The Bears Den: January 21, 2015 - Postseason Chicago Bears news & notes

Bears switching to 3-4 defense? Either way they need more talent - Brad Biggs: The Bears' depth chart on defense doesn't look quite like that of the 49ers, but that's what makes a change possible right now. The Bears need so much new personnel on defense, they can go any direction.

Adam Gase to interview for Bears OC job - Rich Campbell: Adam Gase, Fox’s coordinator the last two seasons with the Broncos, is scheduled to fly to Chicago and interview on Wednesday. (Non-Tribune link; also interested in Charlie Weis, Geep Chryst, among others)

John Fox brings some refreshing confidence to Bears - Tim Baffoe: Whether Fox will be successful in Chicago can’t be assumed. What can be, though, is that the Bears are now being led by a guy who commands respect — something more than one player on the 2014 team inferred was lacking in the locker room.

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Chicago Bears hire new defensive coordinator Vic Fangio

Fangio hired as defensive coordinator - Larry Mayer: One day after introducing John Fox as their new head coach, the Bears on Tuesday reached an agreement with Vic Fangio to become their defensive coordinator. Photos.

Vic Fangio to be new Bears defensive coordinator - Michael C. Wright: Former 49ers DC Vic Fangio has been hired to the same position with the Bears on John Fox's staff.  Not-Hub Arnold: Has 36 years of coaching experience, including 28 in the NFL and 15 as a DC.

New Bears DC Vic Fangio well-respected - Patrick Finley: The 49ers were in the top five in total defense in each of Fangio’s four seasons.  Nine 49ers defensive players were named to the Pro Bowl during that period.

49ers' Vic Fangio hired as Bears DC - (AP): Will now be asked to reshape the Bears into the same kind of stingy, ball-hawking, hard-hitting bunch he had in San Francisco.

Vic Fangio an early win for John Fox - Dan Durkin: Schematically, Fangio runs a true multiple defense that will deploy both 3-4 and 4-3 fronts mixing one- and two-gap principles; the base defense can effectively change from game to game, as he’s one of the league’s premier week-to-week game-planners.

Snubbed by 49ers, Fangio to lead Bears defense - Bob LeGere: John Fox has taken a huge step toward restoring respectability for a downtrodden defense by hiring Vic Fangio, who coordinated top-five defenses in each of his four years with the 49ers.

Fangio hire speaks volumes on direction Bears are headed - James Neveau: The Bears' culture change continued on Tuesday with the hire of Vic Fangio, a move that will dramatically alter the look and approach of the team's defense.

Vic Fangio is perfect for Bears defense - Is-Hub Arkush: Best guess is 2015 will be a 4-3 base package with a ton of 30 fronts mixed in as the defensive talent is re-tooled.  (CBS): Vic Fangio is 4-0 against Aaron Rodgers’ Packers.

[Video] ESPN - Marty Hurney discusses why Vic Fangio was the right choice to be the Bears' DC.

[Video] - Matt Maiocco talks Vic Fangio hire.  What to expect from his scheme?

[Video] SportsTalk Live - Bears hire Vic Fangio as defensive coordinator.

[Audio] - Jason La Canfora reacts to Bears hiring Vic Fangio as DC.

Eight things to know about new Vic Fangio - David Just: Fangio is praised for his football acumen and defensive mind, but he hasn’t worked with too many talented defensive units.

Vic Fangio hire ends Mel Tucker era for Bears - Moon Mullin: The 2014 defense actually improved statistically in multiple categories, including points and yards allowed per game, but the gains were minimal when weighed against the investments made by the organization in veteran free agency and the draft.

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John Fox; more Chicago Bears coaching staff moves

Toughness, unity important to Fox - Larry Mayer: John Fox discusses what excites him most about becoming the Bears' head coach and the key to quick turnarounds.

Fox doesn’t need to go the way of Chicago’s past - Chis Emma: If anything, he should forget it all together. Don’t talk to Urlacher or Ditka for advice on leading the Bears. Coach, do it your own way — it works.  Gary Mihoces: Recycled NFL coaches often find success.

Sometimes, you just get lucky - Greg Gabriel: The Bears' home run hiring of John Fox is a case of being in the right place at the right time. He brings instant credibility to the Bears' locker room; the players will know right away who the boss is and his leadership will show right from the beginning.

Bears', Broncos' coaching moves seem a little too perfect - Mike Mulligan: Exactly when did John Fox know he was out in Denver and, more interestingly, when did the Bears know it?

