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MARCO ISLAND, Fla. -- The NFL's locked-out players wrote back to Commissioner Roger Goodell on Saturday, responding to his letter to them by saying: "Your statements are false."

In a four-page letter, the 11 members of the NFL Players Association executive committee told Goodell that, during labor negotiations, the league's owners did not justify "their demands for a massive giveback which would have resulted in the worst economic deal for players in major pro sports."

Goodell wrote all active NFL players Thursday, outlining the league's description of its last proposal and cautioning that each day "puts our game and our shared economics further at risk."

NEW YORK -- Commissioner Roger Goodell wrote NFL players Thursday, outlining the league's last proposal to the union and cautioning that "each passing day puts our game and our shared economics further at risk."

Goodell ended the letter, a copy of which was obtained by The Associated Press, by telling players: "I hope you will encourage your union to return to the bargaining table and conclude a new collective bargaining agreement."

Most of the public attention for the Chicago Bears looking ahead to the draft has been on offensive and defensive linemen, but cornerback is expected to be a priority, too.

The Bears are expected to bring in Northwest Missouri State corner Ryan Jones for an official visit on April 7. Jones will be showcased on Thursday when he works out at the pro day at the University of Missouri in Columbia, Mo.

It's expected there will be a very big crowd on hand to evaluate quarterback Blaine Gabbert, who is being considered for the No. 1 overall pick. An NFL source said the Carolina Panthers will put Gabbert through a private workout this weekend.

"It's a really big stage for me to perform," Jones told the National Football Post. "I appreciate them letting me come there to perform with Blaine Gabbert being there and one of the top picks."

CHAMPAIGN, Ill.--The NFL hasn't focused on the football complex at the University of Illinois like it did today since the Chicago Bears spent their 2002 season playing games at Memorial Field.

Representatives from 30 of the league's 32 teams were on hand Wednesday at the Illin pro day, including New York Jets coach Rex Ryan and six representatives from the Bears.

Illinois' three potential first-round picks -- defensive tackle Corey Liuget, running back Mikel Leshoure and linebacker Martez Wilson -- did not participate in every work out, preferring to all stand on their numbers from workouts at last month's NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis. They did do positional drills and Bears defensive coordinator Rod Marinelli put Liuget and defensive end Clay Nurse through drills.

"Seeing him out there coaching me was like, 'Wow, this is insane,'" Liuget said. "For one of the best defensive line coaches in the NFL to be here showing me drills and telling me what to do, it was great."

Photo: Illinois defensive tackle Corey Liuget works out at the NFL Scouting Combine last month. (Brian Spurlock/US Presswire)

With only two veteran linebackers under contract, the Chicago Bears need to not only find a starter but rebuild depth at a position the team said had five or six starters at the past two seasons.

It's expected that will require a mixture of free agents and rookies. The Bears are set to take a look at one prospect on Wednesday. They are scheduled to put Syracuse's Doug Hogue through a private workout along with the Philadelphia Eagles. Hogue's agent David Canter reported the news on his Twitter account.

NEW YORK -- NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell doesn't expect labor talks to resume until after a U.S. District Court judge rules on the players' injunction to stop the lockout.

Appearing on NFL Network, Goodell said Tuesday night that there has been virtually no dialogue with the NFL Players Association since mediated negotiations collapsed last Friday.

By Lisa Black and Ruth Fuller

A jury in Lake County has found Marni Yang guilty in the 2007 murder of the pregnant girlfriend of former Chicago Bear Shaun Gayle.

Following a dramatic 11-day trial, the jurors reached their verdict after four hours of deliberation today.

Yang was accused of ambushing Rhoni Reuter in Reuter's Deerfield condominium on Oct. 4, 2007. Prosecutors said Yang fired her pistol at least six times, with the first two shots aimed at Reuter's abdomen.

Reuter, 42, was more than six months pregnant with Gayle's daughter. The unborn child, whom Reuter had already named Skylar, was also killed in the attack.

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