Chicago Bears Links for 1-15-14: NFC North Coaching Moves, O-Line Not as Good as you Think and More

Dec 29, 2013; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Detroit Lions head coach Jim Schwartz and Minnesota Vikings head coach Leslie Frazier meet following the game at Mall of America Field at H.H.H. Metrodome. The Vikings defeated the Lions 14-13. Mandatory Credit: Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports

It’s out with the old and in with the new in the NFC North.  Or so it seems.

The Lions missed out on Ken Wisenhunt, who spurned them for the Tennessee Titans, so they pulled the trigger on bringing Jim Caldwell into the fold.  The former Ravens OC won a ring with the Ravens and also held the clipboard for Peyton Manning in his Super Bowl loss to the Saints.

The Vikings also appear to have their man, former Bengals DC Mike Zimmer, but a deal hasn’t been finalized yet.  As Lions fans just learned, it’s not over until it’s over.

On to some Bears news…

Friend of the program and up-and-coming salary capologist Dan Durkin takes a look at how the Bears salary cap breaks down to date and some ideas to improve it.

Pro Football Focus came out with their offensive line rankings and the Bears were not as good as you might think.  The Bears ranked 23rd, which isn’t great, but it’s up 7 spots from last season.   How bad could they have been? Rookie guard Kyle Long was named to the 2013 All-Rookie team.

Speaking of ranking 23rd, the Bears special teams graded out in that same spot in Rick Gosselin’s special teams rankings.

Do you remember the Bears fan who Tasered his Packer fan wife to settle a bet on their first matchup of the season, which the Bears won?  In case you forgot, here’s a clip:

Well anyway, the genius who did it was fined $250 during sentencing after pleading no contest to charges of disorderly conduct.  Let me get this straight, $250 to Taser the wife?  Sounds like a bargain to me!

Tweet of the day…

  BEAR DOWN!!!