By: Benjamin Pietrucha
In 1957, Bears head coach Paddy Driscoll coached the West Team. The West beat the East 19-10. The game was played at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. The MVPs of the game were defensive back Bert Rechinar of the Baltimore Colts and defensive tackle Ernie Stautner of the Pittsburgh Steelers. The head coach of the East team was Jim Lee Howell of the New York Giants. From 1953 to 1968, the Pro Bowl format was East vs. West.
Paddy Driscoll played quarterback for the Bears from 1926 to 1928. He was the head coach for the Bears from 1956 to 1957. His Bears coaching record was 14-9-1. He lost his only playoff game, the 1956 NFL Championship 47-7 to the New York Giants. He is enshrined in both the Pro Football Hall of Fame and College Football Hall of Fame. He passed away in 1968.
In 1984 and 1988, conic Bears head coach and Hall of Fame tight end Mike Ditka coached the NFC team. The NFC lost to the AFC 22-14 in 1984. The game was played in Hawaii and New York Jets defensive end Mark Gastineau was named Pro Bowl MVP. The head coach of the AFC that year was legendary Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Chuck Noll.
In 1988, with the game played in its longtime home of Hawaii, Ditka coached the NFC to a victory over the AFC 34-3. The AFC coach that year was Marv Levy, then coach of the Buffalo Bills. The Pro Bowl MVP was Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Randall Cunningham.
Thursday, December 31, 2015
RIP Doug Atkins
By: Benjamin Pietrucha
Chicago Bears Hall of Fame defensive end Doug Atkins passed away yesterday in Tennessee at the age of 85. Mr. Atkins played for the Bears for 12 years and was a member of the 1963 World Championship team. He also played for the Cleveland Browns and New Orleans Saints. He made the Pro Bowl 8 times, and was named MVP of the Pro Bowl in 1958. He was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1982. Condolences go out to his family and friends.
Chicago Bears Hall of Fame defensive end Doug Atkins passed away yesterday in Tennessee at the age of 85. Mr. Atkins played for the Bears for 12 years and was a member of the 1963 World Championship team. He also played for the Cleveland Browns and New Orleans Saints. He made the Pro Bowl 8 times, and was named MVP of the Pro Bowl in 1958. He was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1982. Condolences go out to his family and friends.
Tuesday, December 29, 2015
Super Bowl XX Stats and Facts
By: Benjamin Pietrucha
Here are some stats and facts about Super Bowl XX, which the Bears beat the New England Patriots 46-10:
Here are some stats and facts about Super Bowl XX, which the Bears beat the New England Patriots 46-10:
- Referee: Red Cashion
- Location: Louisiana Superdome in New Orleans
- Date: 1/26/1986
- MVP: Defensive end Richard Dent
- Bears head coach: Mike Ditka
- Patriots head coach: Raymond Berry
- Halftime Show: Up With People
- Total net yards for New England: 123
- Total net yards for the Bears: 408
- Game's only safety was scored by: Bears defensive end Henry Waechter
- Bears players who scored touchdowns: RB Matt Suhey, QB Jim McMahon, DB Reggie Phillips and DL/RB William Perry
- Patriots players who scored touchdowns: WR Irving Fryar
- Wins by the Patriots in the 1985 regular season: 11
- Wins by the Bears in the 1985 regular season: 15
- Teams beat in the 1985 playoffs by the Patriots: New York Jets (26-14), Los Angeles Raiders (27-20) and the Miami Dolphins (31-14)
- Teams beat in the 1985 playoffs by the Bears: New York Giants (21-0) and the Los Angeles Rams (24-0)
- Patriots Super Bowl wins since 1985: 4
- Bears' Super Bowl wins since 1985: 0
Who is the only first round draft pick of the Bears to be from Alcorn State?
By: Benjamin Pietrucha
The answer is defensive end John Thierry. The Bears drafted Thierry with the 11th overall pick in the 1994 draft. He played linebacker for the Alcorn State Braves, and was switched to defensive end upon his arrival to the NFL.
Thierry played 5 years for the Bears and registered 12.5 sacks and started 28 games. He ended his pro career in 2002 with the Atlanta Falcons. He also played for the Cleveland Browns and Green Bay Packers.
The answer is defensive end John Thierry. The Bears drafted Thierry with the 11th overall pick in the 1994 draft. He played linebacker for the Alcorn State Braves, and was switched to defensive end upon his arrival to the NFL.
Thierry played 5 years for the Bears and registered 12.5 sacks and started 28 games. He ended his pro career in 2002 with the Atlanta Falcons. He also played for the Cleveland Browns and Green Bay Packers.
