The Chicago Bears begin their voluntary offseason program with players Monday, but they might not have running backs Matt Forte or linebacker Brian Urlacher.

Forte can’t participate unless he signs his $7.74 million franchise tag.

“In the offseason, I tell the guys if you have an issue with your contract, out of season is the time to work on those things,” Bears coach Lovie Smith said Tuesday before the team’s Ed Block Courage Award was presented to Urlacher. “That’s what Matt is going through right now. I’m on record of how we feel about Matt Forte. We start up Monday. Hopefully, he’ll be there. If he’s not, then we’re going to go to work with the players that we have there. We have a lot of time.”

Urlacher’s participation likely will be spotty. He suffered a sprained left knee during the regular-season finale and didn’t need surgery, but he said Tuesday he’s not going to rush his recovery.

“I’ve still got 3½ months, four months,” Urlacher said. “So I’m definitely not in a big hurry. I’ve done everything up to this point that I’ve been asked to do. I’m going to keep doing what I’ve been told to do. Like I’ve said … when the time is right, I’ll be ready to play. I’m not worried about it. It’s not an issue. I’ll be good to go.”

Running back Kahlil Bell, who started two games in Forte’s absence last season, has received a $1.26 million tender offer as a restricted free agent. The Chicago Tribune reported Tuesday that Bell is expected at Halas Hall on Monday even if he has not signed his offer. The newspaper cited his agent, who said Bell will sign an offseason workout agreement to protect him from any injury while at the Bears’ facility.

The Bears don’t have minicamp for the full team until the end of their offseason program in late June. The late minicamp also could benefit tackle Gabe Carimi, who’s coming off knee surgery, and guard Chris Williams, whose 2011 season ended because of a dislocated wrist.

It’s less certain when wide receiver Johnny Knox will be available after December back surgery following an injury against the Seattle Seahawks.

“He’s making a lot of progress,” Smith said. “From the time we saw him lying on the field to where he is right now, you know, making the same type of progress throughout. Things should be OK for him. As far as when he’ll be back 100 percent and ready to go, I don’t know that.”

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

DES PLAINES, Ill. (AP) It might be a while before the Chicago Bears get a look at all the pieces general manager Phil Emery has assembled in free agency for next season.

The Bears begin their voluntary offseason program with players Monday and it’s possible they won’t have running back Matt Forte, linebacker Brian Urlacher or running back Kahlil Bell available. Forte can’t participate unless he signs his franchise free-agent tender of $7.74 million, and the same is true of Bell, who has received a tender offer as a restricted free agent.

”In the offseason, I tell the guys if you have an issue with your contract, out of season is the time to work on those things,” coach Lovie Smith said Tuesday before the team’s Ed Block courage award was presented to Urlacher. ”That’s what Matt is going through right now. I’m on record of how we feel about Matt Forte. We start up Monday. Hopefully he’ll be there. If he’s not, then we’re going to go to work with the players that we have there. We have a lot of time.”

Urlacher’s participation will likely be spotty. He suffered a sprained left knee in the regular-season finale and did not need surgery, but he is not going to rush his recovery.

”I’ve still got 3 1/2 months, four months,” Urlacher said. ”So I’m definitely not in a big hurry. I’ve done everything up to this point that I’ve been asked to do. I’m going to keep doing what I’ve been told to do. Like I’ve said … when the time is right I’ll be ready to play. I’m not worried about it. It’s not an issue. I’ll be good to go.”

The Bears do not have minicamp for the full team until the end of their offseason program, in late June. The late minicamp could also benefit tackle Gabe Carimi, who is coming off knee surgery, and guard Chris Williams, whose 2011 season ended due to a dislocated wrist.

It’s less certain when wide receiver Johnny Knox will be available after December back surgery following an injury against Seattle.

”He’s making a lot of progress,” Smith said. ”From the time we saw him on the field lying on the field to where he is right now, you know, making the same type of progress throughout. Things should be OK for him. As far as when he’ll be back 100 percent and ready to go, I don’t know that.”

