Chicago Bears NFL Team Column
 | By Chicago Bears Columnist Bryan Dietzler Click here for 2008 Post NFL Draft Coverage |
| 14 May 2008 |
2008 NFL Draft Review: Picks 1 through 4
The much anticipated 2008 NFL Draft is over and the Bears have made their picks in hopes that these players will help them get them back on the winning track and return to the Super Bowl.
The following is a round by round look at each player drafted by the Bears. There is some insight into how the player performed in college, why they were picked where they were and what their impact on the Bears will be both in the near future and in the long term.
Chris Williams-OT-Vanderbilt (1/14)-The Bears went for need with this pick and selected one of the top offensive tackles in the draft. With this, Williams will play the left tackle position with Jon Tait moving over to the right allowing Williams to play at his natural position. Williams has long arms and big hands and his body is built thick and wide, ideal for a tackle. He is very alert during the play and is able to pick up defenders well and sees the field very well. He has a great personality and is a hard worker having spent many hours in the film room while at Vanderbilt. He was a leader both on the field and off the field and was well respected by his teammates and the Vanderbilt coaching staff.
Mechanically, Williams is very sound and does very well in pass protection. He moves up and down the line well and squares up to face the blocker. Williams also possesses great body control and is able to use his size to his advantage in both the running and passing game. He uses his hands well and can handle defenders keeping them away from the play and out of the lane (in the running game). He is also adept at using his hands to control blockers.
The downside to Williams is that he is a little light and may have to add some weight to make it a successful career at the tackle position. He does have some issues making adjustments in space and will, at times, try to push the defender. Williams also has some difficulty finishing blocks and will have to improve upon that in the NFL and he also needs to work on his downfield blocking. There have been instances where Williams will lose concentration on the field. This cannot happen in the NFL.
As mentioned, Williams will play at the left tackle position for the Bears allowing Tait to move over to the right tackle spot where he is the better fit. One has to keep in mind that Williams is a rookie and there will be some growing pains but overall he looks like a fine fit for the Bears and should be able to be very productive right away.
Matt Forte-RB-Tulane (2/44)-Some think that the Bears may have reached here by taking Forte but after having had their eyes on him during the pre draft evaluation process they may have struck gold here. With Benson faltering as a starter Forte has the chance to step in and take over as the starting running back and give the Bears what they have been missing in the running game.
The upside to Forte is that he is very quick and very elusive for a player his size (at the halfback position). He is strong enough to take it between the tackles on a regular basis but quick enough to swing it to the outside and gain yardage around the ends. He is adept at catching passes out of the backfield and has good hands. He squares up well when hitting the hole and is very precise when making cuts. He allows blocks to develop and sees the field well. Forte has the body lean to keep on moving forward even after initial contact to gain extra yardage. He doesn’t dance around through holes either and makes quick decisions on where to run. He does do well in picking up defenders when called to block but does still need some work on his blocking skills. He shows a lot of great work ethic on the field and off but chooses to sit back and let others handle the leadership on the field. His vision of the field is good and he is able see things develop very well.
The downside to Forte is that he lacks the overall ability to break away once he has moved through the line of scrimmage and make others miss. He is also a little slow coming around the edge when trying to get outside. He might also need to work on his pass route running a little bit more if the Bears choose to use him that that capacity on offense.
Forte has had some injury problems including a torn meniscus and posterior cruciate ligament but appears to be well over these injuries.
Chicago had their issues at the running back position in 2007 and will look to get their running game back on track in 2008. With the legal issues that are not facing Benson, it might be quite possible that the Bears will look for Forte to step up and start. Forte does have the skills to be an effective starter in the NFL at some point but it would be ideal if he could sit back and let someone else start off the season and then get worked into lineup slowly. If the Bears decide to keep Benson around, the one two punch that the two of them can deliver would give the Bears running game a huge boost and get it back on track.
Earl Bennett-WR-Vanderbilt (3/70)-The Bears may have caught a huge break in snagging Bennett in the third round. Already short of talent at the wide receiver position, the Bears will hope that Bennett is able to come in and help bolster the anemic position. Bennett did have a solid career at Vanderbilt and comes out of school a year early hoping to make it big. Now he represents one of the better chances the Bears have to get some talent into their receiving corps and help out the offense.
The upside to Bennett is that he is physically built well for the wide receiver position. He has long arms and can snag passes that are slightly overthrown. He is a physical player who isn’t afraid to mix it up with defensive backs and gain separation. He can accelerate quickly and break away from defenders for the long gain. Bennett isn’t afraid to block either and is excels at blocking downfield. He will battle for the ball when catching it in a crowd and displays good body control when doing so. Bennett sees the field very well and is aware enough to come back towards the line of scrimmage when the quarterback is being pressured. Bennett gains good acceleration in the open field and has moves to make defenders miss. Bennett is a student of game and spends time in the film room as well as the weight room and practices hard.
The downside to Bennett is that he isn’t someone who possesses burning speed which is a trait the Bears could really use following the departure of Bernard Berrian. His hands need a bit of work as was evidenced in his first minicamp with the Bears. He also needs to work on his route running and will have to fine tune that as well. He will not have that extra gear in the open field as desired and needs to be a little more consistent in his mechanics.
Chicago believes that it got a gem with Bennett and they just might have. Providing he can make it through training camp ok and learn the offense he just might give the Bears what they are looking for at the wide receiver position. This move could spell the end of newly acquired receiver Brandon Lloyd’s short tenure with the team as well depending on how well Bennett does in training camp. Everything points to him having a great career with the Bears and becoming a big help on offense.
Marcus Harrison-DT-Arkansas (3/90)- A player with first round talent that slipped a bit, Harrison could be the real steal of the draft for the Bears if he is able to not only stay healthy but stay out of trouble. The Bears had their problems at defensive tackle opposite Tommie Harris and Harrison may be the answer that they are seeking for that position.
