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LAKE FOREST, Ill. Kris Bryant Jersey . - Chicago Bears general manager Phil Emery has a short list of candidates he expects to be available with the 14th pick in next weeks draft. Six players, to be precise. "Id be happy that two out of the six were on the board at our pick, and Id be ecstatic if three out of the six were on the board at our pick," Emery said Thursday. The Bears went 8-8 last season and missed the playoffs for the sixth time in seven years, hurt by a defence that ranked among the leagues worst. Emery has spent the off-season overhauling that group, bringing in Jared Allen and parting ways with Julius Peppers. The makeover figures to continue in the draft even though Emery would not rule out going with an offensive player at No. 14. The most obvious holes, though, are on defence. The Bears still could use help on the defensive line, at linebacker and in the secondary. Assuming they go with a defensive player — and assuming they keep the pick — the options at 14 could include Pittsburgh defensive tackle Aaron Donald, Alabama free safety Ha Ha Clinton-Dix and Oklahoma State cornerback Justin Gilbert. Dropping back a few spots could give the Bears more selections, and Emery said he has been fielding calls from teams looking to move up. "Just say in theory you go down six picks," Emery said. "That means you have to count your pick youre giving up is one, and if youre going to pick six picks later, you have to have six players on the board that have that graded value that youre comfortable taking. ... So if you dont have that number of players you feel good about you shouldnt trade." Emery also indicated that trading up is unlikely. "Trade ups are expensive, obviously, and you just have to feel like that that player youre trading up for makes a dynamic difference in your team," he said. The Bears have already made plenty of noise this season. They made a huge splash when they signed Allen, hoping the five-time Pro Bowl defensive end energizes a defence that ranked 30th overall and last against the run. He had 11 1/2 sacks last season, his seventh straight in double figures, and is a solid run defender. The Bears also added defensive ends Lamarr Houston and Willie Young along with safeties Ryan Mundy and M.D. Jennings. They brought back cornerback Charles Tillman on a one-year deal, re-signed defensive tackle Jeremiah Ratliff to a two-year contract and split with safety Major Wright. There have been some big moves. But there are still some big questions. The starting safety spots are up for grabs after Wright and Chris Conte struggled last season. Emery called it "a wide-open competition, best player wins." Wright signed with Tampa Bay in the off-season. Conte had shoulder surgery in late March and could start training camp on the physically unable to perform list, although Emery expects him to be ready for the first preseason game. Emery also said hes "absolutely" comfortable with Jordan Palmer backing up Jay Cutler at quarterback, with Josh McCown now in Tampa Bay. And he made that clear when the team started off-season workouts last month. "Same thing I told Josh: Glad youre here, looking forward to your contributions and were counting on you," Emery said. "And Jordan, since the time that he came last year has been nothing but a positive." Emery also reiterated the teams long-held desire not to be documented on HBOs "Hard Knocks," although he acknowledged the decision is not the organizations. He cited the franchises history, fan base and interest as reasons to look elsewhere. "I think theres a number of teams that dont have as much attraction, have as big a base for whatever reasons — their population or their history," he said. "Obviously, this is a tremendous, historic franchise. I think there will probably be other places that could benefit from it other than the Chicago Bears. Hows that for an answer?" Custom Chicago Cubs Jerseys . DeGrom outpitched Jake Peavy in a tantalizing hitless duel that carried into the seventh inning Saturday night before the New York Mets broke loose and beat the San Francisco Giants 4-2. Yu Darvish Jersey . After losing Brett Cecil to groin tightness on Friday, the Blue Jays watched as R. http://www.cubsauthentic.com/cubs-ryne-sandberg-jersey/ . On Tuesday, the star questioned whether that was still the case. Speaking to reporters at a charity event, Johnson said: "I just kind of wonder sometimes: Is this still the place for me?" Johnsons comments came after he was asked why he recently skipped a voluntary minicamp.You knew it was going to catch up to them but you just didnt know when. Im relating the reality of the slow starts in games by the Toronto Argonauts and how it had to stop as you cant always depend on fourth quarter comebacks and game-winning drives. The Argos have had an excellent year. At 9-4, they control the East and, unless they implode, should have the East Final at home. Thats a major advantage but they need Ricky Ray back. Zack Collaros has been entertaining and exciting and has established himself as a player in this league. But he is not Ricky Ray. Henry Burris completed his first seven passes and created an early lead. As important as it is to have come-from-behind skills, it is just as important to have create-a-lead skills and Ray has both. Getting a team ready to play is a process and takes a week. Why the Argos dont begin games better is a mystery but I do know what it takes: perfect preparation, emotional intensity and the combination of the two creates a unique and genuine level of focus. But the key factor is it has to be everybody; not just the starters but all 42 that dress for the game. In some ways, when the ball is kicked off, the vast majority of the work for coaches is over. But for the player, the important part has begun; seeing if your preparation and emotional intensity which creates your focus is there. This is by no means heavy psychological stuff, quite the opposite. It is easy to master if youre aware and make the effort over and over again. The Argos are a very good team that can be great if they would start games fast and hard and finish the same way. In Saskatchewan, it is a brand new season. The 31-17 win over the B.C. Lions breaks a four-game losing cycle and makes those four games complete history. And what is even more important is that it puts the Riders in second place and re-energizes the fact they still can host the 101st Grey Cup at home come November 24th. Im not sure about the trade. Patrick Neufeld is going to have a long career in CFL football but Alex Hall could be gone by next season. I know in other sports you "rent a player&quoot; for a block of time and it works but I am not sure it works in football. Joe Maddon Jersey. One is Canadian, one is American. There are countless football players of quality in the United States. In Canada, sometimes I think I can count them. I realize offensive line depth is a strength for Saskatchewan but Im still not sure who will win this deal as time moves on. The last two games on Saturday were painful to watch. Montreal took apart the Eskimos and Calgary did the same to the Blue Bombers. On the positive side, Mike Reilly played, survived and will play again. Im happy about that because the Montreal defence is intimidating. To me, Kyries Herbert and Chip Cox are the best two defensive players on the field at the same time on any team. You add Shea Emry and an excellent player in Mike Edem and the Alouettes can steal playoff games because of the hitting ability on that side of the field alone. The Calgary Stampeder are a complete team. In just about ever aspect of football, Calgary is as good or better than any team. One of their least recognized performers is kicker Rene Paredes. He has made almost every field goal that you can make and by doing so, either wins the close games or keeps the games close. You cant underrate his value. Lets be honest, with four games left in the regular season, Winnipeg and Edmonton are building for 2014. I realize it is not over until its over mathematically but the lack of energy expressed by both teams on Saturday was distressing. Not all players but for some, it came accross as a practice game, not a regular season battle. With four games left, teams are looking to host at least one game at home in the playoffs. During the regular season, home field is not as big an advantage as you might think. It is an advantage, but in an eight-team league, its not always a game-changer. In the playoffs? Oh yes! In the West, first place is no guarantee but the energy of playing at home in the Semi-Final, Final or Grey Cup Game is a feeling you never forget. The next four games mean everything to give yourself the best possible chance to win it all. ' ' '