(WSCR) 670TheScore.com is the only place to be for coverage from the 2012 NFL Draft.

The Score has you covered in all facets of this year’s draft as the Bears prepare to use the 19th overall selection.

Here’s a roundup of what you can expect:

• Mock drafts from all of our NFL experts
• A round table draft discussion featuring The Score’s Laurence Holmes, Zach Zaidman, Mike Mulligan and the Chicago Tribune’s Brad Biggs, Dan Pompei and Matt Bowen
• A live broadcast on 670TheScore.com during the draft featuring Adam Hoge
• Reaction/analysis from all The Score’s Bears experts before, during and after the draft
• Live thread to interact with other fans during the draft

(WSCR) The stars of the 2012 NFL Draft may be aligning perfectly for the Chicago Bears.

New general manager Phil Emery met with the media today to discuss the upcoming Draft, specifically discussing what needs the Bears have. 670 The Score’s Bears expert Zach Zaidman joined The McNeil and Spiegel Show shortly after to discuss Emery’s comments.

“I think what Emery said today is key,” Zaidman explained. “He said in his opinion, this is a draft that is deep at defensive end, wide receiver and defensive tackle – not coincidentally, you could make a case that those are the three biggest needs that the Bears have entering the draft. He said for the 19th overall pick, the Bears have seven guys targeted right now. They’re preparing for any possible scenario.  … The Bears have said that they’ve gotten calls from teams both above them and beneath them. So, it’s a very fluid situation right now.”

LISTEN: Zach Zaidman on The McNeil and Spiegel Show

For the rest of this interview and other 670 The Score interviews click here.

Zaidman said the Bears are expecting their first-round pick to contribute immediately — something that hasn’t been done since the Bears drafted Tommie Harris in 2004.

“The Bears want players right now that can help them win,” Zaidman said. “(Emery) wants, at least form the first couple of rounds, guys that can immediately contribute to helping their team win.”

By: Tony Meale

The 2012 NFL Draft is just one week away so we’ve pulled together a mock draft featuring the first and second rounds for the NFC East. Do you agree with the picks? Comment below.

NFC North

Bears

Bears fans should be optimistic. Chicago was a playoff team before Jay Cutler broke his thumb, and now he will be reunited with former Broncos teammate Brandon Marshall, who gives the Windy City an elite receiver for the first time in, well, a long time.

For the Bears to be a serious Super Bowl threat, they have to shore up the offensive line. There were times last season when Jay Cutler looked like a tackling dummy in practice drills. Chicago has seven picks – one in each round – and should strongly consider using Pick 19 to address this issue. Georgia’s Cordy Glenn, Stanford’s Jonathan Martin, and even Ohio State’s Mike Adams would be solid investments.

There might be some temptation to draft Kendall Wright, an explosive playmaker out of Baylor, but signing Marshall diminishes Wright’s value somewhat – for the Bears, at least. And hey, Devin Hester is still pretty solid in the return game.

If the Bears don’t draft an offensive lineman with their first pick, expect them to look for help in the defensive trenches. The Bears are still an elite defense, but a handful of stalwarts are getting up there in age. Julius Peppers is still a beast, but another pass-rusher off the edge would do wonders for this team. Illinois’ Whitney Mercilus would fill this need admirably.

Lions

The Lions made the playoffs last year for the first time this century, so that’s encouraging. What wasn’t encouraging, however, was that they started 5-0 before going 5-7 the rest of the way; included in that stretch was a 17-point, opening-round playoff loss to New Orleans.

The temptation for the Lions, which have one pick in each of the first five rounds (including 23rd overall), might be to draft another stud defensive lineman. But with Ndamukong Suh and Nick Fairley, among others, defensive line isn’t the biggest need in Detroit; no, that would be cornerback. The Lions, at times, looked lost in the secondary last season. If the Bengals don’t take South Carolina cornerback Stephon Gilmore, the Lions should pounce.

