The Bears Den: April 29, 2014 - Chicago Bears offseason news & notes

Larry Mayer's Chalk Talk - Larry discusses when training camp begins, why the Bears-Lions Thanksgiving game is being televised by CBS, and why the Bears play so many road games early in the season.

Josh Morgan arrested for assault - Jeff Dickerson: Wide receiver Josh Morgan was arrested in downtown Washington D.C., at approximately 1:30 a.m. on Sunday and charged with one count of misdemeanor simple assault.

Follow WCG on Twitter; like us on Facebook (& click on 'Subscribed to'). Ditka. Check out David "OSS" Taylor's CheekyMonkeyArt prints and t-shirts. Den pic in hi-res.

----------
Bearsss

Slauson: Our potential is off the charts - Bears allowed 30 sacks last year, fourth-fewest in the NFL, and Slauson hopes for more growth this year.

Bears mailbag - Brad Biggs' readers' Q&A about the draft, switching Charles Tillman's position, and chances Bears will pick Jimmy Garoppolo.

Dam Pompei Q&As - Which team(s) could move to jump in front of Bears? ... What would he be worth if Bears traded Alshon Jeffrey? ... Wise for Bears to trade back if Aaron Donald is gone at 14? ... Dan's latest Mock Draft pick for Bears: Aaron Donald.

Draft preview: Bears need help on offense, too - Hub Arkush: If the Bears are to have a championship offense, they must find quality depth at RB and TE. There’s not a position on the Bears' depth chart where they couldn’t conceivably get better beyond perhaps WR.

NFC North draft needs - Elliot Harrison assesses top priorities for each squad in the NFC North, and argues the Bears' biggest need is a safety who can cover ground and make smart decisions.

Draft Preview: RB - Moon Mullin: The RB position has been valued differently by different offensive schemes and philosophies, but it is very much a part of the Bears’ and the need for a No. 2 is still there.

Finding solid backup for Forte no easy task - Bob LeGere: Matt Forte has been a dependable, do-everything back for the Bears since they drafted him in 2008. Could a smaller back find a role?

Draft preview: QBs - Michael C. Wright: Bears could be on the hunt for a developmental signal caller in the later rounds of the NFL draft.

Draft preview: Cornerbacks - Dan Wiederer: With future needs at CB, Bears must start to address them soon and late in the draft may be where they begin.

Draft profile: South Carolina CB Victor Hampton - Has the athleticism to stick at either corner or safety at the next level. Could be a potential steal as a late-round pick if he can overcome off-the-field issues.

Draft profile: Alabama LB C.J. Mosley - Adam Hoge's Bears Big Board, #9: The Bears need a MLB for the future, one they can trust to get plays called and align the defense... if he can stay healthy.

Sun-Times Bears section here.

Check WCGer Sackman's selection of Bears-themed tops here, or some t-shirt designs here.

----------
Polish sausage

Draft analysis - Pat Kirwan: Loston, Smallwood among steals after first round; Aaron Donald one of three players in 2014 draft class with potential to be once-in-a-decade types.

2014 NFL Draft tiers: Elite prospects, blue chips and red chips - Eric Ebron is the draft's most coveted TE, but is he truly elite? Where does rising CB Kyle Fuller fall in the grand scheme of things? Bucky Brooks divides top prospects into three groups.

Best front offices know value of racking up comp picks - Jason La Canfora: It's no accident that contenders like the Ravens, Pats and Packers have loaded up on compensatory draft picks in recent years. Also, look out for a run on corners in Round 1.

Know thy enemy: Lions - Dave Dye: Lions believe Caldwell is the coach who will lead them to their first Super Bowl.

Know thy enemy: Vikings - Ben Goessling: Vikings fare well building through NFL draft, though can still be classified as a QB-needy team. Salary cap breakdown: Offense.

----------

Bearsss... Ditka... Polish sausage.....