The Bear’s Den: February 8, 2018

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

BEARRRSSSS / DRAFT / FREE AGENCY

Jahns: Bears' approach to hiring Matt Nagy stands out after Josh McDaniels fiasco - Chicago Sun-Times - Nagy not only won over the Bears, but they won over him. Pace and Nagy connected.

Biggs' Roster Rundown: After injury-plagued year, decisions to be made on Bears' O-line - Chicago Tribune - Like a lot of other positions for the Bears, the offensive line was hit hard by injuries. The group deserves some credit for a solid running game despite facing regular eight-man fronts. The pass protection was OK for rookie quarterback Mitch Trubisky. Improvement should be expected in 2018.

Kane: After Hall of Fame election, Brian Urlacher ponders possibilities for presenter, speech - Chicago Tribune - Brian Urlacher has work to do and decisions to make after being elected into the Pro Football Hall of Fame on Saturday.

Podcast: Urlacher Makes HOF, Brad Childress Hired, Re-Grading Pace’s First Draft (And More) - Da Bears Brothers - Listen as Da Bears Brothers discuss Brian Urlacher getting into the Hall of Fame, the Bears' recent coaching hires, re-grade Pace's first draft, and more.

Moreano: How Nagy can make Meredith a focal point in 2018 - Da Bears Brothers - The Bears lack playmakers at receiver and if the offense wants to make strides in the right direction Matt Nagy must cater to Cameron Meredith's strengths.

Tidwell: How Does McDaniels' Decision Affect the Bears? - ChicagoBears.com - Bears Fans should continue to keep an eye on the fallout from Josh McDaniels not taking the Colts job as it'll impact Chicago in many ways.

Emma: Bears Have Plenty To Explore With Free-Agent CB Malcolm Butler - CBS Chicago - After Butler's Super Bowl benching, his case in free agency is plenty complicated.

Mayer's Chalk Talk: Did Eagles copy trick play from Bears? - ChicagoBears.com - Senior writer Larry Mayer discusses whether the Eagles used a trick play in the Super Bowl they saw the Bears run, if Brian Urlacher's Hall of Fame bust will have hair on it and who's primed to become the next Bears player elected to the Hall of Fame.

Armstrong: Mock Draft Nonsense, A Comedy In Three Acts – Bears Barroom - Kris talks about mock draft stuff, it's funny so read it.

Dannehy: Across The Middle: Alshon’s Inflated Contract Could Prohibit Bears From Attacking Receiver in FA - Da Bears Blog - Whether they did it knowingly or not, by giving Alshon Jeffery a huge extension during the season, the Philadelphia Eagles made their success model next to impossible to duplicate.

Dickerson: Bears looking for long-term OLB solution opposite Leonard Floyd - ESPN - Virginia Tech's Tremaine Edmunds might be one player in the draft who could help the Bears at OLB.

Mullin: Colts losing Josh McDaniels a replay of Bears ’99 saga with Dave McGinnis? Not exactly - NBC Sports Chicago - Josh McDaniels spurned the Colts after a press release announcing his hiring was made. Should that sound familiar to Bears fans?

POLISH SAUSAGE

Cahill: Ex-Bear Shane Matthews receives prison sentence in Florida health care scam | Chicago Sun-Times - Former Bears quarterback Shane Matthews was sentenced to three months in prison for his involvement in a $20 million health care fraud conspiracy.

Mock: Chris Mortensen is reporting that Andrew Luck may need another surgery - Stampede Blue - Chris Mortensen reports that doctors have concerns about Andrew Luck’s shoulder. Believe that he may need additional surgery. Ken’s Note: Colts GM refuted this later, but still, it’s out there.

Shepherd: The Rivalry Is Back On - Stampede Blue - Recap of Chris Ballard’s Press Conference

Patra: Josh McDaniels' agent told him he was making mistake - NFL.com - Josh McDaniels' decision to spurn the Indianapolis Colts and stay with the New EnglandPatriots is a decision even his agent never would have recommended.

Hill: Bill Belichick promised to mentor Josh McDaniels if he stays with the Patriots - Pats Pulpit - That...that seems simple.

KNOW THY ENEMY

Gates: Vikings officially request permission to interview John DeFilippo - Daily Norseman - Other wheels could be in motion, though

Western: 2018 NFL Scouting Combine invite list released - Acme Packing Company - Six Wisconsin Badgers are on the list for the annual event in Indianapolis.

Reisman: Matt Patricia, Bob Quinn will collaborate on all Lions’ personnel decisions - Pride Of Detroit - The Lions new coach will be working side-by-side with general manager Bob Quinn in all personnel decisions. Ken's Note: Apparently, unlike his fellow NE coordinator, Patricia isn't a dishonest jackhole... he showed up and signed.

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT ON WINDY CITY GRIDIRON

Sunderbruch: What Does A Playoff Roster Look Like? Part 1 - Windy City Gridiron - The Bears have been out of the playoffs too long. What pieces do they need to get back into contention? It’s complicated.

Curl's Chicago Bears’ Number Mill: Free agent receivers, Part Two - Windy City Gridiron - In my ongoing number mill series, I will grind through the bark of NFL statistics in the hopes of turning negative logs into positive planks...constant.

Wiltfong's Chicago Bears 2018 Roster Turnover: Is Cody Whitehair still a center? - 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.

Zeglinski: WCG Radio, Episode 18 - A Bears' free agency primer, and McDaniels vs. the world - Windy City Gridiron - With free agency looming, Kevin Fishbain of The Athletic Chicago helps break down the Bears' top targets and cuts, a "win" for Ryan Pace, and whether the Bears need to get more fun.

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.