Offensively, there are two obvious needs: wide receiver and, to a lesser extent, running back. Calvin Johnson is, at worst, a top-five receiver. But he didn’t get much help last year from Nate Burleson and Co. Detroit has solid tight ends, but imagine if Calvin had a legit No. 2 on the other side of the field to loosen up coverages.

Running back, meanwhile, is a bit of a mess. The Lions’ leading rusher last year was Jahvid Best, who finished with a whopping 390 yards. A big part of this, of course, was Best’s inability – and the inability of Kevin Smith and Maurice Morris – to stay healthy, but using a pick on a durable tailback wouldn’t be the worst thing in the world.

The Lions took a major step forward last year in reaching the playoffs. The next step is winning a playoff game. With the right draft moves, they could do just that.

Packers

I’m gonna go out on a limb here and say the offense is fine, but the defense probably needs work. Specifically, the pass rush.

The Packers finished their Super Bowl season second in the league with 47 sacks. Last year, they tied for 27th. And as the New York Giants showed once again, an elite pass rush can put a team over the top in the playoffs, particularly when you can drop guys into coverage against some of the game’s best signal-callers. Green Bay selects 28th overall and should use that pick on someone like Whitney Mercilus or Nick Perry.

As for the secondary, Charles Woodson isn’t getting any younger, so injecting some life in the back four would be good, as would drafting a linebacker to alleviate some pressure on Clay Matthews.

Offensively, the Packers have no weaknesses. The running game isn’t all that imposing – as evidenced by fullback John Kuhn’s team-leading four rushing touchdowns – but Green Bay has bigger fish to fry. The Packers have a dozen picks – including three fourth-rounders and four seventh-rounders – so they’ll have some options and flexibility on draft day. But expect them to go defense early and often.

Vikings

For all the talk about Andrew Luck and Robert Griffin III, Matt Kalil is one of the most no-doubter third picks in draft history. Part of that is because of his ability, and part of that is because the Vikings desperately need an offensive lineman, particularly after releasing Steve Hutchinson to cut cap space. Minnesota needs to protect Christian Ponder and get some push for Adrian Peterson, who – as perhaps the best tailback in football – sees way too many runs result in zero or negative yards.

The other most pressing offensive need is wide receiver. Migraine issues notwithstanding, Percy Harvin is a good wideout, but he’s not a No. 1. He’s a decent No. 2 and ideally a No. 3 working out of the slot.

Defensively, the Vikings finished 26th against the pass and 21st overall. Notre Dame safety Harrison Smith is worthy of being selected 35th, as is Nebraska cornerback Alfonzo Dennard.

Improving the pass defense and adding a couple of weapons for Christian Ponder would go a long way in bolstering the playoff chances for a team that played in the NFC Championship not too long ago.

Tony Meale is a freelance writer for MLB.com, cincinnati.com and ffjungle.com, among others. His fantasy football work has led to guest appearances on several radio outlets, including ESPN Radio and Sirius Radio. He has a Master’s in Journalism from Ohio University and has been recognized by the Society of Professional Journalists for outstanding work. A Cincinnati native, he is currently writing a book on one of the great sports stories never told. Follow Tony Meale on Twitter @tonymeale.

The Chicago Bears signed linebacker Geno Hayes to a one-year contract today (terms were not disclosed). Hayes was a low-round draft choice (sixth round in 2008), but he started 13 of 16 games for Tampa Bay last year and 42 games in four years for the Bucs.

The Bears have mostly been signing a slew of backups and special teams players since beginning the free-agency period with a block-buster trade for receiver Brandon Marshall, but Hayes could play a bigger role in Chicago than most of those other backups. The 6-foot-1, 226-pound weakside linebacker out of Florida State has made 334 tackles in four years, with seven sacks and four interceptions, one of them returned for a touchdown. He also has 36 tackles for losses.

Hayes has broken up 16 passes, forced four fumbles and recovered one fumble. He also has played special teams and once blocked a punt and returned it for a touchdown.

