Turner brothers go head to head for third time in NFL

Sunday's Bears-Chargers opener will mark the third time that brothers Ron and Norv Turner have been on opposite sides of an NFL game.

Ron is the Bears' offensive coordinator, while Norv will make his San Diego debut as head coach.

Last year when Norv served as offensive coordinator in San Francisco, the Bears beat the 49ers 41-10. During Ron's first stint as a Bears assistant in 1996, Norv was head coach in Washington during a 10-3 Bears win.

"I really don't believe it's an issue," Norv Turner said this week. "We both primarily focus on the offensive side of the ball. I think it probably helps me that I've watched a lot of Bears games because I have a strong interest in how they do. But I don't have the insights into what they do that, say, a Ron Rivera (former Bears assistant) would have."

To make things easier, Norv said he and Ron will not speak to each other until they meet on the field before Sunday's contest.

"You just don't want to create a concern for anybody in either organization," Norv said. "Ron and I could have a number of conversations and not give anything away, but someone might not see that as the way they'd do it."

Rivera switches sides: One question heading into Sunday's opener is how much Ron Rivera's familiarity with the Bears will help the Chargers.

Rivera spent the past three seasons as Bears defensive coordinator. When the Bears decided to promote linebackers coach Bob Babich into that role, Rivera took a job as San Diego's inside linebackers coach.

"I know a lot of people will ask questions and seek answers," Rivera said in the North County (Calif.) Times. "The one true thing is I'm not stepping on the field. I'm not lining up against anybody. So the story really isn't me against anybody. The story is the Chargers are playing the Bears."

San Diego coach Norv Turner felt Rivera's most valuable insight will be related to the Bears' personnel, not their schemes.

"It's a fairly common occurrence in this league where players change teams and coaches change teams," Turner said. "Everybody's very, very multiple. It's easy to change up on tendencies. It's easy to change up the way you do things."

Turner back in action: Chargers backup running back Michael Turner, from Northern Illinois and North Chicago High School, missed the final preseason game with a sprained ankle. He was back at practice Thursday and should be ready to face the Bears.

"They call him 'The Burner,' but he's kind of the 'Roadgrader' to me," Norv Turner said. "He comes in and pounds. LT (LaDainian Tomlinson) sets them up and bounces around and moves. He's elusive and hard to tackle. Then Michael comes in and just kind of runs through arm tackles. He's a very physical player."