The Bear’s Den, April 22, 2019

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

BEARRRSSSS / FREE AGENCY / DRAFT

Price: Bears-Packers opener one of NFL's hottest tickets on early 2019 resale market - Sun Times - Only a pair of Patriots games at Gillette Stadium have a higher get-in rate on the secondary market.

Potash: Seven out? Ryan Pace is the next shooter as Bears look to the draft for a kicker - Sun Times - The Bears have three kickers on their roster — Redford Jones, Chris Blewitt and Elliott Fry — but none has attempted a kick in the NFL.

NFL Network, ESPN execs pitch Bears fans on watching NFL Draft while awaiting pick - Sun Times - As the order stands now, Bears fans will wait the longest for their team to make a pick in the NFL Draft, which begins Thursday night in Nashville.

Potash: Bears GM Ryan Pace can't lose his productive mid-round touch in 2019 draft - Sun Times - Outside of a running back and a kicker, the Bears are not in dire need of front-line help in this draft.

Chicago Bears 2019 Schedule Analysis (And Mock Draft Special) - Chicago Audible Podcast - In this episode, the guys share their instant reaction and analysis of the Chicago Bears 2019 schedule. Plus, they share their final Bears mock drafts.

Medina: Kicker Prospect Matt Gay Is Comfortable From 60 Yards Out and Taught Himself What He Needed to Know - Bleacher Nation - Matt Gay has a big leg and crazy range ... and he taught himself everything.

Johnson: Lock it in. Final 2019 NFL mock draft - Our Turf Football - Will he or won't he? OTFBs Lisa Johnson gives us her final 2019 mock draft, and her thoughts on if Kyler Murray will be the first pick.

Pearson: Chicago Bears Scouting Report: K Matthew Gay - 247Sports - One of those players on the Bears' radar is Utah's Matthew Gay. Chicago has already met with him in the pre-draft process and they attended his Pro Day just a few weeks back. To say there's interest is an understatement.

BEST WISHES

Kelly Stafford announces she’s home after 12-hour brain surgery - Pride Of Detroit - Great news for Kelly! Ken’s Note: Prayers and best wishes for Kelly Stafford, Matthew and all of their families for a full recovery.

POLISH SAUSAGE

Niners scout, ex-Buccaneers RB Reggie Cobb dies at 50 - NFL.com - Reggie Cobb, a longtime scout for the San Francisco 49ers and former NFL running back, died at the age of 50, the Niners announced Saturday.

Marijuana policy for “voluntary” workouts could be a fair trade – ProFootballTalk - The NFL has a ban on marijuana around most players successfully navigate. The NFL also has voluntary offseason workouts in which most players choose to participate. Those two concepts could provide the basis for a fair and sensible tradeoff in the next labor deal.

KNOW THY ENEMY

Tony Mandarich cites steroids, painkillers for his draft bust status – ProFootballTalk - Tony Mandarich is included on any list of the biggest draft busts in NFL history, and he says his story is a cautionary tale not for NFL scouts who struggle to identify the top prospects coming out of college, but for NFL players who struggle with substance abuse.

NFL Draft: If the Detroit Lions trade back, who should they pick? - Pride Of Detroit - Who should the Lions target if the move back to 15-ish?

Vikings Mock 4.21 - Getting Bigger - Daily Norseman - Mark is at it again!

How The Vikings Built One of the Best Rosters in the NFL - Part II - Daily Norseman - We continue with a look at how the current Vikings came to be

Packers Draft History: Picking at 30 overall, Green Bay has had little lasting success - Acme Packing Company - The Packers got a combined seven years out of four draft picks at 30 overall.

NFC North in Free Agency: Packers swap out edge rushers - Acme Packing Company - The Packers decided to go in a new direction with their EDGE rushers this off-season, bringing in two new Smiths.

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

THE RULES

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