He also fits the Bears profile as a player who can tackle a runner before he gets started. Chicago under Lovie Smith has ranked among the league leaders in “stuffs” every year. A “stuff” is tackling a running back for negative yardage. Hayes led the NFL with 11 stuffs in 2009 and was tied for second with 11.5 in 2010. According to STATS, he ranks second in the NFL in stuffs over the last four seasons with 29.5.

Sounds good. Except for two things. Geno Hayes dropped off drastically last year. He had no sacks (after having four sacks and three sacks the previous two years). His 44 tackles were also just a shadow of the 80 he had in 2009 and 73 he had in 2010.

The other problem is Hayes is a weakside linebacker, the same position that Lance Briggs has made seven consecutive Pro Bowls at. Hayes adds depth, but would be a better addition if he played strongside linebacker. On the other hand, the strongside isn’t nearly as important of a position, as the Bears usually pull that starter for a nickel back in their nickel package. Look for the Bears to also try Geno Hayes on the strongside, where he could challenge current starter Nick Roach, who had only 30 tackles in 15 starts last year.

The Bears cut wide receiver Max Komar to make room for Hayes.

Through April 22, via polls, we’re asking you every day to make first-round picks for each of two teams. The polls go up on cleveland.com at approximate 12-hour intervals, around 10 a.m. and 10 p.m. each day. We list 10 prospects for you to pick from in each poll. On April 23-24, you’ll be asked to make the picks for each of three teams (at approximate eight-hour intervals) both days, completing the 32-pick first round.

Here’s who the fans have selected so far:

1. Indianapolis Colts: Andrew Luck, QB, Stanford

2. Washington Redskins: Robert Griffin III, QB, Baylor

3: Minnesota Vikings: Matt Kalil, OT, Southern Cal

4. Cleveland Browns: Trent Richardson, RB, Alabama

5. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Morris Claiborne, CB, Louisiana State

6. St. Louis Rams: Justin Blackmon, WR, Oklahoma State

7. Jacksonville Jaguars: Michael Floyd, WR, Notre Dame

8. Miami Dolphins: Ryan Tannehill, QB, Texas A&M

9. Carolina Panthers: Quinton Coples, DE, North Carolina

10. Buffalo Bills: Riley Reiff, OT, Iowa

11. Kansas City Chiefs: David DeCastro, G, Stanford

12. Seattle Seahawks: Luke Kuechly, LB, Boston College

13. Arizona Cardinals: Melvin Ingram, DE, South Carolina

14. Dallas Cowboys: Mark Barron, SS, Alabama

15. Philadelphia Eagles: Fletcher Cox, DT, Mississippi State

16. New York Jets: Courtney Upshaw, LB-DE, Alabama

17: Cincinnati Bengals: Dre Kirkpatrick, CB, Alabama

18. San Diego Chargers: Whitney Mercilus, defensive end-linebacker, Illinois

The 19th pick in the first round of the draft belongs to the Chicago Bears. The Bears finished the 2011 season with an 8-8 record.

The Bears’ primary needs include the offensive line, wide receiver, tight end, defensive end and the secondary.

Continue to check The Plain Dealer and cleveland.com for Browns and NFL coverage.

Chicago Bears on the clock: Who should they draft with the 19th pick in the first round?

The Chicago Bears ended the 2011 season with an 8-8 mark. This was disappointing considering they had won seven of their first ten games and appeared to be headed toward another playoff appearance. However, injuries to Jay Cutler and Matt Forte, proved to be too much for the team to overcome. With the 2012 schedules being released on April 17, it is time for me to put behind the bad finish to last year and turn the page to the present. Here is a glimpse at some of the marquee games for the Bears in the upcoming season.

Week 2 – at Green Bay Packers:

Considering this is one of the most storied rivalries in football, every game against the Packers is an important one and these two teams will meet early in the 2012 season at Lambeau Field. With victories in both games last year, the Packers have now won four straight against the Bears, dating back to the final game of 2010. While the Bears have made a few improvements during the off-season, this game against the Packers will truly determine if they have closed the talent gap somewhat between the two teams.

