The New Look Bears

By Darren Zaitlen

Phil Emery is etching his name into Chicago Bears history with the hire of Marc Trestman as the new head coach of the franchise. Along with the firing of Lovie Smith it seems that almost every coach/assistant is going out the door as well.

We have come to find out that Mike Tice has been let go and been replaced with Aaron Kromer who was the offensive line coach in New Orleans. He also served as the interim head coach for the first six games of the season. In case you didn't know,the New Orleans Saints run a pretty good offense down there that has given up very few sacks over the years and scored points in bunches. Kromer will replace Tice as the offensive coordinator as well as the offensive line coach.

Week 1: Bears vs. Colts Preview

It's less than one hour to kick-off between the Indianapolis Colts and the Chicago Bears. Most Bears fans would agree that this is one of the most anticipated season openers in a long time. Here are our predictions for week one.

Darren: Colts receiver Austin Collie is out this week, leaving the Colts thin at the wide receiver position. Donnie Avery steps in opposite Reggie Wayne. For the Bears, Brian Urlacher is playing in today's game and while we're not sure how injured his knee is, he can probably still be effective at 70 percent due to the Colts needing to game plan for him.

On display today will be the Colts' new 3-4 defense as well as the Jay Cutler-to-Brandon Marshall connection. I think the Bears are able to run the ball today while mixing in some big play-action passing plays to ensure a victory.

Should the Chicago Bears look at Bryant McKinnie?

By Matt Gentile

[UPDATE: Bryant McKinnie agrees to a restructured contract with the Baltimore Ravens, according to Aaron Wilson of the Baltimore Sun.]

Veteran left tackle Bryant McKinnie could be released today after failing to restructure his contract with the Baltimore Ravens.

McKinnie was supposed to earn $3.2 million this season but was willing to take a pay cut. It appears the Ravens wanted to shed a bit more than he hoped. The one-time pro bowler told The Baltimore Sun’s Aaron Wilson that he was no longer with the team, but there has been no official announcement.

However, he also told the NFL Network’s Albert Breer that things are “not officially over yet” after getting another phone call from the Ravens.

NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport listed the New York Jets, Arizona Cardinals, San Diego Chargers and Chicago Bears as possible destinations for McKinnie if he’s in fact cut.

Of course, Bears fans have already taken their voice to Twitter about getting McKinnie. It seems like a lot of fans would support the move given the lackluster preseason from J’Marcus Webb and Chris Williams.

Brian Urlacher's Arrow to the Knee

By Darren Zaitlen

Every Chicago Bears fan who watched the week 17 season finale last year between the Bears and the Minnesota Vikings remembers one thing distinctly.


Brian Urlacher jumping up in the end zone, Major Wright coming over the top and Urlacher coming down awkwardly injuring both his MCL and PCL in his left knee.

To our amazement, sources said that Urlacher would not require surgery to repair the ligaments and that he would be good to go at the start of the 2012 season.

With week three of the preseason set to go tomorrow against the New York Giants, Urlacher's status for the season opener is still up in the air. So is how he treated his knee this off-season.

Jay Cutler’s First Goal: Beat the Pack

By Matt Gentile

When the Chicago Bears acquired Jay Cutler in 2009, it was clear from the get-go the team was finally turning a page by getting a franchise caliber quarterback.

There have been some hiccups since his arrival, including 26 interceptions in his first season with Chicago. But even his biggest doubters have to acknowledge that Cutler does fit the bill as a franchise quarterback. He’s overcome a sub par receiving core, questionable play calling and an offensive line that has gotten him sacked 110 times since 2009.

Cutler has a 24-17 record as the Bears starter and took them to the NFC Championship game in the 2010 season. He also was playing his best football as a signal caller last year, leading the team to a 7-3 start before heading to the injured reserve with a broken thumb. Without him, the Bears stumbled to a 1-5 finish.

With Cutler healthy and some new weapons in tow, that classic Dave Wannstedt line about the pieces being in place might actually apply.

It’s time for Cutler and the Bears to put it all together. But the biggest stepping stone to achieving elite status and winning the Super Bowl are those pesky neighbors to the north.

The Green BayPackers.