The positive side to Harrison is that he is built well for the tackle position. He is quick off the snap and can get into the backfield in a hurry. He plays with good balance and is always keeping his feet moving at all times. Harrison keeps his hands inside when taking on blockers and squares up well when taking on blocks. He can read plays well and reacts to plays quickly. With his size and ability, he is good at keeping the rushing lanes closed up and can handle blockers, especially the lead blocker, with seeming ease at times. Harrison also takes good angles towards the ball carrier.
The downside to Harrison is that he has both an injury history and a criminal record. On the injury front, he has had two knee surgeries that caused him to miss some time (not much time) and this should be of some concern to the Bears. However he tested out fine health wise and the Bears are satisfied with this. The other major issue is the legal problem he is still working on. He was charged with possession of illegal drugs and can have his record expunged if he stays out of trouble. The question is, did the Bears take too big of a risk by taking Harrison? Time will tell.
Some of the on the on the field issues Harrison has includes the fact that he might not be as hard of a worker both on the field and off. There are times when he appears to not be giving 100% on the field and isn’t a leader in the locker room either. He also doesn’t play with a lot of passion or intensity. Mechanically Harrison needs to learn get lower and stay squared up with the blocker. He also needs to get his hands out more and deliver a bigger blow to the blocker. Harrison will not chase down a quarterback in the backfield if the quarterback is mobile. He needs to work on his moves when rushing the quarterback as well and not being drawn offsides by a hard snap count.
If Harrison is over his injury issues and his legal problems and can demonstrate a strong desire to work hard the Bears may have found one of the biggest steals of the 2008 NFL Draft. If he doesn’t keep straight General Manager Jerry Angelo will look very bad as will the Bears in their ability to judge character. The Bears don’t want another Tank Johnson on their hands. And if Harrison can prove himself on and off the field the Bears may have just found a great compliment beside Harris on the defensive line.
| 10 May 2008 |
Bears Season End Review: The Special Teams
The Bears had the number one special teams in the NFL thanks mostly to Devin Hester and his amazing ability to return punts and kickoffs for touchdowns. However, the Bears special teams was much more than just Hester as they were also tops in coverage and kicking.
The following is a player by player look at the key contributors on the Bears special teams units. Included is a look at their stats from the 2007 season, some looking back on how they performed last season and a look ahead as to how each player might stand in 2008.
Robbie Gould-K
Gould had another great season for the Bears despite having fewer opportunities in 2007. He played in all 16 games and was perfect on extra point attempts (33 out of 33) and was 31 of 36 on field goal attempts for a percentage of 86.1. Gould will not be challenged as the starting kicker this summer and should be able to remain with the Bears in 2008.
Devin Hester-KR/PR
Hester was clearly the MVP of the entire team in 2007 and it takes more than stats alone to tell just how much value Hester brings to the Bears. In 2007 he played in all 16 games returning 43 kickoffs for 934 yards with an average of 21.7 yards per return. He had a long of 97 yards with two touchdowns and two fumbles. On punt returns, Hester brought back 42 punts for 651 yards with an average of 15.5 yards per return. He had a long of 89 yards with four touchdowns and five fumbles. Hester might just be the biggest “game changer” in the NFL right now and proved this several times in 2007. He will get more work as a receiver in 2008 but they won’t be taking him off of returning punts and kickoffs any time soon. Teams have to plan their games around Hester as was evidenced by the number of kickoffs and punts going out of bounds by opposing teams. Hester will continue to electrify and change games for the Bears in 2008 and will most likely once again become the Bears most valuable player.
Brad Maynard-P
Maynard continues to be a positive aspect of the Bears special teams and did well in 2007. He played in 15 games (missing one with an injury) and punted 88 times for an average of 41.8 with a net average of 37.4. He didn’t have any punts blocked and had 17 punts in within the 20 yard line and had nine touchbacks. It seems as if the Bears are always bringing in competition to press Maynard but time and again he has proved that he is a solid punter and a good fit for the Bears. Don’t expect him to be going anywhere in 2008.
The Bears lost a key player on special teams this offseason in Brendon Ayanbadejo but he can be replaced perhaps by one of new rookies that the Bears have brought in during the offseason. The special teams has been consistently hit hard during the off season for the past three seasons but still managed to come back each year and do very well. The Bears should have no problem doing that this year. With Hester, they have the most dangerous return man in the NFL and he will continue to force teams to kick the ball away from Hester or out of bounds giving the Bears offense good field position. This is huge and having a player like that is very valuable.
| 6 May 2008 |
The Chicago Bears Post Draft Review
After much anticipation the 2008 NFL Draft has ended and the Bears have grabbed some players they hope will get them back on the winning track and win a Super Bowl. The biggest acquisition the Bears had in the draft was offensive tackle Chris Williams (Vanderbilt). This first round pick will be able to come in and help immediately on the offensive line which is considered to be (at this time) the weakest unit on the team. Grabbing Vanderbilt wide receiver Earl Bennett might have been another good move by the Bears due to the fact that they are unstable at the wide receiver position. Yet another diamond in the rough may be safety Craig Steltz from LSU. If Steltz can get over the injury that took him out of the BCS National Championship game he could be quite a big surprise for the Bears in the future.
Some of the more questionable picks included Matt Forte, a running back from Tulane who hadn’t seen much time against big time competition. He might not start right away but has the talent to start sometime a little bit further down the road and could actually turn out to be a very good player for the Bears in the future. Another player they might have reached a bit on is Marcus Harrison a defensive tackle out of Arkansas. Harrison had some problems with drugs and the law when he was in school and was a first round talent before having these issues. If he can put his troubled past behind him, he may be one of the biggest finds the Bears have had in the draft in years.
