The Bear’s Den, April 2, 2021

THE DAILY SPONGIE SPECIAL

BEARRRSSSS

New overtime formats, onside kick alternative among 11 proposed NFL rule changes - ChicagoBears.com - NFL owners are expected to vote in May on 11 proposed rule changes that include new overtime formats as well as an intriguing alternative to onside kicks.

Predicting Bears’ trade price for landing 49ers QB Jimmy Garoppolo - RSN - Matt Maiocco from NBC Sports Bay Area lays out the price the Bears would have to pay to send Jimmy Garoppolo to Chicago.

Bears’ win total for 2021 NFL season set at 7 by oddsmakers - RSN - Oddsmakers aren’t high for the Monsters of the Midway.

REPORT: Bears Coach and Executive Scout Ian Book at Notre Dame Pro Day - On Tap Sports - The Chicago Bears reportedly had a coach and personnel executive in attendance at Notre Dame’s pro day to scout quarterback Ian Book.

If They Make 2021 About Andy Dalton, the Chicago Bears – Collectively – Have Lost Their Minds - Da Bears Blog - Andy Dalton is a middle of the road quarterback. Ryan Pace knows Dalton is a middle of the road quarterback. Matt Nagy knows Dalton is a middle of the road quarterback. George McCaskey and Ted Phillips know Dalton is a middle of the road quarterback.

NFL Draft: Who will be secondary options at quarterback? - 670 The Score - After the first five quarterbacks are off the board in the 2021 NFL Draft, what other options will there be for teams like the Bears in need of adding at the position?

Browns nearly picked Mitch Trubisky in 2017 NFL Draft before Bears - RSN - The Cleveland Browns almost picked Mitch Trubisky in the 2017 NFL Draft.

Brock Osweiler. Cody Parkey. Antonio Brown. Sam Bradford. Every NFL team’s worst free agent addition of past decade – The Athletic - Sometimes free agency works out for NFL teams. Other times, it’s a fantastic failure. That’s where we’re focused today.

Brad Biggs’ NFL mock draft 1.0 - Chicago Tribune - Clemson quarterback Trevor Lawrence looks like a lock to go to the Jacksonville Jaguars with the No. 1 pick in the 2021 NFL draft. It could start an unprecedented run on QBs.

Here’s how Bears can address needs at five premium positions in NFL Draft – The Athletic - The Bears have needs at the five most important positions on the field. Why is that, and who could they target in the 2021 NFL Draft?

Bears propose change to flags on consecutive extra-point tries - Chicago Sun-Times - It will be one of 11 playing-rules proposals suggested by the NFL competition committee and individual teams to be voted on by league owners in mid-April.

POLISH SAUSAGE

Robert Kraft acknowledges New England's recent draft failures - ProFootballTalk - “Really, the teams who draft well are the ones who will be consistently good,” Kraft said, based on a transcript provided by the team. “I don’t feel like we’ve done the greatest job the last few years and I really hope and believe I’ve seen a different approach this year. In the end, it all comes down to what happens on the field and how people execute and you really don’t know how good a draft is for at least two years.”

Rusty Hardin says Tony Buzbee's latest "excuse" for failing to go to law enforcement "is his lamest" - ProFootballTalk - “Since March 19, Mr. Tony Buzbee has repeatedly promised to submit evidence to the Houston Police Department in support of his anonymous clients’ complaints against Deshaun Watson,” Hardin said. “So far, he has not done so. Now, in response to media inquiries, Mr. Buzbee has abandoned his promise altogether and, in his words, will go ‘elsewhere to provide his evidence to investigative authorities.’

Rusty Hardin's latest statement on behalf of Deshaun Watson raises more questions - ProFootballTalk - The latest statement, which contains on-the-record accounts from 18 massage therapists who claim that Watson engaged in no misconduct with them and, for some of the 18 massage therapists, attacked the credibility of those who allege otherwise, has prompted many to do the math and to ask the simple question of whether it makes sense for Watson to have had at least 40 different massage therapists in such a relatively small window of time.

KNOW THINE ENEMY

NFL free agency: Detroit Lions signing CB Corn Elder - Pride Of Detroit - The Lions have a potential starting nickel corner again.

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT ON WINDY CITY GRIDIRON

Wiltfong's Chicago Bears Free Agency news and rumor tracker - Windy City Gridiron - It’s happening right now!

Wiltfong: A closer look at the 11 proposed changes to the NFL’s 2021 Playing Rules - Windy City Gridiron - Different jersey numbers for players, a new overtime format, onside kicks no more, and a "Sky Judge" type of official among the proposed changes.

NFL Draft: WCG’s 2021 Pro Day coverage - Windy City Gridiron - As Lead Draft Analyst Jacob Infante attends various Pro Day press conferences, we figured we’d round all of his interviews up into one stream.

Infante: Oklahoma State OT Teven Jenkins - I’m a “tough, physical, nasty mother f—er” - Windy City Gridiron - Oklahoma State’s Pro Day took place on Thursday, showcasing numerous intriguing talents.

Wiltfong: John Jenkins signing with the Miami Dolphins - Windy City Gridiron - Joe Schad, who covers the Miami Dolphins for the Palm Beach Post, is reporting the the Dolphins are signing defensive tackle John Jenkins to a 1-year contract.

THE RULES

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