2007 Rankings
Rushing: 30th (83.1)
Passing: 15th (210.1)
Total Offense: 27th (293.3)
Run Defense: 24th (122.9)
Pass Defense: 27th (231.8)
Total Defense: 28th (354.7)
What was the Bears’ best move during the offseason?
The Chicago Bears might be this year’s biggest example of addition by subtraction. No longer is Rex Grossman the team’s starting quarterback, and Cedric Benson is no longer the starting halfback. In fact, he’s no longer on the team at all after a pair of alcohol-related arrests greased the skids for his release. He was a huge disappointment anyway after being drafted 4th overall in 2005, and the Bears hope to have his replacement already in the fold in rookie Matt Forte, who was selected in the second round of this year’s draft.
Grossman was the ultimate tease for Bears fans, often showing glimpses of big-play ability. More often, however, he put the Bears in a bind with his reckless style. With Kyle Orton, the Bears lose some potential explosiveness, but they hope that translates into less turnovers. There’s no guarantee, however, that Orton will fare any better than Grossman, so don’t be surprised if we see the maligned veteran back on the field at some point this season. The Bears certainly have the reputation of having a revolving door at the position.
What needs to go right for the Bears to succeed this season?
The quarterback battle between Orton and Grossman, which was ultimately won by Orton, was front-page news. But it’s not going to matter which of these two guys is behind center if the offensive line doesn’t give him time to throw the ball. The Bears were counting on rookie first-round draft pick Chris Williams to start at the left tackle position, but a herniated disc in his back has him out indefinitely, possibly for the entire season.
Former starting left tackle John Tait was moved to the right side to make room for the rookie, and there are no plans to move him back to the left side in response to the injury. Instead, veteran journeyman John St. Claire is penciled in, and appears to be the guy going into the regular season. If Orton is going to make the jump from backup to competent starter, St. Clair is going to have to protect his back side and the line overall has to get better at picking up stunts and blitzes. Most likely, the Bears will need to use their tight ends more often in pass protection than they would like, which, unfortunately, means fewer weapons downfield.
Where will the Bears finish the 2008 NFL season?
For a team just a year-and-a-half removed from an NFC Championship, the Bears have serious questions. There are concerns at quarterback and offensive line, and their defense has looked far from intimidating during the preseason. If they don’t regain some swagger immediately, it could be a very long season in the Wind City. The Bears really need to get off to a good start because they face a grueling stretch over the second half of the season where they meet the Titans before three consecutive divisional match-ups, followed by the Jaguars, Saints, and then the Packers again. If the Bears get out of the gate slowly, they could be looking at a top-five selection in the 2009 NFL Draft.
If, however, they can find a ground game behind rookie Matt Forte and newcomer Kevin Jones, the defense bounces back from a poor showing in 2007, the offensive line solidifies, and Orton brings some consistency to the quarterback position (as long as it isn’t consistently bad), the Bears could be a bit of a surprise in the NFC North.
I’m thinking that’s a lot to ask for.
Prediction: 6-10 and last in the NFC North
