The Bear’s Den, March 23, 2018

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

BEARRRSSSS / DRAFT / FREE AGENCY

Finley: Bears free agency: Winners and losers from the first wave of signings - Chicago Sun Times - Breaking down the Bears' winners and losers after the first wave of free agency:

Finley: Bears know all about Notre Dame G Quenton Nelson, but their silence 'surprising' - Chicago Sun-Times - Maybe the Bears think Quenton Nelson will be long gone by the time they pick eighth in next month’s draft.

Rosenbloom: The Bears have reason to care about the NFL's new catch rule now - Chicago Tribune - There’s a simple solution, and here it is: Receiver, possession, two feet, static ball for a nanosecond. In that order. Bang, that’s a catch. Forget this "make a football move'' nonsense. Treat a receiver like a runner instead of a Cirque Du Soleil performer.

Kane: What can ‘explosive, electric’ Taylor Gabriel bring to the Bears offense? - Chicago Tribune - Bears general manager Ryan Pace called Taylor Gabriel “very athletic, sudden, just a guy that can generate big plays, an exciting player.”

Biggs: Will a guard be drafted in top 5? If so, Quenton Nelson won't make it to Bears - Chicago Tribune - Notre Dame guard Quenton Nelson could become the highest-drafted guard in the NFL since the Cardinals selected Leonard Davis No. 2 overall in 2001. Is there a chance he's on the board when the Bears pick at No. 8?

Dickerson: Taylor Gabriel eager to create mismatches in Matt Nagy's offense - ESPN - Taylor Gabriel said he did his homework on Matt Nagy before signing with the Bears, taking note of how Nagy used Tyreek Hill in the Chiefs' offense.

Sessler: Bears, Vikings, Browns improved most in NFL free agency period - NFL.com - We've seen plenty of wheeling and dealing across the NFL over the past few weeks. So, which teams have improved the most during this free agency period? Marc Sessler spotlights five.

Biggs: Special teams ace Sherrick McManis agrees to 2-year deal to return to Bears - Chicago Tribune - Bears special teams ace Sherrick McManis, who served as a captain last season, has agreed to terms on a two-year contract to return to the team.

Dewitt: Chicago Bears 7-Round Mock Draft - Pace Goes Heavy on Defense - Da Bears Brothers - With an offense-orientated free agency haul, Ryan Pace aims to bolster the Bears' defense in this complete mock draft.

Stankevitz: Could Quenton Nelson increase his value by playing tackle? - NBC Sports Chicago - Quenton Nelson could probably be an effective tackle in the NFL, but would teams rather have that or him being a perennial All-Pro guard?

LeGere: McManis remains longest-tenured Chicago Bear - Pro Football Weekly - Bears special-teams ace agrees to 2-year deal

2018 NFL Draft: Chicago Bears dine with Cincinnati RB Mike Boone - Bears Wire - The Chicago Bears had dinner with Cincinnati RB Mike Boone

Bears get first-hand look at Quenton Nelson and Mike McGlinchey at Notre Dame Pro Day - Bears Wire - The Chicago Bears were in attendance for Notre Dame's Pro Day, getting to see guard Quenton Nelson and tackle Mike McGlinchey in action.

Perez: Bears free agent WR Kendall Wright visiting Chiefs - Bears Wire - Chicago Bears free agent WR Kendall Wright will visit with the Kansas City Chiefs on Thursday

NFL Insiders predict 2018 free-agency impact - Most improved team, best deals, bash Chicago, more - ESPN - Did the Vikings overvalue Sheldon Richardson? Our NFL Insiders weigh in on which signings have been the most perplexing, plus the best overall deals and most improved teams.

POLISH SAUSAGE

Smith: NFL says Dez Bryant, Jesse James plays would be catches under new rule – ProFootballTalk - Two of the most controversial plays in recent NFL history would have gone the other way if the proposed new catch rule had been in effect. NFL head of officiating Al Riveron tweeted that the infamous Dez Bryant non-catch against the Packers in the 2014 playoffs, and the infamous Jesse James non-c...

Florio: Competition Committee not in favor of 15-yard pass interference – ProFootballTalk - NFL executive V.P. of football operations Troy Vincent believes momentum exists for changing defensive pass interference from a spot foul to a 15-yard penalty. Apparently, however, there's not enough.

Smith: Giants paid $22.5 million for one year of JPP, a third-round pick – ProFootballTalk - The Giants traded away Jason Pierre-Paul today, just one year after signing him to a four-year, $62 million contract. That contract had a $20 million signing bonus, a $1.

KNOW THY ENEMY

New APC Podcast: What’s next for Packers in free agency after Morgan Burnett’s departure? - Acme Packing Company - The guys are back to discuss contract details for Jimmy Graham and Muhammad Wilkerson, plus Morgan Burnett leaving and what’s next for Brian Gutekunst.

Western: How much draft capital did Ted Thompson use per position? - Acme Packing Company - A look at draft pick values shows a clear line of demarcation between positions that Thompson valued highly and those that he did not.

Gates: Minnesota Vikings to sign OL Tom Compton - Daily Norseman - More depth on the offensive line

Gates: Let’s talk about Tom Compton’s REAL claim to fame - Daily Norseman - He is, apparently, a master thespian

Mel Kiper Jr. is still not a fan of the Detroit Lions’ 2017 NFL draft - Pride Of Detroit - After a year of play, ESPN’s draft guru still isn’t much of a fan of Detroit’s choices.

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT ON WINDY CITY GRIDIRON

Wiltfong: Chicago Bears meet with Bradley Chubb - Windy City Gridiron - The Chicago Bears met with the top defensive prospect in the 2018 NFL Draft, NC State’s Bradley Chubb.

Wiltfong: Chicago Bears 2017 NFL Draft regrade - Windy City Gridiron - ESPN draft guru Mel Kiper Jr. is regrading the 2017 NFL Draft. Before reading, take a guess if Kiper’s grade will go up or down.

Wiltfong: Chicago Bears are scouting Johnny Manziel - Windy City Gridiron - Are the Chicago Bears just doing their due diligence, or is there something to them scouting former first round draft pick Johnny Manziel.

Zeglinski: Forever confident, Taylor Gabriel seeking another chance to climb mountain with the Bears - Windy City Gridiron - Gabriel has never shied away from talking himself up. It’s how he’s built his career. That confidence in himself is what he’s trying to bring to the Bears.

Duerrwaechter: Bears re-sign Sherrick McManis - Windy City Gridiron - The longest tenured player in Chicago will return for two more years.

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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