Dan, even with the additions of two starting linebackers, the team has zero depth at the position. Unless they plan to draft three linebackers, it's still the biggest need position on the roster. Is there any chance, maybe after the draft, that Brian Urlacher discovers that the Bears were offering his current market value, and comes back home? Do you think Emery would re-structure someone's deal and sign him at that point? -- Mark Early, Arlington, Va.

You'd never say never on something like this until Urlacher's signature is on another team's contract. I would not completely rule it out because I have no doubt the Bears legitimately wanted Urlacher on the team, and he legitimately wanted to be a Bear. It was clear the Bears were waiting for an answer for him before they started signing other players -- they were saving that $2 million for him. And still, the best place for Urlacher to be is in Chicago, and the best middle linebacker for the Bears probably is Urlacher. The problem, as I see it, is there are some hard feelings now. Emotions got involved. Pride can be a powerful force in contract issues. So for Urlacher to return to the Bears, ego would have to be completely subjugated. And seeing that the Bears have gone on a spending spree since Urlacher said no, there may be less money than there was before. Bottom line is it's a real long shot, but not impossible.

Dan, is there an NFL rule that would prohibit Bear fans from raising a "Keep Urlacher Fund" that would be gifted to him if he signed a contract with the Bears? Yes, it's a blatant attempt to circumvent the salary cap. But it'd also be an honest effort by the fan base to enable us to see 54 have the kind of farewell season with the team that he deserves and we desire. And if the NFL can actually interfere in our right to give someone a gift, could they nix a personal services contract? It'd be a pity for his career as a Bear -- as the face of the Bears -- to end the way it apparently will. -- Glen Hanus, Florissant, Colo.

The scenarios which you present would not be allowed. Any attempt to circumvent the salary cap is prohibited, and a team that is party to such an attempt can be docked draft choices. Article 14 of the collective bargaining agreement describes circumvention of the cap this way: "Neither the parties hereto, nor any Club or player shall enter into any agreement, Player Contract, Offer Sheet or other transaction which includes any terms that are designed to serve the purpose of defeating or circumventing the intention of the parties as reflected by the provisions of this Agreement."

With Urlacher sadly out the door. Do you think maybe Lance Briggs could see some time in the middle? I'm not sure D.J. Williams is a good fit in the middle, he would more productive at weak side. I can't think of anyone better to replace Urlacher. -- Terry Wilson, Bushnell, Ill.

I don't believe so. I think Briggs could play well in the middle. But he plays so well on the weak side. He's a sure thing there. Why would you mess with that? The weakside position is very important to the Bears defense, arguably more important than the middle linebacker position.

What are your thoughts about Alec Ogletree as a 4-3 MLB in our system? I've been hearing that he can only play inside in a 3-4, but the similarities to Urlacher are uncanny -- both former safeties with great size, speed and athleticism. Are there any differences between them at the same age besides skin color? -- Keith Richard, Flora, Ill

Ogletree is talented enough to play middle linebacker or weak side linebacker in the Bears' 4-3. Because he is tall, athletic and rangy and isn't real natural when taking on blocks, some scouts think he would be best utilized as an outside linebacker. But he is not a player with a lot of limitations. He probably is the type of athlete who hasn't yet played his best football. Ogletree is somewhat similar to Urlacher when Urlacher came out of New Mexico in 2000, but Urlacher was bigger and faster. Ogletree is more experienced at playing the way he will play as a pro.

With the signing of D.J. Williams, does that mean Marc Trestman doesn't need high character guys on the defensive side of the ball? I sure hope Trestman has some success because all his rhetoric about high character, science of football, and systems is going to get real old with Chicago fans and media. -- Joseph Nowak

If you are looking for the Mormon Tabernacle Choir, I suggest you book a flight to Utah. You always prefer to have squeaky clean players from the top of the roster to the bottom. But that isn't realistic. Football teams have to have a diverse blend of personalities and problems. Your roster cannot be nothing but choir boys, not in this day and age. It's all about risk management. Sometimes these gambles work out. Sometimes they don't. But you have to take some of them. The Bears always have. So have the other 31 teams in the National Football League. The gamble the Bears took on Williams was a low risk gamble. If he doesn't work out, they don't lose anything. They took a higher risk gamble on another player with a checkered past last year. It has worked out very well with Brandon Marshall so far. Trestman still will need high character guys on defense. If he has enough of them, he can sprinkle in a player or two who may not rate quite as high on the character scale.

Should the Bears consider bringing in Chad Ochocinco as the third receiver? He's got some left and is humble now. -- @ECcrow23, from Twitter

Ochocinco is 35 years old and has not had a good season since 2009. In 2010, he showed signs of slowing down. When he went to New England in 2011, he struggled adjusting to a new offense and was a non-factor. With the Dolphins in camp last year, he didn't show enough to convince management he could help a receiver-desperate team. And he was a problem off the field. It's one thing to take a gamble on a player who might be a distraction but can add something of real value to your team. It's another one to take a gamble on a player who has seen better days. My answer to your question would be no, definitely no.