Bears Blitz

Published by Bryan Dietzler on December 28, 2010
Article Source: Bleacher Report - Chicago Bears

What’s that you say?  It’s not the end of the season just yet, as the Bears have two more games to play? 

Well, they have already clinched the division and have pretty much done a lot of what they needed to do to reach the playoffs and there shouldn’t be anything else that happens that requires a lot of attention for the honors that are about to be given out.

This is the first in a two-part series about the Bears best and worst of the 2010 season.

So, without further adieu, here are the honors that this writer bestows upon the Bears as they end their 2010 NFL season.

Offensive Player of the Year-Jay Cutler-There were two people that I considered for this honor.  One, of course, was Cutler who has had a much better season than he did last year, and is the biggest reason why this offense has been successful in 2010.  He’s reduced his mistakes and become a better leader this season.

Running back Matt Forte was the other person considered for this award as he has had a nice resurgence of sorts after having a less-than-stellar campaign in 2009.  He’s been running the ball with authority and is an asset in the passing game.  Chicago has been very luck that he’s come back strong this season.

Defensive Player of the Year-DE-Julius Peppers-Believe me, linebacker Brian Urlacher was a very close second here, but for what Peppers has done this season, and what he has meant to this team in terms of victories, he deserves this honor.  He hasn’t put up a lot of big numbers in sacks, but his ability to put pressure on the opposing quarterback coupled with his ability to make plays against the run and disrupt the overall game plan of opposing teams has been what has made him a huge asset this season.

Urlacher came back from an injury that took him out of almost every game last season to help keep the Bears defense play well, especially against the run.  He looks like the same guy that the Bears got when he first came to Chicago through the draft, and it’s been nice to have that kind of player back in the lineup.  He was truly missed.

Special Teams Player of the Year-Devin Hester-There was no one else considered for this honor.  Hester has seen a resurgence in his ability to be a game changer and is returning punts and kickoffs back for scores, or help give the offense good field position thanks to the yards he gains on returns.  Another interesting contribution that Hester brings to the Bears on special teams is the fact that when other teams don’t want to kick to him, they sometimes sacrifice field position to do so.  This gives the Bear’s offense good field position and allows them a shorter field by which they can score.

Best Assistant Coach-Mike Tice-The Bears have been blessed with a bevy of talented coaches on their staff, but no one coach had the kind of work to do this season that Tice had to do on the offensive line.  The line was clearly not blessed with the kind of talent that most NFL offensive lines get to work with, and Tice has done what he can with what he has in order to try to make things work.  Although it may not appear like it to some, this line has improved over the course of the season and it has a lot to do with Tice.

Team MVP-Jay Cutler-Julius Peppers has a great case for getting this honor but for what he’s been able to do with the offense this season and for how far he’s come, Cutler clearly deserves this honor.  He’s improved greatly since the start of the season and is becoming a real leader at that quarterback position for the Bears.  Without him, Chicago wouldn’t be anywhere close to where it is right now.

Newcomer of the Year-Julius Peppers-(Note this is not for rookies).  As previously mentioned, Peppers had a huge impact on the team this season and is a big reason why the Bears have had the success that they have had on defense this season.

Rookie of the Year-J’Marcus Webb-Believe it or not, of all the rookies that the Bears drafted during the offseason (and brought in as undrafted free agents) Webb is their best.  Major Wright doesn’t qualify because he hasn’t played enough games, but has a promising future with the team.  Webb was thrust into action on the offensive line and though he had a rough and rocky start (and still has the occasional hiccup every now and then), he’s managed to play well and could have a spot on the line in 2011.

In our next segment, we will take a look some of the individual highs and lows of the season as well as hand out recognition for the best and worst moments of 2010.

Read more Chicago Bears news on BleacherReport.com