Bears Blitz

Published by Jack Marchetti on December 2, 2010
Article Source: Bleacher Report - Chicago Bears

As the 2010 Chicago Bears barrel their way towards a playoff berth and a possible division title, the fact that this team is severely flawed hasn’t been lost on anyone. 

Call it luck, call it the mediocrity that is the current NFL or just call it what it is; the Bears are overachieving this year. Their porous offensive line, inexperienced wide receivers and general drafting ineptitude over the last several years looked to have caught up with them this year—though they’re definitely playing well despite it.

In 2011, it will mark the first year since the blockbuster Jay Cutler trade that the Bears will have a first-round draft pick.  Judging by their previous first-round choices, this is a glass half-full/half-empty kinda deal.

Since Jerry Angelo took over as GM in 2001, there are only three players drafted in the first round still on the Bears roster.  And that includes Tommie Harris, who should count as maybe half. So heading into the 2011 season with all draft picks in hand, I’m not exactly feeling warm and fuzzy about it. 

So where do the Bears really need to improve?  Anyone who watched the Week 4 massacre against the New York Giants would tell you that this team needs help on that offensive line.

Anthony Costanzo of Boston College is predicted to be a top-10 pick.  So he’ll be unavailable.  Nathan Soldier, who has the best name in the draft, has the long arms Chris Williams currently lacks, and the athletic ability.  Again, probably not reachable if the Bears continue to win. 

Derek Sherrod from Mississippi State appears to be a likely choice for the Bears if they so choose to draft a lineman in the first round. He started as a true freshman, and was highly recruited out of high school. He’s a high-character guy which the Bears seem keen on acquiring since the Tank Johnson fiasco.

As for the skill positions, look no further than wide receiver.  The current Bears receiving corps consists of Devin Hester, Johnny Knox and Earl Bennett.  Devin Aromashadu, who showed some flashes of brilliance at the end of the ’09 season, hasn’t been able to stay on the field.

Earl Bennett has come on recently, and Knox and Hester fit the Mike Martz scheme of quick and fast. I imagine the Bears would not select a receiver with their first pick, as the last time they did that in 2001, they drafted David Terrell—and let’s not relive that nightmare.

I’d personally like to see them draft Michael Floyd out of Notre Dame, but that’s me being a homer and Floyd doesn’t really fit the Mike Martz scheme of short, quick, fast.  So who’s quick enough, good enough and just enough below the national radar to fall to the Bears? 

Titus Young of Boise State.  Predicted by some to fall the third round, this guy would be a solid, late second-round pick for the Bears.  Titus Young was clocked at running a 4.3 second 40-yard dash.  That’s Devin Hester speed, or as some refer to it, stupid speed, Nintendo Speed or a speed rating of 100 in Madden.

While I like nothing more than to watch the Bears win and have a good season, I’m torn on the 2010 season.  Part of me hoped that they went 0-16 and they fired everyone and started over. 

I think Lovie Smith is a mediocre coach at best, and Jerry Angelo can’t seem to draft anyone before the first round—but this season, they aren’t what I thought they were, and they are what their record says.  They’re 8-3.  The Lovie administration will be around next year and probably for several more years.  My only hope is that this year isn’t a fluke. 

In 2001, Dick Jauron coached the team to a 13-3 record.  They had a first-round bye and lost in the divisional round to the Donovan McNabb-led Eagles. In 2002, they opened the season with two fortuitous wins. They finished 4-12.  In 2003, they finished 7-9 and Dick Jauron was showed the door.

I’m hoping 2010 isn’t the same as 2001.

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