Chicago
National Food Days in December
It’s hard not to love this time of year. Holidays, decorations, an excuse to watch Elf and Love Actually without judgement…
It’s also an excellent month for food! You already have the dates circled for family traditions on your calendar. Now you can break out the marker once more and plan ahead for some more exciting National Food Days!
As you participate in each National Food Day, designated by a committee comprised of the federal government and corporate sponsors, feel free to share your photos with me on Facebook or Twitter!
December 8th
National Brownie Day
Did you know…
…that the brownie was actually invented in Chicago? At the behest of Bertha Palmer, whose husband owned the Palmer House, a “ladies dessert” was created to be served at the 1893 World Columbian Exposition held in Chicago from the Women’s Pavilion. The first printed use of the word “brownie” to describe it wouldn’t happen until 1896 Boston Cooking-School Cook Book by Fannie Farmer
On this day, the modern Palmer House Hilton is handing out free brownies to commemorate the birth of quite possibly my favorite sweet and the National Holiday. If you’re in Chicago, swing by 17 E. Monroe St. after 11:30 AM CT to get your complimentary brownie.
December 9th
National Pastry Day
In case brownies aren’t your style, you get to pick up your favorite baked dessert the next day! Otherwise, you have an excuse to stop by the bakery two days in a row…Not the worst thing.
As mentioned in my Food Truck Challenge, I personally recommend the Chicago Cupcake truck. Seriously unlike any kind of cupcake I’ve tried before . They also have store fronts in Wicker Park, if you’re not willing to hunt down the truck for adventure.
December 11th
National “Have a Bagel” Day
Bagels may sound like an everyday thing to most, but this seems like the perfect occasion to get creative and get something awesome. Every now and then, I get a craving for New York style bagels and luckily there’s an NYC Bagel Deli in Chicago with NY style pizza slices as well.
But if you want to be adventurous, I recommend Brobagel in the Wicker Park/Bucktown area, just next door to Piece Pizza and Brewery. Amazing bagel sandwiches and people with matching personalities to make them so.
December 14th
National Biscuits and Gravy Day
Some folks tell me that they or their moms make the best biscuits and gravy…If you are one of these people, please invite me over to try them because I LOVE BISCUITS AND GRAVY.
Whenever I go out for breakfast, my eyes usually search for biscuits and gravy right off the bat because my stomach has complete control of them. I have to say that in recent memory, the best biscuits and gravy I’ve had in Chicago is from a place with the perfect name…Brunch. They also have a perfect selection of mimosas to pair nicely.
December 16th
National Chocolate Covered Anything Day
Nothing will be running through my head more than Gene Wilder serenading a tour of the Wonka Factory on that day…
This also happens anytime I walk into the Confectionery in downtown Long Grove. There’s a little old woman in a corner glass screen room, doing nothing but dipping strawberries in chocolate. From what I’m told, she has dipped over 2 billion strawberries in her time there…and they make an amazing gift as well.
December 20th
National Sangria Day
The bottom 3rd of the month is all about drinks.
12/24 (Christmas Eve) is National Egg Nog day. 12/31 (New Year’s Eve) is National Champagne Day. Those are pretty easy to remember and adhere to. However, why not kick the final stretch of the year off with a drink just as, if not more delicious than both.
I actually have out-of-town company coming in for the holidays, so I plan on treating them the way I normally do for most of my guests…with great food and booze.
For more National Food Holidays this month, check out the calendar on Foodimentary. If you’d like to team up for some food adventures, or just want to share your food porn, let me know on Facebook or Twitter.
December in Chicago: Things To Do To Make Winter Suck Less
Consider this a cognitive therapy session to help you feel better about the season that several of your friends and family have moved away from. If you still live here after the past two winters, congratulations…you’re a midwesterner. You grew up with 4 seasons, strapped on your snow pants, found creative ways to de-ice your windshield because you forgot your scraper, and you haven’t been stomped by AT-ATs on State Street…yet.
I personally like snow and I know I’m not alone. I also don’t mind a trip somewhere warm in order to endure it with a tan, but I take pride in where I’m from and love that I can appreciate the other 3 seasons because of Winters here. You also get an awesome and natural excuse to stay in and binge watch Netflix shows with a glass of some-something.
So before posting your super cliche “ugh, Chicago Winter. Get me out of here” Facebook status, turn up 93.9 on your radio for 24/7 holiday tunes and consider some proactive options that you can’t get most places.
Lincoln Park Zoo Lights
Lions, Tigers, and beers…oh my!
You read that right. Along with a whole calendar of events, you can peruse the zoo with beers (and maybe Bears) or other adult beverages as the whole place gets lit up like you’ve never seen before. It’s free to enter, as always, and there’s a number of activities to partake in including rides, crafts, and seeing Santa. There are a few dates to mark on the calendar as well.
12/14, 12/21, 12/28 Family Nights
1/3 Last Day
Comedy Shows
Want to know a great way to stay warm in Chicago? Laughing. Where better to do that than in a tiny cramped venue, brushing shoulders with the table next to you, sipping on a rum and something, and then forgetting it all with belly laugh after belly laugh.
