Chicago Bears’ Expectations and Obstacles
Published by James Andrews on May 12, 2009
Article Source: Bleacher Report - Chicago Bears
This year the Bears should be much improved. They have added Jay Cutler Orlando Pace Kevin Shaffer and then backed that with a great draft and a few free agents. This team has been close after going to the Super Bowl. They had a 7-9 season followed up by a 9-7 season.
Jerry Angelo made a bold move going after Jay Cutler. He has basically staked his reputation on this young mans success. This could be a good thing or his downfall. Realistically this team should manage to do as well as last year, possibly better.
Jay Cutler and his strong arm gives the Bears the ability to keep a defense a little more honest. Devin Hester and Earl Bennett (probable starters) are not game breakers, but with Jay they could be. Young star Matt Forte made Kyle Orton’s life a lot easier, both with his running and pass catching.
His blocking is a plus. Depth behind him includes career back-up Adrian Peterson and Kevin Jones the Detroit cast off. Garrett Wolfe is basically a special teams player.
Tight end is the strongest part of this offence. Starters Greg Olsen and Desmond Clark are a great tandem. Kellen Davis and newly acquired Michael Gaines make for a deep bunch. A good tight end can make a quarterbacks life easier.
Expectations are high. Some people think that Jay is going to match his numbers from last year. That is not going to happen here though people. Ron Turner and Lovie Smith “get off the bus running.”
If Jay manages to get his numbers from last year again then the Bears were playing from behind a lot.
In order to get more than nine wins this year Ron Turner has to go deeper in his playbook than he ever has. More than anything the team needs to execute the plays. That may be a challenge for Devin Hester seeing as how Muhsin Muhammad isn’t there to tell him where to line up.
Hester is now the veteran player on this team. Rashied Davis is there too but is more of a slot guy.
The biggest problem that the Bears face is their division. The Lions are sleepers. After an 0-16 season they are going to be hungry. They added Larry Foote and Julian Peterson to Ernie Simms.
Not a bad trio at all there. Jim Schwartz is going to be aggressive. The Vikings have the best back in football along with the ex-Bear deep threat Bernard Berrian.
They also have one of the best run stopping Ds in the league. The “Williams wall” is going to get suspended for at least a few games, but they will be tough this year. If they add Brett Favre they could be scary good.
The Packers have a great O but it was their D that let them down. With a new scheme in place and two good corners, they could be scary good as well.
Not to mention the Bears play all four teams that were in the Conference games last year.
In order for the Bears to succeed, Jay Cutler has to come out throwing the ball all over. They need a quick start from him and need some receivers to step up. Devin Hester has to play up to his contract. He is paid like a number one, so perform like one. The Bears also need to get a pass rush.
Tommie Harris needs to start showing up to games. Rod Marinelli will kick him in the rear. The Bears also have Adewale Ogunleye and the fifth round rookie sensation Mark Anderson in contract years. That may be a good thing for the Bears.
Outside of the division the Bears have a glaring hole at FS. Glenn Earl and Josh Bullocks will not get it done there. They have talked about turning a corner into a FS but how did it work turning the best returner ever into a receiver?