Urlacher is ecstatic over the moves the team has made in Emery’s first free agency signing period. The Bears acquired eight new players including wide receiver Brandon Marshall, and signing five of their own free agents.

”It’s exciting to see us making moves like that because we haven’t done that a lot in the past,” Urlacher said. ”We needed a receiver, we got a receiver. We still have the draft. All the pressure has been taken off of our draft with what he’s done so far.”

Urlacher isn’t worried about Marshall’s off-field problems or his battle with borderline personality disorder. Urlacher thinks Marshall’s close relationship with quarterback Jay Cutler will help.

”I’m not worried about him,” Urlacher said. ”Jay is a straightforward guy. He’s been around Brandon. So I don’t think there will be an issue.

When the season does start, Urlacher said game officials could be scrutinizing defensive players’ hits even more as a result of the New Orleans Saints bounty case.

”It’s always touchy,” Urlacher said. ”It’s going be even more so after all this stuff went down.”

Notes: The award given to Urlacher is for inspiration, sportsmanship and courage in difficult situations. Urlacher’s mother, Lavoyda Lenard, died unexpectedly early last season. The award is voted on by Bears players. ”Any time your teammates give you an award, that’s a big deal,” Urlacher said.

DES PLAINES, Ill. – It might be a while before the Chicago Bears get a look at all the pieces general manager Phil Emery has assembled in free agency for next season.

The Bears begin their voluntary off-season program with players Monday and it’s possible they won’t have running back Matt Forte, linebacker Brian Urlacher or running back Kahlil Bell available. Forte can’t participate unless he signs his franchise free-agent tender of $7.74 million, and the same is true of Bell, who has received a tender offer as a restricted free agent.

“In the off-season, I tell the guys if you have an issue with your contract, out of season is the time to work on those things,” coach Lovie Smith said Tuesday before the team’s Ed Block courage award was presented to Urlacher. “That’s what Matt is going through right now. I’m on record of how we feel about Matt Forte. We start up Monday. Hopefully he’ll be there. If he’s not, then we’re going to go to work with the players that we have there. We have a lot of time.”

Urlacher’s participation will likely be spotty. He suffered a sprained left knee in the regular-season finale and did not need surgery, but he is not going to rush his recovery.

“I’ve still got 3 1/2 months, four months,” Urlacher said. “So I’m definitely not in a big hurry. I’ve done everything up to this point that I’ve been asked to do. I’m going to keep doing what I’ve been told to do. Like I’ve said … when the time is right I’ll be ready to play. I’m not worried about it. It’s not an issue. I’ll be good to go.”

The Bears do not have minicamp for the full team until the end of their off-season program, in late June. The late minicamp could also benefit tackle Gabe Carimi, who is coming off knee surgery, and guard Chris Williams, whose 2011 season ended due to a dislocated wrist.

It’s less certain when wide receiver Johnny Knox will be available after December back surgery following an injury against Seattle.

“He’s making a lot of progress,” Smith said. “From the time we saw him on the field lying on the field to where he is right now, you know, making the same type of progress throughout. Things should be OK for him. As far as when he’ll be back 100 per cent and ready to go, I don’t know that.”

Urlacher is ecstatic over the moves the team has made in Emery’s first free agency signing period. The Bears acquired eight new players including wide receiver Brandon Marshall, and signing five of their own free agents.

“It’s exciting to see us making moves like that because we haven’t done that a lot in the past,” Urlacher said. “We needed a receiver, we got a receiver. We still have the draft. All the pressure has been taken off of our draft with what he’s done so far.”

Urlacher isn’t worried about Marshall’s off-field problems or his battle with borderline personality disorder. Urlacher thinks Marshall’s close relationship with quarterback Jay Cutler will help.

“I’m not worried about him,” Urlacher said. “Jay is a straightforward guy. He’s been around Brandon. So I don’t think there will be an issue.

