JB Blanchard

<p>Defensive tackle Dan Hampton plans to begin practicing next week for the first time since his off-season knee arthroscopy.</p>

<p>In this 2002 KFC commercial, former Chicago Bears legends Jim McMahon and William “The Refrigerator” Perry appear alongside “Seinfeld” star Jason Alexander promoting KFC’s honey barbecue wings and spicy barbecue wings. </p>

<p>The fans behind Mike Ditka didn’t like much of anything they saw in the Indianapolis Colts’ 24-13 pre-season victory over the Bears last night at Soldier Field. </p>

<p>Pre-season games. To most people, they’re yawners. They’re mostly opportunities for coaches to see who is going to be around for the real games. </p>

<p>During the 1986 NFC Championship game featuring the Los Angeles Rams and the Chicago Bears, Hall of Fame coach and legendary analyst John Madden kept the fans at home entertained with his animated commentary.</p>

<p>The lines of authority between the Bears’ head coach and defensive coordinator are no different than they are on most NFL teams. </p>

<p>The players’ affection is what sets Buddy Ryan apart. He’s different in other ways, certainly. The Bears’ defensive coordinator is more outspoken than most assistant coaches. He’s more tactless, more creative, more successful. But these aren’t astonishing<br />qualities in a football coach. </p>

<p>For the 25th anniversary of the 1985 Chicago Bears Super Bowl winning team, NBC aired a reunion special revisiting the entire 1985 season. </p>

<p>The only injury coach Mike Ditka mentioned from Saturday night was Ron Rivera’s hip pointer, which he said wouldn’t keep Rivera out of any games. “I’m sure we’ll have some suspicious injuries since we’re cutting 20 guys,” Ditka said, “but we’ll just have to let them heal up on the bus home.” Tomorrow is the deadline for the Bears to trim their roster to 60 from 82, but Ditka plans to do it today. </p>