Bears Blitz

Published by Seth Boster on July 9, 2009
Article Source: Bleacher Report - Chicago Bears

After a solid—but not impressive—9-7 record last season, where they barely missed the playoffs, the Chicago Bears have no reason to be worse heading into the 2009 campaign.

Yes, Jay Cutler makes the Bears a better team. He is the same guy who turned late-round draft choices Brandon Marshall (fourth round in 2006) and Eddie Royal (second round in 2008) into stars. And that is what he will look to do with Devin Hester and Earl Bennett.

Hester has improved ever since his transition to the receiver position in 2007. Just last season, with only a year’s experience at the position, he garnered 665 yards with a mediocre quarterback. In 2009, the NFL will see what happens when you pair one of the league’s biggest arms with one of the league’s most threatening field-stretchers. 

According to Chicago Bears accounts, Hester was either overthrown or underthrown twelve times when he was free heading to the promised land.

Don’t expect Cutler to miss those looks.

Cutler will also not miss a great target in tight end, Greg Olsen. Olsen will be a big part of the passing game this year. He may be used similar to the way Tony Gonzalez was used in the Kansas City offense, where the passing game was primarily set up around him.

This will be Olsen’s breakout season as he builds a strong tandem with Cutler.

Cutler recorded 23 points last season in a Denver offense that really never had a reliable running back.

Matt Forte is more than reliable.

Last season, the rookie standout put the offense on his shoulders, rushing for 1,238 yards on the ground and receiving 477 through the air. He was third in the league for all purpose yards after facing eight-man fronts keen on stopping him. Cutler will take away those threatening boxes, and open up some space for Forte.

Also opening up space for the runner is the bolstered offensive line.

The addition of the eight-time Pro Bowl tackle Orlando Pace will bring mammoth size and experience to the line. Also, a versatile Frank Omiyale will improve any part of the line that needs to be. Likely, he will bring a solid fill to the left guard position. 

Signing tackle Kevin Shaffer will add even more depth to the offensive line. Shaffer has played the majority of his NFL career as a starter, and he will compete with an emerging Chris Williams this year for the job at right tackle.

Nearly all components of the Bears’ offense have been improved over the offseason.

Now, let’s take a look at the defensive side of the ball.

Last year, the defense underperformed as they were plagued with injuries from the line to the defensive backfield.

But, cornerback Charles Tillman is reportedly 100 percent after taking part in full speed drills at OTAs. Defensive tackle Tommie Harris is on the mend and not too far behind Tillman in recovering. He has said that he plans to be ready for training camp.

Injuries are not a complete excuse for the defense’s poor performance in 2008. The eminent problem for Chicago’s defense was the lack of determination it showed. When the defensive line continued to take plays off and not get to the quarterback, the whole unit collapsed.

Bringing in Rod Marinelli to coach the defensive line was one of the greatest moves the Bears made, out of the many, this offseason.

Sure, he may not have been such a successful head coach in Detroit. But, Marinelli is reputed for being one of the best defensive line coaches in the business who instills motivation to his pupils.

“He took me on the path to greatness,” said Warren Sapp on Chicago’s 670 The Score, “and he wouldn’t let me deter off it one bit.”

The Bears’ defensive line has always had the talent. With Marinelli beside them, thay could be great.

The play calling of defensive coordinator Bob Babich was also an issue in the under performance of the defense last year.

Head coach Lovie Smith will now take over the play calling.

According to Smith’s resume, defense is what he knows best.

In 2001-03, Smith brought his St.Louis defense to a Super Bowl.

Before that, he was a linebackers coach for the Tampa defense that never ranked lower than 11th for the five years he contributed.

This was the same Tampa defense that had Marinelli as its defensive line coach.  The two, Smith and Marinelli, seem thrilled to be reunited.

The offense and defense have improved this offseason in ways that fans could never have imagined. Also unimaginable is the weakness of the Bears’ schedule heading into 2009.

The Bears will indeed face four conference finalists next season: the Steelers, Cardinals, Eagles and Ravens. But based on the Bears’ opponents’ winning percentage, it is the weakest schedule in the NFL (.410).

The Bears have plenty of cupcake opponents in 2009, including the Lions twice, Rams, Seahawks, Browns and Bengals.

There are plenty of reasons why the Chicago Bears could find plenty of success in 2009, and it is up to them to seize the opportunity .

Their time is now.