Pro Football Weekly: Chicago

We swear, only a week more of draft speculation, and Bleacher Report's Mike Tanier (@MikeTanier) joined Kevin to continue adding fuel to the fire of pre-draft talk. The guys discussed the media coverage of the draft (3:04), the 12 options for the Bears at No. 11 (10:17), the Ezekiel Elliott predicament (15:08), then talked about Mike's Johnny Manziel story (20:33) and wrapped up with the NFL schedule release (37:10). Kevin, John and Dan ended the show with "watchability" rankings, the best-to-worst Bears games on the schedule for 2016. 

It's time to get (kind of) serious about the NFL Draft, which is two weeks away, so Peter Schrager of Fox Sports (@PSchrags) joins Kevin to discuss his favorite part of the pre-draft media hype (2:42), potential Bears prospects like Ronnie Stanley (6:49) and Ezekiel Elliott (12:02). He also gives us the national perspective of what the Bears are building (16:27) and his take on Jay Cutler. Following the interview, Kevin & John answer your Bears draft questions in a special podcast mailbag (24:05).

The CF Podcast goes Hollywood! Actor and Chicago native Desmin Borges (@desminborges), who plays Edgar on FX's "You're the Worst," joins the podcast to talk acting and Chicago. Borges gave us his 2016 Cubs prediction (5:35), then discussed what it's like to be a part of a unique comedy like You're the Worst (7:25). Desmin tells us about his upcoming off-Broadway play 'Crude,' (16:26) and then described his Chicago roots (18:49). Desmin and Kevin talk Bears, from Desmin's favorite Bears memories to being Jay Cutler's hype man on the podcast (30:42). The podcast wraps up with Desmin's Bears prediction for 2016, and then a look ahead to our Chicago Football draft content and upcoming podcasts. 

The recently re-signed WR/returner Marc Mariani makes his return to the Chicago Football Podcast. He tells us about the process of deciding to come back to the Bears for 2016 (4:51), discusses the new touchback rules and how they may impact the kicking game (12:32), gives some insight on new Bears offensive coordinator Dowell Loggains (20:20), tells us his Final Four picks (30:10) and who's allowed to poke fun at Jay Cutler in the locker room.

It's time to start talking NFL Draft, so CBSSports.com's Tom Fornelli (@TomFornelli) was the guest this week. A Bears fan, too, Tom talked with our Kevin Fishbain about the exits of Martellus Bennett and Shea McClellin (5:07) and then analyzed some of the Bears' options at No. 11 in terms of defensive linemen or offensive tackles. Tom also had some players for the Bears to target in the middle rounds. We also talked John Fox's media methods (21:00), Bears fans compared to other Chicago teams (27:30) and which Bears player Tom would like to have a beer with (30:37). The podcast concludes with a one-minute lightning round of non-football questions with new Bears ILB Danny Trevathan (37:32).

On this week's episode of the Chicago Football Podcast, former Bears long snapper Patrick Mannelly joins Kevin Fishbain to talk about how one determines the best long snapper of all time (4:00), what Warren Sapp did to him before a snap (7:30), the Bears' free-agent haul (11:45), Brian Urlacher's hair (28:00) and Kevin's fifth grade class (30:05). Kevin and Patrick also discuss the Bears' draft needs Pat's time as a midday host in Chicago, and Jay Cutler's hair. 

It's a new format at the Chicago Football Podcast with our post-Combine return. Kevin Fishbain recaps the Alshon Jeffery move and previews what's to come next week in free agency and then is joined by Jarrett Payton (@paytonsun. Jarrett talks about his experiences at the Combine (7:31), his high school soccer career (5:35) and who he thinks the Bears should take at No. 11 (11:01). Jarrett answers our 'Cutler 6-pack' of questions (21:27), discusses how he got into the media (26:36) and makes his case for players the Bears should sign next week.Copyright © 2016 Shaw Media. All Rights Reserved.

We're back for a special Super Bowl episode of the Chicago Football Podcast. Kevin and Arthur discuss the John Fox connection to both the Panthers and Broncos and then break down Sunday's matchup and the keys to the big game. Along with producers Dan Mott and John Sahly, the guys make their Super Bowl prop bet picks and analyze how long Lady Gaga's National Anthem will last. We conclude the show with our predictions for Super Bowl 50.The ChicagoFootball.com Bears Podcast, presented by your Chicagoland & Northwest Indiana Chevy Dealers. For Bears news, analysis, and more, please visit ChicagoFootball.comCopyright © 2016 Shaw Media. All Rights Reserved.

The guys are back in studio and we had the full crew of Kevin, Arthur and Hub to go through the rest of the Bears' free agents. We did our best Ryan Pace impression and tried to guess who will be re-signed. Kevin and Arthur shifted gears to next week's Senior Bowl and previewed our draft coverage, then discussed conference championship weekend. Stay tuned for the guys' picks for Sunday's games, and Kevin makes his pitch for why NFL coaches should play more video games.The ChicagoFootball.com Bears Podcast, presented by your Chicagoland & Northwest Indiana Chevy Dealers. For Bears news, analysis, and more, please visit ChicagoFootball.comCopyright © 2016 Shaw Media. All Rights Reserved.

We wrap up the 2015 fantasy football season with our year-end fantasy awards. Hosts John Sahly, JC Talon and Arthur Arkush also look ahead to the 2016 fantasy football season with some names to keep an eye on during the offseason.