Dave Chappelle is in the middle of a 6 day residency at Thalia Hall, Dec. 1 – 6, but good luck getting tickets for that. All 12 shows were sold out, but MAYBE a ticket or 2 will show up on StubHub. Meanwhile, you and your rowdy friends can check out any of the following clubs for standup shows:
Chicago Improv (in Schaumburg)
Laugh Factory (on Broadway)
Zanies (Chicago, St. Charles and Rosemont)
Beat Kitchen (on Belmont)
Or you can get literally spontaneous comedy at any of the improv institutions that helped put Chicago on the map in show business like Second City, iO or Comedy Sportz.
Last, but not least, John Oliver is performing at the Chicago Theater December 30th and 31st. Maybe don’t miss that.
Christkindlmarket
I’m sure you’ve heard of it but in case you’ve never been, head over to Daley Plaza at Clark and Washington to see for yourself. The tradition began in Nuremberg, Germany in 1545 and was brought to Chicago in 1996. It’s considered the largest open-air Christmas festival in the city, but my favorite part is the mug of hot wine that I can mosey about with.
It’s open till Dec. 24th, so get over as soon as you can.
Marshall Fields
(Nobody wants to call it Macy’s this time of year)
This is Christmas nostalgia at it’s finest for most of us who grew up around Chicago. Winter break from school, Mom and Dad have some last minute shopping and your family from New York is in town…where do you head to? State Street, that great street, to see the windows at Marshall Fields.
Every year there’s a different story being told around the building, and people of all ages can’t wait to see what’s next. Inside, on the 7th floor is another sight to behold. The Walnut Room has been a Chicago tradition since 1907.
Star Wars (Chicago Style)
If the pre-sale numbers and the marketing haven’t already told you, people are excited for Star Wars. So how can you best celebrate the release of Episode 7?
The Whistler in Logan Square will be transforming their bar into the Mos Eisley Cantina on December 16th. There will be local musicians on hand as the house band from A New Hope and the cocktail menu will be overhauled with galactic themed beverages.
Then there’s Adler After Dark the next evening, December 17th, as the Adler Planetarium will be hosting a Force Awakens party unlike any.
- Star Wars Trivia
- A screening of Space Balls
- Star Wars-inspired beer from Empirical Brewing
- Lightsaber Combat Workshop!
- human-robot interactives from the Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago
The Force is strong, yes?
Sauced Night Market
It’s a roving night market, self-described as being “dedicated to emerging culinarians, artists and that guy from high school who’s a DJ now – an evening of food, art and debauchery set to the tune of “Hypnotize”. Intrigued? Sure you are.
December 15th, SAUCED will be at Emporium Arcade Bar in Logan Square for your not-yet-last-minute holiday shopping, great food from Chicago vendors, and craft beer. It sounds way too interesting to pass up.
One Of A Kind Show
Love art or just any alternative to retail? This is for you. From December 3rd – 6th, 600 artists from across North America will be at the Merchandise Mart on Orleans with every kind of handmade creation you can think of.
Accessories, ceramics, sculptures, furniture, photography, paintings, glass, jewelry, fashion, etc. And here’s the show schedule:
Thursday, December 3 11am-8pm
Friday, December 4 11am-8pm
Saturday, December 5 10am-7pm
Sunday, December 6 10am-5pm
All the One Of A Kind Show info is here.
Topgolf
(Naperville & Wood Dale)
I find it funny that there are still people around Chicago who haven’t caught on to Topgolf. It’s the grownup version of Chuck E. Cheese, Enchanted Castle, Leaps & Bounds, or whatever kids amusement place you used to frequent when you were younger.
It’s golf meets bowling, where each individual ball you hit has a chip inside and you aim for targets to score points against your friends. Full bar, great food, multiple monitors to watch sports, parties every night…and you it’s open year round with plenty of heat.
I actually went with my dad on the coldest of year and it was an absolute blast. Here’s proof.
If you have anymore recommendations to make December better, please pass them along on Facebook or Twitter.
Chicago Brewery Challenge: The Beer List
In an effort to promote the amazing brews of the Chicagoland area, I’ve begun devising a plan to visit and try more than 77 breweries in 18 hours.
A gentleman accomplished the feat in Portland, and the ultra-competitive midwesterner in me wants to top it.
(Reminder: The plan is try each brew with a one-ounce steins and just a few pints at milestone stops in order to drink responsibly.)
Thankfully, some fellow enthusiasts are game and so are some of my favorite breweries.
Now we’re identifying all potential breweries we can possibly visit before planning a route. Going off the Hop Review database, there are 67 breweries in Chicago and 87 in the areas around the season. While there are Illinois breweries listed as far north as Zion, I think Tighthead Brewing in Mundelein is where I’m willing to begin. There are a number of south suburb breweries as well but for time’s sake, going as far as the Northwest Indiana (notably 3 Floyds), sounds worth the finish.
The next steps will include plotting a route with 80 or so brewers chosen, and then reaching out to each one to see what’s good. For now, here is a preliminary list of where the #ChiBrewChallenge adventure could go!