One player who might turn out to be another good pick could be Michigan State tight end Kellen Davis. Davis, who had some trouble with the law as Harrison did, could end up being a player that could make up for what the Bears lost in John Gilmore in terms of his blocking ability. Davis was also tried out at defensive end at times while with the Spartans. The Bears will work him out as a blocking tight end and it is quite possible he could work on the defensive side of the ball as well.
Last year’s starter at the running back position, Cedric Benson, has gotten into a bit of legal trouble during the off season and may be on his way out now as a result. Benson had a less than stellar season in 2007 and now that he is in trouble with the law the Bears might choose not to bring him back again in 2008 giving rookie running back Forte a chance to grab the starting job. Benson has had a history of off the field issues and hasn’t been a great asset in the Bears rushing attack. He might find himself on the way out soon.
Brian Urlacher is asking for a contract extension and raise and may not get it. General Manager Jerry Angelo had some poignant comments about his players (directed at Urlacher) and may have stoked the fires a little bit. At any rate the Bears have some work to do on contracts for their current players to include Urlacher and defensive tackle Tommy Harris and they need to get these players locked up for the future.
By not drafting a quarterback the Bears raised a lot of questions among experts and fans as to what direction the club was going. As it stood before the draft, the Bears had two quarterbacks on their roster, Rex Grossman and Kyle Orton and have signed two other undrafted free agent quarterbacks to vie for the third string position. They had their chance at such big name college quarterbacks as Chad Henne from Michigan and Brian Brohm of Louisville but chose to let them pass by. Could the Bears have something else in mind? What is clear is that they appear to be well set on keeping Grossman and Orton in the starting mix and staying put which might hurt the team in the long run.
| 20 March 2008 |
The Defense: The Linebackers
This off season almost became a detrimental one to the Bears but they staved off disaster and re-signed Lance Briggs to a six year deal thus keeping their linebacking corps intact. Brian Urlacher, the true star of the defense had some injury problems but still performed at a very high level despite missing the Pro Bowl. Hunter Hillenmeyer continues to be one of the most underrated linebackers in football and is an important part of the Bears defense.
The following is a player by player look at each player in the Bears linebacking corps. Included are their statistics from the 2007 season, a look back at how they performed last season and where they stand for the 2008 season.
Lance Briggs
Now that the Bears have Briggs under contract, there will be no more fighting and media attention and he can settle in and concentrate on football. Briggs was his usual stellar self in 2007 playing in and starting in 14 games in 2007. He has 102 total tackles with 83 of those being solo and 19 assisted. He also had two sacks and three passes defended. Briggs made the Pro Bowl last season despite missing a couple games with a hamstring injury and managed to excel. With it assured that Briggs will be with the Bears for a while their linebacking group should be one of the best in the NFL.
Hunter Hillenmeyer
Hillenmeyer continues to perform well at the outside linebacker position opposite Briggs and had a fairly solid season. He played in all 16 games, starting 14 and had 78 total tackles with 65 of those being solo and 13 assisted. He also had one pass defended. Hillenmeyer is a solid and efficient player but isn’t that well adept in covering receivers. The Bears might look at some of the other linebackers such as Jamar Williams or Michael Okwo to give Hillenmeyer some competition but in the end Hillenmeyer should be able to come through and win the starting job at the other outside linebacker position.
Darrell McClover
McClover spent some time on the special teams unit in 2007 playing in five games, starting none and recording three solo tackles. McClover will have to compete for a spot on the team if the Bears decide to bring in more competition but he has really proven himself valuable on special teams so he should be on the roster at the start of the 2008 NFL season.
Michael Okwo
Okwo landed on injured reserve before the season started but will get a chance to compete in training camp this summer.
Nick Roach
Roach was used primarily on special teams last year and made three solo tackles. He will have to step it up to grab a spot on the roster if the Bears bring in some additional competition in training camp.
Brian Urlacher
Although Urlacher didn’t make the Pro Bowl last season, he ended 2007 looking like he belonged there. In 2007, Urlacher played in and started in all 16 games recording 123 total tackles with 92 solo and 31 assisted. He also had five sacks, 12 passes defended and five interceptions including one returned for a touchdown. Urlacher suffered from some back problems during the season and also had neck surgery during the offseason. As a result, some are questioning his health but Bears management says that there is nothing to worry about and that Urlacher should be back and ready to go in 2008. With Briggs coming back, the Bears will now field one if the best groups of linebackers in the NFL thanks to having both Briggs and Urlacher back.
Jamar Williams
Williams was in the running to replace Briggs if he wasn’t coming back to the Bears but now that’s a moot point. Williams did start one game in 2007 and participated in all 16 games, mostly on special teams, and had 30 tackles with 22 solo and eight assisted. He registered one sack and two passes defended. Williams is a reliable asset to the team not only on special teams but also as a backup at the outside linebacker position and could factor into a little bit of a competition for Hillenmeyer’s spot opposite Briggs. At any rate, Williams should remain on the team in 2008.
Rod
The Bears might look at getting some depth at the linebacker position through the draft or through undrafted free agents during the off season. Right now, they are very solid at the starting positions with Briggs back and Urlacher looking to be healthy. They should be able to boast one of the best linebacking groups in the NFL. Although Urlacher’s health may be in question, the feeling overall is that it will be ok and he will be back and ready to play in 2008.
| 20 March 2008 |
Chicago
The Chicago Bears have always prided themselves on having a strong defense but in 2007 they suffered setbacks as injuries and ineffective play plagued the line. Tommie Harris, although voted to the Pro Bowl, had an off year due to a nagging injury while Darwin Walker also had some injury issues which affected the defensive line.
On the flip side, end Adewale Oguleye had a good season and Alex Brown, who was supplanted as the starter by Mark Anderson, played very well at the end of the year and should be back as the starter opposite Oguleye in 2008. What is critical is that the Bears find some stability at the other tackle position. After the Tank Johnson debacle last off season and then the experiment with Darwin Walker, the Bears need to find some starting power here as well as some good backups.