Monday, December 28, 2015
When was the last time the Bears had 2 players with at least 1,000 yards in the same season?
By: Benjamin Pietrucha
The answer is 2013. Wide receivers Alshon Jeffery and Brandon Marshall had 1,421 and 1,295 yards, respectively. The Bears went 8-8 in 2013 while also missing the playoffs in Marc Trestman's head coaching debut.
The same feat was also accomplished in 1995. Wide receivers Curtis Conway and Jeff Graham had 1,037 and 1,301 yards, respectively. The Bears went 9-7 in 1995, narrowly missing the playoffs in head coach Dave Wannstedt's 3rd season at the helm.
The answer is 2013. Wide receivers Alshon Jeffery and Brandon Marshall had 1,421 and 1,295 yards, respectively. The Bears went 8-8 in 2013 while also missing the playoffs in Marc Trestman's head coaching debut.
The same feat was also accomplished in 1995. Wide receivers Curtis Conway and Jeff Graham had 1,037 and 1,301 yards, respectively. The Bears went 9-7 in 1995, narrowly missing the playoffs in head coach Dave Wannstedt's 3rd season at the helm.
Sunday, December 27, 2015
Chicago Bears Beat the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, 26-21
By: Benjamin Pietrucha
Ex-Bears head coach Lovie Smith is now 0 for 2 against his former team because the Bears defeated the turnover-prone Tampa Bay Buccaneers 26-21 this afternoon at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa. Jay Cutler continued his resurgence this year with a stellar game that consisted of 156 passing yards, 20 completions on 27 attempts and 1 passing TD.
The Bears defense held their own against rookie QB Jameis Winston and leading NFL rusher Doug Martin, with the latter only getting 49 rushing yards. The Bucs coughed up the ball three times in the game. Two of the three Bucs’ turnovers came in the 3rd quarter: Winston was intercepted by Bears cornerback Harold Jones-Quartey in the red zone, and Martin fumbled deep into the Bucs’ own territory late in the third quarter that was recovered by Bears rookie linebacker John Timu. On the ensuing possession, Bears running back Ka'Deem Carey scored on a 1 yard pass from Cutler. Timu continued his impactful play by recovering 2 fumbles in the game.
The win snapped the Bears’ 3 game losing streak and their record now stands at 6-9; their final road record for 2015 is an impressive 5-3. Their road record in 2014 was a pedestrian 3-5.
Wide receiver Alshon Jeffery and linebacker Shea McClellin did not play. Rookie defensive tackle Eddie Goldman and running back Matt Forte left the game early due to injury. The Bears play the Detroit Lions next week Sunday at Soldier Field in the season finale for both teams.
Ex-Bears head coach Lovie Smith is now 0 for 2 against his former team because the Bears defeated the turnover-prone Tampa Bay Buccaneers 26-21 this afternoon at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa. Jay Cutler continued his resurgence this year with a stellar game that consisted of 156 passing yards, 20 completions on 27 attempts and 1 passing TD.
The Bears defense held their own against rookie QB Jameis Winston and leading NFL rusher Doug Martin, with the latter only getting 49 rushing yards. The Bucs coughed up the ball three times in the game. Two of the three Bucs’ turnovers came in the 3rd quarter: Winston was intercepted by Bears cornerback Harold Jones-Quartey in the red zone, and Martin fumbled deep into the Bucs’ own territory late in the third quarter that was recovered by Bears rookie linebacker John Timu. On the ensuing possession, Bears running back Ka'Deem Carey scored on a 1 yard pass from Cutler. Timu continued his impactful play by recovering 2 fumbles in the game.
The win snapped the Bears’ 3 game losing streak and their record now stands at 6-9; their final road record for 2015 is an impressive 5-3. Their road record in 2014 was a pedestrian 3-5.
Wide receiver Alshon Jeffery and linebacker Shea McClellin did not play. Rookie defensive tackle Eddie Goldman and running back Matt Forte left the game early due to injury. The Bears play the Detroit Lions next week Sunday at Soldier Field in the season finale for both teams.
