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Looking backward and forward at Bears - Adam L. Jahns, Patrick Finley, and Mark Potash discuss the season that was and gaze into the future.
Ballard-Toub reunion could be answer for Bears - David Haugh: The Bears never anticipated Marc Trestman's shortcoming managing players because nobody at Halas Hall had worked with him before January 2013. If they hire another stranger or novice, they deserve to stay with their noses pressed against the glass watching the NFC playoffs.
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Bearsss
Bears progressing through GM, coaching searches - Michael C. Wright: The Bears have identified several head coach and GM candidates and have scheduled a handful of interviews. NFL Career Development Advisory Panel's list of recommended candidates extensive.
Big decisions coming quickly for Bears' new GM - Dan Wiederer: From Jay Cutler's contract to Brandon Marshall's drama and the No. 7 overall draft pick, what the new GM will inherit.
[Video] - Adam Hoge on Jay Cutler trade: That's still a longshot.
Be afraid of the people hiring the Bears' GM - Rick Morrissey: You tend to trust people who have been successful in the same job before – not relative unknowns like Emery and Trestman. The Bears appear to be heading in that vague direction again.
McCaskey expert says family wasn't meant to run Bears - Neil Hayes: Author of George Halas biography does, however, think fans should be optimistic about the McCaskey family’s latest attempt to resurrect a franchise mired in mediocrity.
Waiting for the best head coach candidate could become unBearable - Dan Wiederer: For those looking to identify who soon will be introduced at Halas Hall, the percentages say to look outside the NFL playoff brackets. In the last four years, two-thirds of the head-coaching hires have emerged from elsewhere.
Pete Carroll connection boosts candidacy of Seahawks DC Dan Quinn - Mark Potash: Just as anyone connected to Bill Belichick becomes the hot guy, Quinn’s candidacy is largely a product of having worked for Carroll.
Tom Gamble is Bears' safest bet in search for new GM - Chris Boden: In overseeing player personnel departments in San Francisco and Philadelphia, he's risen higher than the current candidates we've been hearing are in the Bears' mix.
Bears' GM/coach searches follow confusing courses - Moon Mullin: Some of the early steps have a faint trace of ready-fire-aim to them, and the Bears need to tread carefully lest they repeat previous mistakes.
[Video] SportsTalk Live - Bears continue interview process with head coaching. [Warning: Peter Brown sighting.]
[Video] SportsTalk Live - Could Broncos' OC Adam Gase be a fit for Bears HC vacancy?
[Video] SportsTalk Live - Is Bill Cowher an option for the Bears? Cowher: No.
Kyle Long named second-team All-Pro - Adam L. Jahns: In 15 games this season, Long didn’t allow a sack, according to STATS. In PFF’s reviews, Long allowed just two QB hits this season.
Bears mailbag - Brad Biggs' readers' Q&As.
Bears have done little to earn loyalty city has for them - Dan McGrath: Why don’t the Bears ever hire top people whose qualifications include success in the position for which they’re being hired?
[Video] Inside the Bears - Anthony Adams follows Jermon Bushrod and several of his teammates on a holiday shopping spree. The players help kids look for gifts and reveal some of their favorite childhood toys.
Check WCGer Sackman's selection of Bears-themed tops here, or some t-shirt designs here.
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Polish sausage
Know thy enemy: Lions - Mike Rothstein & Todd Archer preview just the third playoff meeting between the Cowboys and Lions ... (AP): Matthew Stafford has another chance to quiet skeptics ... Brad Gagnon: 12 things to know.
Cheerleaders - The best of week 17 from NFL.com and SI.com; The Sponge would like to take back what he said about the Texans' cheerleaders.
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