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The Bears Den: April 09, 2014 - Chicago Bears offseason news & notes

The end of an era? The hair, by Ditka, the hair.

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Scott Boehm

Roster news - Larry Mayer: The Bears on Tuesday agreed to terms with TE Matthew Mulligan on a one-year contract, and claimed receiver Josh Bellamy off waivers. Jeff Dickerson: Addition of Mulligan likely alleviates need to use Britton as extra TE.

Busy offseason will fuel turnaround on defense - Michael C. Wright: Bears in position to draft BPA in May, while also minimizing the burden of potential first-round pick to carry the savior label.

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

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Pat Mannelly: The Man(n), the myth, the legend

Mannelly honored for winning award - Larry Mayer: Patrick Mannelly was honored as the Bears' recipient of the prestigious Ed Block Courage Award Tuesday at Maryville Academy in Des Plaines.

[Video] ChicagoBears.com - Patrick Mannelly gives thanks after being voted the Ed Block Courage Award winner by his Bears teammates.

Mannelly facing an uncertain future - Larry Mayer: Patrick Mannelly hopes to return to the Bears for a 17th season, but the veteran long-snapper isn't sure whether his surgically-repaired hip will allow that to happen.

Patrick Mannelly undecided about future - Jeff Dickerson: Almost three months into a four-to-six month rehabilitation process following offseason hip surgery, the Bears are expected to offer Mannelly a one-year contract if he decides to continue for another season.

Mannelly's return to Bears hinges on hip rehab - Rich Campbell: He has set some deadlines for certain physical milestones during his rehabilitation; his ability to stay on schedule will be his body’s way of guiding him through the decision.

[Video] - Kip Lewis: Is Patrick Mannelly's career in Chicago over?

Mannelly hoping to return to Bears - Bob LeGere: After 16 seasons, Mannelly could coast comfortably into retirement but that's not the way he wants to go out after playing in a club-record 245 games.

For rehabbing Pat Mannelly, it’s likely the Bears or nobody - Moon Mullin: The prospect of playing for another team just doesn’t work for Mannelly, who effectively ruled that out on Tuesday.

Return or retire? Mannelly letting his body decide - Adam Hoge: Even if he retires, don’t expect Mannelly to disappear off the radar. He could certainly have a role in the local media or join the Bears organization in some capacity. Peggy Kusinski: Has had a taste of personnel and broadcast roles with Bears.

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Bearsss

Emery continuing to shuffle QB competition behind Cutler - Moon Mullin: Phil Emery hasn't yet achieved his stated desire to take a QB in every draft but, one way or another, has added one every year.

[Video] CSNChicago discussion - Would Josh Freeman be a fit with the Bears? [KAPCON: 5]

Bears only team with two true No. 1 WRs - Michael C. Wright: Marshall and Jeffery possess all of the attributes which ESPN NFL Insider Matt Williamson deems requisite of a true No. 1 receiver.

Dan Pompei Q&As - Will Bears be drafting Clinton-Dix? ... Any Bears interest in Chris Johnson?

Draft preview - Rich Campbell: The Bears are scheduled to host Virginia Tech CB Kyle Fuller at Halas Hall on Tuesday.

Draft preview - Pat Kirwan: Deep draft for DBs could yield some steals. [Some of them have been mocked to the Bears.]

Mock draft - Hub Arkush has the Bears taking CB Justin Gilbert, Oklahoma State: Best player available fits one of the Bears' greatest needs. [Aaron Donald not taken in the first round? Interesting.]

Which teams signed the most new players? - Gregg Rosenthal: The Bears are among the teams which made the most moves this offseason.

Bears doing good things - Jon Styf: Martellus Bennett shows patience when interacting with children to promote reading, even with a man in his beard.

Sun-Times Bears section here.

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Polish sausage

A broken and deeply flawed system - Jerry Angelo: There are multiple ways the NCAA can improve upon its current blueprint. Here are some suggestions.

Draft preview - Russ Lande: Big RBs are especially useful, so here are the five best big backs in the 2014 NFL draft.

Know thy enemies - Arthur Arkush rounds up the free agency activity in the rest of the division.

Know thy enemy: Vikings - Ben Goessling: Little precedent for Johnny Manziel-Norv Turner match in Minnesota.

Know thy enemy: Packers - Scott Krinch: Mike Daniels couldn't contain his excitement when talking about the prospect of having Peppers as a teammate next season.

Know thy enemy: Lions - Michael Rothstein: Returner Jeremy Ross looking for a bigger role in 2014 with Lions.

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