Sports Illustrated’s mock draft is predicting the Bears will select Missouri wide receiver Jeremy Maclin with their 1st round pick (18th pick overall). Maclin is a fast receiver who makes up for his relative lack in size (just 6′1″, 200 lbs) by running by cornerbacks and forcing safeties to protect against the long ball. The Bears have been without a solid top receiver for a long time, and it will be interesting to see what they can do with a guy like Maclin lining up with a guy like Devin Hester. The deep protection would have to be so great that it would really soften the middle of the field for runs or short passes.

Filed under: bears, chicago bears, draft pick, football, jeremy maclin, missouri, mock draft, nfl, rookie card, wide receiver

The Bears continued the dismantling of their defensive coaching staff yesterday with the firing of Lloyd Lee, the linebacker coach. The Bears are now in the market for a defensive line coach, linebacker coach, and secondary coach. All that remains is defensive coordinator Bob Babich. Linebacker Brian Urlacher had the worst full season of his career this year while working with Lee.

Filed under: brian urlacher, chicago bears, coach, football, linebacker, lloyd lee, nfl