Did You Know? Cool Super Bowl Fact
By: Benjamin Pietrucha
Did you know starting in 2006 and ending in 2012 every team representing the NFC in the Super Bowl played the AFC East division in the regular season? Check this out:
Did you know starting in 2006 and ending in 2012 every team representing the NFC in the Super Bowl played the AFC East division in the regular season? Check this out:
- 2006 Chicago Bears played (lost) in Super Bowl XLI
- 2007 New York Giants played (won) in Super Bowl XLII
- 2008 Arizona Cardinals played (lost) in Super Bowl XLIII
- 2009 New Orleans Saints played (won) in Super Bowl XLIV
- 2010 Green Bay Packers played (won) in Super Bowl XLV
- 2011 New York Giants played (won) in Super Bowl XLVI
- 2012 San Francisco 49ers played (lost) in Super Bowl XLVII
Friday, December 25, 2015
Chicago Bears vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers Prediction
Prediction
By: Benjamin Pietrucha
With the weather forecast going to be 85 degrees in Tampa, Florida and two teams going nowhere and given the Bears track record this year of playing close games (especially on the road in enemy territory) this will probably be a closely contested game:
With the weather forecast going to be 85 degrees in Tampa, Florida and two teams going nowhere and given the Bears track record this year of playing close games (especially on the road in enemy territory) this will probably be a closely contested game:
Chicago Bears 23 Tampa Bay Buccaneers 23; tie game. If this game ends in a tie (which is highly unlikely but would make an interesting footnote to this dismal season), this will be the first tie game for the Bears since 1972, a 13-13 game against the Los Angeles Rams at Soldier Field (the Bears moved to Soldier Field from Wrigley Field in 1971). The Bears have 42 ties in their history, which is the most in NFL history. A lot of that is due to the number of games played in the 1920s, 30s and 40s. The Bears finished the 1972 season 4-9-1, which placed them dead last in the NFC Central Division. The head coach of the Bears that year was Abe Gibron.
As far as the Bucs are concerned, they only have 1 tie in their history: in 1980 against the Green Bay Packers at Tampa Stadium. The Bucs finished that year 5-10-1, good for 4th place in the old NFC Central Division. The good news was that "Bucco Bruce" was still making appearances as the main Bucs logo (please bring "Bucco Bruce" and the orange uniforms back). The head coach of the Bucs in 1980 was John McKay, who also used to coach at USC.
Thursday, December 24, 2015
Chicago Bears on Christmas Day
By: Ben Pietrucha
The Bears have played on Christmas Day twice:
The Bears have played on Christmas Day twice:
- 2005: The Bears beat the Green Bay Packers in Lambeau Field 24-17 to clinch the NFC North Division. Rex Grossman made the start at QB for the "Monsters of the Midway".
- 2011: The Bears lost to the Packers in Lambeau Field 35-21. Josh McCown was the starting quarterback that day.
Wednesday, December 23, 2015
Chicago Bears @ Tampa Bay Buccaneers
By: Benjamin Pietrucha
The 5-9 Bears will travel to Tampa to take on the woeful Bucs. This is the second consecutive year the Bears have played the Bucs. Last year in November, the Bears and Bucs played at Soldier Field. The Bears won 21-13. The last time the Bears played the Bucs in Tampa was in 2005. The Bears won that contest 13-10 when Kyle Orton was the starting quarterback and Thomas Jones was the featured running back. The Bears and Bucs played a game in 2011 in which the Bucs were the home team, but the played was played in London at Wembley Stadium. The Bears won 24-18.
The Bears lead the all-time series versus the Buccaneers at 37-18-0. For a complete list of the Bears' all-time records versus existing and defunct teams, check this out: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Chicago_Bears_all-time_record_versus_NFL.
Check out more Bears statistics here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chicago_Bears_statistics.
The 5-9 Bears will travel to Tampa to take on the woeful Bucs. This is the second consecutive year the Bears have played the Bucs. Last year in November, the Bears and Bucs played at Soldier Field. The Bears won 21-13. The last time the Bears played the Bucs in Tampa was in 2005. The Bears won that contest 13-10 when Kyle Orton was the starting quarterback and Thomas Jones was the featured running back. The Bears and Bucs played a game in 2011 in which the Bucs were the home team, but the played was played in London at Wembley Stadium. The Bears won 24-18.
The Bears lead the all-time series versus the Buccaneers at 37-18-0. For a complete list of the Bears' all-time records versus existing and defunct teams, check this out: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Chicago_Bears_all-time_record_versus_NFL.
Check out more Bears statistics here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chicago_Bears_statistics.
No Bears in 2016 Pro Bowl
By: Ben Pietrucha
Not surprisingly, there were no members of the Chicago Bears voted into this this year's Pro Bowl. In my opinion, if Matt Forte or Alshon Jeffery were healthy all year, they should have been voted in. This reminds me of the late 1990s when absolutely no Chicago Bears were voted into the Pro Bowl for about 5 or 6 years in a row running.
Not surprisingly, there were no members of the Chicago Bears voted into this this year's Pro Bowl. In my opinion, if Matt Forte or Alshon Jeffery were healthy all year, they should have been voted in. This reminds me of the late 1990s when absolutely no Chicago Bears were voted into the Pro Bowl for about 5 or 6 years in a row running.
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