The Bear’s Den: February 1, 2018

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

BEARRRSSSS / DRAFT / FREE AGENCY

Pierson: Brian Urlacher - The last great Bears middle linebacker was built for the 21st century - Chicago Tribune - No middle linebacker, including the 6-1, 245-pound Ray Lewis in Baltimore, offered the size-speed dimension of the Bears' Brian Urlacher.

Biggs: How the Alex Smith trade affects the Bears and the rest of NFL - Chicago Tribune - The Chiefs and Redskins managed to divert attention from Super Bowl LII with the news the Chiefs are shipping quarterback Alex Smith to Washington come March 14, when the 2018 league year kicks off.

Biggs Bears Q&A: When can coaches begin working with Mitch Trubisky? Will Ryan Pace draft some big uglies? - Chicago Tribune - The Tribune’s Brad Biggs answers your Bears questions weekly.

State of the Franchise 2018: Defense - Da Bears Brothers Podcast - Take a listen as Da Bears Brothers analyze the current state of the Bears' defense and layout the blueprint to bolster the unit throughout the offseason.

Lentizia: Current Bears Who Should (And Shouldn't) Be Re-signed - Da Bears Brothers - There are some players who deserve a new contract, as well as others that don't. What should the Chicago Bears do?

Perez: Alex Smith trade will have indirect impact on Bears - Bears Wire - A look at why the Alex Smith trade will have an indirect impact on the Bears' NFL Draft plans

Perez: Alex Smith says Mitchell Trubisky will ‘light it up’ under Matt Nagy - Bears Wire - Former Chiefs QB Alex Smith said Matt Nagy will make Mitchell Trubisky a star

Kyle Long: ‘My only regret is I’ve only got one body to give to the Bears’ | Bears Wire - Kyle Long tweeted about his injuries and regret that he can't give more to the Chicago Bears on Wednesday

Mayer: Eagles coach, QB laud Bears coach Matt Nagy - ChicagoBears.com - During their media sessions at Super Bowl LII Wednesday, Eagles coach Doug Pederson and quarterback Nick Foles raved about working with new Bears coach Matt Nagy.

Wood: Searching for Stats to Contextualize Trubisky’s Rookie Season - Da Bears Blog - I want to look at how that growth compares to other recent quarterbacks in their rookie seasons. Do quarterbacks who are going to be good show more growth during their rookie season? Do those who stay the same, or get worse, tend to bust?

Dannehy - Vic’s Right, Bears D Needs to Be Better - Da Bears Blog - After weeks of Chicago’s media and fans singing Vic Fangio’s praises, the re-hired defensive coordinator’s message at his re-introductory press conference was simple, clear and correct: his defenses have not been good enough.

Dickerson: Jarvis Landry, Sammy Watkins potential offseason WR targets for Bears - ESPN - Improving the talent around young QB Mitchell Trubisky will be a priority for the Bears this offseason, starting with their depleted WR group.

Dickerson: Chicago Bears have decisions to make at CB beginning with Kyle Fuller - ESPN - Both of Chicago's starting cornerbacks -- Prince Amukamara being the other -- are scheduled to be unrestricted free agents.

POLISH SAUSAGE

Gates: Brad Childress announces his retirement - Daily Norseman - The kick-ass offense is, officially, no more.

Biggs: EIU's Kamu Grugier-Hill takes path less traveled to Super Bowl LII - Chicago Tribune - Eagles special teams ace Kamu Grugier-Hill was overlooked coming out of high school in Hawaii and then again after a standout career at Eastern Illinois. Now, he's preparing to face the New England Patriots, who drafted him in the sixth round in 2016.

KNOW THY ENEMY

Vikings Off Season Plan Post Senior Bowl - Daily Norseman - The Vikings enter into this off season with one major critical decision to make. Who will be the starting QB in 2018? We all know there are three QBs on the roster who will be free agents in...

Gates: The quarterback carousel has already started to spin - Daily Norseman - How is this going to affect the Vikings?

Reisman: Cris Collinsworth thinks the Detroit Lions will make the Super Bowl soon - Pride Of Detroit - The NBC analyst thinks the Lions have too much talent to continue their Super Bowl drought.

Reisman: Roger Goodell finally wants to change the Calvin Johnson NFL catch rules - Pride Of Detroit - It only took you guys nine years.

2017 Detroit Lions roster review: Should the Lions give Jordan Hill another shot? - Pride Of Detroit - Can Jordan Hill overcome his history of injuries to become relevant again?

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT ON WINDY CITY GRIDIRON

Zeglinski's Bears Mailbag: Alshon Jeffery, media restrictions, and future Bears' Super Bowl contributors - Windy City Gridiron - Super Bowl LII week means Jeffery is at the forefront, a possible change in the Bears' media restrictions, and more.

Wiltfong's Chicago Bears 2018 Roster Turnover: Are the Bears set at running back? - Windy City Gridiron - In this 13 part series we’ll take an in depth look at each position group for the Chicago Bears with an eye towards the 2018 season. We’ll speculate on who stays, who goes, and some potential additions we’d like to see general manager Ryan Pace make.

Sunderbruch's WCG Confidence Board 2.0: Rising, falling, and holding steady - Windy City Gridiron - Another look at the risers and fallers in terms of prospects for the 2018 NFL Draft.

Zeglinski: Age is more than a number - Bears must strive for youth with value in 2018 Draft - Windy City Gridiron - Positional value and best player available are already ideals the Bears will consider in April. Picking younger players should be another.

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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The Bear’s Den Specific Guidelines – The Bear’s Den is a place for Chicago Bears fans to discuss Chicago Bears football, related NFL stories, and general football talk. It is NOT a place to discuss religion or politics or post political pictures or memes, and any posts that do this will be deleted and the poster will be admonished. We do not allow comments posted where the apparent attempt is to cause confrontation in the community. We do not allow gender-directed humor or sexual assault jokes. The staff of WCG are the sole arbiters of what constitutes “apparent attempt to cause confrontation”. We do not allow the “calling out” of other members in any way, shape or form. Posts that do this will be deleted on sight. Bottom line, it’s fine to debate about football, but personal jabs and insults are strictly prohibited. Additionally, if you keep beating the same dead horse over and over and fail to heed a moderator’s warning to stop, you will be banned.

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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.