Week 7 – vs. Detroit Lions:

The Lions were the laughingstock of the league a few years ago when they finished with an 0-16 record. Behind Matthew Stafford and Calvin Johnson, Detroit got off to its best start in 50 years en route to a rare postseason appearance. While they would lose to the New Orleans Saints in the first round of he playoffs, the Lions proved they are no longer a team that opponents can take for granted. The Bears and Lions split their two games last year, with each team winning on its home field. I expect that trend to continue this year as well.

Week 10 – vs. Houston Texans:

Despite injuries to several key players during the 2011 campaign, the Texans were the top team in the AFC South Division and posted the franchise’s first-ever playoff win with a 31-10 victory over the Cincinnati Bengals. The Bears‘ defense will definitely have their hands full trying to contain the Texans’ talented trio of Matt Schaub, Arian Foster and Andre Johnson.

Week 11 – at San Francisco 49ers:

The 49ers surprised a lot of people in 2011, posting a 13-3 mark to win their division and making their first playoff appearance in nearly a decade. The 49ers showed their regular season success was no fluke as they advanced to the NFC Championship game and almost defeated the New York Giants. If not for a couple of turnovers late in the game, they would have represented the NFC in the Super Bowl . Being that the 49ers only lost one game at home last year, I expect them to be a tough opponent in this match-up.

James Tillman is a resident of the Chicago-land area, who has been a Bears’ fan for over 20 seasons. James is also a Featured Sports Contributor for Yahoo and a Sports Journalist for SportsRantz Magazine. Follow him on Twitter @jtillman9693.

Sources:

“Still Prime-Time Players”, Sean Jensen, Chicago Sun-Times

Texans Team History

2011 NFL Standings

The Chicago Bears have been looking for a player to add competition on the offensive line and found him Wednesday, agreeing to terms with Chilo Rachal, a former second-round draft pick of the San Francisco 49ers, on a one-year contract.

Ian Rapoport of the NFL Network first reported the news.

Rachal, 26, was the 39th overall pick in the 2008 draft out of USC, where he was a first-team All-Pac 10 performer. He started 38 games in four seasons with the 49ers, including 29 in 2009 and 2010, but quickly was relegated to backup status at right guard behind Adam Snyder last season when San Francisco cruised to a 13-3 record and the NFC West title under first-year coach Jim Harbaugh.

Rachal, 6-5, 323 pounds, is an interior lineman and he’s not going to enter a situation where he is handed a starting job. The Bears and offensive coordinator Mike Tice have a variety of players to choose from on the interior.

Former first-round draft pick Chris Williams is returning from a wrist injury and will have his first offseason to work at the position. Veteran Chris Spencer proved to be a quality addition last season. There also are younger players like Lance Louis, who is expected to move back inside after a year at right tackle, and Edwin Williams, who received playing time in the second half of the season.

The Bears pursued Anthony Herrera, a veteran that developed under Tice in Minnesota, at the outset of free agency. But he remains on the street, meaning the player either didn’t like the offer he received or wasn’t deemed healthy. They also recently checked out Adam Goldberg, another former Tice protégé.

The addition of Rachal is yet another sign that general manager Phil Emery will focus his efforts early in the draft on the defense.

On Tuesday, the Bears waived wide receiver Max Komar, citing a non-football injury.

bmbiggs@tribune.com

Twitter @BradBiggs

The NFL has released the 2012 schedule, and the Chicago Bears will have a tough road ahead of them if they hope to make the postseason. Between three Monday night games and tough competition in the NFC North, the Bears have their work cut out for them. The first game may be the key to giving the team the boost that they need to get them through the season and make it to the playoffs.