The following is a player by player look at all of the players on the Bears defensive line. Included are some statistics from the 2007. There is also some thought as to what role each player will play during the 2008 season.
Anthony Adams: A free agent acquisition who signed on with the team last off season, ended up being somewhat of a surprise for the team. He played in 11 games starting eight and recorded 26 total tackles with 21 solo tackles and five assisted. He had a half a sack as well. It appeared as if Adams wouldn’t fit well into the Bears defensive scheme which calls for lighter and quicker players but as it turned out
Mark Anderson: Following a great rookie season,
Dan Bazuin: As a rookie defensive end, he didn’t play at all in 2007 as he was placed in injured reserve with a knee injury. Bazuin should be back and able to participate in training camp this summer but with the talent ahead of him he will probably just end up as a situational pass rusher.
Alex Brown: was demoted during last summer’s training camp in favor of Anderson who failed to prove himself as the qualified starter. Brown should get a solid shot at the starting job in training camp and should be able to get that starting job back. In 2007 Brown played in all 16 games starting two of those games. He registered 41 tackles, 31 of those solo and ten of those assisted. He registered four sacks, five passes defended and one interception. The Bears extended Brown’s contract this off season ensuring that he will remain with the team and give him the motivation he may need to fight for and win the starting job. He is a solid player and deserves the starting role.
Dusty Dvoracek: For the second straight season Dvoracek failed to make it a full year without landing on injured reserve. He started the first game of the season recording two tackles, one solo, and then left the game with an injury that would sideline him for the rest of the year. Dvoracek will have something to prove when he returns to training camp next summer. For one, he will have to prove that he won’t be injury prone and second, he will have to prove that he is able to remain an effective starter at the tackle position. He proved it last year and could very well do it again in 2008.
Antonio Garay: Participated in six games for the Bears last season and had five total tackles all of those solo. Garay’s season ended early as he broke his leg in the game against
Tommie Harris: After suffering a season ending injury in 2006 Harris came back strong and had yet another Pro Bowl season. He played in all 16 games in 2007 starting 13 of those and recorded 36 total tackles, 31 solo and five assisted. He also had eight sacks. Harris’s hamstring did give him some problems as did one of his knees so he missed some starts but still proved to be a force to be reckoned with. Harris will be back and starting again in 2008 hopefully with a new contract and he should be able to make the Pro Bowl once again.
Adewale Oguleye: Started off the season a little slow but picked things up as the season wore on and had what many considered to be a Pro Bowl season. Oguleye started in and played in all 16 games for the Bears recording 58 total tackles, 53 of those solo and five assisted. He had nine sacks and three passes defended. Oguleye had some strong games to end the season in 2007 and became the player the Bears had hoped he would be when they traded for him a few short seasons ago. He should have no problem retaining his starting job at the defensive end position in 2008.
Baba Oshinowo: Came to the team towards the end of the season thanks to injuries to the Bears defensive line and he actually played pretty well. He didn’t have any recordable stats but the team seems to be high on him and he could return as a reserve next season.
Matt Toeania: Was brought in at the end of the season to help curb the tide of injury at the defensive tackle position. He played in three games, starting none of those games and he registered six total tackles, five solo and one assisted. The Bears seem to like Toeania and he should get a chance to make the roster in 2008.
The Bears are pretty strong on the defensive line but there is a question as to who will start beside Harris at the other tackle position.
| 15 March 2008 |
2008 Chicago
The Bears, once again living up to their norm, have been busy resigning their own players during the free agency instead of looking for new talent. They have to date brought in one new “old” player wide receiver Marty Booker to help fill a role that was vacated with the departure of Mushin Muhammad. They have resigned several of their players as well. The following is a look at all of the moves the Bears have made during this ongoing free agent period.
Signed WR Marty Booker-Chicago needed someone to replace Muhammad and help fill in at least a little bit for the loss of Bernard Berrian. Booker should be able to come in and work well with the Bears system but he is not fast enough nor dangerous enough to become the threat Berrian was. He should work out to be a good possession receiver but doesn’t have what it takes to be a number one receiver.
Resigned OLB Lance Briggs-Chicago really needed to keep Briggs around especially with Brian Urlacher’s health at issue. Briggs was signed for six years ensuring that the Bears will have him around for a long time solidifying their group of linebackers and quite possibly making it the best linebacking group in the NFL.
Resigned QB Rex Grossman-The one year extension that Grossman was given allows the Bears a little bit of breathing room at the quarterback position and gives Grossman some incentive to perform next season and possibly excel. Now the Bears will give Grossman a shot at the starting quarterback job along with Kyle Orton and if he doesn’t perform well in 2008 he might be out in 2009.
Resigned QB Kyle Orton-Orton was given a two year contract extension and the promise that he would be able compete for the starting job. This allows the Bears to keep their two top quarterbacks locked up and gives a little extra incentive to Orton. Orton has a solid chance of landing the starting job at quarterback especially after finishing strong as the starter at the end of the2007 season. He isn’t the kind of quarterback that is going to go out and throw for a lot of yards and he isn’t the kind of quarterback that would bring the team back from a huge deficit but he is a good game manager. The Bears have done right by signing him for another two seasons as well as allowing him to have a shot at the starting quarterback position.
Signed Brandon Lloyd-WR-This move is somewhat puzzling but if the Bears can get something out of Lloyd then they will do much better than some teams have done in the past. The signing of Lloyd will reunite the former
Lost Bernard Berrian-WR-This might not be as big of an impact on the team as many think at this time. Berrian commanded big money for very mediocre production and was being paid based on his potential. The Bears don’t have much available in terms of a good quality speedy wide receiver and will probably look towards the draft to fill this need.
