Chicago Bears Have Big Things to Work on When NFL Lockout Ends
Published by Jimmy Lobus on June 22, 2011
Article Source: Bleacher Report - Chicago Bears
With the NFL lockout looking more and more like it will be ended before losing any football games, it is imperative for the Chicago Bears to take full advantage when the lockout is lifted.
Having lost some offseason workouts due to the lockout, the Bears will need to get back to work as soon as they can in order to get back on track in the NFC. The biggest need for the Bears offseason is to get the offense clicking.
In 2010, the Bears were in the first year of offensive coordinator Mike Martz’s system. The offense showed some signs of how good it can be, but a weak offensive line prevented quarterback Jay Cutler from having the necessary time to progress through his reads and find open receivers on a consistent basis.
In the coming season, Cutler will need a lot more time. Not only to read the defense, but to also have the time to set his feet and get off a good throw. What gets Cutler into trouble is throwing off balance and on the run. Although he is a pretty good quarterback outside the pocket, he cannot be exposed to big hits on the run.
The more Cutler is exposed to the offense the better he will be at making quick decisions about where to go with the ball.
Timing is a big part of Martz’s system. The receivers for the Bears are good, but lack a consistent go to playmaker. It is clear Devin Hester is not that guy and is better equipped as a package receiver and game breaking punt and kick returner.
Earl Bennett and Johnny Knox showed some signs last season of being playmaking receivers, but are more likely to find success as No. 2 and No. 3 receivers, respectively.
The Bears really need to find a true No. 1 receiver for Cutler to throw to. Once the lockout is lifted and the new rules are in place for free agency, the Bears can begin to figure out where to look. There are a few big play receivers who could become available. The question is whether or not the Bears want to spend big money again in free agency once it begins.
Defensively, the lockout actually helps the Bears. The defense has a lot of aging players on it and the extended rest will allow for players to come into the season healthier than they normally would.
Most of the defensive players have been together for a long time and know Lovie Smith’s defense about as well as you can so it should not take any time to get back in the swing of things.
The Bears will be battling the defending Super Bowl Champion Green Bay Packers for the NFC North crown. Both teams have a lot of playmakers on both sides of the ball and figure to be two of the top teams in the NFC in the 2011 season.
It is just a matter of when the 2011 will begin in order to see how things take shape in the NFC North and the NFL as a whole.
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