Bears Blitz

Published by Samuel Bell Jr on April 15, 2009
Article Source: Bleacher Report - Chicago Bears

The 2009 NFL offseason has been much like an episode of MTV’s “The Hills.”

There’ve been so many rich people creating all kinds of drama whether or not it seemed to be necessary. The biggest bomb was dropped when Jay Cutler was dealt to the Chicago Bears.

It was like Spencer Pratt and Heidi Montag finally calling it quits. Cutler was Heidi and McDaniels was the Spencer that could no longer be trusted, only there was no emotional connection.

Cutler seemed to be happy to be in the land of the wind, and McDaniels seemed to be singing his own version of “Happy Trails” after Cutler was gone.

Losing a Pro Bowl QB can’t make you too happy, but McDaniels better hope that his decision pans out, or his NFL head coaching tenure will end faster than Britney Spears’ first wedding.

Bringing Kyle Orton to Mile High will help because it gives the Broncos a veteran presence, and with the two Brandons and Eddie Royal, he’ll have targets.

Meanwhile, Cutler has nobody to throw to that has had close to a 1,000-yard season in the last few years and a second-year starting RB who had a very promising rookie season in Matt Forte.

In other words, that offense seems to be a bit anemic, but with a gunslinger like Cutler, maybe in the words of Lupe Fiasco, “It just might be OK.”

The other huge news of the free agent period was Mr. First Team Option being released by the Dallas Cowboys and subsequently signed by the small-market Buffalo Bills.

If that wasn’t a shock, then maybe his appearance at the voluntary workouts was. Everyone knows that Terrell Owens never shows at these things, but for some reason he felt compelled to go to cold Buffalo to do just that.

Was it a voice in his head? Media pressure? Is he worried about team chemistry all of a sudden because he knows he needs a contract in 2010? Given his history of selfishness, I’ll go with the last question.

Regardless, Owens seems to be trying to be on better behavior. If he can be consistent throughout the season, will the Bills risk pay huge dividends? Buffalo faithful hope so.

Which player’s arrival will mean a potential playoff berth next season? Buffalo hasn’t seen the postseason since the “Music City Miracle” before the millennium and the Bears have faltered since a Super Bowl 41 loss to Peyton Manning and Indy.

Of course Owens and Cutler are just one, and they need a whole team to win, so who has a better supporting cast?

Chicago Bears: 9-7 2008 record

Quarterbacks—This is a no-brainer. Even Tara Reid knows that the addition of Jay Cutler is an upgrade at this position, and the Bears finally have a franchise QB to rely on not named Grossman or Orton. But, with the talent on offense, maybe the fringe ability on O was holding back both Grossman and Orton. With a guy like Cutler in black, we will definitely find out.

Running Backs—After wasting time on first-round draft choice Cedric Benson and trading away 1,000-yard rusher Thomas Jones, the Bears’ running attack rebounded nicely with rookie Matt Forte.

His ability to make plays in and out of the backfield assisted Orton and led the Bears to a near playoff appearance. With Forte returning for his second season, and the other Adrian Peterson and Kevin Jones around to take snaps, this position seems to be in good shape for once in Chicago.

Wide Receivers—Now here’s the potential stinker in Chi-town. The receivers are second- and maybe even third-tier. Cutler is used to having freak of nature Brandon Marshall and crafty vet Brandon Stokley to throw to. Neither of those guys exist in Chicago.

Instead, he has Rashied Davis and Earl Bennett to throw to. There may be some rapport with Bennett because they played together in Vanderbilt, but that only goes so far. Besides TE Greg Olsen, Cutler may find his targets to throw to frequently on the other team.

Offensive Line—The O-line in Chicago knew it needed to make some changes for 2009, and the Bears have attempted to address that.

They signed All-Pro LT Orlando Pace from the St. Louis Rams and also signed some depth with Kevin Shaffer and Frank Omiyale. Those are good attempts to move forward with more protection, but is it enough?

Does Pace still have what it takes to start in the NFL, and can Omiyale become a serviceable starter? It all remains to be seen, but Cutler can’t do much from lying face-first in the turf.

Buffalo Bills: 7-9 2008 record

Quarterbacks—Trent Edwards started off his 2008 campaign as well as any other QB taking snaps in the league, and the Bills were 5-1. Thanks to a hit by a blitzing Adrian Wilson, the puck stopped right there.

Edwards missed a couple weeks with a concussion, but the damage to the Bills’ fragile psyche was done. They finished 2-8 with losses to the Browns and 49ers, thus missing the postseason again.

Edwards has shown flashes of being an extraordinary QB, but he needs to prove it this season. With Owens and Evans at WR, he’s expected to deliver. We all know how Owens can be if his QB doesn’t.

Running Backs—Due to complications of stupidity and irresponsibility, the Bills will be without RB Marshawn Lynch to start the season. That’s a huge blow to a team trying to put it all together on offense.

If there’s any silver lining here, it’s that Buffalo held on to fourth-year RB Fred Jackson, who ran for 571 yards and 3 TDs in limited action last season. This position will be dependent on Jackson’s production in the three games that Lynch won’t be around. If he can keep the offense from becoming one-dimensional, they’ll be fine.

If not, than Edwards will have to throw too much and the Bills could be reeling when Lynch returns from a 0-3 start.

Wide Receivers—This is supposed to be the money position in 2009 for the Bills. Signing oft-problematic WR Terrell Owens to a one-year deal seems like a risk, but a good one for Buffalo, who desperately needs to end their playoff hiatus. The question is, can Owens make that happen?

It depends on many factors, but having the core of Lee Evans, himself, Edwards, and Lynch will be cerebral to their success as a team. If Owens can go with the flow and stay quiet and avoid the injury bug, this unit won’t disappoint.

Add in a healthy James Hardy and Josh Reed, and the Bills may win 10 games. Oh, and don’t forget about second-year TE Derek Fine out of Kansas.

Offensive Line—LT Jason Peters continues to be the story by spreading grapevine fire in Buffalo, and someone needs to step up and halt it before it gets out of control.

Peters wants to be traded, it seems, and his late report to camp last year is still fresh in the heads of Bills fans. Peters made the Pro Bowl, but his season just didn’t seem good enough to warrant that type of recognition.

He now has the front office in knots, and whether he stays or goes and his morale if he stays is the story right now. If he stays and is happy alongside Langston Walker, the Bills should be okay. If he’s traded and replaced by Demetrius Bell, Edwards could be on the ground more than he’s standing.

Verdict

The Bills seem to be headed in the right direction following the signing of Terrell Owens. With tools already in place, they just need to avoid the injury plague, and winning would keep Owens’ mouth shut.

On the other hand, the Bears seem to be missing a few pieces and may need a year or two to maximize the talents that Cutler has brought over from Denver.

I see Owens being more likely to help the Bills to a playoff berth by a slight margin, finishing 10-6. The Bears will finish with a record like 8-8 or 9-7, but not suiting up in the playoffs.

What will we say about Owens if this happens?