Lost Brendon Ayanbadejo-LB/ST-This might seem like a huge loss for the Bears on its face but the Bears have been able to take losses on special teams and plug new players in effectively. So this shouldn’t be too much of a problem for the Bears and their special teams unit.
Lost John Gilmore-TE-The Bears have locked up Desmond Clark and have 2nd year tight end Greg Olsen there and have some hope in Fontel Mines so the loss of Gilmore, although tough, shouldn’t be a issue.
Resigned Desmond Clark-TE-Chicago has solidified their tight end position by resigning
Cut
Cut Darwin Walker-DT-The Bears experience with
Cut Fred Miller-OT-Miller probably could have played another season with the Bears but with a movement towards a younger offensive line he became expendable.
Cut Ruben Brown-OG-Like Miller, Brown became a victim of the youth movement that the Bears are making on the offensive line.
Lost Jimmy Kennedy-DT-Chicago might have liked to keep Kennedy for depth at the defensive tackle position but when he signed an offer sheet from the Jacksonville Jagurars they didn’t put up too much of a fight to keep him.
If there is one failing so far this off season it is that the Bears really haven’t strongly addressed their many needs on offense but hopes are that they will be able to do this through the draft. The defense looks like it will be set when training camp opens as long as those players who are hurt get healthy and everyone stays healthy. Health on the defense will be a big key.
As mentioned, the offense is in a state of disarray and needs some immediate improvement. The offensive line, the running back position and the wide receiver position all need some attention and they should get some help in these areas through the draft. At any rate, it is vital that the Bears get some improvement on offense as the season continues.
| 7 March 2008 |
Chicago
The Bears had a bevy of issues on offense and will seek to make some serious upgrades there both in free agency and in the draft. The following is a look at the Bears top five needs this off season:
1. Offensive Line-The Bears could use some help at both the tackle and the guard positions especially after the release of Fred Miller and Ruben Brown. The Bears could look for some help in the draft and there are several good prospects in the first three rounds of the 2008 NFL draft. This is a critical area of need for the Bears and it should be addressed early and often.
2. Wide Receiver-A lot of what happens here will depend on whether or not the Bears can keep free agent wide receiver Bernard Berrian off the market. If they can’t they will need to find a good wide receiver in the draft since the free agent market is seriously devoid of good talent at the position.
3. Quarterback-The Bears struggles at quarterback are well noted and they might just be looking in the market for someone either to come in and start right away or groom for the future. The signing of Rex Grossman to a one year deal will give the Bears some options but if they want to start thinking about the future they may need to get a quarterback in this year’s draft.
4. Running Back-Cedric Benson just didn’t cut it last season and the Bears will need to create some competition to help him either play better or find someone else who can. The running game is usually the bread and butter of the Bears offense and it needs a boost in 2008.
5. Linebacker-Depending on what happens with Lance Briggs and Brian Urlacher, the Bears might want to look at taking a linebacker or two to help bolster the depth or seek out some starting talent.
There are a lot of different options the Bears could take using the 14th pick in the first round of the draft. They usually have a stance on taking the best player available but they could quite possibly take someone in a need position.
Here are three possible players that the Bears should and could take a long look at in the upcoming 2008 NFL Draft:
Jeff Otah-OT-Pittsburgh-Otah has the size to become a great tackle. He is very athletic and has the physical tools for the position. The downside to Otah is that he is a bit raw and may need a little work but he could be a good fit for the Bears especially since they need some help on the line.
Darren McFadden-RB-Arkansas-If McFadden manages to slip this far, which is doubtful, the Bears would be crazy not to take him with the 14th pick in the draft. McFadden would give the Bears offense a huge boost in the rushing game and thus help out their passing game as well.
Chris Williams-OT-Virginia-Some have Williams pegged to be a second round selection but he is proving himself more and more all the time and could very well be the second offensive tackle taken in the 2008 NFL Draft. He has the size to be an effective tackle in the NFL and has great quickness. He is still a little raw though and might need some fine tuning in order to make him a top of the line NFL tackle.
Later Rounds:
In later rounds, the Bears could look at filling some of the other needs that they will have due to the departure (or potential departure) of several free agents. Wide receiver could be their biggest need and they might want to seek additional depth on the offensive line (aside from finding a big time guard or tackle) as well as some additional depth at the linebacker and safety position.
Here are five second round and beyond potential players that the Bears might be interested in:
John David Booty-QB-USC-Booty has a lot of potential but isn’t going to be a first or perhaps even a second round pick. He could be a player that sits behind Grossman and Orton learning and then when the time is right possibly take over as a starter.
Chilo Rachal-OG-USC-Continuing on with their needs on the offensive line, the Bears may choose to continue working on the offensive lines in the later rounds and taking Rachal could be a good choice for the Bears a little bit later on in the draft.
Joe Flacco-QB-Delaware-The Bears have been eyeing Flacco according to many news reports and it appears as if the Bears have a deep interest in him. After losing Brian Griese in a trade the Bears could fill that spot with a player they can have develop behind Rex Grossman and Kyle Orton for a while and then take over.
Felix Jones-RB-Arkansas-The Cedric Benson experiment didn’t work so well for the Bears in 2007 and so they will most likely be looking for some help in that area during the draft. Jones could be a steal for the Bears if they could draft him in the 2nd or 3rd round and would give them a boost they desperately need in the running game.
Mario Manningham-WR-Michigan-The Bears are going to be in serious need of wide receiver help and Manningham could be someone that the Bears are interested in come draft time. Manningham does have some issues but he might fit into the Bears system well.
