The Bears Den: April 04, 2014 - Chicago Bears offseason news & notes

Roster Analysis - Arthur Arkush: The Bears are dangerously thin behind Forte, the least expendable member of the offense outside of Cutler. What is Emery’s likely contingency plan?

Draft preview - Evan Silva and Josh Norris preview what positions the Bears could target in May's draft, and suitable prospects that would likely be available on each day.

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Bearsss

Bears agree to terms with Britton - Larry Mayer: The Bears on Thursday retained a key member of their offense, agreeing to a one-year contract with veteran lineman Eben Britton.

Bears secure OL depth with one-year deal for Britton - Moon Mullin: Re-signing sets up a potential competition at right tackle, depending on Jordan Mills’ recovery from a broken bone in his foot suffered early in season finale.

Conte out 4-5 months after surgery - Larry Mayer: Chris Conte underwent shoulder surgery in late March and faces a recovery period of 4-5 months, meaning that he will be sidelined until training camp. Rich Campbell: Lingering instability from dislocation suffered in 2012 preseason.

Conte surgery muddies safety spot - Michael C. Wright: Easy to say the Bears might be better off going a different direction, but right now he’s the only proven commodity at safety. In a down year, he picked off as many passes as Mundy and Jennings combined over their careers.

Envisioning change on the Bears D-Line - PFF go over the numbers.

[Video] CSNChicago discussion - What's next for the Bears? [KAPCON: 4]

NFL announces offseason workout dates - The Bears' first day is April 22nd, with mandatory minicamp from June 17th-19th.

Dan Pompei Q&As - Could Bears take Hageman at 14? ... Donald or Jernigan? ... Should Bears take safety at 14? ... Thoughts on Deone Bucannon ... Could Jermichael Finley sign with Bears? ... Will Bears draft developmental QB or sign a FA?

[Video] ESPN - John Clayton: Jared Allen's knowledge of the NFC North's OTs was a big factor in his deciding to sign with the Bears. Kevin Patra: Expects to be booed by Vikings fans.

[Video] CSNChicago discussion - 5 years on from the Cutler trade, would the panel make the deal again? [KAPCON: 4]

Mock Draft - Matt Smith's mock 4.0: Donald is a better fit for the Bears, but he’s off the board. Jernigan isn’t a bad consolation prize at a position of need.

2008 NFL Draft do-over - Bucky Brooks revisits the first round and has the Bears not taking Chris Williams at #14. [Bonus: Would Bears do-over Haynes / Grossman, Tommie Harris, or Benson?]

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

Draft preview - Russ Lande: Many mocks have Darqueze Dennard, Justin Gilbert or Jason Verrett as the first CB selected in May. But over the last month, we've heard from numerous people that Virginia Tech's Kyle Fuller is the top CB on many draft boards.

Know thy enemy: Vikings - Ben Goessling: Zimmer's history of trying to use multiple D-linemen to keep the group fresh likely a big reason the Vikings have prioritized D-line depth this spring.

Know thy enemy: Lions - Dave Birkett: One of Caldwell's biggest challenges will be to identify and develop the type of transcendent locker-room leader most championship teams can't do without.

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Still one of my favourite TV series, coincidentally set (albeit not actually filmed) in Chicago.