The Bear’s Den: January 25, 2018

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

BEARRRSSSS / FREE AGENCY / DRAFT

Biggs: College spread offenses aren't producing NFL-ready wide receivers - Chicago Tribune
Simple pass schemes with limited route trees for wide receivers have made it difficult for NFL teams to identify which ones can develop into quality NFL players

Finley: Matching up Senior Bowl standouts with the Bears' biggest draft needs | Chicago Sun-Times - One year after their coaches got first-hand work with prospects at the Senior Bowl, the Bears spent this year conducting more methodical interviews.

Finley: Early struggles from ’18 QB class helps justify Bears’ trade for Mitch Trubisky – Chicago Sun-Times - In need of a starting quarterback, the Broncos asked Senior Bowl organizers to put Heisman Trophy winner Baker Mayfield on the North team they’re coaching this week. “If John Elway asks you to be on their team,” Mayfield said, “you don’t say no.”

Hoge & Jahns Podcast: Bears make more changes ... and some draft talk - Chicago Sun-Times - In episode 145 of their podcast, Adam L. Jahns andAdam Hoge offer their thoughts on the Bears' coaching changes and more.

Kane: After coaching through the Browns' 0-16 season, Chris Tabor turns his attention to the Bears - Chicago Tribune - New Bears special team coordinator Chris Tabor said the Browns' 0-16 season was "something I don’t ever want to live through again."

Biggs: Bills coach Sean McDermott doesn’t forget Matt Nagy’s brief stint as an NFL quarterback - Chicago Tribune - Seven current NFL head coaches have served as assistants under Kansas City’s Andy Reid and new Bears coach Matt Nagy is probably most similar in his background to Buffalo’s Sean McDermott.

Ingalls: Chopped - Projecting the Chicago Bears' Cuts - Da Bears Brothers - Ryan Pace needs to trim the fat on Chicago’s bottom line to clear space for the incoming free agent blitz. Here's a complete list of potential casualties.

Emma: After Edge Rush Regressed, Bears Need More At Outside Linebacker - CBS Chicago - Edge rushers like DeMarcus Lawrence and Ezekiel Ansah are slated to become available in free agency.

Mayer: Kyle Fuller deemed an "unsung hero" - ChicagoBears.com - In a story in which NFL.com writer Matt Harmon selects one unsung hero on all 32 NFL teams, his choice for the Bears is cornerback Kyle Fuller.

Dannehy: Five Things The Bears Can Learn From the Eagles Part 1 - Da Bears Blog | - Make Sure You Have a Decent Backup QB. Nick Foles isn’t great. He probably isn’t even good; at least not good enough to be a starting quarterback in the league. But prior to Sunday’s game, he showed the ability to have some success in the NFL. That was key.

Dannehy: Five Things The Bears Can Learn From the Eagles Part 2 - Da Bears Blog - Good Coordinators Matter. So much of the credit for the Eagles success has gone to their offensive coaching staff, but they also have one of the five best defenses in the league. A defense that harassed Case Keenum again and again. I have a strong dislike for Jim Schwartz and the constant sour puss face he has on. The guy threw a fit because Jim Harbaugh shook his hand too hard. But he built a bully defense and they are fun to watch.

Hawkley: Andrew Link discusses the Bears’ new coaching staff on Sports Feed - WGN-TV - We're now a few weeks removed from the introduction of Matt Nagy as Bears head coach, and the initial excitement of the hire is starting to taper off a bit.

POLISH SAUSAGE

Littal: Mel Kiper Said He's Retire in 8 Years if Jimmy Clausen Wasn't Star QB - 8 Years is Here Now - BSO - Mel Kiper Said if In 8 Years Jimmy Clausen Wasn't a Successful NFL QB He'd Quit; Today is That Day, Will He Be a Man of His Word?

Wilson: Move to Jaguars pays off in many ways for A.J. Bouye - Houston Chronicle - Bears offered Bouye more money, he went to Jacksonville anyway.

Edholm: Hey, New England Patriots, we've found Tom Brady's successor here at the Senior Bowl - Pro Football Weekly - If Bill Belichick isn't already head over heels for Richmond's Kyle Lauletta, we'd be shocked

KNOW THY ENEMY

Western: Packers will rebuild the offensive scheme from the ground up under Joe Philbin - Acme Packing Company - The 2017 playbook is gone, as Green Bay’s coaches are essentially starting over on offense.

Brirkett: Super Bowl wait will be a 'challenge' for Detroit Lions, Matt Patricia - Detroit Free Press - The Lions will be at least the 5th team to hire a coach after a Super Bowl appearance in the last 13 years

Western: Packers confirm coaching staff changes & titles for 2018 season - Acme Packing Company - The team will operate with new positions of run and pass game coordinators on both offense and defense for the coming season.

Gates: Darrell Bevell, Kevin Stefanski to be interviewed for Vikings OC position - Daily Norseman - We could see the return of another familiar face

PODcast: How do the Lions fill the position coaching vacancies? - Pride Of Detroit - Plus a championship weekend to dissect and more Matt Patricia rumors.

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT ON WINDY CITY GRIDIRON

Sunderbruch: Guard vs Receiver in the Draft - Windy City Gridiron - With the fan debate over Quenton Nelson and Calvin Ridley (and the specter of Kevin White), it’s worth looking at whether or not guards and receivers are equally rewarding first-round investments.

Check out WCG’s Andrew Link on CLTV - Windy City Gridiron - I made my television debut last night and got to talk some Bears with Jarrett Payton!

Wiltfong: The Chicago Bears’ special teams were not very special in 2017 - Windy City Gridiron - Let’s check on where the Chicago Bears ranked in the annual Rick Gosselin special team rankings.

Sunderbruch: WCG Confidence Boards - Top Defensive Prospects - Windy City Gridiron - The Bears have an offensive head coach and a new quarterback to help out. Of course, it the other team scores fewer points, that helps an offense out a lot. Here are some guys who might help in that quest.

WCG CONTRIBUTORS BEARS PODCASTS & STREAMS

2 Minute Drill - Website - iTunes - Andrew Link; Steven’s Streaming – Twitch – Steven Schweickert; T-Formation Conversation - Website - iTunes - Lester Wiltfong, Jr.; WCG Radio - Website - Robert Zeglinski

THE RULES

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WCG Contributors: Jeff Berckes; Patti Curl; Eric Christopher Duerrwaechter; Kev H; Sam Householder; Jacob Infante; Andrew Link; Ken Mitchell; Steven Schweickert; Jack Silverstein; EJ Snyder; Lester Wiltfong, Jr.; Robert Zeglinski; Like us on Facebook.