviews the Bears' most recent draft: With the additions of Allen, Houston, Young and Idonije, it will be tough for Cornelius Washington to make an impact, or even to make the team in 2014.

USA Today's All-Joe team - Nate Davis lists two Bears (one former) among his 53-man roster of unheralded players who have never been named to the Pro Bowl.

Bears history - James Neveau: Devin Hester redefined the expectations for what a kick returner can do, but his lack of versatility and longevity in producing at a stellar level means we can't rank him higher than #22 on the Top 30 Bears draft picks.

Sun-Times Bears section here.

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Polish sausage

X&Os - Matt Bowen's NFL 101 series continues, this time breaking down the basics of Cover 1.

Breaking down the richest deals in the salary cap era - It's no secret that NFL players in 2014 make more money than 20 years ago, but former agent Joel Corry explains how the contracts have evolved.

10 worst first-round QBs drafted since 2000 - John Breech's list doesn't contain a single Bears QB. Hurrah!

Draft preview - Greg Gabriel reviews two offensive weapons, WR Brandon Coleman and RB Devonta Freeman.

Ex-Bear news - Jeff Mosier: Henry Melton, bar owner settle lawsuit over assault claims; Melton is still facing a criminal assault charge related to the dispute.

Know thy enemy: Packers - Rob Demovsky: With the addition of Peppers, the Packers have two of the top-three pass rushers in the division and Clay Matthews may see fewer double teams.

Know thy enemy: Vikings - Ben Goessling: Deals Vikings gave out this spring only include $5.73 million of dead money after the 2015 season and will allow them to be aggressive next year, should they choose to do so.

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Weepingbear: "It is almost as though talented musicians can improve songs in a way that shiny haircuts and over publicity can’t."

...Let's put that to the ultimate test!