The Bear’s Den, May 11, 2018

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

BEARRRSSSS / DRAFT / FREE AGENCY

Finley: Bears sign six draft picks - all but first-rounder Roquan Smith - Chicago Sun-Times - The Collective Bargaining Agreement has made rookie signings, once the source of holdouts and hurt feelings, perfunctory. All are four-year deals.

Rosenbloom: Offering a mea culpa to Roquan Smith - Chicago Tribune - I screwed up. I lumped Roquan Smith in with those gaining impermissible benefits. I was wrong. I apologize to Smith and the University of Georgia for that.

Jahns: Defining expectations for the Bears' draft class for 2018 - Chicago Sun-Times - The Bears’ promising rookie class – one that was lauded nationally – can start to show off that promise when Matt Nagy’s first rookie minicamp opens.

Mike Singletary hired as coach of the Memphis franchise in the Alliance league - Chicago Tribune - The Pro Football Hall of Famer Mike Singletary has been hired as head coach of the Memphis franchise in the Alliance of American Football that will begin play next February.

Porter: Ex-Bear Khaseem Greene - Police fabricated evidence for gun charge - Chicago Tribune - Khaseem Greene's career was cut short after authorities in New Jersey fabricated evidence linking him to a gun used in a shooting, Greene alleged in a lawsuit filed this week

Rosenthal: Matt Forte takes on game-day NFL analyst role for NBC Sports Chicago - Chicago Tribune - Former Bears running back Matt Forte has signed on as a game-day NFL studio analyst for cable's NBC Sports Chicago. The job will entail other responsibilities as well.

Kane: Bears sign 6 draft picks, announce rookie minicamp roster - Chicago Tribune - The Bears announced draft-class signings Thursday in advance of this weekend’s rookie minicamp at Halas Hall.

Mullin: For Bears and Mitch Trubisky, 2018 offseason takes QB market places it’s never been before - NBC Sports Chicago - If the Bears are looking to keep Trubisky for the long run, it's gonna cost 'em.

Stankevitz: With Ryan Pace's pieces in place, the challenge now begins for Matt Nagy - NBC Sports Chicago - Ryan Pace overhauled the Bears' offense in the last two months, and it's now incumbent on Matt Nagy and his coaches to make those pieces fit.

LeGere: Rookie minicamp awaits - Pro Football Weekly - Smith, Daniels could develop into opening-day starters

Cox: Matt Forte to start broadcasting career with NBC Sports Chicago - Bears Wire - Former Chicago Bears running back Matt Forte is joining NBC Sports Chicago as an in-studio analyst for the 2018 season.

Cox: ‘Last Chance U’ star John Franklin III headlines Bears rookie minicamp roster - Bears Wire - The Chicago Bears brought in a few different notable players on a tryout basis for their 2018 rookie minicamp roster.

Roster moves: Bears ink six draft picks - ChicagoBears.com - On the eve of their first rookie minicamp practice, the Bears on Thursday signed six of their seven 2018 draft picks, including second-round offensive lineman James Daniels.

Mayer: Eight NFL veterans auditioning with Bears - ChicagoBears.com - Quarterback Aaron Murray and cornerback Antwon Blake are among eight veteran free agents who are slated to participate in the Bears rookie minicamp on a tryout basis.

Roster Moves: Bears ink 15 undrafted rookie free agents - ChicagoBears.com - The Bears kicked off their rookie minicamp Thursday by signing 15 undrafted free agents, including Oregon State running back Ryan Nall and LSU cornerback Kevin Toliver II.

Emily: Four Games To Look Forward to in 2018 - Da Bears Blog - I figured I’d put all this unbridled enthusiasm to good use by making my return to DBB to discuss the four games I’m most looking forward to in 2018:

Cox: ‘Last Chance U’ star John Franklin III headlines Bears rookie minicamp roster - Bears Wire - The Chicago Bears brought in a few different notable players on a tryout basis for their 2018 rookie minicamp roster.

Eurich: Harry Hiestand will be Bears most important assistant in 2018 - 247Sports - Harry Hiestand has all the tools to be the most important hire by the Chicago Bears this offseason.

Eurich: Bears draft picks Roquan Smith and James Daniels land on All-Rookie team list - Roquan Smith and James Daniels are expected to be major contributors for the Chicago Bears as rookies.

Eurich: Why the Bears should go after Rakeem Nunez-Roches - 247Sports - Rakeem Nunez-Roches could help provide more depth to the Chicago Bears defensive line.

Eurich: Anthony Miller says he is a fan of the 'Super Bowl Shuffle' - 247Sports - Anthony Miller has made his comments known on the infamous Chicago Bears Super Bowl Shuffle song.

POLISH SAUSAGE

Teope: Panthers place RB Fozzy Whittaker on IR with torn ACL - NFL.com - - The Carolina Panthers suffered a blow this week when running back Fozzy Whittaker tore his ACL and was placed on injured reserve Thursday, the team announced.

Brandt: Chiefs, Jaguars among most vulnerable division winners - NFL.com - Will the Chiefs falter behind young QB Patrick Mahomes? Will Blake Bortles' Jaguars take a step back? Gil Brandt ranks all eight division winners according to vulnerability in 2018.

Maliek Collins needs surgery after breaking his left foot Thursday – ProFootballTalk - Maliek Collins takes one step forward and two steps back. Or something like that. Cowboys executive vice president Stephen Jones told some season ticket holders earlier Thursday that Collins injured his foot.

KNOW THY ENEMY

Packers’ offense rated sixth-best in the league by NFL.com - Acme Packing Company - If Rodgers stays healthy, a top-ten finish should be the Packers’ floor on offense.

Packers Hot Take Generator, 2018 Version - Acme Packing Company - Don’t know the Packers’ 90-man roster inside and out yet? Don’t let that stop you from giving an opinion on every player on the team.

Willie McGinest ranks Everson Griffen among NFL’s five best pass rushers - Daily Norseman - And with good reason

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT ON WINDY CITY GRIDIRON

Zeglinski: Anthony Miller’s passion will drive his career with the Bears - Windy City Gridiron - He’s always been doubted, and Miller will continue to use that doubt in Chicago.

Zeglinski: A young man’s game: best and worst case scenarios for the 2018 Chicago Bears’ draft class - Windy City Gridiron - The Bears’ rookies first taste of the NFL is almost here. Some, like Roquan Smith, have higher expectations than others.

Zeglinski: Bears sign most of 2018 draft class, sans Roquan Smith - Windy City Gridiron - Only the first round pick Smith remains unsigned as the Bears take care of contract business swiftly.

Zeglinski: Chicago Bears sign 15 undrafted free agents to fill out roster - Windy City Gridiron - After getting their draft class to sign on the dotted line, the Bears brought in their unheralded young guns.

Walterfan34: '18 53-man roster projection - Windy City Gridiron - Offensively, I think 3 QBs are kept due to their familiarity with Nagy's scheme...

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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