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LAKE FOREST, Ill. - 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?" Kenneth Faried Jersey . This is not some token job for a prominent, popular former player. All of those areas need a lot of work, so Molitor is going to be busy. "Hes certainly got a history and knowledge and a high baseball IQ," general manager Terry Ryan said. Shabazz Napier Jersey . Numbers Game looks into the Canadiens securing the services of Thomas Vanek in a trade with the New York Islanders. The Canadiens Get: LW Thomas Vanek and a conditional fifth-round pick. http://www.cheapnetsjerseys.com/?tag=cheap-jared-dudley-jersey .A. Happ is coming off his first start of the year, a win at Philadelphia Monday. The former Phillie allowed three hits in five scoreless frames of a 3-0 triumph. Jarrett Allen Jersey .The Toronto Raptors guard, who will represent the Eastern Conference at the All-Star Game in New Orleans on Sunday, says he doesnt complain in the face of adversity "because I know this little girl is just happy for anything. Wholesale Nets Jerseys . - Jordan Addesis shootout goal helped the Plymouth Whalers to a 3-2 win over the Sault Ste.PORTLAND, Ore. -- Nicolas Batum had 14 points and a career-high 18 rebounds and the Portland Trail Blazers routed Atlanta 102-78, a loss that marked the end of Hawks guard Kyle Korvers NBA-record streak of 127 games with a 3-pointer. Korver had surpassed Dana Barros record of 89 straight, set from 1994-96, earlier this season. He was 0 for 5 from 3-point range against the Blazers. Portland, which led by as many as 29 points, has won six of its last seven games while keeping pace as one of the teams battling for the top four seeds in the West. The Hawks have lost four straight and 12 of their last 13 as they fight to stay in the Eastern Conference playoff picture. Batum has had at least 11 rebounds in his last three games, and he has seven double-doubles this season. Mo Williams added 15 points off the bench for Portland, which had six players in double figures. Cartier Martin had 16 points off the bench for Atlanta. Portland is coming off a 107-106 loss to the Lakers on Monday that snapped a five-game winning streak. All-Star Damian Lillard started for the Blazers despite missing practice because of a stomach bug, but the Blazers were still without forward Thomas Robinson, who has a sore left knee. Portland also was without forward Joel Freeland because of a right knee injury. All-Star forward Paul Millsap missed his fifth straight game for the Hawks because of a right knee contusion. His absence hurts Attlanta, which is already without big men Al Horford and Gustavo Ayon for the season.dddddddddddd Lillards 3-pointer put the Blazers up 20-17 in the first quarter. Dorell Wright made a 3-pointer and two of three free throws to give the Blazers a 29-19 lead going into the second. Portland pushed the lead to 42-28 on Wesley Matthews 3-pointer midway thought the second quarter. Batum made it 51-33 with a 3-pointer late in the half, and the Blazers went to the break with a 56-38 advantage. The Hawks struggled in the first half, shooting just 25 per cent (11 of 44) from the floor for their lowest first-half percentage of the season. Portland forward LaMarcus Aldridge was also having a tough start, going 0 for 6 from the floor with three rebounds. The three-time All-Star went into the game averaging 23.7 points and 11.2 rebounds. LaMarcus Aldridges jumper -- his first basket from the field -- put the Blazers up 68-46 in the third quarter. He finished with 12 points. Will Bartons 3-pointer pushed Portlands lead to 87-60 in the second half and the Hawks could never catch up. NOTES: It was the first of two meetings between the teams this season. .... The two have split the last two regular-season series 1-1. ... Following Wednesday nights game, the Blazers embark on a five-game road trip. ... Oregon Ducks coach Dana Altman was among the fans at the game. Altman coached Korver at Creighton before heading to Eugene. 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