2008 Chicago Bears Preview
J J Pesavento |Aug 24,2008
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 2008 Chicago Bears Preview
2007 Record-7-9
Head Coach-Lovie Smith
2007 Review
After making it all the way to the Super Bowl, hopes were high in Chicago a year ago. Those hopes faded quickly and reality set in when they opened the season with a 2-4 record. If there were any doubts as to whether or not this was the same team that went to the Big Game the previous season, it was made crystal clear that the '07 Bears were not the same team as they dropped both conference titlts to the Detroit Lions before the midway point of the season. Chicago was sitting at 5-9 and looking as though they were battling for a top ten draft pick before pulling out wins over the Packers and Saints in their final two games to make their record more respectable. And while the wins helped make the record look better, nothing could hide the ugliness of an offense with an aging line, no running game and inept play at quarterback.
OFFENSE
Quarterback
The Bears appear to be back at square one after playing musical quarterbacks a year ago. Rex Grossman went from "Good Rex" and "Bad Rex" in 2006 to plain old "Bad Rex" in 2007. Last season, Grossman was sacked 25 times, threw only four touchdown passes and was relieved by Brian Griese. Griese fared somewhat better but also got beat up thanks to the offensive line and Kyle Orton was called on. While his time was limited, Orton was still the only quarterback who didn't throw more picks than touchdown passes last season for the Bears. Griese is gone and Orton is now the starter for the Bears. Grossman is his backup. Orton is capable enough even though he doesn't have a cannon arm, but he'll need a lot more help from his supporting cast than the quarterbacks got a year ago.
Running Back
The running game started going down the drain when the Bears made one of the worst trades in franchise history by trading Thomas Jones to the Jets in the offseason. All the eggs were put in the Cedric Benson basket and they were basically crushed. Benson didn't look anything like a first round pick and a ground game that the Bears always took pride in vanished. When Benson got dinged up yet again, Adrian Peterson took over but the die was cast by the Jones trade. The Bears had a top pick that could be tackled by a single blade of grass and a backup that was just that. Add it all up and it spelled doom as the ground game accounted for a meager eight touchdowns in 2007. Thanks to his off-the-field antics, Benson is now unemployed and rookie Matt Forte appears to be the starter. The Bears did pick up former Lions back Kevin Jones for depth and Peterson is still there for the time being as is Garrett Wolfe. Jason McKie and Lousaka Polite are the options at fullback for the Bears.
Wide Receivers/Tight End
The Bears leading receiver of a year ago, Bernard Berrian, has jumped ship and is now in Minnesota. During the offseason, Chicago added Brandon Lloyd and Marty Booker. But Booker may very well be on the bubble considering his lack of reps in the preseason. Llyod was a bust with the Skins and hopes to revive his career in Chicago. The Bears appear to be pinning their Home Run threat hopes on return ace Devin Hester. Hester was given a hefty contract by the team with the hopes of him becoming a No. 1 receiver. But Hester will find out quickly that there is a big difference in the amount of open space he'll have to work with playing receiver as compared to being a returner. Rashied Davis has helped himself and is in line to move into the rotation. Mark Bradley also has a shot if he can stay healthy. Also in the mix will be rookie Earl Bennett. Desmond Clark may be the most dependable at the tight end position but he is dinged at present which leaves Greg Olsen as the starter with rookie Kellen Davis behind him.
Offensive Line
The age of the unit showed a year ago and the entire offense suffered. Gone are veterans Rueben Brown and Fred Miller. Chris Williams was drafted to move in at tackle, but he has had back surgery and when he will return is not exactly known. In the meantime, John St.Clair fills in. Terrance Metcalf is also dinged and Josh Beekman has been taking reps at guard. Pro Bowler Olin Kreutz is the anchor at center with veterans Robert Garza (guard) and John Tait (tackle) on his right. If the offense is going to have any success whatsoever, this group has to improve in a big way. Judging from the way Grossman was abused in their preseason game vs a good Seattle defense, that hasn't happened just yet. Even if Williams makes it back, it won't be easy since he's lost a good deal of learning time because of his back injury.
DEFENSE
Defensive Line
Defensive tackle Tommie Harris is one of the best in the NFL. He can create havoc even when he draws double-teams. But the Bears need to find a running mate to help take some of the heat off Harris. Dusty Dvoracek is a good option if he can stay healthy, which he hasn't been able to do since being drafted by the Bears. Rookie Marcus Harrison was drafted to help in the rotation, but he'll need time. Israel Idonije and Matt Toeaina will also be in the mix but someone needs to step up and be a force. Alex Brown and Adewale Ogunleye are the ends. Mark Anderson had to have thumb surgery but he should be ready for the opener.
Linebacker
Once again it will be Brian Urlacher leading this group with Lance Briggs as his right hand man. Urlacher is still one of the better backers in the NFL despite rumors to the contrary. He led the team in picks last season with five. Briggs has become a solid player in his own right and was second behing Urlacher in tackles last season. Hunter Hillenmeyer rounds out the starting linebacking corps. Hillenmeyer is the unsung member of the group, but he's good enough and undoubtely benefits from having Urlacher and Briggs as his mates. If there is one weakness at linebacker, it would be the lack of depth.
Secondary
With Charles Tillman and Nathan Vasher at the corners, the Bears at least have two veteran starters now. Vasher has exceeded expectations and if Tillman can perform at a high level on a consistent basis, the Bears will be fine at corner. Ricky Manning Jr., Trumaine McBride and Corey Graham are among the reserves. One big question is at free safety where Mike Brown appears to be back. But Brown has been plagued by inuries and hasn't played a full season since 2003. He's played a total of seven games in the last two years. If he has more problems, Daniel Manning will step in. Brandon McGowan appears to be the starter at strong safety with Kevin Payne backing him up.
Special Teams
All anyone needs to hear is the name of Devin Hester and visions of long returns come to mind. It is unclear if Hester will be handling all the return duties as well as playing receiver at this time, but Lovie Smith has been looking at other players as returners in the preseason. Daniel Manning impressed recently against the Niners and Earl Bennett has also had his chances. Placekicker Robbie Gould hit on 31-of-36 attempts in 2007 and is one of the most reliable in the NFL. Punter Brad Maynard is dependable as well averaging just under 42 yards per boot a year ago.
Outlook
One would think the Bears cannot be as ineffective on offense as they were a year ago, but there questions abound. It begins up front with the offensive line and even with Williams, there are no guarantees the unit will improve. On top of that, the Bears are pinning the hopes of their running game on rookie Matt Forte. And the wide receiver corps, unless Hester makes a big impact, could be even more mediocre than last season. And last not most certainly not least is the quarterback position. Orton can manage the game and not make as many mistakes as Grossman, but without protection or some kind of running game, he'll have a big target on his back. The defense did a nose dive in the rankings in 2007 but the offense put them too many bad situations. Still, someone has to step up alongside Harris up front to help stop the run. The secondary will also have to stay healthy and play consistent. With the Vikings and the Packers to contend with in the division, it won't be easy for the Bears to climb back among the elite.
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