The Bear’s Den, March 5, 2019

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

BEARRRSSSS

Wood: Mathematical Proof the Bears Need More Explosive Plays on Offense - Da Bears Blog - I couldn’t help but notice the Bears’ explosive play rankings pretty closely matched some of their overall offensive rankings. Outside of points scored, which was buoyed by defensive touchdowns, Chicago’s offense was generally below average in most categories. Thus I wanted to look and see if there was any correlation between explosive plays and overall offensive performance.

Nagy: Players will ‘absolutely love’ Pagano - ChicagoBears.com - As they begin preparing for the 2019 season, the Bears are confident that their transition at defensive coordinator from Vic Fangio to Chuck Pagano will be a smooth one.

ICYMI: Bears news from NFL Combine - ChicagoBears.com - With the NFL Combine concluding Monday, take a look back at the news made by the Bears, primarily when general manager Ryan Pace spoke to the media.

2019 Offseason Outlook: The Bears Have Strength Up the Middle at Inside Linebacker - Bleacher Nation - Roquan Smith and Danny Trevathan lead the charge up the middle.

Medina: The Chiefs Are Expected to Release Pass-Rusher Justin Houston – Could the Bears Pounce? - Justin Houston has been limited by injuries in recent years, but would present a boost to an already fearsome pass-rush. Ken’s Note: Oft-injured player on the wrong side of 30 who would eat up a ton of our available space and who wouldn’t be a starter... let me think about this for a minute... ummm... just no...

Medina: Matt Nagy Has Been Spreading the Good Word About the Bears All Over the NFL Combine - Bleacher Nation - Matt Nagy had a lot to say about the Bears’ past and future during Combine Week.

2019 NFL Draft: Chicago Bears post-combine 7-round mock draft - Bears Wire - A complete Chicago Bears 2019 NFL mock draft, post-NFL combine edition

Cox: Beyond the box score: Mitchell Trubisky’s growth was visible on film - Bears Wire - Mitchell Trubisky displayed visible growth from the beginning to the end of 2018, hitting throws down the stretch that he missed early on.

Morrissey: Bears should go after high-risk, high-reward Antonio Brown - Sun Times - If the idea is to win a Super Bowl, they would be wise to do whatever it takes to get him. They need a better offense to go with a great defense. Ken's Note: NO RICK MORRISSEY! NO! BAD DOG! NO BISCUIT!

Haugh: It would be a mistake for the Bears to trade Jordan Howard - Chicago Tribune - Jordan Howard is the flannel shirt in coach Matt Nagy’s closet full of trendier clothes, something Nagy might not miss until a chill returns. That makes Howard worth keeping, even as trade rumors reignited recently at the NFL combine.

Rosenthal: Even the silly stuff shows something - 8 takeaways from watching hours of NFL combine coverage - Chicago Tribune - Watching the first three of four days of on-field drills on NFL Network and, briefly, ABC taught viewers a few lessons, like Alabama's Quinnen Williams is a very fast 300-pounder.

Stankevitz: As Bears eye improvement from within, can Allen Robinson be a 1,000-yard receiver? - NBC Sports Chicago - The Bears are the only team in the NFL to not have a 1,000-yard receiver in any of the last four seasons. Could Allen Robinson be the guy to break that streak?

Under Center Podcast: Previewing free agency with The Ringer’s Robert Mays | NBC Sports Chicago - JJ Stankevitz is joined by The Ringer’s Robert Mays to look ahead to NFL free agency, and if Ryan Pace will have the ability to be aggressive without much cap space.

Cox: Pro Football Focus suggests free agent cornerback target for Bears - NBC Sports Chicago - If they can't bring Amos/Callahan back, here's who they might target.

Hoge: Bears’ Most Significant Improvement Must Come From Within - WGN Radio - The development can’t stop. Especially from within the roster — and especially when entering a two-year period without a first round draft pick.

POLISH SAUSAGE

Jay Cutler asks Kristin Cavallari for an allowance on ‘Very Cavallari’ premiere - Chicago Tribune - Jay Cutler made tens of millions of dollars as quarterback for the Bears, Denver Broncos and Miami Dolphins, but on Sunday’s episode of “Very Cavallari” he asks his wife for an allowance so he can buy a tracking device for one of their chickens.

Giants unlikely to tag safety Landon Collins - NFL.com - The Giants are viewed as unlikely to franchise tag safety Landon Collins, NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport and NFL Network’s Kimberly Jones reported, per sources informed.

2019 NFL Scouting Combine winners/losers from Day 4 - NFL.com - Cornerbacks and safeties took the field Monday to finish out the NFL Scouting Combine. Who turned heads? Who disappointed? Bucky Brooks provides his winners and losers from Day 4.

KNOW THY ENEMY

Detroit Lions free agency: DE Kerry Hyder not receiving RFA tender - Pride Of Detroit - It looks like the Lions are moving on from Kerry Hyder.

Detroit Lions Damon Harrison Sr. trying to recruit Giants safety Landon Collins - Pride Of Detroit - Could the Lions defensive lineman sway a 3-time Pro Bowler to come to Detroit?

Three top edge defenders all franchise tagged ahead of free agency - Pride Of Detroit - Demarcus Lawrence, Jadeveon Clowney, and Dee Ford are off the market before free agency even begins.

2019 NFL Combine results: Wide receivers winners, losers - Pride Of Detroit - Recapping the WR performances at the NFL Combine.

Chiefs will release OLB Justin Houston, per report, giving Packers a free agent option - Acme Packing Company - Making a move to Green Bay would make a ton of sense for the eight-year veteran.

Dean Blandino: AAF’s Sky Judge provides template for NFL – ProFootballTalk - The NFL's Competition Committee is studying the idea of adding a video official to each officiating crew. To see how it would work in action, all the NFL has to do is look to the Alliance of American Football.

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT ON WINDY CITY GRIDIRON

Urlerker: The Semi-Complete Video Chronicle of Chicago Bears Trick Plays - Windy City Gridiron - I wrote the below paragraph and sentence over a year ago but I wasn’t quite satisfied with it. I’m not exactly sure why – I tried tweaking it, editing it, and rewording it but nothing I did...

Schmitz' Bear With Me: Impressive Impressions 2018 Tape Review - Windy City Gridiron - On this episode, Robert S. dives into the 2018 Bears tape to talk about which Bears have left impressive impressions. Check out his thoughts on this latest episode of Bear With Me!

Wiltfong: Could the Bears bring both Callahan and Amos back? - Windy City Gridiron - There seems to be a lot of either/or scenarios playing out about Bryce Callahan and Adrian Amos coming back to the Bears, but why can’t both return?

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 RULES

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