Football Diner 2008 Team Reviews / Previews
Chicago Bears
by Mark Lyne-Austen
13/7/2008
 
The Chicago Bears dropped from 1st to 4th in the NFC North following a disappointing 2007 campaign. The team that had reached Super Bowl XLI suffered the traditional let down the following term after defeat by the Indianapolis Colts. The 7-9 record did not turn too many NFL heads and was cast into shade by the resurgent Green Bay Packers and Minnesota Vikings. Just about the only bright spot for the Bears were the two big wins over historic rivals Green Bay. The Bears have traditionally been effective on defense but unless they can generate a new spark on offense, another shot at the Super Bowl seems a long way off.
 
Quarterbacks
 
Quarterback has been the source of many of the Bears problems. Head Coach Lovie Smith has not let a QB hold the position long enough to become established as the main man and now three QBs are all vying for attention. Kyle Orton, Brian Griese, and Rex Grossman all have their detractors and the Bears have not made the plunge for a big name to trump the current incumbents.
It was Grossman who took the team to Superbowl XLI but his tenure did not last long. The 2003 first rounder was Lovie Smith's first starter from 2004 but injury and interceptions have seen many call for Grossman's head. In 2006, Grossman became the first Chicago QB to start 16 games for 11 years en route to the Superbowl but he was benched last year in favour of Kyle Orton. The Bears have floundered at QB for too long and unless they fix the position and find someone to have faith in, Chicago will still struggle on offense.
Grade: E
 
Running Backs
 
The running game has traditionally been the strength of Chicago's attack. The cold and windy conditions in the NFC North favor the ball on the ground so it is no surprise that their philosophy focuses on the run. Unfortunately for the Bears, they managed to find a bust with the 4th overall pick of the 2005 draft in Cedric Benson. Following alcohol related arrests, Benson was released earlier this year and now Adrian Peterson is tabbed as the starter. That would be great if it were the Adrian Peterson who starred for the Vikings last year but it isn't. Second rounder this year, Matt Forte may be the hero that the Bears so desperately seek but with opponents likely to stack the box it will be a difficult welcome to the league.
Grade: C-
 
Receivers
 
Catching the ball has never been a particularly glamorous experience in the windy city. Possession receiver Muhsin Muhammad did not make the impact expected of him and he has now returned to the Carolina Panthers. Chicago still does not really have an elite receiver on the books with 32 year old Marty Booker, the promising Mark Bradley, and Brandon Lloyd who struggled badly last year with the Washington Redskins. The incredible speed of Devin Hester could be the occasional threat but most of the receiving hopes in Chicago will be pinned on Tight End Greg Olsen who had a solid rookie year in 2007 following his first round drafting.
Grade: D
 
Offensive Line
 
The Offensive Line for the Bears has to be excellent for the offense to thrive. Center Olin Kreutz is a 6 time Pro Bowler and a player with the meanness to succeed in the trenches. Elsewhere on the line, the aging Fred Miller was released earlier this year and first round draft pick Chris Williams at 315lb may well line up book-ending with the equally big John Tait to provide serious power outside. The Bears also cut 13 year veteran Ruben Brown this year. The O-Line looks solid but they will need to be better than that when faced with run stopping defenses such as that boasted by Minnesota.
Grade: C
 
Defensive Line
 
Defense is what Chicago has always been about. Players like Alex Brown, Tommie Harris, and Adewale Ogunleye sometimes get overlooked due to the more media friendly Linebackers behind them but they are crucial to Chicago's defensive play in keeping offensive linemen from getting bodies onto the rangy LBs and in shutting plays down at the point of attack. When these guys play well, the Bears are in with a shout.
Grade: B
 
Linebackers
 
LB is the glamour position in Chicago and Middle Linebacker Brian Urlacher takes much of the media spotlight. There remains huge debate as to whether this is one of the most overrated players in the league. No doubt, Urlacher brings great strengths including his ability to get hands on balls downfield thanks to his 6'4” frame. The 6 time Pro Bowler and 2005 Defensive Player of the Year suffers from an arthritic back and niggling injuries that have accrued over his hard-tackling years on the field. Alongside him, Hunter Hillingmeyer crops up in most underrated lists thanks to Urlacher's spotlight-hogging and his own consistent tackling. The troubled Lance Briggs is probably the best of the Bears LBs though, the 3 time Pro Bowler logging 543 tackles through his first 5 years with the Bears despite the defensive schemes favouring the Middle for tackles.
Grade: B+
 
Secondary
 
For all the hype about players elsewhere, the Bears season went downhill immediately following Free Safety Mike Brown's injury in the season opener against the San Diego Chargers last year. The hard hitting Brown suffered a knee injury that took him out of the 2007 campaign. Having been injured during the post-season game against Carolina in 2005, Brown missed much of the run-in to the Super Bowl in 2006. Prior to his injury, the Bears had conceded 7 or less points in 4 of 6 games. Following it, they only achieved less than 10 points on 1 occasion out of 10. If Brown can remain healthy in 2008, the Bears are a far more fearsome prospect. If not as the Bears incentive-laden contract suggests, players such as Danieal Manning, Charles Tillman, and Nathan Vasher will need to step up.
Grade C
 
Special Teams
 
Devin Hester is one of the greatest returners the NFL has ever seen. His TD threat means that opponents often have to sacrifice field position. With Hester on the team, the Bears almost make up for their lack of offensive production. Kicker Robbie Gould has one of the hardest jobs in football, kicking in the swirling winds off Lake Michigan but has decent leg strength.
Grade A+
 
Coaching
 
Love Smith's tenure since 2004 saw a considerable uptick in the fortunes of the Bears including a renewed sense of belief and determination in a club with a long and proud history. He signed a long-term extension following the Superbowl appearance but released a number of his coaching staff heading into 2007. Following the relative disappointment of that year, Smith will need to bounce back again in 2008 against a much improved NFC North.
Grade B-
 
Outlook
 
The Bears have long been identified as a defensive side and that element of their game will need to be big again this year with the offense still not looking likely to reside among the elite of the NFL. There remains talk of a big signing at QB but with the season coming closer, that possibility recedes. The Bears do not have the greatest depth except on the D-Line and injury to key players like Mike Brown would be their biggest fear. Again relying on something special out of Devin Hester to turn games, the Bears prospects are not great with both the Packers and Vikings favorite to finish above the Bears this year in the NFC North.