The Bear's Den: March 15, 2017

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

BEARRRSSSS

Mayer: Cooper overwhelmed by Bears fans - ChicagoBears.com - In a letter to Bears fans, recently-signed cornerback Marcus Cooper expressed gratitude for the warm reception he's received and excitement about playing for such a tradition-rich franchise.

Perez: Projecting the Bears’ offensive depth chart after first wave of NFL free agency - Bears Wire - A look at the likely starters for the Chicago Bears on offense after the start of 2017 NFL free agency

Mayer: Connor Barth agrees to one-year deal - ChicagoBears.com - The Bears on Tuesday agreed to terms with kicker Connor Barth on a one-year contract. Barth made 18-of-23 field-goal attempts last season in his first year with the Bears.

Perez: Projecting the Bears’ defensive depth chart after first wave of free agency - Bears Wire - A look at the Chicago Bears' defensive depth chart after the first wave of 2017 NFL free agency

Finley: Wary of CTE, ex-Bears LB Lance Briggs vows to keep brain sharp - Chicago Sun-Times - Lance Briggs keeps a full schedule.

Mullin: Bears free agency analysis - Alshon Jeffery non-deal left an understandable void - CSN Chicago - Alshon Jeffery leaving the Bears left a void at wide receiver. But given the cirumstances surrounding Jeffery, it was a decision the Bears had to make.

Finley: Brian Urlacher, Charles Tillman and Lance Briggs on Bears QB swap - Chicago Sun-Times - The three know something about staying power

Mullin: Bears free-agency analysis - Offseason OL pattern holds with Tom Compton - CSN Chicago - In what looks to be a pattern under GM Ryan Pace, the Bears for the third straight offseason have gone after upgrades on their offensive line.

Campbell: New Bears cornerback Marcus Cooper panders, er pens, letter to fans - Chicago Tribune - New Bears cornerback Marcus Cooper wrote an open letter to Chicago on Tuesday.

DRAFT / PROSPECTS / FREE AGENCY

Finley: Ignored by Combine, Northwestern's Austin Carr revs up at pro day - Chicago Sun-Times - The Big Ten’s leading receiver watched the NFL Scouting Combine on television.

POLISH SAUSAGE

Florio: Brian Hoyer’s contract has a decent upside - ProFootballTalk - Veteran quarterback Brian Hoyer heads to San Francisco as, for now, the best option they have under contract. If he holds that spot and performs well, he will be paid accordingly. Per a source with knowledge of the contract, it includes up to $1.

Florio: $5 million guaranteed for Cordarrelle Patterson - ProFootballTalk - As it turns out, the absence of receiver Cordarrelle Patterson's contractual numbers in the immediate aftermath of the deal with the Raiders doesn't mean it's a bad deal. Given Patterson's history and market, it's a pretty good deal.

KNOW THY ENEMY

Gantt: Vikings sign Datone Jones - ProFootballTalk - The Vikings continue to stay close to home for free agents. They announced they had signed former Packers first-rounder Datone Jones, the latest in a string of links between the NFC North rivals.

RB Eddie Lacy agrees to one-year deal with Seahawks - Chicago Sun-Times - ESPN reports the deal with worth $5.55 million, with $3 million fully guaranteed.

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT ON WINDY CITY GRIDIRON

Zeglinski: 2017 Bears Mock Draft 1.0: Post-free agency - Windy City Gridiron - The Bears fill core gaps in primary needs after a depth-laden free agency period.

Wiltfong: Ten Thoughts on the NFL - Windy City Gridiron - Check out some of my NFL Thoughts this week and make sure you play along by leaving some thoughts of your own in the comment section.

Zeglinski: Alshon Jeffery bet on himself and naturally, so did the Bears - Windy City Gridiron - Jeffery’s deal with the Eagles and quick burst out of Chicago in free agency meant he wanted a fresh start. The divorce was better and mutual for both sides.

FANPOSTS

Dave Wannstash: Help Me Predict The Bears Draft Targets - Windy City Gridiron
If you think about it, writing or reading mock drafts prior to free agency is about as fruitless as a box of Froot Loops. Think about all the bros in Boston for example, popping online throughout...

Marquess de Sade: The People's Court of Ryan Pace. Part Two: Open Court - Windy City Gridiron
The majority of free agency is finished and it is time to hash out how well our GM is succeeding. For ground rules here please only debate the merits of specific actions. The effectiveness of...

TheRedStampede: When/should the Bears target a WR in the draft? - Windy City Gridiron
My first question for you guys is, should the Bears target a wide reciever this draft? If yes, then my question is how early? The wide reciever draft class is not that deep this year and after the...

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.

THE RULES

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