In The City…
Alarmist Brewing 4055 W. Peterson Ave. – North Park 60646
Ale Syndicate 2601 W. Diversey Ave. – Logan Square 60647
Aleman (In Progress) 3304 N. Knox Ave. – Belmont Cragin 60641
All Rise Brewing Co 235 N. Ashland Ave. – West Loop 60607
Andersonville Brewing 5402 N. Clark St. – Andersonville 60640
Aquanaut Brewing 5435 N. Wolcott Ave. – Bowmanville 60640
Arcade Brewery 2601 W. Diversey Ave. – Logan Square 60647
Argus Brewery 11314 S. Front Ave. – Roseland 60628
Around the Bend Beer Co. 2601 W. Diversey Ave. – Logan Square 60647
Atlas Beer Company 2747 N. Lincoln Ave. – Lincoln Park 60614
Baderbräu (In Progress, Beer Available) 2515 S. Wabash – Bronzeville 60611
Band of Bohemia (In Progress) 4710 N. Ravenswood – Ravenswood 60640
Berghoff Brewery 17 W. Adams St. – Loop 60603
Begyle Brewing Company 1800 W. Cuyler St. – Northcenter 60613
Birreria Chicago 43 East Ohio St. – River North 60611
Bixi Brewery (In Progress) 2515 N. Milwaukee Ave. – Logan Square 60647
Bold Dog Brewing (In Planning) 1935 E Irving Park Rd. – Northcenter 60613
Breakroom Brewery 2925 W. Montrose Ave. – Irving Park 60618
Bucket List Brewing (In Planning) Chicago, IL 60641
Chicago Beer Company (Beer Available) 1140 W. Randolph St. – West Loop 60607
Corridor Brewery & Provisions 3446 N. Southport Ave – Lakeview 60657
Crooked Fork Brewing (In Planning) 4419 W. Montrose Ave – Mayfair 60641
Cruz Blanca (In Progress) 900 W. Randolph St. – West Loop 60607
Diversey Brewing Company (In Planning) – Logan Square 60647
DryHop Brewers 3155 N. Broadway Ave. – Lakeview 60657
Empirical Brewing 1801 W. Foster Ave. – Ravenswood 60640
Eris Brewery & Ciderhouse (In Planning) 4240 W. Irving Park Rd. – Old Irving 60641
Finch’s Beer Company 4565 N Elston Ave. – Avondale 60630
Forbidden Root 1746 W. Chicago Ave. – West Town 60622
Gino’s East Brewing Company 500 N. LaSalle St. – River North 60654
Goose Island Beer Company 1800 W. Fulton St. – Near West Side 60612
Goose Island – Clybourn 1800 N. Clybourn St. – Lincoln Park 60614
Great Central Brewing (In Planning) 1745 W. Walnut St. – Near West Side 60612
Greenstar Brewing Co 3800 N. Clark St. – Lakeview 60613
Half Acre Beer Company Tap Room 4257 N. Lincoln Ave. – Northcenter 60618
Half Acre Beer Company (In Progress) 2050 W. Balmoral Ave. – Bowmanville 60640
Haymarket Pub & Brewery 737 W. Randolph St. – West Loop 60661
Hopewell Brewing (In Progress) 2760 N. Milwaukee Ave. – Logan Square 60647
Hopothesis Beer Company 730 W. Randolph St. – West Loop 60661
Horse Thief Hollow 10426 S. Western Ave. – Beverly 60643
Illuminated Brew Works 415 N. Sangamon Ave. – West Loop 60642
Lagunitas Brewing Company 1843 S. Washtenaw Ave. – Douglas Park 60608
Lake Effect Brewing Company 4727 W. Montrose Ave. – Irving Park 60641
Like Minds Brewing 1800 W. Walnut St. – Near West Side 60612
Lo Rez Brewing (In Planning) Chicago, IL
Mad Mouse Brewery 724 Maxwell St. – University Village/Little Italy 60607
Maplewood Brewery & Distillery 2717 N. Maplewood Ave. – Logan Square 60647
Marz Community Brewing 3315 S. Halsted St. – Bridgeport 60608
Metropolitan Brewing 5121 N Ravenswood Ave. – Ravenswood 60640
Mikerphone Brewing (Beer Available) 3223 S. Kolin Ave. – South Lawndale 60623
Moody Tongue 2136 S. Peoria St. – Pilsen 60608
Motor Row Brewing 2337 S. Michigan Ave. – South Loop 60616
Off Color Brewing 3925 W. Dickens Ave. – Hermosa 60639
Piece Brewery & Pizzeria 1927 W. North Ave. – Wicker Park 60622
Pipeworks Brewing Company 1675 N. Western Ave. – Bucktown 60647
Revolution Brewing 3340 N. Kedzie Ave. – Avondale 60618
Revolution Brewing Brewpub 2323 N. Milwaukee Ave. – Logan Square 60647
Rock Bottom Restaurant & Brewery 1 W. Grand Ave. – River North 60610
SlapShot Brewing 3223 S. Kolin Ave. – South Lawndale 60623
South Loop Brewing Company (Beer Available) Chicago, IL
Spiteful Brewing 1815 W. Berteau Ave. – Northcenter 60613
Transient Artisan Ales (In Planning, Gypsy Brewer) Chicago, IL
Une Année Brewery 1638 W. Hubbard St. – West Town 60622
Veteran Beer Company (In Planning) Chicago, IL
Vice District Brewing 1454 S. Michigan Ave. – South Loop 60605
Whiner Brewery (In Progress) 1400 W. 46th St. – Back of the Yards 60609
Around Chicago/Suburbs
