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LAKE FOREST, Ill. -- Chicago Bears linebacker Lance Briggs spoke Tuesday for the first time in a public setting all offseason, and admitted the defense is "very different" without former teammate Brian Urlacher in the fold. "I didn't call plays be...

Mailbag: If owners make changes to the Pro Bowl that fail, the game could be doomed, writes John Clayton.

One of the persistent themes of Tuesday's SportsNation chat was a Chicago Sun-Times report suggesting that free-agent linebacker Brian Urlacher was leaning toward signing with the Minnesota Vikings. My sense at the time: The Vikings are in no rush...

Earlier Tuesday, we examined whether Charles Woodson would fit in the AFC West. We might be talking about the subject more. ESPN's Josina Anderson is reporting that the Denver Broncos will visit with the safety this week. The interest makes sen...

Chicago Bears general manager Phil Emery was careful last month to avoid pinpointing an exact position for rookie linebacker Jon Bostic, a middle linebacker at Florida who should have the inside track to be Brian Urlacher's long-time replacement. Vet...

Jeffri Chadiha included former Chicago Bears linebacker Brian Urlacher among 10 veteran free agents who have encountered surprising ambivalence on the open market. Perhaps that analysis prompted this exchange in Tuesday's SportsNation chat: Kris (...

At least one former NFL general manager expects a market to materialize soon for eight-time Pro-Bowl free agent middle linebacker Brian Urlacher. Ted Sundquist, who spent seven years as the general manager of the Denver Broncos and the man respon...

Every now and then, our boss, Bill Simmons, will forward some of his reader mail to me and fellow Triangle editor Chris Ryan. Most of the time, it's to troll us about our favorite teams (Brian Urlacher's pre-draft ascension was entirely legitimate, a...

Three well-regarded former NFC North players made Jeffri Chadiha's list of "seasoned, big-name free agents still sitting on the open market, hoping to find homes." Let's take a look at each: Cornerback Charles Woodson Chadiha: "The best Woodson c...

Teams need to spend an average of 89 percent of their cap space, but they're not throwing money at veterans, writes Jeffri Chadiha.

Weekend mail call: Brad from Kansas City wants to know if I think the San Diego Chargers and Kansas City Chiefs could swing a deal for left tackle Branden Albert. Bill Williamson: I think is a long shot, but perhaps it could develop if other op...

With the draft in the rearview mirror, what is the most pressing issue on each NFC North team's agenda? Chicago Bears: The top priority at Halas Hall, from now until the start of the season, is getting the offense organized in Marc Trestman's new ...

Mid-week mail call: Eric from San Jose wants to know if I think Oakland linebacker Miles Burris has a strong future. Bill Williamson: Sure, Burris did a nice job as a rookie last year. A lot of scouts I talk to think he will be an average lineb...

NFC North teams added dozens of intriguing young players over the weekend. They filled glaring holes and added to already-established strengths. Some areas remain weak, of course, while other selections created new storylines we hadn't anticipated. ...

Is Jon Bostic the heir apparent to Brian Urlacher for the Chicago Bears? I think we should consider it a strong possibility, if not a certainty -- even after general manager Phil Emery refused to be pinned down on the team's plans Friday night. Bo...

LAKE FOREST, Ill. -- With three linebackers flying off the board early on Day 2 -- Manti Te'o (No. 38), Kevin Minter (No. 45) and Kiko Alonso (No. 46) -- the Chicago Bears joined the party at No. 50 and selected University of Florida inside linebacke...