Bear Download — A Chicago Bears podcast

Latest Episodes:

Kickers kickers kickers! The latest on the Bears' search for a new kicker. May 08, 2019

Show notes

As the dust settles on the Bears' battle royal of rookie kickers, Rich and Dan examine what progress — if any — the team has made any, toward identifying the Week 1 kicker: Details on the 8-man competition at the rookie minicamp (2:04 mark), whether the Bears need to add a veteran to the competition (8:25), break down the head-to-head battle that ended with Casey Bednarski's backflip and Redford Jones' departure (12:30), address the minority opinion that Cody Parkey should be part of this competition (17:28), discuss what to make of the trade for kicker Eddy Pineiro (19:46), how the Bears must manage the competition from here (23:16) and examine the hire of kicking consultant Jamie Kohl (29:17). Then, they share their rookie camp impressions of cornerback Duke Shelley and running back David Montgomery (42:11) and talk about fourth-round pick Riley Ridley and the roster outlook at receiver (47:41). They finish by discussing how ping-pong tables and mini basketball hoops influence a locker room (53:15), noting how Dan once got posted up by Martellus Bennett.

Bears draft recap: There's plenty for Matt Nagy to like about the new offensive weapons Apr 29, 2019

Show notes

Rich and Dan waste no time recapping the Bears' draft class from the Halas Hall coat closet (where else?). They dissect the trade up for Iowa State running back David Montgomery (2:28), spotlighting the traits that make him a pro-ready back and the upside the Bears see in him as a receiver (9:55). They salute Montgomery’s huge heart (12:30) and set realistic expectations for him as an NFL player. The duo (temporarily) skids off on a tangent to slam Chicago’s insane April weather (21:40). BTW, they are not fans of construction, either. Getting back on track, they break down the Bears’ four Day 3 picks with special attention paid to Georgia receiver Riley Ridley (24:38) and Kansas State cornerback Duke Shelley (35:06). Rich and Dan finish by taking the Crown ‘Em segment to hope the Bears call some audibles as they audition their growing cache of kickers (40:40).

Previewing the Bears' draft approach Apr 24, 2019

Show notes

Rich and Dan preview the NFL draft from the Halas Hall coat closet (without chairs this time!) after Bears GM Ryan Pace’s annual pre-draft news conference. They dig into the team's need for a running back (3:48) — despite Pace's insistence otherwise. The pair examine how the Bears’ small set of picks (five) affects the dynamic of this year’s draft (15:29) and wonder whether they'll make any trades. In continuing to get to know new defensive coordinator Chuck Pagano, they spotlight his penchant for hyperbole (28:05). Rich and Dan then highlight other positions of need, starting with, yes, kicker, and Robbie Gould demanding a trade from the 49ers (32:53). They also suggest that grading on a curve might be the way to go when judging the Bears' efforts (43:33). They finish by crowning a veteran who was crowned by his peers and can't help but crack people up (49:02).

Breaking down the Bears' 2019 schedule Apr 18, 2019

Show notes

The Bears' 2019 schedule is out, and Rich and Dan couldn't wait to break it down — so they didn't. They begin with their overall impressions (5:31) before going month by month with a magnifying glass. They analyze a September that features two divisional home games (7:25); the London matchup against the Raiders (14:13) and the rest of October (16:46); a November slate that includes a Thanksgiving sequel (21:26); and a difficult December (25:45). In That's Just Stupid, they lament another Week 17 trip to the icebox that is Minneapolis (30:01), and don't get them started on Russell Wilson's social media antics. Finally, Rich and Dan crown their favorite road trips on the schedule (37:40). (Hint: Hellooooo, sunshine!)

