The Bear's Den: January 5, 2017

BEAR DOWN, CHICAGO BEARS, BEAR DOWN!!!!

BEARRRSSSS

Podcast: Analyzing Ryan Pace's season-ending press conference - Pro Football Weekly - The Bears season mercifully came to an end, and GM Ryan Pace, head coach John Fox and chairman George McCaskey met the media this week. We play clips from their press conference throughout to learn about Pace's thoughts on what went wrong this season.

Zeglinski: Long winter awaits Chicago Bears - The Rock River Times - All the way back when the Chicago Bears came off of their bye week this season, they believed they were on the cusp of piecing a quality season together.

Mayer: Bears seek answers on rash of injuries - ChicagoBears.com - GM Ryan Pace revealed Wednesday that the Bears plan to "research and analyze" the injury epidemic that decimated their roster on both sides of the ball in 2016.

Hub Arkush: The future of the Chicago Bears' offense very much in question after press conference - Pro Football Weekly - There should be confidence in Ryan Pace, but what about Bears' coaches on offense?

Video: Chicago Bears optimistic about 2017 season - Pro Football Weekly - In the wake of the 3-13 season of 2016, the Chicago Bears remain optimistic about their future plans. Head Coach John Fox, and General Manager Ryan Pace met with the media on Wednesday to discuss what worked and what certainly did not work in the 2016.

Perez: Bears LG Josh Sitton named to Pro Football Focus’ All-Pro team - Bears Wire - Bears LG Josh Sitton received All-Pro honors by Pro Football Focus

Emma: Bears GM Ryan Pace ‘Big Decision’ Ahead On Alshon Jeffery’s Future - CBS Chicago - The Bears have several avenues to choose from in deciding Jeffery's future.

Mullin: Bears boss George McCaskey promised 'patience' with GM Ryan Pace, coach John Fox – but for how long? - CSN Chicago - Chairman George McCaskey preached patience during Wednesday's media session, but John Mullin wonders if it will soon wear thin.

'Everything on the table' for Bears QB situation in 2017 - CSN Chicago - Bears general manager Ryan Pace said that everything is on the table this offseason regarding the quarterback position in 2017 and beyond.

Mullin: Bears boss George McCaskey promised 'patience' with GM Ryan Pace, coach John Fox – but for how long? - CSN Chicago - Chairman George McCaskey preached patience during Wednesday's media session, but John Mullin wonders if it will soon wear thin.

LeGere: Pace, Fox promise to Bears fans: It will get better - Daily Herald - In Wednesday's postmortem on a 3-13 NFL season, Chicago Bears general Ryan Pace and head coach John Fox acknowledged their second year in Chicago was unacceptable.

Emma: Bears To Prioritize Adding Playmakers In The Secondary - CBS Chicago - The Bears forced just 11 takeaways in 2016, the lowest mark in the NFL.

Biggs: Bears fire two longtime John Fox assistants, Dave Magazu, Sam Garnes - Chicago Tribune - Offensive line coach Dave Magazu, John Fox’s longest-tenured assistant, was released as was assistant defensive backs coach Sam Garnes, according to a source.

Campbell: Bears GM Ryan Pace 'This is just talk and we’ve got to show actions' - Chicago Tribune - As the smoke continues to clear from the Bears' 3-13 season, GM Ryan Pace and coach John Fox are hosting a press conference at Halas Hall.

Wiederer: Bears chairman George McCaskey: ‘I promised’ patience in rebuilding efforts - Chicago Tribune - Bears owner and chairman George McCaskey met with reporters Wednesday at Halas Hall, offering a brief state-of-the-team assessment.

Rosenbloom: Why couldn't Ryan Pace demand the Bears make the playoffs next season? - Chicago Tribune - GM Ryan Pace wore the Bears’ lousy season. Good for Pace. But he wouldn’t commit to a mandate to make the playoffs in 2017. Bad for Pace.

Campbell: What we learned: Alshon Jeffery, John Fox's influence, injury epidemic - Chicago Tribune - The Bears still need Alshon Jeffery, probably more than he needs them. And if Jeffery's dedicated approach impresses the Bears, that could clear a hurdle.

Wiederer: Bears GM Ryan Pace on QB options: 'Everything's on the table' - Chicago Tribune - The quarterback issue remains right at the top with Ryan Pace vowing to look long and hard, anywhere and everywhere, for the next Bears quarterback.

Haugh: Lucky for George McCaskey his GM has firmer grasp of reality - Chicago Tribune - I made McCaskey aware of the disparity between the Pleasantville he portrayed in Chicago and the fed-up football town everyone else perceives.

Biggs: With patience running out, Ryan Pace needs to think big this offseason - Chicago Tribune - George McCaskey's patience in the Bears rebuilding plan has an expiration date. GM Ryan Pace seemed to acknowledge as much on Wednesday.

POLISH SAUSAGE

Florio: Amid lingering silence from Irsay, Grigson meets with players - ProFootballTalk - Three full days into the Indianapolis offseason, Colts owner Jim Irsay still has said nothing publicly or privately to indicate that coach Chuck Pagano and/or G.M. Ryan Grigson will return. But there has been at least one development.

Smith, Palmeri: Cowboys save NFL from ratings disaster, with Super Bowl in sight - Chicago Tribune - As NFL ratings have recovered from steep losses, the league and TV networks can thank one team for helping to salvage the season: the Dallas Cowboys.

KNOW THY ENEMY

Jackson: Packers calling up rookie cornerback to address injury issues - ProFootballTalk - The Packers will promote rookie cornerback Herb Waters from the practice squad to the active roster for Sunday's NFC wildcard game vs. the Giants. The Packers lost three cornerbacks to injury in last week's win over the Lions.

Florio: Packers have 14 players on injury report - ProFootballTalk - As the Packers prepare to host the Giants, more than 25 percent of the roster appeared on Wednesday's injury report. Linebacker Julius Peppers got the day off; the other 13 names on the list have injuries.

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT ON WINDY CITY GRIDIRON

Wiltfong: Chicago Bears fire two assistant coaches, but the coordinators all remain - Windy City Gridiron - The Chicago Tribune’s Brad Biggs is reporting that the Chicago Bears have fired long time John Fox assistant coaches Dave Magazu and Sam Garnes. Magazu was the teams offensive line coach and Garnes...

Noble: Charles Tillman says he’d join the Packers to win a championship - Windy City Gridiron - While fans see sports as a competition with loyalties and rivalries, players see it as a job with great pay and opportunities to accomplish goals.

Silverstein: The 2016 Bears tied an NFL record for fewest takeaways - Windy City Gridiron - Historically known for forcing turnovers, the 2016 Bears tied the NFL record for fewest takeaways in a season. We look at this and five other stats that sum up the 2016 Bears.

Zeglinski: Ryan Pace and John Fox are realistic, but tip their hand. - Windy City Gridiron - The Bears general manager and head coach chimed in with their assessment of a historic-low 2016 season on Wednesday. There’s a lot to unpack at Halas Hall.

Sunderbruch: Leonard Floyd Great Player, Okay Pick - Windy City Gridiron - Leonard Floyd had a fantastic rookie season. How much credit does Ryan Pace deserve for finding him?

FANPOSTS

FanPosts - Recent - Windy City Gridiron - Here's a link to our FanPost section, where YOU have the opportunity to contribute to Windy City Gridiron. Take a few minutes and write a post about what you are thinking about regarding the Chicago Bears, and there'a chance it will be linked right here in the Den.

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