We're bringing you our best interviews from the 2015 season, starting with our first episode with Kyle Long. This was taped just before Long was named right tackle, but he talked with Kevin Fishbain about offensive line coach Dave Magazu's nicknames, best Twitter accounts on the team and if he could strike out Kyle Schwarber.The ChicagoFootball.com Bears Podcast, presented by your Chicagoland & Northwest Indiana Chevy Dealers. For Bears news, analysis, and more, please visit ChicagoFootball.comCopyright © 2016 Shaw Media. All Rights Reserved.

It's the official first Bears podcast of the 2016 offseason! We give you our top positives and negatives from the 2015 season, then Kevin and Arthur go full-on analysis mode on what the Bears should do with Matt Forte and Alshon Jeffery. Danny Ecker of Crain's Chicago joins the show [12:44] to discuss Alshon Jeffery's deal with 'Fantex', the 2016 NFL Draft in Chicago and how Bears buzz decreased this season. Hub joins the show at the end as the guys make their picks for wild-card weekend. The ChicagoFootball.com Bears Podcast, presented by your Chicagoland & Northwest Indiana Chevy Dealers. For Bears news, analysis, and more, please visit ChicagoFootball.comCopyright © 2016 Shaw Media. All Rights Reserved.

State Rep. Michael Zalewski (D-Riverside) joins host John Sahly to talk about his bill, the Fantasy Contests Act, what it is and what its status is in the Illinois General Assembly. Will DFS be legalized and regulated in Illinois in 2016?

It's the final Bears podcast of 2015! The guys briefly recap the Lovie Bowl victory, then discuss what's at stake Sunday when the Lions come to town. Josh Katzenstein of the Detroit News (15:05) gives us an update on the Lions' front-office situation and helps us preview the final game of the season. Hub joins the show as the guys recap the top 10 most important Bears stories of the year, and then we wrap up with our picks and some New Year's resolutions. The ChicagoFootball.com Bears Podcast, presented by your Chicagoland & Northwest Indiana Chevy Dealers. For Bears news, analysis, and more, please visit ChicagoFootball.comCopyright © 2015 Shaw Media. All Rights Reserved.

Illinois AG Lisa Madigan handed down her opinion on DFS. Where does that leave DraftKings and FanDuel in Illinois? We go over the latest DFS news and get you ready for Week 17 in fantasy football.The Chicago Football Fantasy Podcast, presented by your Chicagoland & Northwest Indiana Chevy Dealers. For fantasy news, analysis, and more, please visit ChicagoFootball.comCopyright © 2015 Shaw Media. All Rights Reserved.

In our holiday edition of the ChicagoFootball.com Bears podcast, Kevin and Arthur as briefly as possible recap Sunday's loss in Minnesota, then Robert Mays of the MMQB joins the show (13:28) to talk Kyle Long, Robbie Gould and even Fred Hoiberg. The guys then preview Bears-Bucs and another game against Lovie Smith before a major shifting of gears to discuss all-time favorite Christmas movies (38:51). We wrap the show with our game picks for Sunday. Will anyone pick the Bears? Tune in to find out!The ChicagoFootball.com Bears Podcast, presented by your Chicagoland & Northwest Indiana Chevy Dealers. For Bears news, analysis, and more, please visit ChicagoFootball.comCopyright © 2015 Shaw Media. All Rights Reserved.

It's Fantasy Football Championship Week! Listen as John Sahly, Arthur Arkush and JC Talon help get you ready for your fantasy football title games. They break down every game on the slate, give you their top waiver wire pickups and make a few bold calls for this week.The Chicago Football Fantasy Podcast, presented by your Chicagoland & Northwest Indiana Chevy Dealers. For fantasy news, analysis, and more, please visit ChicagoFootball.comCopyright © 2015 Shaw Media. All Rights Reserved.

Another week, another Bears podcast recapping a close loss, but don't worry, we kept it quick. Kevin interviewed Bears WR Josh Bellamy (12:31) talking about the best-dressed players on the Bears and what it's like to be out with Alshon Jeffery. The guys move on to previewing the Vikings with Mark Craig of the MInneapolis Star-Tribune (28:33). Kevin and Arthur reminisce about the last time the Bears were in MInnesota and then make their picks for Sunday's game.The ChicagoFootball.com Bears Podcast, presented by your Chicagoland & Northwest Indiana Chevy Dealers. For Bears news, analysis, and more, please visit ChicagoFootball.comCopyright © 2015 Shaw Media. All Rights Reserved.

It's fantasy football playoffs time! With the injuries to Andy Dalton and Thomas Rawls, we identify some top waiver wire targets. John Sahly, Arthur Arkush and J.C. Talon break down their top match-ups and sleepers for the week, and we break down Bears-Minnesota from a fantasy perspective.The Chicago Football Fantasy Podcast, presented by your Chicagoland & Northwest Indiana Chevy Dealers. For fantasy news, analysis, and more, please visit ChicagoFootball.comCopyright © 2015 Shaw Media. All Rights Reserved.

Another week, another weird, frustrating loss for the Bears that Kevin and Arthur recap. They quickly move on to Washington and preview Sunday's game with Brian McNally of 106.7 The Fan (3:22) then break down the matchup between a bad road team and a bad home team. The guys shift gears to talking about the NFL with Bleacher Report's Mike Tanier (39:13) and conclude with closer Hub Arkush discussing the Martellus Bennett news and making picks for Sunday's game.The ChicagoFootball.com Bears Podcast, presented by your Chicagoland & Northwest Indiana Chevy Dealers. For Bears news, analysis, and more, please visit ChicagoFootball.comCopyright © 2015 Shaw Media. All Rights Reserved.