NFL preview: Chicago Bears
I try to keep personal bias out of these predictions, and am picking the Bears to go to the Super Bowl for one simple reason: I don't like anybody in the NFC better than them.
Projected finish: 11-5 (1st in NFC North), loss to New England in Super Bowl
Obviously the Bears' offseason acquisition of QB Jay Cutler is the deciding factor in my decision to rank a Bears team that was very average last fall as the best in its conference. It's not the only factor, as I think Chicago will improve on defense (it almost has to) and on its offensive line. For a few reasons, RB Matt Forte could see his numbers, particularly his yards per carry average, increase more than those of any Bears pass-catcher. The Bears should be better almost everywhere, and in a conference where nobody else really looks that good to me, that's enough to rate them as the favorite.
I like 2008 Bears QB Kyle Orton, but there is no doubt whatsoever that Cutler is a marked improvement over him, and over every other QB the team has trotted out since I grew old enough to be a fan. Sure I'm concerned about his lack of capable receivers. Devin Hester is not a No. 1 receiver, though I was more pleased than most Bears fans by the progress he showed last year. Earl Bennett, Brandon Rideau, Juaquin Iglesias, Devin Aromashodu and Rashied Davis will have to form some kind of a competent supporting cast for Culter to approach his potential. The silver lining(s) are the Bears tight ends, as Greg Olsen appears poised for a huge year catching the ball and Desmond Clark might be the best second-teamer at the position in the NFL.
Forte had an excellent rookie year, though his 3.9 yards per carry was a very low total for a feature back. Look for it to improve singificantly, because opponents won't be able to flood the box as regularly with Cutler under center and because the Bears have a much better offensive line. Orlando Pace and Frank Omiyale, who's apparently come on lately, should prove valuable additions to a group that includes holdovers Roberto Garza, Olin Kreutz and Chris Williams.
Much has been made of the addition of Rod Marinelli as defensive line coach. I still don't think the Bears will be above-average up front unless Tommie Harris stays healthy and has his first truly big season in a while. Alex Brown and Adewale Ogunleye are nice ends, but neither is a star or an elite pass rusher. I no longer trust Mark Anderson to effectively spell them as a speed rusher, either. In Marcus Harrison, Anthony Adams and Israel Idonije, the Bears have a plethora of bodies to line up next to Harris, but again, Harris is the only potential game-breaker.
If Brian Urlacher has the kind of season everyone is predicting for him, the Bears could be as strong at linebacker as anyone. Lance Briggs is an outstanding player on the right side, and Pisa Tinoisamoa, Nick Roach, Hunter Hillenmeyer and Jamar Williams will be adequate on the strong side and in providing depth. The secondary is the one major concern on the roster, but I'm not as panicky about it as most. Charles Tillman still might be back in time for the season opener, and Corey Graham, Zack Bowman and Trumaine McBride are decent-looking young corners, though I wish the Bears would just get rid of Nathan Vasher. Safety is a potential problem, as Kevin Payne will start with either Danieal Manning or rookie Al Afalava.
