The Bear’s Den Weekend Open Thread, February 11-12, 2017

Welcome to your Weekend Den Open Thread.

We have a relaxed atmosphere here in the Weekend Den and we make it an Open Thread to give you good people a place to come and leave comments, links, mock the Packers for getting blown out in the playoffs, and whatever else you want to say (as long as you stay within the community guidelines). The seat belt light is off, feel free to get up and wander around the cabin! As always, open thread responsibly!!!!

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

BEARRRSSSS

Brandt names Howard, Whitehair, Floyd to his 2016 All-Rookie Team - NFL.com - With the 2016 season in the books and the NFL Scouting Combine on the horizon, I thought I'd look back at the players who just completed Year 1 in the NFL and assemble an All-Rookie Team. Looking at the group below, I see a strong collection of young talent, with a number of players who have the makeup to routinely hit the Pro Bowl in the coming years.

Mayer: Whitehair excelled at a new position - ChicagoBears.com - The emergence of rookie second-round pick Cody Whitehair at a position he had never played in college was one of the most pleasant surprises for the Bears in 2016.

Finley's Podcast: The strategy behind drafting Jonathan Allen third | Chicago Sun-Times - The Chicago Sun-Times' Patrick Finley looks at what it would mean to the Bears' draft strategy to pick Alabama defensive lineman Jonathan Allen third:

SportsTalk Live: What should the Bears do in free agency? - CSN Chicago - The SportsTalk Live panel discusses the Bears' prospects in free agency and how active the team should be.

Mullin: Bears, NFLPA spar over workers comp bill impact on Illinois pro athletes - CSN Chicago - The Bears and the NFLPA continue to spar over workers compensation bill that currently allows pro athletes to collect a differential for lost income due to an injury while playing.

Wiederer: Bears confident support for workers' comp changes won't affect free-agency efforts - Chicago Tribune - The Bears made it clear Friday they have no fears their free agency efforts will be impeded despite DeMaurice Smith's critical remarks.

Rosenbloom: Not enough space for all the Bears blame - Chicago Tribune - Yes, following a 3-13 season, it’ll cost more to see this once-proud Chicago Bears franchise play its version of football.

DRAFT / FREE AGENCY

Rosenthal: Top 25 free agents of 2017 - NFL.com - Gregg Rosenthal takes an early look at the top 25 players who will hit free agency this offseason. What did Kirk Cousins prove he's worth? How much demand will there be for Alshon Jeffery?

Garrett: Myles Garrett asks Cowboys to trade up and draft him | ProFootballTalk - Top NFL Draft prospect Myles Garrett has made a video plea to his hometown team, the Cowboys, to trade up and select him in April's NFL Draft. On an ESPN.

POLISH SAUSAGE

NFL offseason: Ten (actually interesting!) subplots - NFL.com - Already tired of the Tony Romo saga? Marc Sessler looks deeper for 10 offseason stories to track, from the Jimmy Garoppolo sweepstakes to a strange potential destination for Adrian Peterson.

Jacobs: 2017 NFL predictions: Tony Romo, Tom Brady and touchbacks - SI.com - From Tom Brady's inevitable decline to TV ratings' unavoidable decline, here's what to expect out of the next 12 months of football.

KNOW THY ENEMY

Vikings Release Harris, Fusco - Daily Norseman - Offensive line renovations have begun.

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT ON WINDY CITY GRIDIRON

Householder: Bears shouldn’t trade for Garoppolo - Windy City Gridiron - Trading for a franchise QB rarely works

Wiltfong: Leonard Floyd is ready to breakout in 2017 - Windy City Gridiron - Chicago Bears’ rookie OLB Leonard Floyd is one of 10 1st year pros that ESPN’s Matt Bowen is predicting big things for in 2017.

Zeglinski: Bears sign tight end Justin Perillo to active roster - Windy City Gridiron - Chicago receives needed tight end depth with this addition.

FANPOSTS

JomothePrep: Draft a Winning College QB - Windy City Gridiron - This falls into the intagibles/team game stuff but you can measure it as well: a QBs college record. Look at the list of all the QBs who have been to the SB in the last 10 years. Brady R...

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