Fox begins to fill out coaching staff, five former assistants let go - Not-Hub Arnold: One day after being introduced as the 15th head coach in Bears franchise history, John Fox wasted no time in continuing to get his staff in order.

Bears reach agreement with assistants - Larry Mayer: The Bears reached agreements Tuesday with Dave Magazu (offensive line), Sam Garnes (assistant defensive backs) and Derius Swinton II (assistant special teams) to join their coaching staff.

[Video] ChicagoBears.com - Ryan Pace sits down in-studio with Jeff Joniak to discuss the Bears new head coach John Fox.

[Video] ChicagoBears.com - New head coach John Fox sits down in-studio with Jeff Joniak to discuss joining the Bears.

[Audio] - John Fox talks to Carmen & Jurko about his departure from Denver and his decision to take over in Chicago.

[Video] - Dave Wannstedt: If you can't work with John Fox, it's your fault.

[Video] ChicagoBears.com - George H. McCaskey joins Larry Mayer, Jeff Joniak, and Tom Thayer on Bears Roundtable to discuss the hiring of John Fox (parts 2, 3, 4).

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Bears

Fox, Pace to work together on shaping Bears roster - Bob LeGere: John Fox is looking forward to meeting Jay Cutler before passing judgment, but he admits the first thing he's looking for in a QB is victories.

[Video] SportsTalk Live - What does the future hold for John Fox-Jay Cutler tandem?

[Video] SportsTalk Live - How will Cutler mesh with new Bears OC?  [Warning: Jason Goch sighting. Prepare for stupid.]

Urlacher: Fox hire is 'awesome' - Jeff Dickerson: Brian Urlacher admitted on Tuesday he didn't feel all that comfortable being around the team's facility during the reign of ex-general manager Phil Emery. [Audio]

[Video] ESPN - Jeff Dickerson discusses Brian Urlacher's about not feeling comfortable being around the team's facility during Phil Emery's reign.

[Video] Inside the Bears - David Bass and Anthony Adams go for a ride in another edition of "Big Guys in Compact Cars."

Bears jersey sales rise -- even Jay Cutler's - Phil Thompson: Bears rank 4th in jersey sales in 2014, with Brandon Marshall, Jared Allen and Alshon Jeffery jerseys among the fastest risers for the team.

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Bearsss

'Real Sports' visits harsh reality for members of '85 Bears - Chris Boden: While many members of that unforgettable squad continue flourishing in the rewards from that glorious season, another percentage, like many other NFL teams, are dealing with the price they paid to keep performing.

Real Sports report reveals tragic aftermath of iconic 1985 Bears - David Just: According to the HBO report, nearly half of the 1985 Bears are suing the NFL and contending that the game destroyed their bodies, minds or both.

The 1985 Bears and the cost of greatness - Rick Telander: The 1985 Bears are legend. Walter, Mad Mac, Mongo, Samurai, the Fridge, Da Coach — like superheroes, they don’t even need full names. But what price glory?

Hampton, Fencik, Wilson downplay abuse of painkillers by '85 Bears - Fred Mitchell: Mike Ditka and Jim McMahon, among others, said the abuse contributed to many of the former Bears players being severely debilitated now, but not all members of the 1985 Bears corroborate the tales as chronicled in this week's "Real Sports".

[Video] SportsTalk Live - Mike Ditka talks 1985 Bears and painkillers in HBO story.

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Ditka

Ditka - Da Coach's advice to John Fox: 'It's time'.

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Polish sausage

Baltimore hires Trestman as OC - Bob LeGere: Marc Trestman is expected to sign a three-year contract replacing Gary Kubiak, who left John Harbaugh's staff to succeed John Fox as the Broncos' head coach.

Draft preview - Senior Bowl Notebook - Day 1: Greg Gabriel's notes from Mobile.

Know thy enemy: Packers - Rob Demovsky: No catchy, spell-out words of comfort from Aaron Rodgers after Sunday's loss ... Morgan Burnett explains his slide ... Dan Hanzus: All-22 shows he could have returned it for score.

Know thy enemy: Vikings - Brian Hall: After the Vikings' first season under Mike Zimmer, Rick Spielman and his scouts know what the coaches are looking for and there's "not a lot of gray area," as the GM said.

Know thy enemy: Lions - Dave Dye: Ndamukong Suh's pending free agency gets all the attention, but the entire D-line, which was the team's greatest asset,could look totally different next season.

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