When the season does start, Urlacher said game officials could be scrutinizing defensive players’ hits even more as a result of the New Orleans Saints bounty case.

“It’s always touchy,” Urlacher said. “It’s going be even more so after all this stuff went down.”

Notes: The award given to Urlacher is for inspiration, sportsmanship and courage in difficult situations. Urlacher’s mother, Lavoyda Lenard, died unexpectedly early last season. The award is voted on by Bears players. “Any time your teammates give you an award, that’s a big deal,” Urlacher said.

Throughout the last few weeks I’ve gone through about every opinion I can think of when it comes to what position I think the Chicago Bears should pursue with their first round draft pick in the NFL Draft. I’ve gone from offensive lineman to defensive end, to corner back, to wide receiver, and back again. At the current juncture, I believe the Bears ought to go after a wide receiver with their first draft choice (19th overall). Previously, I thought it total blasphemy to think of the Bears drafting anything other than an offensive lineman. I guess opinions change right along with the times.

Don’t get me wrong, I think the Bears are in need of all the above mentioned positions, I just think, after much interior debate, they need to pursue a receiver now. Their offensive line –albeit dreadful at times — has shown improvement over the train wreck that was a few seasons ago. Further, the Bears don’t fully know what they have in players like Chris Williams and Gabe Carimi. If the Bears continually throw player after player into the mix, no one will ever know who can do what.

As for the defensive side of the ball, the Bears already have Julius Peppers on one end, and they’ve been running an improving Israel Idonije out on the opposite end. While I’ll agree they could probably stand an upgrade, I don’t think it’s as pressing as the receiver position is –more on that in a bit. With the Bears signing Kelvin Hayden and Jonathan Wilhite, I just don’t see them going after a corner early in the draft. Of the positions they could potentially go after, wide receiver is the only one left.

The argument would be that since the Bears signed Brandon Marshall, they don’t need to go after more receivers. While I can understand that position, I think the Bears should take the opportunity to give Jay Cutler more weapons. Johnny Knox’s injury appears to be one that is going to affect this upcoming season (if he plays at all). Further, Devin Hester is the best kick returner of all time. He is quite a shout from being even considered a “strong” wide receiver. The short answer is that Devin Hester should be returning kicks at every possible opportunity. This would mean pulling him off the receiving corps most of the time. Without either Knox or Hester, the Bears need another target after Marshall and Earl Bennett. It looks like Michael Floyd might be the option. The only hangup is if Floyd isn’t still on the board at 19. He might not be.

If the Bears don’t go with a wide receiver, I expect them to look in the defensive end category. However, I’ll probably change my mind in a few days.

Brian is a lifelong Chicago Bears fan, having lived in Illinois his entire life and having followed the NFL throughout.

Sources

Albert Breer’s Mock Draft

Johnny Knox Still Out

When Jay Cutler was asked if he thought the offensive line would improve its protection under Mike Tice he laughed and said; “Hope so.” He followed with a few comments that illustrated a more supportive tone: ” It’s going to. It will. We’re headed in the right direction. I know that,” As it stands, the Chicago Bears –despite all their offseason acquisitions — have not done much in offensive line department, which is arguably their most deficient area. However, their release of Frank Omiyale should do a lot more good than harm. Addition by subtraction, I suppose.

Despite hyperbolic complainers, the Bears offensive line has shown improvement over the last year or so. Given how rough they were a couple of years ago, it’s still a rocky endeavor — like sending seniors in high school to play in the Olympics instead of eighth graders. They’re still going to get pushed around regularly, but maybe at a slightly lower percentage.

It’s difficult for the Bears to know exactly what they have in the players they currently play host to. Gabe Carimi and Chris Williams are both coming off injuries that drastically lowered their playing time. While it’s easy to say keep drafting more linemen until the O-line is good, it’s probably in the Bears best interest to see what they have before they begin overloading bodies into the mix. With that in mind, the Bears have a few options to help maximize the talent that they have.