3 Floyds Brewing Company 9750 Indiana Pkwy., Munster, IN 46321
5 Rabbit Cervecería 6399 W. 74th St., Bedford Park, IL 60638
18th Street Brewery 5725 Miller Ave., Gary, IN 46403
51st Ward Brewing (Contracting – Beer Available) Westmont, IL
350 Brewing Company 7144 W. 183rd St., Tinley Park, IL 60477
Arrowhead Ales Brewing Company (In Planning, Beer Available) New Lenox, IL
Ancient Owl Brewing (In Planning) Lombard, IL
Banging Gavel Brews (Beer Available) Palos Heights, IL
Big Hurt Brewing 6801 W. Cermak Rd., Berwyn, IL 60402
Black Belt Brewery (In Planning) Lake Zurich, IL
Blue Island Brewing Company 13357 Old Western Ave., Blue Island, IL 60406
Blue Nose Brewery 6119 East Ave., Hodgkins, IL 60525
Brickstone Brewery 557 William R. Latham Senior Dr., Bourbonnais, IL 60914
BuckleDown Brewing 8699 W 47th St., Lyons, IL 60534
Bulldog Brewing Company 1409 119th St., Whiting, IN 46394
Byway Brewing Company (In Planning) 2825 Carlson Dr., Hammond, IN 46323
Cademon Brewing Company 217 W. Main St., Genoa, IL 60135
Cahoots Brewing (In Planning) Downtown/Lake St. – Oak Park, IL
Chain O’Lakes Brewing Company 3425 Pearl St., McHenry, IL 60050
Church Street Brewing 1480 Industrial Dr. Unit C, Itasca, IL 60143
Crown Brewing 211 S. East St., Crown Point, IN 46307
Crystal Lake Brewing 150 N. Main St., Crystal Lake, IL 60014
The Devil’s Trumpet Brewing Co. 8250 Utah St., Merrillville, IN 46410
Dry City Brew Works 120B N. Main St., Wheaton, IL 60187
Emmett’s Brewing Company 110 N. Brockway St., Palatine, IL 60067
Evil Horse Brewing Company (In Progress) 1336 Main St., Crete, IL 60417
Exit Strategy Brewing Co. 7700 W Madison, Forest Park, IL 60130
Figure Eight Brewing 150 S. Washington St., Valparaiso, IN 46383
Flapjack Brewery (In Planning) Berwyn, IL
Flesk Brewing 844 N. Ridge Ave., Lombard, IL 60148
Flossmoor Station Brewing Company 1035 Sterling Ave., Flossmoor, IL 60422
Four Fathers Brewing 1555 W. Lincolnway Suite 105, Valparaiso, IN 46385
Gordon Biersch 639 E. Boughton Rd. #100, Bolingbrook, IL 60440
Granite City Brewery – Naperville 1828 Abriter Ct., Naperville, IL 60563
Granite City Brewery – Orland Park 14035 S. La Grange Rd., Orland Park, IL 60462
Granite City Brewery – Schaumburg 801 Plaza Dr., Schaumburg, IL 60173
Hailstorm Brewing Company 8060 186th St., Tinley Park, IL 60487
Hofbräuhuas Chicago 5500 Park Pl., Rosemont, IL 60018
Hopvine Brewing Company 4030 Fox Valley Center Dr., Aurora, IL 60504
Hunter’s Brewing 1535 S. Calumet Rd., Chesterton, IN 46304
Imperial Oak Brewing 501 Willow Blvd., Willow Springs, IL 60480
Ironwood Brewing Co. 6 Roosevelt Rd, Valparaiso, IN 46383
Lake Bluff Brewing Company 16 E. Scranton Ave., Lake Bluff, IL 60044
Light the Lamp Brewery 10 N. Lake St., Grayslake, IL 60030
The Lucky Monk 105 Hollywood Blvd., South Barrington, IL 60010
Lunar Brewing Company 54 E. St. Charles Rd. #11, Villa Park, IL 60181
Metal Monkey Brewing (In Progress) 515 Anderson Dr. #900, Romeoville, IL 60446
Mickey Finn’s Brewery 412 N. Milwaukee Ave., Libertyville, IL 60048
Middle Brow Beer Company 2701 Deborah Ave., Zion, IL 60099
Miskatonic Brewing Company 1000 N. Frontage Rd., Darien, IL 60561
Nevin’s Brewing Company 12337 S. Rte. 59 #155, Plainfield, IL 60585
New Oberpfalz Brewing 121 E. Main St., Griffith, IN 46319
Noon Whistle Brewing 800 E. Roosevelt Rd., Lombard, IL 60148
Oak Park Brewing Company (In Progress) 155 S. Oak Park Ave., Oak Park, IL 60302
One Trick Pony Brewery 17933 Chappel Ave., Lansing, IL 60438
Only Child Brewing 1350 Tri State Pkwy, Ste 124, Gurnee, IL 60031
Peckish Pig 623 Howard St., Evanston, IL 60202
Penrose Brewing Company 509 Stevens St., Geneva, IL 60134
Pokro Brewing Company 311 North Broad Street, Griffith, IN 46319
Pollyanna Brewing Company 431 Talcott Ave., Lemont, IL 60439
Rock Bottom – Lombard 94 Yorktown Shopping Center, Lombard, IL 60148
Rock Bottom – Orland Park 16156 S. La Grange Rd., Orland Park, IL 60467
Rock Bottom – Warrenville 28256 Diehl Rd., Warrenville, IL 60555
Route 2 Brews 141 Harding Dr., Lowell, IN 46356
Rude Hippo Brewing Company 5725 Miller Ave., Gary, IN 46403
Saint John Malt Brothers Brewing 9607 Wicker Ave., St. John, IN 46373