Keep an eye on the Bears as they continue to move through the off season making additions and subtractions from their roster in an attempt to improve the team. They desperately need to work on the offense and will have to take a long look at the draft for help on this side of the ball. Back to the Top
| 5 March 2008 |
Chicago
The older age of the Bears offensive line really showed in 2007 as both the rushing game and the passing game were affected. It now appears that the Bears will be looking for some help on the line during the off season thanks to the release of both Fred Miller and Ruben Brown. They should seek help in this area through the draft or through free agency during the off season.
The following is a look at each player on the offensive line. There is some insight into how they performed in 2007 and where they stand for 2008.
Josh Beekman: A rookie, played in one game last season. He has a future with the team if he can prove himself in training camp this summer.
Roberto Garza: Ever reliable at the guard position, played in and started in all 16 games for the Bears in 2007. He remained one the most solid players on the line (along with Olin Kreutz and Jon Tait) and will remain a strong part of the team in 2008.
Olin Kreutz: the undisputed leader of the offensive line (and maybe the offense) played in all 16 games with the Bears in 2007. Kruetz failed to make the Pro Bowl this season but that wasn’t due to ineffective play and he will be a big part of what will be a fairly new offensive line for the Bears in 2008. His leadership will be essential!
Terrence Metcalf: Was forced into action after injury to Brown last season and didn’t play as well as the Bears had hoped. Metcalf is a good backup but he doesn’t have great starting potential and isn’t going to be a guy you want to rely on starting for a long period of time. He could be challenged in training camp if the Bears bring in some additional talent.
Anthony Oakley: Played in three games for the Bears last season and has some promise to be a solid backup for the Bears and could be with the team as a reserve in 2008 if he can make it through training camp.
John St. Clair: Participated in all 16 games in 2007 and started five. He will be best remembered for catching the Bears first touchdown pass of the season but it should also be noted that he played very well in relief during the season. Unless the Bears bring in some stiff competition during training camp St. Clair should be back as a reserve with the Bears in 2008.
Jon Tait: Was another decent fixture for the Bears at the tackle position, but had some injury issues during the season. He played in and started in 15 games for the Bears in 2007 and will play an important part on the line in 2008 since it will be in rebuilding mode. Look for Tait to emerge as a leader on the offensive line and become one of its best players.
The release of Brown and Miller has left some significant holes in the Bears offensive line and the team will have to fill them during the off season. With no big free agent signings in sight, the team will most likely look at the draft as a way to help retool their offensive line or perhaps seek some help through trades with other teams prior to or during the draft. One thing is very clear, they really need to upgrade their offensive line and this will surely be a priority during the off season.
| 22 February 2008 |
Post Season Review: The Offense: Wide Receivers
Due to the Bears lack of consistency at quarterback as well as at the position itself, the wide receiver corps of the Bears didn’t’ have that great of a season in 2008. Opportunities weren’t there at times and when they were there, wide receivers would drop passes or run the wrong routes. This really hurt the Bears offense especially since their running game was so ineffective.
The following is a look at each wide receiver and tight end on the Bears team. Included is a look at their stats for 2007 as well as some insight on how they performed and where they stand for 2008.
Bernard Berrian: Ended up being the most productive receiver for the Bears in 2007 playing in all 16 games and catching 70 passes for 948 yards and five touchdowns. He had an average of 13.5 yards per catch and a long of 59 yards. Berrian is the Bears fastest wide receiver but hasn’t had too much success in this offense. Going into a contract year, Berrian was expected to perform at the highest level but even though he was getting the ball on a consistent basis, he was dropping passes and running the wrong routes. This hurt the team.
Berrian is going to be a free agent and the question is whether or not the Bears can afford to lose him. There is a chance that they could put the franchise tag on Berrian but would the price they would have pay for that single season might be more than they are willing to pay for his services. The way Berrian played in 2007, it seems as if he is more of a number two wide receiver than a number one and won’t be getting number one money. However, with the current state of the Bears receiving corps, it might be better for them to keep him as he is probably the best receiver that they have. It is hard to predict if Berrian will remain with the Bears in 2008 but he should.
Mark Bradley: Didn’t play that much in 2007 playing in only 15 games starting none of those games. He caught six passes for 71 yards and one touchdown. He averaged 11.8 yards per catch and had a long of 19 yards. Bradley has spent most of his career with the Bears injured but does possess a lot of talent. If he can stay healthy he would be a great asset to the Bears but with his injury history he might not make the final cut in training camp next summer. He will have to have a great training camp if he is to be on the roster in 2008.
Desmond Clark: Had a fairly productive season with the Bears as the offense dictated a greater use of the tight end in the offense. In 2007,
Rashied Davis: Had an off season in terms of being a receiver but he was a good special teams player in 2007. He participated in all 16 games in 2007 starting one. He had 17 catches for 165 yards and no touchdowns. He had an average of 9.7 yards per catch.
John Gilmore: Was kind of a forgotten man in the offense last season and wasn’t utilized that often. He played in 15 games, starting one and had three catches for 14 yards and no touchdowns. Gilmore may not be back in 2008 depending on the competition for the number three tight end. Gilmore is useful as a blocking tight end and so he has value there but he might have some competition in training camp next summer.
Mike Haas: Has spent a lot of time inactive last season but did participate in one game but didn’t have any catches in 2007. Haas has a lot of potential but may not be able to make the final cut in training camp especially if the Bears bring in some additional talent at the wide receiver position (which they desperately need). Look for Haas to get a shot but not make the final cut in 2008.
Devin Hester: Is the biggest and best threat that the Bears have on both offense and special teams and was the clear cut team MVP. His receiving statistics for 2007 include 20 receptions for 299 yards and two touchdowns with a long of 81 yards. He also had seven rushing attempts for ten yards. Hester had his struggles on offense to start but as the season went on he got better. Another thing that hurt Hester was that the offensive staff couldn’t figure out how best to use Hester and his talents. The Bears will keep Hester in 2008, there is no doubt about that and they will most likely try to come up with new ways to work him into the offense to help make use of his talents and improve the offense.