Season Opener May Provide a Confidence Boost

The Bears will host the Indianapolis Colts in their first game of the year. With a new head coach and a new starting quarterback, the Colts may not be as steady for the first game as they may be later in the season. It is presumed, of course, that Andrew Luck will go to the Colts in the first round of the draft. Constant comparisons to Peyton Manning won’t do much to calm the rookie’s nerves in his NFL debut. Look for the Bears to have a strong pass rush this game.

Monday night games present challenges

The Bears have three Monday night games this season. They will meet the Dallas Cowboys, Detroit Lions, and the San Francisco 49ers in the three games. None of the teams will be easy to beat, but expect the Lions game to be especially brutal. Neither team has forgotten the ugly game last year; D.J. Moore was ejected from the game, and there were plenty personal fouls accrued on both sides of the field. The game won’t just be about bruised egos from last season; both teams are contenders this year. It may just turn out to be the best Monday night game of the season.

NFC North Will Be A Tough Conference

The Lions are expected to do as well as last season or better, and the Green Bay Packers are still the Packers, so the four games that the Bears have against the teams won’t be easy victories. Green Bay will host the Bears in the second game of the season, and Chicago will only have a few days rest between the opener and this game. The only break that the Bears may get will be in the two games against the Minnesota Vikings, since this season should be a rebuilding year for them. The Bears will meet all three other teams in the conference in the final four weeks of the regular season, with their last game being played in Detroit.

Bears Regular-Season Schedule

Week 1: Sunday, Sept. 9, vs. Indianapolis Colts

Week 2: Thursday, Sept. 13, at Green Bay Packers

Week 3: Sunday, Sept. 23, vs. St. Louis Rams

Week 4: Monday, Oct. 1, at Dallas Cowboys

Week 5: Sunday, Oct. 7, at Jacksonville Jaguars

Week 6: Bye Week

Week 7: Monday, Oct. 22, vs. Detroit Lions

Week 8: Sunday, Oct. 28, vs. Carolina Panthers

Week 9: Sunday, Nov. 4, at Tennessee Titans

Week 10: Sunday, Nov. 11, vs. Houston Texans

Week 11: Monday, Nov. 19, at San Francisco 49ers

Week 12: Sunday, Nov. 25, vs Minnesota Vikings

Week 13: Sunday, Dec. 2, vs. Seattle Seahawks

Week 14: Sunday, Dec. 9, at Minnesota Vikings

Week 15: Sunday, Dec. 16, vs. Green Bay Packers

Week 16: Sunday, Dec. 23, at Arizona Cardinals

Week 17: Sunday, Dec. 30, at Detroit Lions

Whitney Levon is a Chicago native whose dedication to the Bears goes back to her first football memory; the Bears’ 1985 Super Bowl victory. She has been covering the Chicago Bears and other Chicago teams since 2010. You can follow her on Twitter @wlevon1 .

Adding wide receiver Brandon Marshall to what was a .500 team has made the Chicago Bears popular.

That is evident as they totaled the maximum number of prime-time games – five — when the NFL released the 2012 schedule Tuesday evening. Their first night game will be at Green Bay in Week 2 on Thursday, Sept. 13, as the league has expanded to Thursday games throughout nearly theentire season starting this year.

The Bears open the preseason with Peyton Manning and the Denver Broncos on Thursday, Aug. 9, and then start the regular season with his former team. They will host the Indianapolis Colts on Sept. 9 at Soldier Field, setting them up for a likely matchup with Andrew Luck, the Stanford quarterbackexpected to be the No. 1 pick in next week’s draft.

Since 1984, the Bears are  16-3 when they open the season at home.

“We started our offseason program yesterday and received our schedule today, so our 2012 season is officially underway,” coach Lovie Smith said in a statement released by the team. “I love starting the season at home in front of our fans. I don’t think there is a better place to kick off the season than playing at Soldier Field on the lakefront. Playing five of our first 10 games in prime time also stands out. Each week brings its own challenge and we are excited to begin our pursuit of a world championship.”

