A Team in Transition

By all accounts, 2004 looks like a season of transition for the Chicago Bears. Rex Grossman has been anointed the future of the franchise and without the presence of an established veteran on the bench, he will have the luxury of not having to look over his shoulder every time he makes a mistake. Out is Dick Jauron and his staff and in is former Rams defensive coordinator Lovie Smith and his bevy of coaches.

The Bears are installing a new offensive system patterned after the Kansas Chiefs’, and they have added a couple players they feel are a better fit. Defensively, they have changed their philosophy from a read-and-react style to an attacking defense designed to pressure the quarterback and create turnovers, something the Bears were among the worst in the league at doing last year. Read more...