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All eyes on Fox as Bears coaching search continues - Adam L. Jahns: Negotiations with a veteran, strong-minded coach such as John Fox could take time, whether it’s establishing common ground or working out the money and details of the contract.
Fox, Pace apparently still in getting-to-know you stage - Rich Campbell, Dan Wiederer: Ryan Pace was believed to be in Denver on Thursday, and all indications remain strong that the organization and John Fox soon will unite once they can agree on terms and finalize a contract.
Why the Bears, Fox need to handle pressure carefully - Moon Mullin: Matters can blow up on points other than just money, as the Bears know only too well from painful experience.
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Bears' head coach search
Bears taking their time hiring new coach - Bob LeGere: A long day of anticipation, the 18th day in the Bears' search for a new head coach, ended with no announcement that John Fox, the front-runner, had been hired.
Fox's strong-minded style developed over long coaching odyssey - David Haugh: If the Bears represent the last coaching stop for John Fox, who will turn 60 next month, how fitting his career could end with a quirk of fate the way it began. Career infographic.
John Fox (likely to be) hired by Bears - Will Brinson: John Fox is likely to be hired by the Chicago Bears some time very soon. Here's five things to know about him landing in Chicago.
All quiet on the John Fox front? Nothing to worry about just yet - Dan Wiederer: Until contract negotiations are completed, until a deal is signed and rubber-stamped, until every line of fine print is written and read, there will be no word from either side to make a hiring official.
John Fox is coming back to sign his Bears contract, right? - Steve Rosenbloom: Fox knows the kind of player he needs to succeed and knows how to make something out of those he’s stuck with. But first, Fox has to come back to work in Chicago.
[Video] SportsTalk Live - Bears closing in on hiring John Fox.
[Audio] - Jason Cole: Bears are "getting" John Fox.
[Video] View from the Moon - Moon Mullin with the latest on John Fox updates.
[Video] - Chris Boden and Hub Arkush play Bears fact/Fox or fiction.
[Video] SportsTalk Live - Do the Bears need a defensive-minded coach?
What happened to Shanahan's chances with Bears? - Adam L. Jahns: A source close to Mike Shanahan said the East Leyden graduate hasn’t heard back from Bears and, at this point, doesn’t expect to.
Former Raiders boss could help Bears' defense - Patrick Finley: Dennis Allen's style would fit Pace’s desire for an aggressive defense, and his focus on discipline could help a Bears unit aching for it.
No matter what the pedigree, no coach is a sure thing - Rick Telander: Then-Cowboys DC Dave Wannstedt was the hottest thing going back in early 1993. The Bears ‘‘won’’ him, and he went 40-56 in six seasons with them. Moon Mullin: Fox's coaching record.
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Bearsss
Capsules of Bears' 2015 opponents - Larry Mayer with a look at capsules of the Bears' 2015 opponents, including series history and the last meeting between the teams.
Roster analysis: Safety - Not-Hub Fishbain: Bears still need to revamp safety position in 2015.
Roster analysis - James Neveau: The Bears' offense was the subject of a lot of criticism this season, but one player who stood out despite the tumult was Matt Forte.
Stop worrying about Jay Cutler - Dan Bernstein: Cutler doesn’t matter that much, anymore. When the Bears are contending again, it will be with a different QB.
Mock draft - David Just: Mel Kiper has Bears taking Alabama safety Landon Collins in first round [Lester's post here.], while Daniel Jeremiah has the Beloved going for Missouri DE Shane Ray [Schweickert's post here].
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Ditka
Ditka - Matthew Schwerha: Ditka mustache photoshopped on John Fox makes him ready for Chicago.
Check WCGer Sackman's selection of Bears-themed tops here, or some t-shirt designs here.
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Polish sausage
How important are All-star games? - Greg Gabriel: Underclassmen weaken rosters for East-West Shrine game and the Senior Bowl, but gives scouts the opportunity to spend some more quality time with them.
10 players who impressed - Mike Huguenin: Four days of practice for Saturday's East-west Shrine Game finished up on Thursday, and Mike Mayock picked out 10 players who caught his eye during the week. Dane Brugler: Five who created buzz among NFL scouts.
NFL will hold veteran free agent combine in March - Conor Orr: Capitalizing on every team's desire not to see good players fall through the cracks, the league will introduce a veteran combine set to begin this March in Arizona.
Why not clone the 12th man? - Ross Tucker: A lot of stadiums have been built since the Seahawks opened their stadium in 2002, yet apparently none of them have elected to try to copy the acoustical engineering perfection of that venue. That makes no sense.
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