Chicago Bears: Their April Could Have Them Playing Into February
Published by Robert Chilver on May 25, 2009
Article Source: Bleacher Report - Chicago Bears
Two days in April may have changed the 2009 Chicago Bears from a big question mark to a legitamate Super Bowl contending team.
On April 2, Bears GM Jerry Angelo launched season expectations sky high when he acquired disgruntled Broncos QB Jay Cutler. Cutler has already impressed just about everyone in spring workouts and there is little doubt he will take the offense to another level.
Perhaps an even bigger boost for the Chicago Bears came about ten days later.
On April 12, the NFL gave Chicago fans another present by releasing the 2009 regular season schedule.
The Bears have the league’s easiest schedule according to team win percentages from last year. Those numbers are a bit skewed because the Bears play last year’s 0-16 Detroit Lions twice. However, a quick skim over the schedule shows no reason the team can’t finish with double digit wins.
While all eyes will be on Jay Cutler to start the season, it will be all of the players around him that determine just how good this team is.
The Bears have struggled with both offensive line and wide receiver play in the past few seasons and these units will need to be better for Cutler to succeed.
Kevin Shaffer and Orlando Pace should help fill some offensive line holes. The future Hall of Famer Pace, can still contribute a lot to this team as long as he stays healthy.
At wide receiver, Devin Hester will need to take another step forward to be considered a true number one receiver. Rashied Davis has the physical tools to be a solid threat, but he must be more consistent at catching balls for the coaching staff to trust him. Draft pick Juaquin Iglesias could be the sleeper here, as he will get plenty of opportunities in the slot.
If the offensive line and wide receivers come through, Cutler will have a lot to like in Chicago.
Matt Forte has already proven to be among the best receiving running backs and he should get more running room as opposing defenses are forced to respect the passing game.
The player who should be most excited about Cutler’s arm is Greg Olsen. Olsen is a star in the making and 2009 could be his coming out party. Too fast for linebackers and too tall for corners, Olsen is a mismatch for just about every defender. He turned into the Bears’ best red-zone option last year. This year with Cutler’s arm strength, he could turn into the team’s best receiving threat.
The Bears defense is getting older but it should still rank among the top in the league. Lance Briggs is one of the best linebackers in the game and has passed Brian Urlacher as the team’s best defender.
Corner will be a question mark though, as Nathan Vasher needs to return to top form or he could lose his spot to rookie DJ Moore.
The defensive line should benefit from new coach Rod Marinelli. Laughed out of Detroit, Marinelli will be eager to get back to doing what he does best. He’ll be responsible for rejuvenating Tommie Harris’ career and getting more production from the defensive end position.
Here’s my prediction as to how this all could play out for the Bears.
Best Case Scenario: Cutler is everything Bears fans are hoping for, and more. Forte becomes a superstar and the receivers prove they can catch the Cutler bullets. The defense returns to top form and helps the team win the turnover battle. Combined with an easy schedule, 13-3 in not out of the question.
Worst Case Scenario: Bears fans don’t even want to hear the words:Cutler injured. Caleb Hanie is hardly a solid Plan B. Health in general, will be key for the Bears. The offensive line must do their part or else Forte could fall into a sophomore slump. The Vikings will be the biggest NFL-North threat and if the Bears can’t control Adrian Peterson in those games, the division title could be out of reach.
Prediction: Cutler’s numbers won’t be what they were in Denver, but that’s because the Broncos lacked any sort of a running game. The offense will be more fun to watch than any Bears team of the last decade. Cutler will lose the team some games with turnovers but he should win them a few by himself as well.
The Bears will have trouble with teams like the Steelers and Cardinals, but they should be the favorite in the NFC-North. An 11-5 season should get them to the post-season for the first time since the 2006-07 Super Bowl run.
