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Targeting a new breed of defender for the Bears - Arthur FitzHub: The Bears' switch to 3-4 includes recalibrating the player acquisition process; a look at the types of player they'll likely look for in the draft, with some potential fits.
As a personnel man, Ryan Pace a people person - Rich Campbell: Cynicism from a beaten-down fan base is understandable, but Pace deserves its faith, most of all because of how he affects others and tackles the bottomless workload. He energizes, directs and empowers people around him.
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2015 Draft notes
Draft preview: D-line - Moon Mullin: The Bears will snag another lineman if a value pick falls to them, but the presumptive starters for the line are in place and greater needs exist elsewhere.
[Video] - Is-Hub Arkush: One of the fastest risers at running back, Georgia's Todd Gurley could find himself near the top 10 of the first round of the Draft.
Draft preview: Specialists - Rich Campbell: Without effective edge rushers, the Bears' 3-4 defense could be exposed, making the position a draft priority. [What, are we trying Robbie Gould as a pass rusher once again?]
Draft preview - Dan Durkin: Utah corner Eric Rowe has the length and versatility to play in Vic Fangio’s secondary, and is a willing and physical run-support player who projects as a solid second-round prospect.
Bears mailbag - Is-Hub Arkush answers questions about what the Bears could, should and might do with the No. 7 pick, and what trade value the holdover players on defense may have.
[Video] SportsTalk Live - Should the Bears consider Jameis Winston or Marcus Mariota?
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Bearsss
McDonald cleared by NFL after domestic violence investigation - Adam L. Jahns: The league has completed its investigation of Ray McDonald's domestic violence incident, but continues to look at his alleged sexual-assault incident.
2012 Draft class fifth-year options - Will Brinson: Shea McClellin hasn't produced to the level Chicago hoped and there's a new regime in town. Not a guarantee here although it's prudent financially to pick up the deal.
Best/worst first-round picks since 2000: No. 1 - Jeff Dickerson reaches the zenith and the nadir of the Bears' first-rounders of the past 15 drafts. You can probably work out for yourself which one Brian Urlacher is, and which one Michael Haynes.
Best/worst first-round picks for all 32 slots (1-4) - Mike Huguenin: Walter Payton was a five-time All-Pro and a nine-time Pro Bowler, and was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1993.
Bears doing good things - Not-Hub Carifio: Blake Annen and Will Sutton coming to Fairdale was beneficial as much for the morale boost as it was for the physical cleanup the pair helped with.
[Video] - Services held for the late Bears legend Doug Buffone.
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Polish sausage
Roger Goodell says NFL is sending a message about domestic violence - Lorenzo Reyes: The NFL levied a 10-game suspension on Greg Hardy Wednesday for violating the league's personal conduct policy after "using physical force" on his ex-girlfriend. (SI.com): On relocation, more key topics.
NFL draft: Best, worst teams at Round 1 draft picks - Will Law: A closer look at the last 15 years of drafts shows just how important it is to nail the first-round pick. Hey, the Bears aren't among the three worst franchises.
Why daughter of Wonderlic test creator isn't happy with the NFL - Brad Gagnon: Kathy Kolbe says the decades-old cognitive exam isn't useful in assessing NFL prospects, but the NFL passed over her replacement - which is used by NASA, Microsoft, and the US Army - because she's a woman.
The risky business of being a running back draft prospect - Joel Corry on why you shouldn't let your kids grow up to be NFL running backs.
The Science of Speed - Jamey Eisenberg: Top draft prospects and NFL vets have found an edge working with Tony Villani, an innovative speed guru who gets results and prolongs careers.
Why did the first-ever NFL draft pick never play pro football? - Fred Mitchell: The University of Chicago's Jay Berwanger was the first winner of what later became known as the Heisman Trophy, but teams couldn't afford the fee he was asking for.
Know thy enemy: Lions - Michael Rothstein: GM Martin Mayhew not a fan of players' offseason adventures.
Know thy enemy: Packers - Joan Niesen: It was shocking — not that Alex Smith went No. 1 in the 2005 NFL draft, but that Aaron Rodgers fell to 24. Looking back 10 years later, it’s borderline unbelievable.
How Rahm, Goodell brought Draft to Chicago - Patrick Finley: Mayor Rahm Emanuel persuaded commissioner Roger Goodell and NFL owners to choose Chicago over the other finalist, Los Angeles.
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