It’s always baffled me why teams and coaches don’t play to their strengths all the time. It would be like hiring a baseball coach to run the football team and arguing; “hey, he’s a great coach.” Never mind the fact the man knows nothing about football. The Bears offensive line has found itself in a similar predicament the last two years. While it’s not unreasonable to expect these players to improve their play, they showed that, at the current juncture, they couldn’t protect Jay Cutler consistently. Yet, we continued to see seven-step drops and a lack of shotgun formation. Not only were these players over-matched in their current state, they were being put in the most unfavorable of circumstances.

The rumor is that with Mike Martz gone, many of the seven-step drops will be gone with him. It’s about time. The Bears had considerably more success with three-step drops, no huddle, and shotgun play calls. I feel like the Bears have the talent, they just need to maximize it by not putting their players –the offensive line in this case — in situations where they will more than likely fail.

Brian is a lifelong Chicago Bears fan, having lived in Illinois his entire life and having followed the NFL throughout.

Sources

Cutler Hopes Line Improves

Lovie Smith long has talked about the excellent attendance the Chicago Bears get in their voluntary offseason workout program, where much of the groundwork is laid for training camp and the regular season.

This year’s offseason workouts begin next Monday, the starting date and the period in which teams can conduct such programs having been pushed back under the new collective bargaining agreement. The Bears will be without running back Matt Forte for the sessions if he does not sign the tender he received as the team’s franchise player or a long-term contract is not worked out. To this point, there’s been no sign of progress. Publicly, general manager Phil Emery says the team continues to work toward the goal of a multi-year deal.

So, barring a breakthrough, Forte will be a high-profile absence as the Bears get going. That’s not necessarily a reason to fret. For starters, the key word for players in the offseason program is “voluntary.” The only mandatory period for them is one full-squad minicamp. The Bears have not announced it, but their minicamp will be held in early June, about two months from now. Forte cannot attend that either if he’s not signed, so it’s only “mandatory” for players under contract.

Without an offseason program last year, Forte reported to training camp in the best shape of his career. He then enjoyed the best season of his career until a minor knee sprain in Week 13 put him on the shelf. Forte led the NFL in yards from scrimmage at the time of his injury, and averaged 4.9 yards per carry. He also led the team with 52 receptions — 15 more than any other player.

Although the Bears have changed offensive coordinators, Mike Tice has said nothing will change in regard to the running game, how it’s blocked or anything like that.

“There will be no need to change the running game at all,” Tice told the Tribune in January.

So, it’s not like any missed time this spring will put Forte behind the rest of the offense, including new running back Michael Bush.

Forte is unhappy he doesn’t have a long-term deal. While the franchise tag will pay him $7.742 million — a raise of more than $7.1 million from 2011 — he doesn’t have the security that comes with deals other running backs have received the last few years. That’s what he feels he’s earned and it’s a sticky situation but one in which the Bears hold the ultimate leverage with the franchise tag, something they could apply to Forte again in 2013 at a cost of about $9.29 million.

The key date isn’t next Monday or the first day of minicamp or training camp. It’s July 16. That is the deadline for the Bears to reach a multi-year agreement with Forte. If no deal is in place by then, he has to play 2012 for the franchise tag amount. So, a holdout after that date might show the team how upset he is, but it’s not going to result in any negotiating leverage for him.

Forte is a well-prepared professional who turned up in the best shape of his career for a contract year in 2011. This could turn out to be another contract year for him and the Bears probably won’t worry too much if he’s not at Halas Hall next Monday.

bmbiggs@tribune.com

It goes without saying that Chicago Bears fans were shocked and saddened by the tragic death of Dave Duerson. Fans were subsequently taken aback when his family decided to sue the NFL over his suicide . In a new twist to the ongoing Duerson saga, a foundation named for him will be helping high school students who suffer head injuries on the field, proving that something good may come out of this tragedy after all.

