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The Bears Den: April 14, 2015 - Offseason Chicago Bears news & notes

No more, thankfully.

Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports

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 BiggsNot showing up the only leverage Forte has in seeking  extension or trade.  Jeff DickersonHas 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 FinleyNFL 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 HogeThe 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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