The Bears Den: April 21, 2015 - Offseason Chicago Bears news & notes

Former GM thinks Fox knows blueprint for draft success - Jeff Dickerson: The relationship between John Fox and Ryan Pace will be an important factor in whether the Bears can turn things around quickly.

Pressure on Pace to deliver in Draft - Dan Durkin: Ryan Pace comes from the Saints, whose salary cap woes are due to the same reliance on free agency as the Bears under Angelo and Emery. It is going to take him several years to undo what’s been done by his predecessors, but he must actually deliver.

Follow WCG on Twitter; like us on Facebook (& click on 'Follow').  Light up a stage and wax a chump like a candle. Den pic in hi-res.

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Doug Buffone passes, aged 70

Ex-Bear Buffone passes away at 70 - Larry Mayer: Former Bears linebacker Doug Buffone, one of the longest tenured and most popular players in franchise history, passed away Monday in his Chicago home. He was 70.  Twitter reaction ... and more.

Doug Buffone has died at 70 - (CBS): Buffone was renowned for his raw emotion after games, and no one displayed more passion for Bears football than he did.

Bears great Doug Buffone dead at 70 - Dan Cahill: The team’s all-time leader in games played when he retired in 1980, Buffone had seven seasons of 100-plus tackles and his 24 career INTs are the most by any Bears linebacker.

Doug Buffone left us at the top of his game - Adam Hoge: Doug & O.B. were always better after a loss, and what could be worse than the disastrous 2014 Bears season? While the Bears set new lows last season, as far as I’m concerned, Doug Buffone went out on top.

Bears great Buffone was truly one of a kind - Is-Hub Arkush: Doug was one of the all-time great Chicago Bears, who loved the Bears as no one has before him and no one ever will.

Dan Hampton, fellow ex-Bears mourn the loss of Doug Buffone - Brad Biggs: There might not be a former player who loved the Bears more than Doug Buffone. Twitter reaction.

There was no one more fun to talk with than Buffone - Moon Mullin: Doug was easily one of the most memorable and enjoyable individuals I have encountered in a quarter-century of covering the Bears.  Recollections from: Dan Hampton ... Mike Ditka ... Mike Hartenstine.

Doug Buffone's passion, sense of humor will be missed - David Haugh: Of all the blows Buffone delivered as a Bears linebacker for 186 games wearing No. 55, the toughest came Monday afternoon when news spread about his death at 70.

Doug Buffone: 'Great guy, great friend, hell of a football player' - Mark Potash: Mike Ditka first met Doug Buffone as a teammate in 1966, when Buffone was a fourth-round draft pick from Louisville. But he soon learned that he was much more than just a teammate.

Doug Buffone was talented, funny and a great friend - Rick Telander: Bears great, who died suddenly Monday at 70, had a certain kind of tenderness to him that was unusual and, notably, unexpected.

Everybody had a story about Doug Buffone, especially Buffone himself - Steve Rosenbloom: It’s a wonder he lasted to 71 with all the weekly heart attacks he seemed to experience from Dave Wannstedt’s team to Dick Jauron’s to Lovie Smith’s to Marc Trestman’s.

Doug Buffone was one of us - Mike Imrem: Every time one of those athletes from the 1950s, '60s and '70s dies who played most or all of their career in Chicago-- as Doug Buffone did Monday at age 70 -- it's striking how beloved they remained throughout their lives.

Doug Buffone was voice of Bears fans -- particularly after a loss - Ed Sherman: Former Bears linebacker gained a new generation of fans with his biting criticisms as an analyst.

[Video] - Dick Butkus on Doug Buffone ... SportsTalk Live.

[Video] - Dan Jiggetts on ex-teammate Buffone: I'm going to miss him tremendously.

Photos - ChicagoBears.com: A pictorial look back at Doug Buffone's Bears career, which spanned 14 seasons from 1966-79 ... more from the Daily Herald.

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2015 Draft notes

Draft preview - Jeff Dickerson: A clear need exists at nose tackle and Danny Shelton seems a plausible target for the Bears, but there are concerns. Shelton isn't known as a great pass-rusher and projects to be a two-down player in the NFL.

Draft preview: ILB - Adam L. Jahns: There are concerns at inside linebacker but the needs for help at other positions in the draft, particularly the D-line and secondary, are more significant. Can Shea McClellin help?

Draft preview: OLB - Moon Mullin: Ryan Pace seeks a mix of rush ability and strength at the point vs the run, and none of Jared Allen, David Bass, Cornelius Washington, or Willie Young fit that template.

Draft preview: Edge rushers - Mike Huguenin: Who are the most overrated and underrated edge rushers in the draft? Who has the most upside? Who's the biggest sleeper?

Draft preview: Safety - Dan Wiederer: Overall, the Bears will have to heighten the competition at safety. But there's little value in forcing that issue in the draft if the right player isn't there.

Draft preview: WR - Moon Mullin: Deep speed is still a need and the 2015 draft is deep at receiver; with their earlier free-agency additions on defense, the Bears have positioned themselves to have the option of best-available.  Dan Durkin: Bears to host Louisville’s DeVante Parker.

Draft preview - Adam Hoge: West Virginia's Kevin White is not as accomplished as some of the other receivers in the draft, but has huge upside and there’s enough evidence to say the Bears have genuine interest.

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Bearsss

Bears mailbag - Brad Biggs's readers' Q&As: Why Bears are unlikely to find a market for Matt Forte in a trade.

Best/worst first-round picks since 2000: No. 5 - Jeff Dickerson: Kyle Fuller showed a ton of potential in 2014, while 2012 top pick Shea McClellin has yet to show much.

[Video] Inside the Bears - Jermon Bushrod and Anthony Adams play the "Whisper Challenge", in which they wear headphones and try to guess what random phrase the other is saying.

Best/worst first-round picks for all 32 slots (13-16) - Mike Huguenin: Michael Haynes started four games and had 5.5 sacks in three NFL seasons, as well as one interception, which he returned for a TD. Still, that's a paltry output for a first-rounder.

16 best special teams players in NFL history - Alex Marvez includes two former Bears in his top 16.

Bears conducting Draft Insider contest - ChicagoBears.com: The Bears are providing fans a chance to win a one-of-a-kind NFL Draft experience with the Bears Draft Insider Sweepstakes.

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 - Michael Rothstein: Five things to watch as the Lions open offseason workouts. Ndamukong Suh's departure will have a major effect on the defense.

Know thy enemy: Vikings - John Breech: The Vikings' phone is probably going to be ringing off the hook from now until the Draft, as six teams are reportedly 'in the mix' for Adrian Peterson.

Whut - Man charged in fight over whether Michael Jordan or LeBron James is a better basketball player.

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