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.
I read in one of your stories that the Bears are 9-1 at home against rookie quarterbacks since 2001 with their only loss coming to Seattle's Russell Wilson in 2012. Who were the rookies they beat?
Dave C.
The nine rookie quarterbacks the Bears have defeated at Soldier Field during that span have been the Lions' Mike McMahon in 2001, the 49ers' Ken Dorsey on 2004, the Lions' Dan Orlovsky in 2005, the Buccaneers' Bruce Gradkowski in 2006, the Lions' Matthew Stafford in 2009, the Panthers' Cam Newton and the Vikings' Christian Ponder in 2011, the Colts' Andrew Luck in 2012 and the Vikings' Teddy Bridgewater in 2014.
With the ball being placed at the 25-yard line following all touchbacks on kickoffs, I believe that the wise move would be to take a knee every time. How many kickoffs did the Bears field in the end zone in their season opener and where did they start those possessions?
Ralph W.
Stevens Point, Wisconsin
Three of the Texans' six kickoffs in the season opener went into the end zone with one touchback. Deonte Thompson brought one out from six yards deep and was tackled at the 20 for a 26-yard return. However, a penalty for an illegal block on the return pushed the ball back to the 10. Thompson brought another kickoff out from one-yard deep and returned it 18 yards to the 17.
When was the last time a Bears player led the NFL in interceptions?
Peter K.
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
The last Bears player to accomplish the feat was cornerback Tim Jennings with nine interceptions in 2012. Other Bears who have led the league in picks have been Hall of Famer Clyde "Bulldog" Turner with eight in 1942, Roosevelt Taylor with nine in 1963 and Mark Carrier with 10 in 1990.
