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Five Bears offseason program storylines - Jeff Dickerson's five storylines to watch as the Bears begin Phase 1 of their offseason program. Expect John Fox to restore order inside a locker room that ran amok in 2014.
Forte absent from Bears' first voluntary workout - Son of Hub: Matt Forte said on Instagram that he worked out on Monday at Bommarito Peformance in Florida. Brad Biggs: Not showing up the only leverage Forte has in seeking extension or trade. Jeff Dickerson: Has visited teammates at Halas Hall on a couple of occasions earlier in the offseason.
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Bearsss
Bears start offseason workout program - Larry Mayer: The 2015 Bears met for the first time Monday at Halas Hall as the team kicked off its voluntary offseason program with strength and conditioning sessions. [Video] Larry speaks! ... more from Ryan Mundy and Kyle Long.
Bears begin Phase One of offseason workout program - Not-Hub Fishbain: Bears also get an extra voluntary veteran minicamp, which will be held April 28-30. Rich Campbell: John Fox addresses Bears team for first time.
Photos - ChicagoBears.com: Bears players returned to Halas Hall Monday to begin the team's voluntary offseason workout program.
Foster relishes challenge of revitalizing Bears' defense - Adam L. Jahns: The Bears’ history of standout linebackers resonated with Mason Foster during free agency.
Photos - ChicagoBears.com: With the voluntary offseason program underway, take a look at the players currently signed to the Bears' roster.
Draft analysis - Mike Huguenin's best/worst first-round picks for the 29-32 slots sees one Bear make the former. Alas, it's Greg Olsen, who's going strong off a Pro Bowl season for the Panthers.
Garza reflects on a Bears career that almost didn’t happen - Dan Durkin: Originally signed on a one-year veteran minimum deal after his former college DC Chris Ballard stuck his neck out for him, Roberto Garza's 145 starts along the O-line are the fourth-most in team history.
Tillman overwhelmed by Bears fans' gratitude - Adam Jahns: The spotlight never really suited Charles Tillman. So the outpouring of gratitude from Bears fans, especially in person, has been very overwhelming.
[Video] ChicagoBears.com - Legally naming the road outside his Fairbanks home, "Chicago Bear Lane," arguably makes Rockford native John Jefko one of Alaska's biggest Bears fans.
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Draft notes
Draft preview - Jeff Dickerson: SEC pass-rusher Shane Ray has speed that new coaching staff could work with.
Draft preview - Adam L. Jahns: The Bears have looked at Florida Atlantic corner D'Joun Smith, a position at which the biggest question mark might be veteran Tim Jennings.
[Video] - Is-Hub Arkush profiles Michigan St. cornerback Trae Waynes.
Draft preview - Not-Hub Fishbain: The Bears haven't taken a safety in the first round since 1990; could that change with Alabama's Landon Collins?
Draft preview - Dan Durkin: Oregon’s Hroniss Grasu is the second-best center prospect in this class, and would be a great fit in Adam Gase’s zone-based run scheme.
[Video] ESPN - Todd McShay discusses Chicago's draft needs and players that may be available to the Bears. Are they likely to spend the first two picks on offense? ... Patrick Finley: NFL Network pundits think Bears likely to draft defense first.
Draft preview - Bucky Brooks: Amari Cooper is the most polished receiver to enter the NFL in years; adding Cooper would give the Bears a 1-2 punch at wide receiver to rival any combination in the league.
Draft preview - Not-Hub Atkins: The Bears should draft Marcus Mariota, because outside of Chip Kelly’s ready-made system in Philadelphia, Chicago is the NFL’s best fit for former Oregon QB. Adam Hoge: The case for drafting Mariota over Jameis Winston.
Draft preview - Greg A. Bedard: Randy Gregory’s athletic traits and relentlessness make him the most tantalizing prospect in this draft class. Gregory will be a great… if he takes well to coaching and, more importantly, keeps himself in line off the field.
Draft preview - Adam Hoge: A bit of a tweener, UCLA OLB/DE Owamagbe Odighizuwa has the ability to make a seamless transition to 3-4 OLB, yet still be used to play on the line at times in Vic Fangio’s system.
Draft preview - Greg Gabriel takes a closer look at Mississippi State DE Preston Smith and Washington St. DT Xavier Cooper.
Draft preview - Adam L. Jahns: The Bears hosted Florida State DT Mario Edwards Jr. for a pre-draft visit last week, a team source said Monday.
Draft profiles - CSNChicago's previews for over 125 prospects in the 2015 draft.
Check WCGer Sackman's selection of Bears-themed tops here, or some t-shirt designs here.
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Polish sausage
Rumors, lies, and first round picks - Greg Gabriel: Don’t believe 90% of what you read or see about the draft on television. Most of the "rumors" are planted by teams to throw off what they really want to do.
Draft analysis - Tony Villiotti argues that rather than BPA, a team should draft a player at a position of need for which there is the biggest disparity in results between a player drafted earlier and a player drafted later.
Know thy enemy: Packers - Michael Middlehurst-Schwartz takes a look at the Packers' needs and what their ideal draft may look like.
Know thy enemy: Vikings - Ben Goessling: Adrian Peterson didn't meet with the Vikings when he visited Minnesota this weekend, despite the fact he could be reinstated on Wednesday.
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