Fontel Mines: Mines didn’t participate in any games with the Bears in 2007 but figures to be part of their training camp roster in 2008.
Greg Olsen: As the Bears 2007 first round draft choice Olsen was used extensively in the offense. He plated in 14 games, starting 14 of them and caught 39 passes for 391 yards and two touchdowns. His yards per catch average was 10. Olsen was hampered by an injury early in the season but came on strong during the rest of the season and if he would have been used more properly in the offense he might have been more productive. Olsen brings speed to the position and that is something the Bears need on offense. With a full season under his belt and some stability at the quarterback position, Olsen could really shine for the Bears.
Brandon Rideau: Rideau didn’t play in any games for the Bears in 2007 but could figure into their plans in training camp this summer. The Bears will most likely look for some help at the wide receiver position during the off season either through free agency or the 2008 NFL draft. One move that will impact the group during the 2008 season will be the loss of Mushin Muhammad. Muhammad provided great leadership on the unit and his presence will be missed. If they could bring in someone like former Bear Marty Booker they might be ok but a lot depends on what they decide to do with Berrian. If the Bears allow him to leave in free agency, they will have to replace him with another speedster.
The quarterback situation didn’t help the Bears wide receivers at all last season and the coaching staff will seek to try to take care of that in the off season. Wholesale changes to the wide receiving corps would not be beneficial to the team in 2008 so they should look to at least make an effort to keep Berrian and get a good veteran receiver.
| 29 January 2008 |
The
For a team that has lived and died by the running game for most of it’s existence, the Bears running game basically just died in 2007 and there will be a scramble to fix it in 2008. After trading away their number one running back during the off season (Thomas Jones) the Bears relied on the running of third year running back Cedric Benson and Benson in essence failed to perform hurting the Bears offense.
The following is a look at the current group of players at the running back position for the Chicago Bears. Included are their stats for 2007, a little insight into how they performed and where they might end up in 2008.
Jason McKie-FB
McKie played in each game during the 2007 season and rushed six times for 17 yards and one touchdown. He caught nine passes as well. McKie looked to be the best option at the fullback position in 2007 and should be able to handle the load in 2008. The Bears need to use him more on offense and should work the fullback into their game more often in 2008.
Adrian Peterson-RB
Peterson stepped in as the starting running back after opening day starter Cedric Benson went down with an injury. Peterson played in all 16 games for the Bears in 2008 and had 151 rushing attempts for 510 yards and three touchdowns. He also caught 51 passes for no touchdowns.
Peterson was an adequate fill in for Benson but he is not the long term answer that the Bears will be looking for at the running back position. However, Peterson is very valuable as a backup, especially in the passing game and on special teams. Look for the Bears to find a quality starting running back during the off season with Peterson coming back to backup as well as remain a valuable asset on special teams.
Garrett Wolfe-RB
In his first season with the Bears, Wolfe played in 13 games rushing 31 times for 85 yards. He also caught nine passes. Wolfe was used more often once Benson went out with his injured ankle and showed some flashes of real potential especially on special teams.
Lousaka Polite-FB
Polite didn’t play in any games for the Bears but figures to be in the competition for a fullback position in 2008.
Jermaine Allen-RB
Allen spent the season on the practice squad and could figure into the Bears equation for competition at the running back position although he doesn’t have what it takes to be a starter with the Bears.
Cedric Benson-RB
Benson began the season as the starter and ended it on injured reserve with a broken ankle. During the season Benson played in 11 games, rushing 196 times for 674 yards with an average of 3.4 yards per rush. He had a long of 43 yards with four touchdowns. Benson caught 17 passes as well.
It’s clear that Benson isn’t the player that the Bears had thought he would be. He doesn’t appear to be motivated both on the field and off and seems to lack the desire to hit the hole hard and fast as well as make the effort to break tackles. Breaking his ankle also didn’t help Bensons cause and now it looks as if he will either have a big battle to be the starter in training camp or he might just get cut during the off season.
The Bears, traditionally a strong rushing team, struggled in the running game in 2007 and this really hurt them in their quest to return as NFC Champions.
At any rate, the Bears really need to get their running game going especially with the issues that they are having at the quarterback position. If they fail to address this in the off season, they will most likely struggle on offense in 2008 and will lose a lot of game.
| 24 December 2007 |
The
The Bears has several problems on their team this season but their biggest issues lie on their offense. Both the running game and the passing game suffered during the 2007 NFL season and were the main cause for why the Bears failed to make the playoffs just one year removed from a Super Bowl berth.
The following is a player by player look at each quarterback on the Bears roster. There is some insight into how each the quarterbacks played last season, some information on their statistics as well as well as where they might end up in 2008.
Rex Grossman: Grossman is one of the biggest question marks heading into the off season. Grossman was pulled out of the lineup after a series of poor performances early in the season but after some poor performances by his replacement, Grossman was put back in as the starter. His season ended with a knee injury and now there is some question as to whether or not he will be back in 2008.
On the season, Grossman played in eight games, starting seven of those and threw 225 passes completing 122 of them. His completion percentage was 52.2%. He threw for 1411 yards with a long of 59 yards with four touchdowns and seven interceptions.
Grossman may or may not be back with the Bears but even if he does stay, Chicago needs a different option at the quarterback position and might be able to find one through the 2008 NFL Draft, free agency or they could quite possibly use one of their existing quarterbacks (probably not Grossman) as a starter in 2008. At any rate, it doesn’t look like Grossman will be (or should be) back in 2008.
Brian Griese: Griese went in for Grossman after the
As previously stated Griese isn’t the long term answer for the Bears in 2008 but does remain a viable backup in case of injury. He is signed for a couple more seasons so the Bears should keep him on the roster as a backup just in case.