The four-time Pro-Bowler killed himself last year with a gunshot wound to his chest, and chose the manner of death specifically to preserve his brain. He had wished for his brain to be donated to science to determine if he did indeed suffer from CTE, or Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy as a result of his years in football.

The Dave Duerson Muncie Community Schools Athletic Safety Fund will benefit middle school and high school students in Muncie, Indiana, where Duerson went to school. The fund will pay for baseline testing of student athletes, and will then pay for subsequent testing for those students who suffer a concussion but cannot afford the testing. Students will not be allowed to return to the field until their post-concussion results match the baseline tests.

It is important to note that concussions and injuries don’t begin in the NFL. By the time a player is drafted, they have played through at least high school and college, meaning that an aggressive player may have already seen eight years of concussions before ever making it to the big time. It is estimated that 60,000 high school athletes across all sports suffer concussions every year.

The foundation named for Duerson is giving students, coaches, and parents a valuable tool. No matter how competitive the player, it is never worth risking a child’s health and safety to keep them in the game. I am not advocating making high school football a no-contact sport, but making sure that kids avoid injuries that could disrupt the rest of their lives is important. All too often, coaches keep kids in after an injury because they insist they are alright to play. High schools don’t have the resources available to them that the NFL and even college teams do; they lack instant access to neurologists, neurosurgeons, and MRIs. The post-concussion testing will help even the playing field in that respect.

It is heartbreaking to think that Dave Duerson didn’t see any way out of his pain other than to take his life. He would, however, be immensely proud that his legacy is doing something now to prevent other players from facing the same problems that he had, and that is what being a star athlete is all about.

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.

I was doing some (football) thinking the other day and, for whatever reason, my mind came around to Lovie Smith –the head coach of the Chicago Bears for those unaware. Over the course of the last few years, Smith seems to have taken a lot of criticism –even when the Bears are rather good. Some of the criticism is justified, but you could easily criticize every coach for something. I started doing some digging and came to the following conclusion: At the end of the day, Lovie Smith is a pretty darn good football coach.

Yeah, yeah, I know there are times when he looks like he’s entirely oblivious to what’s going on around him, but let’s look at some of the facts of his coaching career. He became head coach of the Bears prior to the 2004 season. That first season the Bears went 5-11. You could argue that record was a result of bad coaching, but I’d rather argue that it was because Chad Hutchinson (five games), Craig Krenzel (five games), Jonathan Quinn (three games), and Rex Grossman (three games) were the Bears various starting signal callers all season. Honestly, as I look back at those players, I’m utterly shocked they won five games.

Between 2005 and the present, the Bears worst record under Smith has been 7-9 (twice). His career coaching record is 71-57. He has a Super Bowl appearance (2006), two NFC Championship appearances (2006, 2010), and three NFC North titles (2005, 2006, 2010). Say what you want about the clueless image he portrays on the field sometimes, this man gets results. It should also be noted that the Bears were a robust 7-3 last season prior to Matt Forte and Jay Cutler going down with injuries. I’m not saying the Bears would have won the Super Bowl, but based on their schedule at the time, I think they would have been playoff bound. The short of it was that Smith was coaching another strong Bears team last season.

It looks like he’s going to be coaching an even better one this season. I’ve always liked Smith’s calm demeanor –especially in a league where the louder you are is somehow being equated with how good you are. At the very least, it’s nice to see Smith carry himself with class. When we dig deeper and see the numbers the Bears have had under Smith, it really becomes more of a mystery why this man takes so much grief from the fan base. It’s also impressive how many players say they want to come play for Lovie Smith –special teams standout, Eric Weems, was the latest Bear to make that reference. That has to count for something. All players want to win, so they aren’t going to go play for Lovie Smith because “he’s nice.” He offers an attractive package of being calm and classy with building a winning football team. It might not always be smooth, he might not be the best coach in the league, but the numbers don’t really lie.

When the football season starts next fall, I’m going to try and remember this article and give Lovie Smith a break. He’s done a lot more right than wrong in his time with the Bears.

