Wondering about a player, a past game or another issue involving the Bears? Senior writer Larry Mayer answers a variety of email questions from fans on ChicagoBears.com.
During his introductory press conference, John Fox indicated that he would be reaching out to Brian Urlacher. Any idea what that might be all about? Maybe starting Brian's coaching career?
Bob
McKinney, Texas
When John Fox said at his press conference that he plans to reach out to Brian Urlacher and "we're going to make things right with him," I believe that the coach was referring to just building the relationship between the team and its former star middle linebacker. It's no secret that Urlacher and the Bears did not part on the best of terms, and while Fox probably doesn't know all the details because he wasn't with the organization at that time, he knows Brian and wants the Bears to have a good relationship with him. In terms of starting his coaching career, Urlacher has said on several occasions that he isn't interested in coaching at this juncture of his life and would rather play golf than spend most of his waking hours in an office breaking down tape like NFL coaches do. So I don't see that happening.
I'm glad Martellus Bennett was named as a replacement player for the Pro Bowl, but I'm still baffled at why Kyle Long was left out. Did Forte decline an invitation?
Clyde S.
Chicago
I don't believe that Matt Forte declined an invitation to the Pro Bowl, and I'm just as surprised as you that he didn't earn a trip to the game. Six running backs were initially voted to the Pro Bowl and four were later replaced. So if that means that Matt Forte is not among the top 10 running backs in the NFL, I think that's ludicrous. This season he set an NFL record for receptions by a running back with 102 and finished third in the NFL in yards from scrimmage. Yes, Forte finished 12th in rushing, but three players who rushed for fewer yards—the Chiefs' Jamaal Charles, the Saints' Mark Ingram and the Broncos' C.J. Anderson—were voted into the Pro Bowl ahead of him.
Are there any former Bears players or coaches participating in the Super Bowl?
Paul I.
Dartmouth, Nova Scotia
The only former Bears players on either roster in Super Bowl XLIX are receiver Ricardo Lockette and defensive tackle Landon Cohen, both of whom are with the Seahawks. The only ex-Bears coach is Patriots running backs coach Ivan Fears, who coached Bears receivers from 1993-98 under Dave Wannstedt. One interesting angle is that two current Bears players (Martellus Bennett and Brock Vereen) have their older brothers playing against each other in Seahawks defensive end Michael Bennett and Patriots running back Shane Vereen.
