When I heard Brian Urlacher speak to the media hoard Sunday, I asked if he and I could sit down Monday to discuss his knee injury further. He agreed. My cameraman Jeff Wierus had the greatest shot set up for the interview on one of the practice fields. Unfortunately, mother nature wasn't a fan, first drizzling hard enough that sent us under a tent, then pouring to the point we interviewed Brian inside the coffee shop at Olivet Nazarene.
As always, Brian was forthcoming in the interview. I asked him if while he was gone for his "personal reasons" for five days, did he actually have knee surgery? Urlacher answered emphatically, "NO!" We discussed a number of other issues regarding his knee and comeback giving us plenty of great material for FOX Chicago News at Nine.
After interviewing Urlacher, I sat down and chatted with Offensive Coordinator Mike Tice for Saturday's halftime show. Tice is absolutely the best interview on the team. Rarely will you find a coach or player "flat out" tell it like it is but Tice does. The man has no filter.
Obviously, Tice was unhappy with the play of his offensive line in the preseason opener. I wanted to learn more about the offensive coordinator. I peppered him with questions such as: "You've played in this league and coached for almost 20 years, how does a coach get through to today's player?" and "you got your first break when you were 42-years-old and were hired as first interim, then permanent head coach with the Vikings...now you're 53, what have you learned over the last 11 years?" and "you seem like the type of guy who'd be cool to hang with, have a beer and shoot the bull, what type of guy is Mike Tice off the football field?" It really was a pleasure talking to Tice and book it, his offense will put up big points...over 30 points per game. Again, make sure you catch my halftime interview with Tice Saturday during the Bears - Redskins game on FOX Chicago.
Since the Bears practiced at night Monday, I took off for the studio and thankfully didn't have to sit through the rain all night long.
Friday, August 17 2012 11:48 AM EDT2012-08-17 15:48:57 GMT
Thunderstorms rolled through Bourbonnais as the Bears prepared for their final practice of training camp.
Thunderstorms rolled through Bourbonnais as the Bears prepared for their final practice of training camp, forcing the morning walk-through indoors and our interviews into the coffee shop. And as the players began filing in for lunch, there were two hot topics.
Thursday, August 9 2012 11:59 AM EDT2012-08-09 15:59:37 GMT
It's the eve of the Bears season. Well, the pre-season. It's also the birthday of Jay Cutler's first child - a boy - Camden Jack. Let the storybook season begin, right?
It's the eve of the Bears season. Well, the pre-season. It's also the birthday of Jay Cutler's first child - a boy - Camden Jack. Let the storybook season begin, right?
Friday, August 3 2012 9:56 AM EDT2012-08-03 13:56:29 GMT
With one week before the first pre-season game against Denver, questions began to be asked about the offensive line… well, they've been asked all along, just today they were louder.
With one week before the first pre-season game against Denver, questions began to be asked about the offensive line… well, they've been asked all along, just today they were louder.
Tuesday, July 31 2012 7:29 PM EDT2012-07-31 23:29:13 GMT
After Monday's off day, we tackled a long one at training camp. Starting in the Kitchen here at Olivet Nazarene University.
After Monday's off day, we tackled a long one at training camp. Starting in the Kitchen here at Olivet Nazarene University. Shout out to Jeff Hilligoss- the GM of Sodexo who talked us through preparation for 90 plus NFL players. Not a total shocker, but he said the lineman eat really well…"not just what's on their plates, but how many plates they clean". Ha!
Tuesday, July 31 2012 1:42 PM EDT2012-07-31 17:42:00 GMT
With all due respect to Theo Epstein - football is better with pads on. Just sayin'! So for the second straight day, the Bears practiced with full pads.
With all due respect to Theo Epstein - football is better with pads on. Just sayin'! So for the second straight day, the Bears practiced with full pads.
