The Bear’s Den, April 25, 2018

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

BEARRRSSSS / DRAFT / FREE AGENCY

Finley: Translating five things GM Ryan Pace said about Bears' plans - Chicago Sun-Times -It’s lying season. Or, as Bears general manager Ryan Pace said Tuesday, “a somewhat difficult time of year to talk."

Potash: Bears GM Ryan Pace - Injury a factor in Cam Meredith decision - Chicago Sun-Times - Letting wide receiver Cam Meredith go to the Saints was anywhere from — shudder — a massive personnel gaffe by

Bears GM Ryan Pace on his pre-draft chat: 'It’s OK to be a little boring in these moments' - Chicago Tribune - Bears general manager discussed the NFL draft and the decision to tender Cameron Meredith at the original round level.

Halas Hall Pass: Who will the Bears take with the No. 8 pick? - Chicago Tribune - Tribune writers Rich Campbell and Dan Wiederer discuss Bears GM Ryan Pace's options with the No. 8 pick on Tuesday, April 24, 2018.

Rosenbloom: Don't be surprised if Bears GM Ryan Pace trades up to draft this guy - Chicago Tribune - If it's all about the quarterback — and it is — then it's still all about the quarterback, so it wouldn't surprise me if Bears GM Ryan Pace traded up to draft Notre Dame guard Quenton Nelson to protect Mitch Trubisky, the most valuable asset the Bears own.

Wiederer: Bears GM Ryan Pace skillfully hiding his cards as NFL draft draws near - Chicago Tribune - Bears general manager Ryan Pace was careful not to say much during his pre-draft news conference Tuesday at Halas Hall. So for a few more days, the guesswork will continue on what the Bears will do with the No. 8 pick.

Haugh: Smart move this NFL draft is playing it safe — but you never know with Ryan Pace - Chicago Tribune - General manager Ryan Pace keeps his cards close to the vest, but it's difficult to imagine any scenario other than the Bears staying at No. 8.

Biggs: For Bears to nail this draft, they must find a high-quality player at the top of Round 2 - Chicago Tribune - Bears GM Ryan Pace has had his attention on the draft since an aggressive foray in free agency. He knows that to nail the draft, he'll have to do more than hit with a first-round pick. The Bears could be looking at several intriguing options early in Round 2.

Da Bears Brothers Entire Staff Mock Draft 2018 - Da Bears Brothers - Everyone on Da Bears Brothers' staff each shared their final predictions in this complete Chicago Bears mock draft.

Mullin: Speaking of players’ draft traits, what about those of Ryan Pace? - NBC Sports Chicago - In honor of Draft Week, let's evaluate Ryan Pace's past draft decisions.

Stankevitz: Ryan Pace's draft 'cloud' allows for a tantalizing trade-down possibility - NBC Sports Chicago - Ryan Pace has eight players he'd feel comfortable taking with the eighth overall pick. And that could mean a trade with the Buffalo Bills is very much in play.

Under Center Podcast: Who should the Bears draft with the 8th pick? - NBC Sports Chicago - JJ Stankevitz and John “Moon” Mullin make their cases for who the Bears should pick when they go on the clock on Thursday, and then offer who they think Ryan Pace will pick 8th overall.

LeGere: Chicago Bears could recoup Round 3 pick by trading down in Round 1 - Pro Football Weekly - Bears GM Pace says adding 3rd-rounder would be "beneficial"

Hub Arkush: Bears have already identified their 'Super 8' - Pro Football Weekly - Who are they, and how does Pace land one?

LeGere: Piccolo award hits close to home for Bears RB Cunningham - Pro Football Weekly - Rookie winner Cohen sees similarities with former Bears RB

Perez: Ryan Pace says Bears aren’t afraid of being aggressive in 1st round - Bears Wire - Chicago Bears GM Ryan Pace met with the media on Tuesday and said the Bears aren't afraid of being aggressive in Round 1

Perez: Bears will decide on Kevin White’s 5th-year option after NFL Draft - Bears Wire - The Chicago Bears will wait until after the 2018 NFL Draft to decide on WR Kevin White's fifth-year option.

Mayer: Cohen, Cunningham receive Piccolo awards - ChicagoBears.com - The Bears on Tuesday honored running backs Tarik Cohen and Benny Cunningham as the 2017 winners of the prestigious Brian Piccolo Award during a ceremony at Halas Hall.

Mayer: Bears eyeing eight players with No. 8 pick - ChicagoBears.com - General manager Ryan Pace revealed Tuesday that the Bears have eight players they would feel good about selecting with the No. 8 pick in the draft and none of the eight is a quarterback.

