LAKE FOREST Josh Allen Jersey , Ill. (AP) — The Chicago Bears have a different view of the draft this year.A worst-to-first jump last season left them staring down at the rest of the NFC North, and loaded with one of the league’s best defenses and banking on a more creative offense led by quarterback Mitchell Trubisky to improve in coach Matt Nagy’s second season.As good as it all sounds, general manager Ryan Pace wasn’t resting easy the past few months.“You’re either getting better or you’re getting worse,” he said at the combine in February. “We want to make sure we are getting better.”The Bears have a chance to do just that in the draft even with a long wait.That’s because they won’t be selecting until the third round, at No. 87 overall, unless they make a trade. Chicago also has one pick each in the fourth and fifth rounds and two in the seventh.The Bears’ first-rounder went to Oakland in the blockbuster trade for All-Pro edge rusher Khalil Mack just before the start of last season. New England now has Chicago’s second-round selection from a trade last year.But even if they’re little more than spectators in the early going, the Bears still have some work to do. They need a running back after trading Jordan Howard to Philadelphia and could use help in the defensive backfield, on the edge and at kicker.But overall, the Bears have to like this view. They won their division at 12-4 in Nagy’s first season after four straight last-place finishes and ended a playoff drought that dated to 2010.Here are some things to know:RUN GAMEThe Bears created their biggest draft need when they traded Howard.A poor fit for a scheme favoring pass-catching running backs, he set career lows in yards rushing (935) and attempts (250) in his third season. But he still had more carries than the four running backs currently on Chicago’s roster — Tarik Cohen, Mike Davis, Taquan Mizzell Sr. and Ryan Nall.If Chicago goes for a running back with its first pick, Penn State’s Miles Sanders and Auburn’s Damien Harris might be possibilities.ON SECOND THOUGHTThough the Bears signed safety Ha Ha Clinton-Dix and cornerback Buster Skrine to replace Adrian Amos and Bryce Callahan Jawaan Taylor Jersey , they could still use help in the defensive backfield. Iowa safety Amani Hooker and Michigan cornerback David Long could be options in the third round.ON EDGEDon’t be surprised if the Bears go for an edge rusher with one of their first picks. Sure, they tied for third in the league with 50 sacks. But with Leonard Floyd set to enter the fourth and final season of his rookie contract, Chicago might want to draft a potential replacement.LATER SUCCESSPace has done some of his best draft work in the mid to late rounds since he was hired in January 2015, so there’s a good chance the Bears get an impact player or two even despite having no early picks.He hit in the fifth round in 2015 on Amos, who left for a $37 million, four-year contract with Green Bay in March. The Bears got Howard in the same round the following year, and he made a Pro Bowl while giving them two 1,000-yard seasons.In 2017, Chicago took safety Eddie Jackson and running back Tarik Cohen in the fourth round. And both were All-Pros this past season — Cohen as a punt returner.Defensive tackle Bilal Nichols had three sacks and seven quarterback hits in 14 games after being drafted in the fifth round a year ago.“The job that (our scouts) do is remarkable and they help set the board, and you’ve got to give them a lot of credit,” Pace said.KICK ITIt’s no secret the Bears need to find a reliable kicker. And keeping Cody Parkey was not an option.If hitting uprights on six misses, including that double-doink off the upright and crossbar in the wild-card loss to Philadelphia at Soldier Field, didn’t punch his ticket out of town Josh Oliver Jersey , a “Today” show appearance a few days after the season did. He couldn’t provide the consistency the Bears have been seeking since they let Robbie Gould go prior to the 2016 season and got released after one rough season in Chicago.The Bears have three kickers with no NFL experience after signing Redford Jones, Chris Blewitt and Elliott Fry. Whether they draft another, they might add a veteran at some point.
Derrick Johnson’s tenure with the Kansas City Chiefs is coming to an end.

The franchise’s career tackles leader and a four-time Pro Bowl selection, Johnson will become a free agent when his contract expires at the start of the new league year March 14. He intends to keep playing, it just won’t be in the familiar red, yellow and white of the Chiefs.

”I love Kansas City and this fan base. They’ve always had my back,” Johnson said in a statement put out by the Chiefs, who made the rare decision to announce publicly that Johnson would not be returning.

That in itself speaks volumes to how much Johnson has meant to the organization.

”I’m grateful I had the opportunity to spend 13 years in a place I love,” he said. ”I plan on playing for several more years because I love the game so much, but I look forward to retiring as a member of the Kansas City Chiefs when my career is over.”

Johnson was the Chiefs’ first-round pick in 2005, though his career got off to a rocky start. At one point early on, he found himself riding the bench, and was even labeled a bust.

But Johnson eventually earned his starting job back http://www.jaguarscheapshop.com/cheap-authentic-quincy-williams-ii-jersey , and went on to appear in 182 games with 169 starts. He piled up 1,262 tackles to easily shatter the franchise record, had 27 sacks and picked off 14 passes, returning four of them for touchdowns.

He had a career-best 179 tackles in 2011, when he was voted the Chiefs’ team MVP.

”Few players in recent history have meant more to the Chiefs franchise and the Kansas City community than Derrick Johnson,” Chiefs chairman Clark Hunt said.

”His tireless work ethic and passion for the game made him one of the most productive defensive players to ever wear a Chiefs uniform and one of the most respected players both in our locker room and around the league.

”Over the last 13 seasons, Derrick represented himself and the Chiefs organization with integrity and class, and he will always be a part of our Chiefs family.”

Johnson piled up his impressive stats despite missing part of two seasons with ruptured Achilles tendons. He returned from the first one as good as ever, earning his most recent Pro Bowl trip in 2015, but the second seemed to finally take a step out of his legs this past season.

He slowly lost playing time to younger teammates in the middle of the Kansas City defense.

”I’m grateful I had the opportunity to coach a player like Derrick,” Chiefs coach Andy Reid said in a statement. ”He’s a passionate football player and a natural leader. I value the amount of quality work he put in every day for us, including teaching our younger players what it means to be a pro.

”I think he will make an incredible coach when he is done playing the game, if he chooses.”

The Chiefs have been trying to get younger the past couple of seasons Ryquell Armstead Jersey , particularly on defense, and Johnson is unlikely to be the last veteran to go. Fellow linebacker Tamba Hali has been dealing with bad knees for years, and the Chiefs are expected to release him in the coming weeks.

Johnson signed a three-year, $21 million contract extension in 2016, but he had restructured the deal a year ago to help the Chiefs free up salary cap space. In doing so, he voided the final year, and that made it simple for the Chiefs to move on.

His loss will be felt not only on the field, but in the locker room and community. Johnson often served as a team spokesman, always showing up at his locker to speak with reporters regardless of whether the team was winning or losing. And the role he played in mentoring young players, such as linebackers Reggie Ragland and Ukeme Eligwe, should help the organization for years to come.

”Letting go of a player like Derrick is particularly tough because of how much respect I have for him as a player and a person,” Chiefs general manager Brett Veach said. ”He’s had a tremendous career in Kansas City and we wish him nothing but the best moving forward.”

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