Scorched Earth Brewing Company 203 Berg St., Algonquin, IL 60102
Sketchbook Brewing 825 Chicago Ave., Evanston, IL 60202
Small Town Brewery 1000 Brown St. #212, Wauconda, IL 60084
Smylie Bros. Brewing 1615 Oak Ave., Evanston, IL 60201
Solemn Oath Brewery 1661 Quincy Ave. #179, Naperville, IL 60540
Stockholm’s Brewpub 306 W. State St., Geneva, IL 60134
Temperance Beer Company 2000 Dempster St., Evanston, IL 60202
Ten Ninety Brewing 2701 Deborah Ave., Zion, IL 60099
Three Angels Brewing 10482 Ashley Rd., Yorkville, IL 60560
Tighthead Brewing Company 161 N. Archer Ave., Mundelein, IL 60060
Transient Artisan Ales (Brewing at One Trick Pony) 17933 Chappel Ave., Lansing, IL 60438
Tribes Alehouse Brewery 11220 W. Lincoln Hwy., Mokena, IL 60448
Two Brothers Brewing 30W315 Calumet Ave. W., Warrenville, IL 60555
Two Brothers Roundhouse 205 N. Broadway, Aurora IL 60505
Urban Legend Brewing Company 1115 Zygmunt Cir., Westmont, IL 60559
Village Vitner Winery & Brewery 2380 Esplanade Dr., Algonquin, IL 60102
Werk Force 14903 S. Center St., Plainfield, IL 60544
Wild Onion Pub & Brewery 22221 N. Pepper Rd., Lake Barrington, IL 60010
Wildrose Brewing 1104 E. Main St., Griffith, IN 46319
Windmill Brewing 2121 Gettler St, Dyer, IN 46311
ZümBier 3232 E. Monroe St., Waukegan, IL 60085
There are 154 breweries total listed but if you know or recommend others, please let me know on either Facebook or Twitter!
I can also be reached by email at piff.michael@gmail.com. Check back as the plan keeps coming together!
Chicago Brewery Challenge: The Beginning
Perusing one of my favorite sites this morning, Sports Illustrated’s Hot Clicks page, a certain story grabbed my attention…
In the words of Barney Stinson,
CHALLENGE ACCEPTED!
John Lovegrove had his first beer at 7:00 AM and his 77th at 12:55 the next morning. Here’s the timeline of every brewery he stopped at and all the fun his crew of 7 had. Lovegrove had a pint at his first brewpub and another at the 50th, then drank from his one-ounce stein at the 75 others…which is very responsible.
The #SpiritOf77Breweries Challenge was an awesome project to promote the amazing breweries of Portland. I’d love to do the same for the Chicago area. By The Hop Review’s count, there are at least 66 in the city, 85 around it. Let’s see if we can hit more breweries in 18 hours than Lovegrove did.
The Chicago Pizza and Food Truck Challenges were fun (and still ongoing). Those projects took months to execute, but this will take just a day…and a lot of time to plan leading up. You have to start somewhere though and that’s what this is…the beginning.
The date and route are still TBD. Any Chicago beer enthusiasts and breweries interested in helping out are welcome! Let me know on Facebook and Twitter, or email me at piff.michael@gmail.com with serious inquiries.
Updates on the of the Chicago Brewery Challenge plan will be posted here and on social media with the hashtag
#ChiBrewChallenge
Feel free to share this with anyone who wishes to partake.
5 Potential Bears OC Candidates To Replace Adam Gase
After winning 4 of their last 6 games, the hottest topic regarding the Chicago Bears this week seems to be “Can they keep Adam Gase?” It’s a fair conversation to have as Gase is presumed to be one of the top head coaching candidates to fill any of a number NFL openings for next season. In 9 games, Gase has the Bears offense looking as respectable as any with Jay Cutler playing his best football since coming to Chicago. He was also very close to being the 49ers head coach after last season, had San Francisco’s higher-ups not been so sold on this guy…
Vacancies across the league already include Tennessee and Miami, unless Dan Campbell continues to work wonders. Other teams that are expected or rumored to be looking for a new head coach include the Colts, Saints, Lions, Browns, Chargers, Rams, and the aforementioned 49ers. I wouldn’t anticipate this to be appealing to Gase, but there are several major conference openings in college football as well. The point is, there are plenty of options for Gase to move up in the football world and Bears fans shouldn’t be shocked to see Cutler working with yet another offensive coordinator next season.
