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.
Don't get me wrong; I'm beyond thrilled that the Bears signed a big-time pass rusher in Jared Allen. But I'm afraid that he won't have the same success playing on natural grass that he did on the fast track up in Minnesota. Has he had better sack totals on artificial turf?
Will D.
Raleigh, North Carolina
Jared Allen has pretty much been a sack machine regardless of where he's played. In six seasons with the Vikings from 2008-13, he recorded 27 sacks in 29 road games played on natural grass (.93 per game) and 58.5 sacks in 67 games on artificial turf (.87 per game). When Phil Emery was asked whether he was worried that Allen is more productive on turf, the Bears general manager said: "I saw him sack us on our field. I'm not really concerned about that. I think he's a fine football player. I think the surface doesn't really matter to him because of his high-level instincts, his ability to rush the passer, his use of his length, his leverage, his toughness. He's a physical player and a high-motor player, so I don't think surface matters."
Now that the compensatory draft picks have been allocated by the NFL, I assume that the draft order has been finalized. So where do the Bears pick throughout the draft?
Dave C.
Lansing, Michigan
The Bears have one pick in each of the first five rounds (Nos. 14, 51, 82, 117 and 156) as well as two in the sixth round (Nos. 183 and 191). Their first sixth-round selection was acquired from the Buccaneers last June in exchange for guard Gabe Carimi. The Bears dealt their seventh-round pick to the Cowboys just before the start of the 2013 regular season for tight end Dante Rosario. The first round of the draft will take place on Thursday, May 8, followed by the second and third rounds on Friday, May 9, and Rounds 4-7 on Saturday, May 10.
I've been reading about how the Cubs are celebrating Wrigley Field's 100th anniversary this year. I know the Bears played there and am wondering how many championships they won there.
Kyle P.
Lake in the Hills, Illinois
The Bears have won four of their nine NFL championships at Wrigley Field. Three of the victories came against the New York Giants by scores of 23-21 in 1933, 37-9 in 1941 and 14-10 in 1963. The Bears also beat the Washington Redskins 41-21 at Wrigley Field in 1943. Speaking as a Cubs fan, I'm sad to say that those four championships are four more than the Cubs have won at the Friendly Confines; their last World Series title came in 1908 when they played at West Side Park. The Bears called Wrigley Field home from 1921-70 before moving to Soldier Field.
