Bears Blitz

Published by Jack Jones on August 27, 2011
Article Source: Bleacher Report - Chicago Bears

The Chicago Bears were the surprise of the NFC North last season.  Many folks have forgotten that they won the division with an 11-5 record in the regular season, and made it all the way to the NFC Championship before bowing out to the Green Bay Packers.  Jay Cutler was forced out of that 14-21 loss with a knee injury, drawing many people to conclude that he is weak mentally.

Cutler and this offense have a lot to prove in 2011 as they were one of the worst units in football last year.  The defense is getting up there in age, but is still one of the best units in the league.  I am going to preview both sides of the ball below, while also giving my predictions on where they finish in the NFC North.

According to the odds in Las Vegas, the Bears are listed at 5-to-1 to win the division in 2011.

Key Additions

• Roy Williams (WR)
• Marion Barber (RB)

2011 Draft Picks

• Gabe Carimi (OL)
• Stephen Paea (DT)
• Chris Conte (DB)
• Nathan Enderle (QB)
• James Thomas (LB)

Key Losses

• Greg Olsen (TE)
• Devin Aromashodu (WR)
• Olin Kreutz (C)
• Tommy Harris (DT)
• Danieal Manning (S)

Offense

The Bears finished with the second-best record in the NFC in spite of an offense that ranked 30th in the league (289.4 yards/game).  Offensive coordinator Mike Martz was not able to get this offense to reach its max potential, and a big reason was the O-line.  They allowed the most sacks (56) of any team in the NFL.

They selected Gabe Carimi with their first pick, and he should start right away at right tackle.  They lose C Olin Kreutz who has been the leader of this offensive line for years.  Roberto Garza will move from guard to center to take his place, while J’Marcus Webb takes over at left tackle.  Lance Louis is getting the first crack at right guard, and Chris Williams is moving to left guard.  There are still a lot of question marks within this unit despite the addition of Carimi.

Cutler threw for 3,274 yards and 23 touchdowns to 16 interceptions a year ago.  He had a solid season, but most people are going to remember him watching from the sidelines with a knee injury in the NFC Championship.  He’ll be out to prove his doubters wrong this year, and his mentality will certainly be questioned.

The addition of WR Roy Williams from the Dallas Cowboys gives the Bears the big target they have been looking for.  Earl Bennett, Johnny Knox and Devin Hester are all solid, but none of these three are imposing red zone targets.  Martz isn’t known for using tight ends much with his scheme, and that’s why the Bears were able to trade away Greg Olsen.  TE Kellen Davis looks to take over his vacant starting job.

Matt Forte proved his rookie season was no fluke last year.  After a down sophomore season, Forte came back to rush for 1,069 yards and six touchdowns, while also catching 51 balls for 547 yards and three scores in 2010.  Chester Taylor will once again be the third-down back, while newly-added Marion Barber takes over short-yardage situations.

Defense

Chicago’s defense clearly won them the division last year.  They finished No. 9 in total defense (314.3 yards/game), fourth in points (17.9) and second in rushing (90.1).  The Bears also registered 21 interceptions, which was the fifth-highest total in the league.  This is an aging unit, but one that has proven they can still get it done.

The biggest reason for the turnaround last year was the addition of DE Julius Peppers.  While he only had eight sacks, Peppers hurried the quarterback 23 times and helped make everyone on the team better.  DE Israel Idonije benefited from double-teams to Peppers, and finished with eight sacks.  DT Tommie Harris struggled all season, and has been cut.   Anthony Adams and Henry Melton will man the tackle positions, and rookie Stephen Paea will compete with these two for snaps.

The Bears feature one of the best LB duos in the league in veterans Brian Urlacher and Lance Briggs.  Urlacher led the team in tackles (146), while Briggs was right behind him (121).  Each was selected to the Pro Bowl for their efforts last year.  They could use more production from their other OLB spot opposite Briggs.  Nick Roach has been re-signed and they are hoping he can return to his ‘09 form.

Chicago was able to part ways with free safety Danieal Manning because they saw the potential of Major Wright in his rookie season.  Wright will start alongside veteran strong safety Chris Harris at the last level of defense.  The Bears boast a talented CB duo of Charles Tillman and Tim Jennings, while Zackary Bowman isn’t too shabby off the bench.

NFC North Prediction: Third Place, 8-8 Overall

The Bears were very fortunate to come up with 11 wins last season.  Their offense still has a lot of questions surrounding it, and I can’t see the additions of Williams and Barber making that big of a difference. 

I have little faith in the offensive line, and I don’t believe Cutler will be any better than he was a year ago because of it.  The defense cannot possibly play as well as it did last season, and I feel that age will start to show.  This is an 8-8 team at best in 2011.

Find out where we have all four teams ranked with our 2011 NFC North predictions article.

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