The Bear's Den: Monday, March 14, 2016

The Chicago Bears worked through the weekend signing free agents to shore up John Fox & Vic Fangio's rebuilding defensive unit. All the news and analysis and debate you need is right here in The Bear's Den.

Please vote in our poll at the bottom and tell us in the comments the player you chose, and why.

Additionally, I am adding a new category to The Den, "FanPost Of Merit" (FPOM), to publicize outstanding FanPosts in or WCG community. Congrats to Mr. Titanium for being our first so recognized. These will appear periodically when posts catch my eye.

BEAR DOWN!!!!

WCG FREE AGENCY WEEKEND STORIES ROUNDUP & FA NEWS

Chicago Bears sign Akiem Hicks - The Chicago Bears are adding an important piece to their defensive line today with the signing of Akiem Hicks. At 6'5", 324 pounds, Hicks would be a perfect fit for the 5 technique position in Vic Fangio's 3-4 defense.

Newest Chicago Bear Akiem Hicks shows off his diverse skill set - Watch some game tape of Akiem Hicks showing off his strength as both a pass rusher and run defender.

How the signing of Akiem Hicks impacts the 2016 Chicago Bears roster - The Chicago Bears' signing of defensive lineman Akiem Hicks will go a long way in rebuilding the team's defensive line.

Biggs: Bears land defensive end Akiem Hicks - The team reached agreement Sunday night on a two-year contract for defensive lineman Akiem Hicks, reuniting him with general manager Ryan Pace.

Chicago Bears sign inside linebacker Jerrell Freeman to a 3 year deal - The Chicago Bears have announced that they have signed inside linebacker Jerrell Freeman to a three year contract.

Jerrell Freeman arrival signals end to Shea McClellin's time with Bears - Bears sign complement to top free agent Danny Trevathan with addition of inside linebacker Jerrell Freeman.

Freeman eager to play for Fox, Bears - Jerrell Freeman decided to sign with the Bears after a positive first impression of coach John Fox and the team was validated during a free-agent visit to Halas Hall.

Chicago Bears re-sign defensive lineman Mitch Unrein to a 2 year contract - The Chicago Bears have brought back defensive lineman Mitch Unrein on a 2 year deal. Last season Unrein played in all 16 games, 2 with the San Diego Chargers and 14 with the Bears.

Chicago Bears bring back wide receiver Marc Mariani on a 1 year deal - The Chicago Bears continue their busy day of free agency by bringing back wide receiver Marc Mariani.

Former Super Bowl winning GM: "Bears might have best 3-4 ILB combo in the NFL." - Former Super Bowl-winning general manager Charley Casserly says that Chicago Bears have best 3-4 ILB duo in NFL.

Bears' Freeman, Massie, Trevathan arrive with some quirks - With their signings of Jerrell Freeman, Danny Trevathan and Bobby Massie, the Bears added three presumed starters to their 22 position spots. With those three, however, come a handful of quirks.

Winners and losers from Day 3 of NFL free agency - The Buccaneers finally made some moves and, imagine that, they were pretty good ones!

Players keep screwing themselves over with 'prove it' deals - One-year, "prove it" contracts almost never work out for free agents looking to show they are worth more than teams think.

Four reasons why Bears’ GM Ryan Pace is winning free agency - Chicago Bears' second-year GM Ryan Pace is winning the 2016 NFL free agency period.

Stampede Blue (Colt's SBNation): Jerrell Freeman signs with Chicago Bears, who get a bargain deal - Former Colts inside linebacker Jerrell Freeman has signed with the Chicago Bears.

Stampede Blue (Colt's SBNation): Colts dropped the ball by letting Jerrell Freeman walk - The Colts let Jerrell Freeman walk in free agency to the Chicago Bears. From what we know so far, it appears that Indy dropped the ball on the negotiations.

As Trevathan sees things, best is yet to come - Bears new inside linebacker Danny Trevathan has already been the leading tackler on two Super Bowl teams in just four seasons in Denver, but he believes his best is yet to come and looks forward to putting his name among the elite linebackers in franchise history.

Bears were highest bidder for C.J. Anderson, still lost him to Miami - The Bears offered running back C.J. Anderson the most money, but he still chose to join the Miami Dolphins instead.

Don’t read too much into the Bears’ interest in running back C.J. Anderson - The Bears went after C.J. Anderson, but that doesn't necessarily mean they aren't confident in Jeremy Langford and Ka'Deem Carey.

BEARRRSSSS.......

Bears take calculated risk with Tracy Porter contract - The Bears rewarded Tracy Porter with a three-year deal, but Ryan Pace protected himself with a team-friendly contract.

Chicago Bears: Building a monster linebacker corps - The Chicago Bears have signed two of the top ten linebackers in the NFL in the past week, and they're building a monster at the position.

Bears eliminate major need with Trevathan and Freeman signings - The Bears have needed inside linebacker talent since Brian Urlacher retired, and now they have it with Danny Trevathan and Jerrell Freeman.

John Fox, Vic Fangio help lure Jerrell Freeman to the Bears - "I think coach Fox is going to shoot you straight. He’s not going to blow smoke up your [behind]," Freeman said. "And I got that from everybody."

Jerrell Freeman, Danny Trevathan impact multiple areas of Bears 3-4 'D' - The additions of inside linebackers Jerrell Freeman and Danny Trevathan will impact multiple areas for the Bears' 3-4 defense. Bears Insider John "Moon" Mullin breaks it down.

POLISH SAUSAGE

Virginia is 1st state to legalize, regulate fantasy sports - Virginia law specifies that fantasy sports betting is not "illegal gambling"

Buccaneers Bring Chris Conte Back - Bears fans can rejoice, we won't miss out on seeing Chris Conte again this year. We play them in Tampa this season.

KNOW THY ENEMY

Fremd product Scott Tolzien signs with Indianapolis Colts - After three years with the Green Bay Packers as a backup to Aaron Rodgers, former Fremd quarterback Scott Tolzien is moving on. The former Wisconsin signed a two-year deal with the Indianapolis Colts, where he is expected to be the top backup to Pro Bowler Andrew Luck.

FANPOST OF MERIT

Titanium Approval Rating - Titanium Approval Ratings for the 2016 NFL Draft

DA DRAFT

Who do mock drafts project each team to pick in the 2016 NFL Draft? - An SBNation roundup and compilation of all the expert mock drafts on the Internet in beautiful pie charts.