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.
Who do you think will lead the Bears in sacks this season?
Stuart G.
Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin
I think it could be any of the Bears' top outside linebackers in Leonard Floyd, Lamarr Houston, Pernell McPhee or Willie Young. Nose tackle Eddie Goldman showed some pass rush ability last season as a rookie and is a possibility as well. But I'm going to pick Young because he's proven to be a productive veteran who overcame a bad Achilles injury in 2014 and has adapted well to a position he hadn't played before the Bears switched to a 3-4 defense last season. Plus he's entering a contract year, which seems to provide a little extra motivation for most players.
I'm excited about the prospect of Jeremy Langford and Jordan Howard sharing the workload in the backfield this year. Have the Bears ever had two players rush for 100 yards in the same game?
Elliott P.
Morton Grove, Illinois
The Bears have had two 100-yard rushers in a game four times in their history. Not surprisingly, Walter Payton was involved on three of those occasions, joining Matt Suhey against the Buccaneers in 1983 and Lions in 1985 and Roland Harper versus the Buccaneers in 1978. The only other time it happened was in 1955 when Rick Casares and Bobby Watkins accomplished the feat against the Packers. By the way, the Bears won all four of those games.
I was excited to see the Bears sign punter Ben LeCompte from North Dakota State. He was a clutch performer with a big leg in college. What are the chances LeCompte ends up supplanting Pat O'Donnell as Bears punter?
Damian K.
Steele, North Dakota
The Bears have generally been pleased with how Pat O'Donnell has performed, and as the incumbent he no doubt will get the benefit of the doubt in any job competition. But that doesn't mean that Ben LeCompte can't unseat him. LeCompte figures to get plenty of opportunities in training camp and the preseason to prove that he belongs in the NFL, either with the Bears or another team. Even if he doesn't beat out O'Donnell, LeCompte can look to Tress Way for inspiration. Way failed to make the Bears roster as an undrafted free agent in 2013, but ultimately landed a job with the Redskins as their regular punter.