Is it possible the Bears will do everything in their power to keep Gase? Sure. They could make Gase an offer similar to the Cowboys’ Jason Garrett deal, making him the highest paid coordinator in football with assurances he’ll be the next head coach after John Fox is done. In 2008, Garrett was making $3 million as an assistant waiting in the wings behind then Cowobys coach Wade Phillips. League rules prevented Jerry Jones to name Garrett as an heir to take over for Phillips, but it was the worst kept secret in football.
The likelihood of Gase staying in Chicago after this season isn’t particularly probable, but one could be confident Fox will have a strong candidate in place to fill the opening. After all, Fox did bring the best two available coordinators with him after taking the Bears job, Gase and Vic Fangio.
What do Fox’s OC options look like for the 2016 season?
Mike McCoy
Current Chargers Head Coach
With the team’s likely move to Los Angeles and another underwhelming season, the Chargers organization could be looking for a fresh face and a new voice in the locker room. The Bears interviewed Mike McCoy in 2013 before he took the Chargers job. McCoy had just reshaped the Broncos offense from accommodating Tim Tebow in 2011 to Peyton Manning in 2012, with Fox as his boss and Gase as QB coach. Fox and McCoy are already very familiar with each other. Gase has also credited McCoy on multiple occasions for being one of the better influences on his coaching style.
Dowell Loggains
Current Bears Quarterbacks Coach
The transition for Dowell Loggains to offensive coordinator, on paper, looks seamless. Loggains is already working closely with Cutler on a daily basis and would essential continue using Gase’s playbook. He isn’t inexperienced when it comes to play-calling either, as he served as Titans OC in 2012-2013 under Mike Munchak. The concern, however, is that Loggains could leave with Gase if he’s hired elsewhere.
Ken Whisenhunt
Former Titans Head Coach
Ken Whisenhunt keeps getting head coaching jobs because he continuously gets it done as an offensive coordinator. Before his 1 and a half year Titans tenure, Whisenhunt called plays as McCoy’s OC in San Diego in 2013. The Chargers had improved from 31st in total offense to 5th with Whisenhunt on the sidelines. The Chargers also ranked 4th in touchdowns and 5th in passing yards that season as Ryan Matthews had his best year rushing with 1,255 yards.
Bill Lazor
Current Dolphins Offensive Coordinator
This really depends on what the Miami Dolphins chooses to do about their head coaching situation. If Campbell drops the interim tag, I would expect Bill Lazor to either stay put or leave for a head coaching position (although unlikely). Lazor has said that he let down former Dolphins head coach Joe Philbin before his dismissal in October. Since then, the Dolphins have played like the high powered offensive team they were expected to be. Lazor runs a quick-hitting read offense works similarly to Gase’s current system. It operates best when the running backs are the central focus. Case in point, Lamar Miller: 124 total yards per game and and 9 touchdowns since Philbin’s firing with a 3-2 record.
Rob Chudzinski
Current Colts Offensive Coordinator
Chuck Pagano’s fate in Indianapolis has felt all but sealed as his Colts team has gone from predicted Super Bowl contenders to a playoff battle with the Jacksonville Jaguars. Rob Chudzinski has run up and down the ranks of offensive coaching staffs since coming into the league in 2004. “Chud” is best known for innovating the original 2-TE system and helping Cam Newton breakout during his rookie season with the most passing yards of his career so far in 2011. Chudzinski has recently taken over as Colts OC following Pep Hamilton’s scapegoat dismissal in October. He’s a play-caller with head coaching chops but probably a little out-of-the-box in terms of schemes for the Bears and their current path. You can’t help but notice though, how good the Bears offense has looked when utilizing both Martellus Bennett and Zach Miller in recent weeks.
Have another potential Offensive Coordinator candidate in mind for the Bears? Let me know on Facebook or Twitter.
Who The Bears Are 8 Games Into 2015
Following their win on Monday Night Football against the San Diego Chargers, the Chicago Bears are a 3-5 team. Your team is what your record is, which has the Bears placed 3rd in the NFC North and 3 games back behind the 6-2 Packers and Vikings. Being 0-3 in the division doesn’t help and the playoffs are the last thing on anybody’s mind, but finding their identity is more encouraging than you would expect.
The Bears are a much better coached team than they were the last 2 seasons. A Matt Forte quote from Week 1 seems to have held true for most of the season.
The benefit of good coaching is most evident in Jay Cutler’s play so far. It’s amazing that it took 7 years for the Bears to hire an offensive coordinator who would scheme to Cutler’s strengths. OC Adam Gase’s offense allows Cutler to get the ball out faster on quick hitting pass plays, roll out and throw on the run, and to also check in and out of play-calls at will. A commitment to the running game sets him up very well in play-action and limits the opportunities to turn the ball over. As of now, Cutler is just 20th in interceptions through Week 9 with 5. That’s half as many as Blake Bortles and Sam Bradford, and 8 less than league-worst Peyton Manning with 13. Andrew Luck is one pick behind Peyton.