Brian is a lifelong Chicago Bears fan, having lived in Illinois his entire life and having followed the NFL throughout.

Sources

Lovie Smith Coaching Stats

Eric Weems to Chicago

2004 Chicago Bears Stats

While I love the Chicago Bears as much as any fan, part of being a fan of this organization has been having deal with –for the most part– “improvements” via free agency over the years. You know the kind I’m talking about: “we need a number one wide receiver, let’s sign Muhsin Muhammad or Marty Booker (again).” For whatever reason, the Bears consistently looked for the bargain –Julius Peppers’ signing not withstanding. They rarely seem to buckle down and go after major contributors in free agency. It never really made sense to me. Most recently, it was the Marion Barbers, Amobi Okoyes, and Vernon Gholstons of the league that fit this mold.

While I’m hesitant to crown new general manager Phil Emery based on a few signings that look good on paper, and bash ex-general manager Jerry Angelo because of the difference in approach, this has been one of the most active –and best (on paper) — free agency periods for the Bears in quite some time. With the Bears signing Jason Campbell, Eric Weems, and Michael Bush (and acquiring Brandon Marshall via trade), they aren’t illustrating the “let’s hope we find a diamond in the rough” attitude. They are signing players that appear to have plenty left in the tank and who could be key contributors for years to come.

The only downside is that in signing Michael Bush (to a four-year contract, no less), the Bears appear to have further alienated running back Matt Forte –who has been wanting a long-term contract of his own. While he’s going to command a higher salary than Bush, you can kind of see where his frustration is coming from. While I’m all for signing Forte, part of it is just the nature of the running back position in the NFL. Their shelf life just isn’t very long. It’s dangerous for a team to sign a running back to a long term deal. That’s not to say Forte doesn’t deserve this raise, it’s just that you might see where the Bears cringe at the thought.

Overall, I love the Bush signing. He’s a powerful back that has the potential to compliment Forte well. We said the same thing about Marion Barber, but I think Bush is, at this time, a much better back. Time will tell. Whether it’s simply the change in general manager or something else, I like the direction the Bears are going. A lot.

Now, I just ask the Bears to use this draft to continue to improve the offensive line to help block for these great new additions.

Brian is a lifelong Chicago Bears fan, having lived in Illinois his entire life and having followed the NFL throughout.

Sources

Bears Sign Bush

Bears Active in Free Agency

The Chicago Bears have seen their fair share of controversy over the years, but in the last decade they have seen many players arrested for guns, drugs, and alcohol issues. These problems are not unique to the Bears, in fact, they are a problem throughout the NFL. Unfortunately for the Bears, two players have been embroiled in legal battles at the same time this off-season. Here is a run-down of some of the team’s most notable player arrests.

Sam Hurd

Sam Hurd shocked everyone in Chicago after his arrest for attempting to purchase more than a pound of cocaine from an undercover officer back in December. He is accused of supplying numerous NFL players with drugs, and is believed to be one of the biggest drug dealers in Chicago. Hurd was cut by the Bears after his arrest. His absence from the team’s roster is just one of the problems that GM Phil Emery will need to address when scouting for talent to fill in gaps in the offense.

JT Thomas

Fresh off of the heels of the Sam Hurd arrest, JT Thomas found himself on the wrong side of the law this month in Virginia. Originally pulled over for going the wrong way on a one way street and speeding, Thomas was found to be in possession of a small amount of marijuana; less than 15 grams. Compared to Sam Hurd’s arrest, this seems like a small problem for the Bears, but it did make for bad timing and even worse publicity for the team.

John Capel

John Capel was known throughout the sports world as an Olympic athlete, and as a wide receiver for the University of Florida. He also made headlines back in 2001 after he tested positive for marijuana at the NFL combine . The Chicago Bears drafted Capel after this, and he was later arrested for possession. The Bears cut him from the team before he was ever able to report to training camp, and Capel went on to banned from track and field for two years after testing positive two more times.