Wood: 2018 Mock Draft - Da Bears Blog - My main goal here is not to be accurate, per se, but to generate discussion about what types of options are likely going to be considered by the Bears at various points in the draft.

Devin Hester does not want NFL to get rid of kickoffs - ESPN - Devin Hester, who retired Monday with the Bears, scored a record 20 touchdowns on returns during his career. He doesn't want to see the NFL do away with the kickoff, saying "taking that out of the game is big."

Dickerson: Chicago Bears doctors input key in letting Cameron Meredith go - ESPN - Bears GM Ryan Pace hinted Tuesday that Cameron Meredith's serious knee injury, suffered last preseason, was the overriding factor in Chicago's decision not to match the Saints' offer sheet for the wide receiver.

Eurich: Bears vs. Packers in Week 1 in top-10 for highest ticket prices - 247Sports - The Week 1 showdown between the Chicago Bears and Green Bay Packers is already a hot ticket.

2018 NFL Draft: Ryan Pace dishes on Meredith, Chicago Bears drafting a WR - 247Sports - Chicago Bears General Manager Ryan Pace discusses why the team didn't retain Cameron Meredith and the need at wide receiver going into the NFL Draft.

Eurch: Minkah Fitzpatrick offers intrigue for Bears at No. 8 spot - 247Sports - Minkah Fitzpatrick is one of the most versatile defenders in the 2018 NFL Draft.

Twell: The Chicago Bears Have Draft Options on Day One - Inside The Pylon - The Chicago Bears have a range options on day one of the 2018 NFL Draft, and Justin Twell breaks down the range of moves to be made at number 8.

VIDEO: Pace previews 2018 NFL Draft - ChicagoBears.com - General Manager Ryan Pace addresses the media Tuesday at Halas Hall. Ken's Note: Shocker! Pace confirms Bears not targeting QB in the top 8 picks.

Matt Forte: Devin Hester should be a first-ballot Hall of Famer – ProFootballTalk - The Bears recognized running back Matt Forte and kick returner Devin Hester at a retirement ceremony on Monday, and Forte made the case that Hester should get a bust in Canton.

POLISH SAUSAGE

Jahns: Local draft prospect TE Troy Fumagalli more than story about his missing finger - Chicago Sun-Times - A Waubonsie Valley graduate, Fumagalli is one of the best players from the Chicago area in the draft.

2018 NFL draft primer: Interior Offensive Linemen - The Draft Wire - Draft Wire editor Luke Easterling previews the interior offensive line prospects in the 2018 NFL draft

2018 NFL draft primer: Linebackers - The Draft Wire - Draft Wire editor Luke Easterling previews the linebacker prospects in the 2018 NFL draft

KNOW THY ENEMY

Packers 2018 LB Draft Board Projection: Find off-ball LBs late or after the draft - Acme Packing Company - The Packers’ board shows plenty of linebacker help late on day three or in undrafted free agency, so they can focus on other needs early.

2018 Detroit Lions mock draft: Mel Kiper, Todd McShay offer strange but solid 3-round mock - Pride Of Detroit - It’s an odd mock, but a good one for the Lions.

Detroit Lions draft preview podcast: 3 predictions for the NFL Draft - Pride Of Detroit - It’s our final Lions draft preview podcast, with Kent and Brett.

NFL Draft rumors: Surge in 1st-round centers could work to Detroit Lions’ benefit - Pride Of Detroit - Don’t panic if there’s a run on centers on Thursday.

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT ON WINDY CITY GRIDIRON

Zeglinski: Tarik Cohen and Benny Cunningham named Bears’ 2018 Brian Piccolo Award winners - Windy City Gridiron - Chicago’s backup running back duo represent the courage requirements of the prestigious award.

Wiltfong: Kiper-McShay mock draft goes all offense for the Bears - Windy City Gridiron - Check out what the ESPN draft gurus have in store for the Chicago Bears in their latest mock draft.

Zeglinski: What if Ryan Pace’s Bears’ first round philosophy has changed? - Windy City Gridiron - Pace has went high upside with each of his Bears’ first round picks. His coach, quarterback, and a roster in place could alter that thought process.

Chicago Bears 2018 NFL Draft Roundtable: Linebackers - Windy City Gridiron - The WCG staff breaks down the top two linebackers in this class, and deciphers the Bears’ need for a linebacker.

Dr. S: Is Ryan Pace Really Bad? The Treading Water Index - Windy City Gridiron - How do we determine whether a team is progressing or regressing? We've had a few conversations about this at WCG, and recently there was a call in the comments for an "objective" measure of team...

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

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