The Bear’s Den, March 22, 2019

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

BEARRRSSSS / FREE AGENCY / DRAFT

Wood: Understanding the Role of Newly-Acquired Free Agents in 2019: Defense - Da Bears Blog - The Bears have made a number of moves in free agency, and I want to use some advanced statistics to weigh in on their likely role on the roster and value to the team. We looked at the offense yesterday, and now will move to the defense, where the Bears will be replacing two starters.

Eurich: Bears guard Bryan Witzmann named under-the-radar free agent - 247Sports - Offensive linemen are at a premium currently in the NFL. The Chicago Bears have been lucky to lock down both of their starting tackles and their interior offensive linemen for at least the 2019 season. One lineman who made an impact last season for the team, Bryan Witzmann, is currently out on the open market. With limited proven options at the position around the NFL, Witzmann stands to be a valuable option for a team.

Medina: Colts Sign Pass-Rusher Justin Houston, Which Takes Bears Option Off Table - Bleacher Nation - The Bears will have to look elsewhere for pass-rush help.

Medina: It’s Impossible to Ignore the Bears Visits with Draft-Eligible Running Backs - Bleacher Nation - Clearly, the Bears are interested in adding something fresh to the mix.

Medina: Aaron Lynch Is Garnering Interest Elsewhere In Free Agency, But Don’t Count Out a Bears Reunion Yet - Bleacher Nation - Aaron Lynch has reported interest from at least four teams - including the Bears.

Video: Beach Bears - ChicagoBears.com - Roquan Smith, Prince Amukamara, Bradley Sowell and Bilal Nichols put Bears fans through a football clinic on da beach with a special appearance from Coach Dunn Dunn.

Video: Island Excursions - ChicagoBears.com - From fish pedicures to iguana surprises, Lauren Screeden and Spice Adams sail away to explore Isla Mujeres with Bears players.

VIdeo: Prince Goes Poolside - ChicagoBears.com - Prince Amukamara shows off his “Inside the Bears” reporting skills when he interviews Bears fans in Mexico.

Rosenthal: Collateral benefits - Mitchell Trubisky gaining from roster shuffle - NFL.com - Mitchell Trubisky has a lot to be happy about after gaining some new offensive weapons. Everson Griffen and Mike Smith can relate. Gregg Rosenthal lists guys who've received collateral benefits from all this player movement.

Benton: 21 best remaining NFL free agents - Touchdown Wire - The first wave of free agency has come and gone, and the second wave is now upon us. Here are the 21 best remaining NFL free agents.

Perez: Potential Bears target Justin Houston signs with Colts - Bears Wire - Potential Chicago Bears free-agent target Justin Houston signed a two-year deal with the Colts.

Farrar: Why did the Raiders win an award for what seems like a bad trade? - Touchdown Wire - The Raiders won a coveted award for a very controversial trade. Here's why that doesn't make sense.

Mayer: NFL owners to mull rule changes - ChicagoBears.com - When NFL owners gather for their annual meetings Sunday through Wednesday in Phoenix, they will consider several rule changes, many of which involve the expansion of replay.

Video: Spice, Sowell Ping Pong Showdown - ChicagoBears.com - Spice Adams and Bradley Sowell put their paddles to the test at the RIU Palace Costa Mujeres.

POLISH SAUSAGE

Links: Saints' Cameron Meredith Takes Pay Cut - Pro Football Rumors - Saints wide receiver Cameron Meredith has agreed to a pay cut, reducing his base salary from $3.4MM to $1.3MM for 2019, as Field Yates of ESPN.com tweets. Meredith missed ten games due to a knee issue last season, so it was a logical move for both sides.

Competition Committee unveils two proposals to change replay rules – ProFootballTalk - The NFL has released this year's proposed changes to the league's playing rules and nine of them have to do with the replay review system. Two of those proposals come directly from the Competition Committee while the other seven were generated by teams.

Clay Matthews: Rams are “a perfect fit” for me – ProFootballTalk - Clay Matthews is happy to be home. The veteran linebacker grew up in Southern California and played his college ball at USC, so he had the Rams on his mind once it became clear that he wouldn't be returning to the Packers for an 11th season.

Patriots, Gostkowski making progress in contract talks – ProFootballTalk - Free agent kicker Stephen Gostkowski has spent his entire NFL career in New England, and there's reason to think he'll remain there. Tom Curran of NBC Sports Boston reports that Gostkowski and the Patriots have made progress toward a new contract. Gostkowski completed a four-year, $17.

Colts sign All-Pro pass rusher Justin Houston - NFL.com - The Indianapolis Colts have agreed to terms on a deal with former Chiefs linebacker Justin Houston, the team announced Thursday, Houston totaled nine sacks during the 2018 season.

Eagles proposed change to Detroit-Dallas Thanksgiving tradition – ProFootballTalk - For decades, Detroit and Dallas have hosted Thanksgiving games each year. The Eagles attempted to change that, but they later withdrew their proposal.

KNOW THY ENEMY

Detroit Lions sign TE Logan Thomas - Pride Of Detroit - The former college quarterback is headed to Detroit.

Lions safety Tavon Wilson takes a pay cut to stay in Detroit - Pride Of Detroit - The Lions will save over $1 million in cap space.

NFL Free Agency: Marcus Sherels to sign with New Orleans Saints - Daily Norseman - So now what are we going to argue about during Training Camp?

Free agency shored up holes in Packers’ roster, but Draft will answer long-term questions - Acme Packing Company - Brian Gutekunst locked down nearly every starting spot for 2019 after his free agent splurge, but Green Bay has long-term questions at a handful of key spots. The draft could bring answers.

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT ON WINDY CITY GRIDIRON

Leming's Bears mailbag: Free agency, draft, Howard’s future and Justin Houston? - Windy City Gridiron - The first week of the 2019 NFL free agency period has come and gone. What can the Bears still do to improve their roster? All of this and more in this week’s mailbag.

Snyder & Berckes' Bears Over Beers Episode 4: EDGE Defenders - Windy City Gridiron - Jeff and EJ unload their unabashed admiration for Khalil Mack, touch on other Bear EDGE defenders and do a deep dive into the pass rushers available in the middle rounds of this year’s NFL Draft.

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 - iTunes - Robert Zeglinski - The Blitz Network

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