Cutler isn’t perfect, of course. He has 4 fumbles on the season, that have come as the result of both poor blocking and an inability to protect the ball. Cutler has also thrown interceptions at costly moments, notably on a comeback drive against the Packers and in the Lions’ end zone. The difference this season, as opposed to those with Marc Trestman, Mike Tice, and Mike Martz calling plays, Cutler and Gase shake off the bad turnovers with a more aggressive attack. Case in point, following a pick-6 by Jason Verett on what appeared to be a misstep with Alshon Jeffery on the outside, Cutler answered with a touchdown in 3 minutes on 7 plays. In the four games prior, we’ve seen very similar drives giving the Bears chances to win at the end of regulation.
The Bears are a project, but one that is improving as the season goes on. After starting 0-3 against a murderers row of Green Bay, Arizona and Seattle, the Bears are 3-2 in their last 5 games. Just a handful of unfortunate plays have resulted in the Bears losing by field goals to Detroit and Minnesota. It’s probably sad to find optimism from that, but it beats the average margin of 15.3 points per loss a season ago. The coaches and GM Ryan Pace are accountable of their players, especially on the defensive side of the ball. Rather than allow Jared Allen to take up snaps and be unproductive as a 3-4 linebacker, Pace moved him to Carolina for a 6th round draft pick and opened a spot on the roster for Sam Acho. While the Bears are paying Alan Ball $3 million to play cornerback, DC Vic Fangio has plugged in 8-year veteran Tracy Porter instead, who has proven to have better coverage and ball instincts. Porter is making $850,000 on a 1-year deal.
The coaching staff’s trust in young players has also been a positive sign for the team’s growth. Rookie safety Adrian Amos has started all 8 games this season and has provided some stability to what’s been a glaring need for years at the position. Amos is always where he needs to be and tackles well. After injuries to Ego Ferguson and the eventual release of Jeremiah Ratliff, 2nd round pick Eddie Goldman looks as good as advertised. 2nd-year defensive lineman Will Sutton has transitioned well from 3-technique to end. Then the inside linebacker position has been manned better with Christian Jones and Jonathan Anderson in place of Shea McClellan. Both Anderson (rookie) and Jones (year 2) were undrafted and spent time on the Bears practice squad.
Jeremy Langford’s performance against the Chargers was another case for optimism as the Bears move forward, possibly without Forte after this season. Not knocking Forte at all, but Langford has a very similar skill set running, receiving and pass blocking. Langford also has fresher legs, less mileage and an exceptional 2nd gear once he breaks the line of scrimmage. It will be interesting to see what Forte’s prospects are after the season. Whether a team closer to contending is willing to pay big or if he’s just more comfortable in Chicago, the Bears appear to be fine at the running back position.
The Bears are not a team with much depth. This comes from years and years of bad drafting and poor offseason signings, but the Bears don’t have much after either of their offensive or defensive starters. You know things are bad when the drop off from Bryce Callahan to Sherrick McManis at the nickel results in a game-tying Stefon Diggs touchdown against the Vikings, before losing to a Blair Walsh field goal in Week 8. A pleasant surprise at tackle has been Charles Leno Jr. filling in for former pro bowler Jermon Bushrod, and apparently keeping his starting spot. But if the Bears lose another interior linemen, they may have to start converting defensive tackles to the position…(sorta kidding).
Outside of the quarterback position, the difference between Jeffery and the rest of the Bears’ healthy wide receivers is probably the vastest. It’s a shame we haven’t had a chance to see Jeffery paired with 1st round pick Kevin White yet, which would have allowed Eddie Royal to be the slot receiver he was intended to be this season. Having to throw to Cameron Meredith, Josh Bellamy, and Marc Mariana isn’t particularly ideal for Cutler on key passing downs and important drives, but he’s had to do it. Marquess Wilson has been a bright spot though as a downfield option with quality speed.
Despite low expectations the rest of the way, the Bears are likable. There’s something to be said about the team’s resiliency when having to deal with so many injuries and adversity. Besides their 48-23 loss in Week 2 to the Cardinals, they’ve always had a chance to win. After going to the pro bowl in each of his two seasons as a guard (the first to do so since 1970), Kyle Long is developing into an excellent right tackle. Also moving over from guard, Matt Slauson has taken on line calls and has had to start as the 3rd string center with injuries to Will Montgomery and Hroniss Grasu. Both Slauson and Long have provided the leadership, along with Cutler, that seemed to be missing from the offense since Olin Kreutz departed from the team 5 years ago.
Big free agent signee Pernell McPhee is doing the same with the defense. When McPhee is pressuring the quarterback, good things tend to happen and he sets the tone for his unit as well. He ranks 6th among DL/OLB pressures on the quarterback with 31 (JJ Watt, 1st with 45) this season. For a fan base that talks a lot about having pride in being all “blue collar”, there’s definitely a workman like personality that the McPhee and the front 7 bring.
The next 3 games for the Bears will be quite a test. They face the two best defenses in the league, St. Louis and Denver, back-to-back and then have the Packers on Thanksgiving night. Realistically, the second half of the season will be for evaluation going into 2016, but the Bears are competitive, entertaining, and a lot less painful to watch than they were a year ago. Stay tuned to see if that keeps up…
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Go Home Bills Fans…You’re Drunk. The Drunkest In The League, Actually.
“Year One” of the Rex Ryan era has driven Buffalo Bills fans to drinking.
That’s not a joke. With data from smartphone breathalyzer app BACtrack, cross-referenced with Twitter’s fan allegiance map, Bills fans are leading the league in average Blood Alcohol Content.
