5 Reasons Chicago Bears Will Fail in 2012
Published by Alex Ballentine on April 16, 2012
Article Source: Bleacher Report - Chicago Bears
The Chicago Bears were the most up-and-down team in the NFL in 2011.
After starting out the season 7-3 and establishing themselves as legitimate playoff contenders, the Bears struggled to a 1-5 record. The late-season collapse can mostly be accredited to injuries to their two biggest offensive stars—quarterback Jay Cutler and running back Matt Forte.
Cutler suffered a broken thumb in the team’s 10th game against the San Diego Chargers and the team struggled to rally behind backup quarterback Caleb Hanie.
A pro bowl invitee, Matt Forte was on pace for a career year before a sprained MCL placed him on the IR. Forte sat out the rest of the year—leaving the Bears without any offensive punch down the stretch.
In 2012, the Bears will look to put last season’s meltdown behind them.
Forte should be back to full-speed with the offseason to heal his ailing knee. Cutler will also be back in action and the team wisely signed an experienced signal-caller in Jason Campbell to provide a solid insurance plan, should Cutler be injured again.
The team finally went out and filled a hole it has had for a number of years— a legitimate No. 1 receiver. The Bears traded for Brandon Marshall in March. Cutler should be familiar with Marshall; the two spent three seasons together with the Denver Broncos.
With Cutler and Forte back in the fold and the addition of Marshall, the Bears are a popular pick to be the midseason version of the team and a threat in the playoffs.
Here are five reasons those assumptions are wrong and the Bears will struggle in 2012.
