The Atlanta Falcons are supposed to play the Chicago Bears in Week 1, if Soldier Field's turf is up to the challenge. After a Friday night open practice at the stadium had to be canceled due to uncooperative grass -- coincidentally the same night as the Falcons' Friday Night Lights event, which was cut short due to lightning, not grass -- the Bears say they're going to take "a more active role" in maintaining their playing surface.
This is far from the first issue Soldier Field's vegetation has caused. NFL players have called it the third-worst in the league, with old-school tough guy Brian Urlacher calling for artificial turf if that's the best natural grass the facility can yield. If opposing fans regularly worry about injuries, you know it has to be on the mind of both Bears players and incoming teams alike.
At least it gives columnists the chance to bang out terms like "sod reality."