The Colts are the first opponent in a stretch that could help the Bears to a fast start. While it will be difficult facing the defending NFC North champion Packers on a short week in Green Bay, they then return home to host the Rams at noon on Sept. 23 and then go to Dallas on Monday night, Oct. 1, in Week 4 for the second-prime time game. The other three prime-time games are vs. Detroit at home on Monday, Oct. 22; vs. Houston at home on Sunday, Nov. 11; and at San Francisco on Monday, Nov. 19.

In Week 5, the Bears play at Jacksonville at 3:05 p.m., the third opponent of the first five starting with a new coaching staff. The Bears will be off the week of Oct. 14. After hosting the Lions, they will host
Cam Newton and Carolina on Oct. 28. Next up are two games against the AFC South: at Tennessee on Nov. 4 and home vs. Houston.

After visiting San Francisco, the Bears will host Minnesota on Nov. 25 and Seattle on Dec. 2. Then come two games against division rivals: at Minnesota on Dec. 9 and home vs. the Packers on Dec. 16,their final regular-season home game.

The Bears close the season on the road at Arizona on Dec. 23 and Detroit on Dec. 30. While they have three of their final four games on the road, the Vikings and Cardinals both struggled last season.

The Bears have opened at Soldier Field in each of the previous two seasons after starting on the road for five consecutive years. Game times for the final six games are subject to change because of flexscheduling.

Based on the Aug. 9 date for the first preseason game, the Bears will be able to hold their first practice of training camp at Olivet Nazarene University in Bourbonnais on July 26. The club has not released
the training camp schedule yet. 

Other Bears schedule notes:

*Last year, the Bears had four prime-time games, appearing twice in NBC’s Sunday night slot and twice on ESPN’s “Monday Night Football.” The team is 1-6 in its last seven appearances on Sunday night. Overall, the Bears are 8-8 in the time slot under Lovie Smith. The team has done well on Mondays in recent history, winning seven of the last nine dating back to the wild 24-23 victory at Arizona during the 2006 Super Bowl season.

*The Bears will play at Jacksonville and Tennessee for the first time since 2004. It marks quarterback Jay Cutler’s first trip to Nashville in the regular season as a member of the Bears. It will only be the second regular-season game the Bears have played in the city.

*The week off falls in Week 6. The Bears have been fortunate to have their week off near the middle of the season in the recent past. In three of the last four seasons, the Bears’ bye came in Week 8 and in2007 it was in Week 9.

*The Bears will play the Seahawks for the fourth consecutive year and the eighth time total since 2006, counting playoff games in 2006 and 2010. All but two of the games have been played at Soldier Field. The Seahawks are not the only NFC West foe frequently on the docket. The trip to San Francisco marks the fifth time the teams have met under Smith and the sixth time since 2003.
 
*In five of the previous eight seasons, the Bears’ final regular-season game was vs. Green Bay or Minnesota. The league has placed a premium on having division games played late in the season in an effort to ensure as many games as possible have significance in the closing weeks. In the final three weeks over the previous eight years, the Bears played 15 NFC North games (out of a possible total of 24).

*It used to be the Bears tangled with the Lions regularly on Thanksgiving. But Detroit hosts Houston this season in its annual holiday appearance. The Lions and Cowboys rotate between hosting an AFC team and an NFC team for television purposes with the Fox and CBS contracts. The Bears have not played at Detroit on Thanksgiving since 1999. That’s a 13-year stretch. From 1977 to 1999, the Bears had seven meetings with the Lions on Thanksgiving at the old Pontiac Silverdome. The previous longest stretch without a Thanksgiving meeting between the clubs was from 1965 to 1976. It used to be the Bears and Chicago Cardinals did battle in Thanksgiving annually. They played annually from 1922 to 1933.

