The Bear's Den: February 14, 2017

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

BEARRRSSSS

Florio: Jay Cutler has durability issues, too - ProFootballTalk - Two of the biggest names at quarterback since 2006 likely will be available in 2017, via trade or otherwise. Between Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo and Bears quarterback Jay Cutler, Romo widely is regarded as the more risky option from an injury standpoint.

Mayer: Macon broke color barrier with Bears - ChicagoBears.com - In honor of Black History Month, ChicagoBears.com introduces you to former running back Eddie Macon, the first African-American player in Bears history.

Cox: Jimmy Garoppolo should be the Bears’ top offseason priority - Bears Wire - Bears Wire managing editor Bryan Perez tells you why Jimmy Garoppolo is the best quarterback option for the Chicago Bears.

Perez: Can Jay Cutler resurrect his career with a change of scenery? - Bears Wire - Bears QB Jay Cutler is the team's one player who can benefit from a change of scenery, according to ESPN

Mayer: Is Tony Romo a possibility for Bears? - ChicagoBears.com - Senior writer Larry Mayer discusses the likelihood of Tony Romo joining the Bears, quarterbacks who've won the Super Bowl after being acquired via trade and whether all nine of the Bears' 2016 draft picks saw playing time as rookies.

Mayer: Adding Hicks in free agency paid off - ChicagoBears.com - The Bears defensive line was led in 2016 by free-agent acquisition Akiem Hicks, a veteran end who generated career highs with 71 tackles and seven sacks.

Cox: Cameron Meredith stands out as route-runner according to Pro Football Focus - Bears Wire - Pro Football Focus said that Chicago Bears wide receiver Cameron Meredith was the best double-move route-runner in the NFL in 2016.

Boden: If Alshon Jeffery doesn't return to Bears, where might he play next season? - CSN Chicago - If Alshon Jeffery doesn't return to the Bears in 2017, what team might the Pro Bowl wideout suit up for next season?

Mullin: What if the Bears can't re-sign Brian Hoyer? They aren't alone in the hunt - CSN Chicago - If Brian Hoyer returns to the Bears he'll have the opportunity to fight for the starting job. But there may be competition for the veteran signal caller.

Haugh: NFL players' union fires away at Bears over workers' comp, but argument is weak, misguided - Chicago Tribune - Players union chief's targeting of the Bears for their perceived role in pushing workers' compensation legislation fits the oral equivalent of piling on.

DRAFT / PROSPECTS / FREE AGENCY

NFL draft 2017: Likely No. 1 pick Myles Garrett won’t attend draft in April - SBNation.com - Myles Garrett would rather watch the draft at home.

Landon: John Ross to have surgery following NFL Combine - UW Dawg Pound - The sure-fire first rounder played much of 2016 injured

Kadar 2017 NFL mock draft: Figuring out who needs a QB - SBNation.com - In this week’s mock draft we figure out every team that needs to pick a signal caller this year.

Riese: 2017 NFL Draft Scouting Report, Tim Williams, EDGE, Alabama - Acme Packing Company - Could the troubled Alabama pass rusher be a Packers target near the end of the 1st round?

Rosenthal: Franchise-tag primer, Predictions for all 32 NFL teams - NFL.com - Which players are most likely to be hit with the franchise tag? Kirk Cousins? Alshon Jeffery? Gregg Rosenthal explores each organization's plan of attack in this annual offseason exercise.

11 free agents for the Chicago Bears to decide to re-sign or not - Pro Football Weekly - The Bears have one major decision to make in free agency regarding Alshon Jeffery, and then can decide whether or not to bring back one of their veteran quarterbacks.

Perez: Bears double-dip in LSU secondary in latest 4-round 2017 NFL mock draft - Bears Wire - The Chicago Bears double-dip in the LSU secondary in this new four-round 2017 NFL Mock Draft

Kwiecinski: Should the Bears trade for Sheldon Richardson? - Bears Wire - The Chicago Bears may be in the market to trade for NY Jets defensive end Sheldon Richardson

Cox: Are the Bears the best fit for Pittsburgh QB Nathan Peterman? - Bears Wire
Pittburgh quarterback Nathan Peterman could be a great fit for the Bears in the 2017 NFL Draft.

Perez: Bears have ‘realistic chance’ of being Tony Romo’s landing spot in 2017 - Bears Wire - The Bears have a realistic chance of landing Tony Romo in 2017, according to ESPN.com

NFL Mock Draft: First, second and third round projections for 2017 - SI.com - NFL teams have about three weeks to regroup before they descend on Indianapolis for the all-important scouting combine. Until then, here's how the fir

Gabriel: Scouting Clemson QB Deshaun Watson - CBS Chicago - Watson has come up big in big games time and again.

Dove: Evan Engram 2017 NFL Draft Scouting Report for the Ole Miss Linebacker - WithTheFirstPick - Evan Engram 2017 NFL Draft Scouting Report looking at the tight ends strengths, weaknesses, talents and overall draft range

Trapp: The Quarterback Desperation Rankings - WithTheFirstPick.com - Billed as the ultimate team sport, it remains impossible to win in the NFL without a quality QB. With 2016 in the rear mirror, here's where each team stands. Helmet tip to WCG reader Dougiet for the link.

POLISH SAUSAGE

Florio: Some teams are using option years to enhance compensatory draft picks - ProFootballTalk - As the NFL's offseason quickly pivots to the negotiation of new contracts, some teams have been using a device aimed at enhancing their standing under the convoluted formula for determining compensatory draft picks.

KNOW THY ENEMY

Vikings Off Season Plan v2.0 - Daily Norseman - Vikings Off Season Plan v2.0

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT ON WINDY CITY GRIDIRON

Wiltfong: How many Chicago Bears were top 15 at their position accordning to PFF - Windy City Gridiron - Would you believe the Chicago Bears had six players make the top 15 at their respective positions according to Pro Football Focus, including one player rank #1 overall?

Zeglinski: Charles Tillman talks fatherhood, legacy, and more, "My family, that’s my real strength." - Windy City Gridiron - One could say Charles "Peanut" Tillman has settled into his life after retirement from the NFL very well. From broadcasting to his first year as a full-time dad, it’s been quite the ride. Following...

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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