The Bears Den: April 24, 2014 - Chicago Bears offseason news & notes

Bears announce their 2014 schedule - Larry Mayer: Highlights of the Bears' 2014 schedule, which was released by the NFL Wednesday, include five prime-time games and a Thanksgiving match-up against the Lions in Detroit.

Roster news - Jeff Dickerson: The Bears signed running back Shaun Draughn, with whom Phil Emery has some familiarity during their time with the Chiefs, to a one-year contract.

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Bears 2014 schedule

Bears schedule - Larry Mayer with some interesting tidbits regarding the Bears' 2014 schedule ... Bears to face ex-players, coaches ... By the numbers.

Know thy enemies - Larry Mayer: Take a capsule look at all 13 of the Bears' 2014 opponents, including series record, the last meeting between the teams and an interesting factoid.

Know thy enemies - Dan Wiederer with a game-by-game look at the upcoming opponents for 2014.

Bears schedule - Bob LeGere: The Bears open the season at home for the fifth straight year, at noon against the Bills, and they play five prime time games, plus a Thanksgiving Day game in Detroit.

Bears schedule - Adam Hoge with a game-by-game breakdown of the Bears’ 2014 schedule.

Bears schedule - Michael C. Wright: Teams discuss the need to start off quickly so often it's become almost cliché. But in Chicago's case, it holds true with the club playing two of the first three games on the road against quality opponents.

Bears schedule - There are opportunities and pitfalls aplenty in 2014 slate but mostly it appears favorable with 5 home games down stretch.  The Tribune team share their thoughts and make their early picks.

Top 14 Games of 2014 - Elliot Harrison includes Bears-Buccaneers and Bears-Packers among his must-see matchups. Chris Chase: The Bears are basically the Virginia Tech of the NFL.

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Bearsss

Trainer: McClellin is 'a different man now' - Rich Campbell: McClellin getting leaner, stronger and faster in preparation for his switch from DE to SLB, as well as working on positional drills and building his absolute strength.

Dan Pompei Q&As - Could Anthony Barr be another McClellin? ... Where would Donald play right away on Bears with Ratliff resigning[sic]? ... Can Bears pass on top 10 offensive talent? ... Which player in the draft would make biggest impact for Bears? ... Why does Dan think Brandon Marshall is the best Bears skill position player he's seen since Walter Payton?

Draft preview - Jeff Dickerson: If the Bears are serious about potentially moving Bostic outside in the near future, the team needs to find help at MLB, possibly in this draft. Whom might they target?

Draft preview: Defensive End - Michael C. Wright: If Chicago’s recent activity is any indication, DE doesn’t appear to be a priority for the team at this point after they invested $34.45 million guaranteed in Allen, Houston and Young in free agency.

[Video] ESPN - Michael C. Wright discusses the team’s interest in drafting a defensive tackle.

Draft profile: Minnesota DT Ra’Shede Hageman - #12 on Adam Hoge's Bears Big Board: Emery will take chances, but a soon-to-be 24-year-old rookie out of the Big Ten might not fit his mold. Hageman has a very high ceiling but also a low floor, and he will need some time to develop.

Draft profile: TCU CB Jason Verrett - Matt Bowen on why the corner could be a late first-round steal in the NFL draft next month.

Draft preview: Wide Receivers - Rich Campbell: With big, strong receivers already on board Bears unlikely to jump into receiver pool until late in draft.

Mock Draft - Kevin Fishbain thinks it’s time to make a splash at safety and takes a risk on a double-ACL-tear DT in the second, in his 7-round Bears mock.

Mock Draft - Hub Arkush: Clinton-Dix to the Bears appears to be a marriage made in heaven.

Mock Draft - Don Banks' mock 4.0: The void at free safety is the most pressing piece of business in Chicago, and Louisville's Calvin Pryor fills the bill nicely.

Mock Draft - With Donald and Clinton-Dix both off the board, Greg Gabriel thinks Michigan St. CB Darqueze Dennard is a better overall player than Calvin Pryor.

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Bears history

Bears history - Larry Mayer ranks the 1975 draft, highlighted by the selection of Walter Payton with the fourth overall pick, as the fourth best in Bears history.

Bears history - Larry Mayer ranks the 1936 draft as the third best in Bears history, due in large part to the selection of Hall of Famer Joe Stydahar in the first round.

Cubs, Bears legends celebrate Wrigley's 100th birthday - Paul Sullivan: Cubs and Bears legends were greeted like royalty Wednesday as the Cubs celebrated the 100th anniversary of Wrigley Field, with perhaps the loudest cheers being reserved for Dick Butkus and Gale Sayers.

Bears history - Bruce Levine: Of all the great performances and team wins that have occurred at the corner of Clark and Addison, perhaps none surpass the six TDs scored by Gale Sayers 49 years ago.

[Video] Bears history - Dick Butkus and Gale Sayers discuss what it meant to play football at Wrigley Field and Sayers' six-TD game.

Butkus: Wrigley football for 'pros' - Mark Gonzales: Hall of Fame linebacker doesn't care for fancy NFL stadiums.

All-time Top 30 Bears draft picks - James Neveau's countdown continues with Neal Anderson at #21, Lance Briggs at #20, and Danny Fortmann at #19.

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

Managing draft day - "A former GM shares the tricks of the trade when it comes to the NFL’s annual selection show" [...because if there's one former GM who knows how best to manage draft day, it's Jerry Angelo. - Den]

Know thy enemy: Vikings - Ben Goessling takes a look at the Vikings' schedule ... Vikings could find reasons to wait on QB ... Will Brinson: And then redshirt him?

Know thy enemy: Lions - Jeff Dickerson takes a look at the Lions' schedule ... Bill Barnwell: Just how bad have the Lions been? [Tip o' the hat to Mike Ditka's Cigar... WCGer MDC that is, not Ditka's actual cigar.  That would just be wierd.]

Know thy enemy: Packers - Rob Demovsky takes a look at the Packers' schedule ... All eyes on Packers-Seahawks opener ... Kiper: Assessing the Packers' draft needs ... Rob Rang: Five draft prospects Packers should consider.

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Drum 'n' Bass Thursday.