To help gain an inside view of the Bears head coaching candidates, I’ve reached out to some of my ‘friends’ in the blogosphere.  I say ‘friends’ in the quotes because the ‘friend’ in this post is Packers blogger Ray Rivard from Lombardi Ave.  Some friend!  All his Packers had to do was beat the Vikings and the Bears would be preparing for a trip to San Francisco.  But I digress.

Below are my questions and Ray’s answers about Packers Offensive Coordinator Tom Clements:   (more…)

Oct 28, 2012; Denver, CO, USA; Denver Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning (18) talks with offensive coordinator Mike McCoy in the fourth quarter against the New Orleans Saints at Sports Authority Field. The Broncos went on to win 34-14. Mandatory Credit: Byron Hetzler-USA TODAY Sports

To help get some extra insight into the Chicago Bears head coaching candidates, I’ve decided to use the weekly 5 Questions format to reach out to some of our friends around the blogosphere.  First up is Denver Broncos Offensive Coordinator Mike McCoy.

To help us get some extra insight into McCoy, I reached out to longtime friend Kim Constantinesco, editor of Predominantly Orange.   Here are my questions and Kim’s answers: (more…)

Oct 22, 2012; Chicago, IL, USA; Detroit Lions wide receiver Calvin Johnson (81) is tackled by Chicago Bears cornerback Charles Tillman (33) during the second half at Soldier Field. The Bears won 13-7. Mandatory Credit: Dennis Wierzbicki-USA TODAY Sports

The Bears (9-6) and Detroit Lions (4-11) meet up at Ford Field on Sunday with a playoff berth at stake for the Bears.  Win and hope the Green Bay Packers beat the Minnesota Vikings to earn a trip most likely to San Francisco to take on the 49ers.  Sounds plausible, right?

When the Bears and Lions met up at Soldier Field in prime time earlier this season, the Bears came away with a 13-7 win, hardly a runaway win to give the Bears any overconfidence heading into Sunday.   Back during their first matchup, the Lions were still thought to be playoff contenders following a strong 2011 season, but seven straight losses turned them from  contenders to pretenders.

To help us get prepped for this latest divisional matchup, we reached out to longtime friend Zac Snyder who runs SideLion Report.  Here are our questions and Zac’s answers:  (more…)

Sept 13, 2012; Green Bay, WI, USA; Green Bay Packers linebacker Clay Matthews (52) celebrates with defensive tackle Jerel Worthy (99) after a sack during the game against the Chicago Bears at Lambeau Field. Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-US PRESSWIRE

Backs against the wall, division title at stake, head coach’s job likely on the line, last home game of the season oh and the 186th meeting with the Green Bay Packers.  Could we pile anything onto this Week 15 matchup forthe Chicago Bears and their arch rivals from up North?

The Packers have dominated the series of late, having taken 5 straight games and 7 of the last 8 games.  It looks bleak for the Bears, who started the season 7-1 and are now scrapping to keep their hopes of a division title or a playoff appearance alive.

To help us prepare for this epic battle, we’ve enlisted the help of Ray Rivard, editor of our FanSided sister site Lombardi Avenue for our belated weekly 5 Questions.  Here are my questions and Ray’s answers: (more…)

Nov 25, 2012; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Bears quarterback Jay Cutler (6) tries to evade Minnesota Vikings linebacker Chad Greenway (52) during the second half at Soldier Field. The Bears won 28-10. Mandatory Credit: Dennis Wierzbicki-USA TODAY Sports

The Bears head to the Metrodome (I refuse to call it anything else) to rematch with the Minnesota Vikings.  Just a couple of weeks ago, the Bears prevailed at Soldied Field, but the Hump-dome is a whole different animal.  The Bears offensive line will be put to the test with the noisy environment and Adrian Peterson seems just a touch faster on the artificial turf.

The Bears have won 6 straight games over the Vikings.  Can they make it seven to keep themselves in contention for the NFC North crown?  Can they essentially end the Vikings’ postseason hopes?  To handle our 5 Questions, we reached out to our go to Vikings guy Dan Zinski, editor of The Viking Age.   Here are my questions and Dan’s answers. (more…)

Nov 11, 2012; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Vikings running back Adrian Peterson (28) rushes for a 61 yard touchdown against the Detroit Lions in the fourth quarter at the Metrodome. The Vikings win 34-24. Mandatory Credit: Bruce Kluckhohn-US PRESSWIRE

The 6-4 Minnesota Vikings head to Soldier Field to Soldier Field to take on the 7-3 Bears in a crucial NFC North showdown.  Raise your hand if you saw this as a key game in the NFC North race before the season started.  Yeah, me neither.

The Bears have lost two in a row after jumping out to a 7-1 record, but have played the last game and a half without quarterback Jay Cutler, who suffered a concussion in their Sunday night game against the Texans a couple of weeks ago.  It’s unclear if Cutler will return, though he’s practiced all week.

For the Vikings, they’re led by running back Adrian Peterson.  That wouldn’t be surprising except that AP blew out his knee last December.  It’s miraculous that he’s back healthy and in fact leading the league in rushing after such a serious injury.  It looks like the Vikings could be without leading wide receiver Percy Harvin, so that could make the Vikins offense behind Christian Ponder one-dimensional, just what the doctor ordered for the struggling Bears.

To help us prepare for this important game, we’ve enlisted the help of old friend of the program Dan Zinski, editor of FanSided’s own The Viking Age.  Here are my questions and Dan’s answers to this week’s 5 Questions.  (more…)

November 11, 2012; San Francisco, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers running back Frank Gore (21) carries the ball against the St. Louis Rams during the fourth quarter at Candlestick Park. The against the San Francisco 49ers tied the St. Louis Rams 24-24. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-US PRESSWIRE

The Chicago Bears head out to San Francisco to take on the 49ers in a Monday Night Football showdown.  The Bears will certainly be without Jay Cutler, as the concussed quarterback will sit out a week while he recovers.  On the other side of the field, Alex Smith practiced three days but hasn’t faced any contact as of Saturday.  If Smith can’t go, backup Colin Kaepernick will bring his “WildKap” style up against the Bears defense.

It was going to be a tough game for the Bears even with Cutler, but without him, it’s looking that much tougher.  Jason Campbell is a capable backup, but he’s still a bit rusty and will face a tough challenge against a very physical San Fran defense.   To help us prepare for this Monday Night Football showdown, we’ve enlisted the help of Eric Melendez, editor of Niner Noise for our weekly Q&A.  Here are my questions and Eric’s answers: (more…)

Oct 2, 2011; Chicago, IL, USA; Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton (1) passes the ball during the second half against the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field. The Bears defeated the Panthers 34-29. Mandatory Credit: Dennis Wierzbicki-US PRESSWIRE

The Bears and Panthers get set for their 4th meeting in 5 years.  Talk about two teams headed in opposite directions.  The Bears are rolling, winners of their last four in a  row while the Panthers have lost four straight.  Cam Newton has gone from Superman to Hello Kitty in less than a season.  This seems to set up for an easy Bears win, but nothing is ever as easy as it seems.  To help us get the inside scoop on the Panthers, we’ve enlisted Ken Dye from FanSided’s Panthers site Cat Crave to do our weekly Q&A.

Here are my questions and Ken’s answers.  Be sure to head over to Cat Crave to see my answers to his questions. (more…)