*Counting preseason, the schedule adds up to 14,256 air miles for the Bears. That is less than the 20,118 they logged last season thanks to the London game against the Buccaneers. It’s the fifth-most for the franchise since 1998.

bmbiggs@tribune.com

Twitter @BradBiggs

The Chicago Bears just announced the 2012 schedule. NFL.com noted the Bears have a few tough short weeks on the schedule, starting the season with two games within five days. The Bears also play three Monday night games, one primetime Sunday game and a Thursday night game against the Green Bay Packers in week 2.

The schedule is below. See the Bears website for more information.

PRESEASON
Thursday, Aug. 9, Broncos, 7:30 p.m.
Saturday, Aug. 18, Redskins, 7 p.m.
Friday, Aug. 24, @ Giants 7 p.m.
Thursday, Aug. 30, @ Browns, 6:30 p.m.

REGULAR SEASON
Sunday, Sept. 9, Colts, 12 p.m.
Thursday, Sept. 13, @ Packers, 7:20 p.m.
Sunday, Sept. 23, Rams, 12 p.m.

Monday, Oct. 1, @ Cowboys, 7:30 p.m.
Sunday, Oct. 7, @ Jaguars, 3:05 p.m.
Monday, Oct. 22, Lions, 7:30 p.m.
Sunday, Oct. 28, Panthers, 12 p.m.

Sunday, Nov. 4, @ Titans, 12 p.m.
Sunday, Nov. 11, Texans, 7:20 p.m.
Monday, Nov. 19, @ 49ers, 7:30 p.m.
Sunday, Nov. 25, Vikings, 12 p.m.

Sunday, Dec. 2, Seahawks, 12 p.m.
Sunday, Dec. 9, @ Vikings, 12 p.m.
Sunday, Dec. 16, Packers, 12 p.m.
Sunday, Dec. 23, @ Cardinals, 3:15 p.m.
Sunday, Dec. 30, @ Lions, 12 p.m.

The Chicago Bears have started their voluntary, offseason workouts today, though the practices will be somewhat different than last year. The new NFL regulations have taken effect, which change the terms of the practice. There will also be some familiar faces back despite injuries or lack of contracts, and at least one noticeable absence. Here is a preview of what to expect from the offseason program.

Changes in Program

New regulations this year will limit the voluntary practices to nine weeks. Previously, they could last as long as 14 weeks. During the first two weeks, players can participate in drills, but they are not allowed to handle the football. The exception for quarterbacks allows them to practice passing, but not to other players. No one is allowed to wear a helmet on the field until the final four weeks, and one-on-one drills between members of the offense and defense are not allowed.

Essentially, players are not allowed to participate in contact football during the offseason practices. The rules were enacted as part of the collective bargaining agreement last year, and are designed to prevent injuries to players. The NFL has come under close scrutiny for injuries due to several lawsuits by former players alleging that the league did not do enough to prevent serious injuries and traumas over the years.

Chris Conte Returns

Chris Conte will be back to practice after suffering from a foot injury he received in the Seattle Seahawks. His injury, a Lisfranc injury, usually requires surgery to heal. Conte was lucky; he was able to recover without having to go under the knife.

Matt Forte Holds Out

Forte has not been quiet this offseason about his feelings regarding his contract. The Bears slapped him with a franchise tag, and have not yet signed him to the long-term deal that he is hoping for. After losing his cool on Twitter, it was assumed that he had simmered down a bit. Now, he is skipping the workouts, and may possibly miss part of training camp if he is not satisfied with the way the team handles his contract.

Kahlil Bell to Participate Regardless of Status

Bell is a restricted free agent, and the Bears tendered an offer of $1.26 million. He has vowed to take part in the practices whether he is signed or not. Bell actually stepped in for Matt Forte at the end of last season when he suffered an injury. Even though Forte has always seemed like a team player, Bell ends up looking like the classier guy in the contract situation.

Whitney Levon is a Chicago native whose dedication to the Bears goes back to her first football memory; the Bears’ 1985 Super Bowl victory. She has been covering the Chicago Bears and other Chicago teams since 2010.