A closer look at the Aaron Rodgers drama in Green Bay Apr 11, 2019

Show notes

Rich Campbell and Dan Wiederer dig into the recent Bleacher Report expose about Aaron Rodgers and the dynamics that precipitated the Packers' two-year fall from Super Bowl contention to firing coach Mike McCarthy (5:12 mark). They share their overall impressions of the article (6:36) before Dan provides context by recounting his personal experience with Greg Jennings criticizing Rodgers (12:23). They distinguish between facts and opinions in the article (17:26) and examine if Rodgers' persona has been detrimental to the Packers despite their run of success, especially against the Bears (18:46). They explain journalistic processes required for a story such as this (34:32) and discuss how McCarthy and former general manager Ted Thompson were portrayed in the article (46:46). They discuss what the future holds for Rodgers and new coach Matt LaFleur (52:22) and crown the Bears' 2018 Ed Block Courage Award winner (1:06:51).

Jordan Howard's trade from all angles Apr 03, 2019

Show notes

Rich and Dan are at Tribune headquarters to analyze the Bears offseason as the calendar flips to April. They break down the Jordan Howard trade from all angles, including why the Bears were willing to part with him for such low-level compensation and what Matt Nagy must prove with his makeover over the Bears running backs group (3.20 mark). Next, they share a giant eye roll at April Fools silliness (23:28), spotlight what GM Ryan Pace said at the owners’ meetings about Ha Ha Clinton-Dix's 2018 stumbles and 2019 upside (30:40) and finally, make their NCAA Tournament predictions (39:00).

Bitmojis, kickers and a missing Super Bowl ring: Wrapping up the NFL owners' meetings Mar 27, 2019

Show notes

Rich Campbell and Dan Wiederer wrap up the NFL owners' meetings in Phoenix: Assessing the unmistakable confidence and energy Matt Nagy is exuding (3:00 mark), moving the magnifying glass over to Nagy's confidence in quarterback Mitch Trubisky and how, in 2019, they will clean up some of the missed throws (15:40), debating the use of Bitmojis in the wake of Nagy's revelation that he and Andy Reid communicate using the text-message cartoons (23:30), zeroing in on the kicker situation after Ryan Pace and Nagy's latest update (31:39) and finally, George McCaskey tells the story about how he once lost his Super Bowl XX championship ring (50:28).

Virginia McCaskey talks 100 seasons of the Chicago Bears Mar 25, 2019

Show notes

On a special edition of the Bear Download podcast, Virginia McCaskey shares her perspective on the team’s rich history as the Bears and the NFL begin their 100th anniversary celebrations. She shares what specifically inspires her to celebrate this year (4:23 mark), talks about her father — the legendary George Halas — as a coach, leader and innovator from the early days of the NFL through the championship team of 1963 (6:06), remembers the 1985 Super Bowl team (15:56), reflects on an exciting resurgence following Khalil Mack's arrival (20:28) and expresses hope for another prosperous 100 years for the league and for her family's stewardship of the Bears (24:10). Enjoy!

Analyzing the Bears in free agency and the signing of Ha Ha Clinton-Dix Mar 18, 2019

Show notes

Rich Campbell and Dan Wiederer break down the Bears' start to free agency, starting with the Bears-Packers swap of safeties Adrian Amos and Ha Ha Clinton-Dix (2:31 mark). They discuss the role of sports media in the wake of Bradley University's restrictions on the Peoria Journal Star's longtime basketball beat writer (21:44) and use that incident to discuss the dynamics of Bears media coverage (28:09). They examine the free-agent additions to the offense, specifically Mike Davis and Cordarrelle Patterson (37:51), and what they mean for Jordan Howard and Mitch Trubisky (48:14). They crown a coach who helped develop two unheralded secondary prospects and, by extension, improved the Bears' chances of earning a compensatory draft pick in 2020 (55:26).

A look at the Bears' needs heading into free agency Mar 11, 2019

Show notes

With the NFL's new league year upon us, Rich Campbell and Dan Wiederer preview free agency with a detailed examination of the Bears' needs and options (3:25 mark), look at how the Bears might upgrade the offense despite having all 11 starters under contract (5:23) and discuss adding a wide receiver (6:05). They dissect the situations of safety Adrian Amos (15:34) and slot cornerback Bryce Callahan (26:25), and take familiar target practice at the latest inanity of the pre-draft process (31:10). They examine running back Jordan Howard's future (39:50) and what trading him would do for the offense and the team's running backs, specifically Tarik Cohen. They finish with a spirited crowning of two friends (55:13).

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