Kyle Orton: Orton’s season started off quietly this season not playing in a single game until the Bears were effectively eliminated from the playoffs. For the season, Orton played in three games, starting all three, throwing 79 passes with 42 completions for 475 yards. His completion percentage was 53.2. He threw three touchdowns and had two interceptions and had an overall passer rating of 73.6.
Some wonder if Orton might be able to take over as the starting quarterback in 2008. Orton is an effective game manager but he isn’t the type of quarterback who is going to get a team back up in a game if they fall behind. The Bears pride themselves on their running game but with an ineffective running back they had to use their quarterback a lot more than normal this season and that failed. Orton isn’t a long term answer but for now, he might be the Bears best bet.
The Bears offensive problems start at the quarterback position. The ineffective play that the team got from that position was a piece of their downfall during this season. If the Bears can shore up that position in the off season and get some help for their new (or old) quarterback (such as an improved offensive line and running game) they should be much better at the position in 2008.
Some of the names that are being floated around as potential quarterback acquisitions for the Bears include Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Donavan McNabb and the Browns Derek Anderson. While it is pretty much a given that Anderson won’t be available, the Bears could quite possibly go for McNabb but might have to give up a lot to get him, perhaps much more than they would be willing to give up. McNabb would be a good addition to the team but what does he have to work with? The Bears will have to bring a lot more to the table if the want to lure McNabb to
There is also the possibility that the Bears might look at drafting a quarterback in the 2008 NFL draft. Several names come to mind including
The Bears will not be successful in 2008 if they continue to have instability at the quarterback position. They cannot sit down this off season and rely on what they have on the team, currently. They need to be proactive and react during the off season to fill this need which has become such a big one during the past few seasons.
| 24 December 2007 |
5 Reasons Why the Bears Fell From Grace in 2007
There is always a lot of speculation as to why a team takes a fall after a successful winning season. Sometimes a coach can leave a winning organization setting the organization back a step or causing them to fall from grace for a few seasons. At other times, a player or players can leave a winning team for other teams across the league leaving big holes that take a season plus to fill. There are many other factors that can change the look of a team as well but there are too many to cover here.
The Bears went into the season with pretty much the same group of players that they had during their Super Bowl season. They did make some adjustments to the coaching staff, releasing defensive coordinator Ron Rivera and elevating Bob Babich to the position but there were no other real changes there.
So why have the Bears taken their fall from grace? Here are five reasons why this has happened.
1. Injuries-The Bears have suffered a series of injuries during the course of the season, injuries that have set them back quite a bit especially on defense. They started the season losing safety Mike Brown and defensive tackle Dusty Dvoracek to season ending injuries then watched as cornerback Nathan Vasher missed extended time with a groin injury. The Bears have also lost Ruben Brown on the offensive line and as of this writing, have lost their starting running back Cedric Benson for the season.
The loss of Brown and Vasher has really hurt the defense and as a result, the Bears are giving up more long plays in the passing game as well as in the running game. Without having these defenders on the field, the Bears defensive gameplan has been affected and they aren’t able to perform as well. The Bears have been forced to play rookies in Vashers place and although they have performed well there are still some gaps on defense.
2. The Running Game is Broke. The running game has been stuck in neutral for most of the season and now with Benson injured, the Bears will try to rely on Adrian Peterson and Garrett Wolfe to carry the load in the running game which could be both good and bad. The Bears know that they can’t win if they have to rely on quarterback Rex Grossman and his arm to help them win games. They have to be able to run the ball and need to get production out of Peterson. Also, trading Thomas Jones away to the Jets wasn’t too smart of a
3. Teams have figured the Bears out. Teams have had a great deal of time to discover how the Bears defense works and they are now using what they have learned to their advantage. What was once a powerful defense has now become a mere shell of itself but most of this is due to the injuries the Bears have suffered on defense this season.
4. Inconsistency at the quarterback position. It’s clear to see that the Bears are still having their traditional tough times at the quarterback this season. Grossman started out the season as the starter but after a few games of some very poor performance
4. The Super Bowl Hangover. There might be just a little truth to the rumor that teams that lose the Super Bowl have a bit of a hangover the next year and the statistics don’t lie. Some teams have completely dropped out of the playoff picture the next season and while some try to determine why this has happened. Often, teams that have been to the Super Bowl lose players to other teams through trades or free agency. Coaches can also leave teams (both assistant and head coaches) and this can cause disorder on teams.
Yet another factor in what people call the Super Bowl hangover is that teams take a long look at the most successful teams in the NFL and try to take what they do and apply it to their system. This also allows other teams to learn what those successful teams are doing and thus they are able counter some of what those teams are doing. Teams went out and figured out how to play against the Bears and
5. Bad Luck. In being a Bears fan for so many years, I have become accustom to what I like to call the Bears curse. The Bears had a good season last year but they were still cursed by hiccups in games (see some of those games by Grossman) and if the Bears could find a way to lose a game they would. I always remember the last second meltdowns that their defense would have so that after having a lead throughout most of the game they would end up losing that lead and then losing the game. This is just something that I have gotten used to in being a Bears fan for so many years and knowing the Bears, they are just unlucky sometimes.
The Bears are not going to make the playoffs this season and may find themselves in a rebuilding mode in 2008. There are going to have to be some changes at several positions including quarterback, running back, the offensive line and quite possibly at the linebacker position. There is also the potential that the Bears could be losing some of their better players to contract troubles. Some of those players include Tommie Harris, Brendon Ayanbadejo and Bernard Berrian and losing any one of these players could really hurt the Bears in the future.
It looks as if yet another Super Bowl loser is going to succumb to the “curse”. Perhaps the Bears can pick things up a bit during the off season by making some trades, drafting smart and signing some of the players whose contracts are up they could have a good season in 2008. They just have to work on replacing some personnel, getting other players healthy and coming back strong in 2008.
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