Cedric Benson

Cedric Benson and his arrests in Chicago seem like old news, but he has continued to run into trouble with the law after leaving Chicago and joining the Cincinatti Bengals. In 2008 he was charged with operating a boat while intoxicated in Austin Texas. He was arrested just five weeks later for driving while intoxicated. Recent arrests for the former Bear have been for a bar fight two years ago, and a domestic abuse charge just last summer .

Tank Johnson

Tank Johnson is another former Bears player that was arrested multiples times. Originally arrested for possession of a firearm in 2005 after a nightclub employee saw him stashing a gun in his car, he was placed on probation. A year later, six unregistered firearms were found on his property during a raid of his Gurnee home . Johnson’s body guard who was also arrested as part of the raid was shot and killed at a nightclub two days later. Johnson was present at the time of the shooting. The Bears suspended him for one game for being at the club. Tank was later sentenced to 120 days in jail and 84 days of house arrest for the charges in the gun raid. The Bears did allow him to play in the Super Bowl that season.

Whitney Levon is a Chicago native whose dedication to the Bears goes back to her first football memory; the Bears’ 1985 Super Bowl victory.

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A new crew from the Chicago Bears is in Indianapolis this week talking to, testing, evaluating and watching some of the best college football prospects in the country.

It may be a new crew, but they should be looking at the same old stuff.

New Bears general manager Phil Emery and his team of scouts and coaches — about 40 Chicago reps reportedly showed up Wednesday — are in Indianapolis through Tuesday hoping to see something that will turn their heads. The NFL Scouting Combine has a reputation for showcasing athleticism and character, but it doesn’t always give teams a true look into players.

However, for teams like the Bears, in need of help in all sorts of areas, it could turn into a monumental moment. If they find just one gem among the 320-plus NFL-wannabes, count it as a big victory before they even hit the field.

And that would certainly be an early sign of change with the new staff.

“My influences are different, as are how we grade players ultimately as we get past this draft,” Emery said last month. “As we move forward, as our staff is structured, how our scouts scout, how we grade, the grading scale we use, how we use that grading scale, how we balance pro and college — all of that is different.”

But the team’s needs? Well those haven’t changed a whole lot since the Bears brought in quarterback Jay Cutler in 2009. A talented wide receiver or two; some safeties and defensive backs who fit the Bears’ mold; some linebacker depth; and, yes, more offensive linemen.

But what should the Bears be looking at the hardest at the Combine?

The Bears selected their top 60 prospects beforehand and began maneuvering through 15-minute interview sessions in a jam-packed hotel room with each one Thursday night. There are a few they should focus on. Wide receiver Justin Blackmon of Oklahoma State will very likely be gone when Chicago picks, but there is good chance they could land Michael Floyd of Notre Dame. Others like Iowa’s Marvin McNutt (6-foot-3, 216 pounds) and Georgia Tech’s Stephen Hill (6-4, 206) could raise their stock on the Bears’ draft chart with a strong Combine effort.

Offensive linemen Mike Adams of Ohio State (6-7, 323) and Cal’s Mitchell Schwartz (6-5, 317) will be intriguing, as will safety Trenton Robinson (75-plus tackles in each of the last two seasons) from Michigan State and outside linebacker Nigel Bradham (led his team in tackles in three straight seasons), formerly of Florida State.

Some of the things the players and scouts have to look forward to over the seven-day event are: The 40-yard dash; the 50-question-in-12-minutes Wonderlic Test; plenty of position drills; repping out on the bench press with 225 pounds; vertical-leap and broad-jump station.

Not your typical day at the office. Also not always the best way to determine whether a player fits your system.

But with a very important free-agent period and the NFL Draft approaching, it’s the time of year for the new Bears regime to kick it into gear and show there is change for the better on the horizon.

Jay Taft covers the Chicago Bears for the Rockford Register Star. He can be reached at 815-987-1384 or jtaft@rrstar.com.