BAC levels among NFL fans were gathered and examined from games starting in the pre-season through October 26th. Atop the list on game day were Bills fans with an average 0.076 BAC. Tied for 2nd behind Buffalo are Detroit Lions fans (0.069) and Philadelphia Eagles fans…with batteries in their pockets, waiting to be thrown.
Drinking the least on game day are Cincinnati Bengals fans (0.015) and Tennessee Titans fans (0.021). However, left off the list are Raiders, Jaguars, Jets, Rams and Buccaneers fans due to insufficient data. Curious Bears fans can see they are ranked 11th with a BAC of 0.054.
The study was conducted to find out if an NFL team’s record was had an impact on their fan base’s drinking habits. That correlation was unfound with the 1 win Titans being the “case in point.” Drinking levels were proven to increase with 2/3 the NFL audience as BAC averages rise from the pre-season to the regular season.
It should be noted that BACtrack Consumption Reports are released in order to provide insight to the drinking habits around the country so consumers can consider the effects of alcohol…
…or you end up like Dizzy Bat Guy below.
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Movember Matchup of the Day: Joel Quenneville vs. Mike Ditka
Our Movember Matchup series continues with a pair of legendary Chicago coaching staches.
One has a Super Bowl ring, and the other wears three Stanley Cup rings. One owns a race horse and the other has a restaurant chain, wine, and even Bloody Mary mix named after him. They both played their respective sports and neither will be paying for a meal in Chicago ever again.
Now YOU decide who has the better mustache!
Joel Quenneville
vs.
Mike Ditka
Who has the better Chicago Sports stache?
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My Reason To Watch the World Series: Juan Uribe
The Fall Classic kicks off in Kansas City tonight on FOX at 7:07 PM CT. The Royals are making back-to-back trips after a nearly 30-year World Series drought. It’s been 15 years since the Mets were in the World Series and they haven’t won since 1986, the year after the Royals last did. Fun Fact: Neither team has ever won Game 1 of the World Series. Combined both teams are 0-7 in that regard. Also, Joe Buck will have the call and everyone will be convinced he hates their team. Both Royals and Mets fans are readying their angry tweets.
Both teams are very exciting for the objective baseball fan. The Mets have an incredible starting rotation and the Royals have the best bullpen. Daniel Murphy is doing video game things hitting 7 home runs in the playoffs and Ned Yost doesn’t give two shits about your baseball sensibilities when it comes to bunting and running. I, however, don’t care for either team.
As a fan with illogical and irrational feelings, I hate the Royals the most. I’m a White Sox fan and while people in Chicago struggle with my lack of Cub-hate, I target my frustration and dislike to the other teams in the AL Central. Whichever team is preventing the White Sox from making the playoffs the most (besides themselves), that’s who gets the majority of my distain. The Detroit Tigers used to be that team, but now the Royals carry the torch for my White Sox rivalry rage.
The Mets receive a different brand of loathing from me. Having grown up around Chicago, there’s natural detest in me and many for that giant east coast city, their tough-guy accents and pizza arrogance. For the record, I love New York but love when my teams face theirs way more. However, there’s one player who was just named to the Mets playoff roster who I can’t say a single bad thing about. His name is…
Juan Uribe.
Juan Uribe is everything that is good about baseball. He has fun. His teammates love him. He’s also no stranger to the big moment. Over his 15-year career, this will be Uribe’s 3rd appearance in a World Series. He made the final throw-out to win it all for the 2005 White Sox, homered for the Giants in another winning effort in 2010, and now he’s back to keep the 5-year trend alive.
Uribe makes the Mets’ World Series roster wearing his third different uniform this year alone. He joined the Mets in a trade with Kelly Johnson from the Atlanta Braves, and started the season as a Los Angeles Dodger. Uribe actually ended the 2014 regular season as acting manager of the Dodgers, while also paying tribute to Don Mattingly and Tommy Lasorda.
As a manager, Uribe has a 1.000 winning percentage and a Gatorade shower as well.
Now Uribe can end this season with his third World Series ring. He has a chance to become the 4th player in MLB’s expansion era to win 3 world championships with 3 different teams, after Jack Morris, Dave Stewart, and Lonnie Smith. His Mets tenure hasn’t been particularly special, batting .219 with 6 home runs and 20 RBIs in 128 at-bats (Murphy has matched that production in these playoffs alone), but it’s hard not to root for the guy.
Of course my White Sox sentiments have a heavy influence on my admiration for Uribe. In the 10th anniversary year of their World Series win, at least one of the players from the roster are competing for it again. He’s one of 5 players from the 2005 White Sox roster who were still active in 2005 (AJ Pierzynski/ATL, Mark Beuhrle/TOR, Neal Cotts/MIN, Brandon McCarthy/LAD). Uribe also gave me one of my favorite baseball memories, catching a ball in the stands during the World Series that I’ll contend was better than Derek Jeter’s famous dive…somewhat irrationally, I’ll.
A year ago, I actively avoided the World Series. I had seen the Giants thing before and you already know my feelings about the Royals. This year, I’ve got Juan Uribe and will happily buy his jersey if he gets to light victory cigars again.
michaelpiff 