Chicago Bears
2010 Record: 11-5
Last Playoff Appearance: 2010, 11-5, W35-24 SEA, L21-14 GB
General Manager: Jerry Angelo (2001-Current)
Head Coach: Lovie Smith (2004-Current; 63-49 as a head coach)
Offensive Coordinator: Mike Martz
Defensive Coordinator: Rod Marinelli
Defensive alignment: 4-3
2010 NFL Rankings:
OFF: 20.9 PTS (21st); 289.4 YDS (30th); 188.4 PASS (28th); 101.0 RUSH (22nd)
DEF: 17.9 PTS (4th); 314.3 YDS (9th); 224.3 PASS (20th); 90.1 RUSH (2nd)
AJ’s Outlook: The Bears have been a very inconsistent team since Lovie Smith took over as coach in 2004. Under Smith the Bears have gone 5-11, 11-5 (won their division), 13-3 (Won NFC), 7-9 (missed playoffs), 9-7 (missed playoffs), 7-9 (missed playoffs), 11-5 (won their division). The Bears are anything but a mystery. When they have a dominant defense and an adequate quarterback they can win. Last year their quarterback (Jay Cutler) was a solid starter (and a head-case) and their defense was dominant. It all came together last year for the Bears and they should have no where to go but up. If Chicago wants to compete with Philly and Green Bay for the NFC this season they better stick to the program, solid quarterback play, and dominant defense.
Prediction:
I’m always skeptical of the Bears because I expect the team to be inconsistent. I have a theory that Lovie Smith’s teams play well just at the time that he gets on the hot seat. It’s a sure fire way for him not to get fired, the team is not losing and it’s not a contender every season. It is a steadily winning team.
I think the Bears will make the playoffs with a 9-7 record. Green Bay will win the division but it will be a close race for the North.
Projected Starters:
QB- Jay Cutler
RB- Matt Forte
WR- Roy Williams/ Johnny Knox (Position battle)
WR – Roy Williams/Johnny Knox (Position battle)
WR- Devin Hester
TE- Kellen Davis
OT- J’Marcus Webb
OT- Gabe Carimi
OG- Chris Williams
OG- Lance Louis
C- Roberto Garza
DE- Israel Idonije
DT- Henry Melton/ Matt Toeaina (Position battle)
NT- Anthony Adams/Matt Toeaina (Position battle)
DE- Julius Peppers
SLB- Nick Roach
MLB- Brian Urlacher
WLB- Lance Briggs*-
LCB- Tim Jennings
RCB- Charles Tillman
SS- Chris Harris
FS- Major Wright
K- Robbie Gould
P-Adam Podlesh
*Just nine days before the Bears first regular season game Lance Briggs has asked the Bears to be released or traded. This leaves Chicago unsure of their star linebacker’s future with the team, not a good way to start your season
Fantasy Performers:
1. Matt Forte
2. Jay Cutler
3. Roy Williams
4. Bears Defense (Includes Devin Hester’s kick and punt returns.)
5. Roy Williams
2011 Schedule:
Week 1- Sep 11: vs. Falcons
Week 2- Sep 18: @ Saints
Week 3- Sep 25: vs. Packers
Week 4- Oct 2: vs Panthers
Week 5- Oct 10: @ Lions
Week 6- Oct 16: Vikings
Week 7- Oct 23: @ Buccaneers (in London)
Week 8- Oct 30: BYE
Week 9- Nov 7: @ Eagles
Week 10- Nov 13: vs. Lions
Week 11- Nov 20: vs. Chargers
Week 12- Nov 27: @ Raiders
Week 13- Dec 4: Chiefs
Week 14- Dec 11: @ Broncos
Week 15- Dec 18: vs. Seahawks
Week 16- Dec 25: @ Packers
Week 17- Jan 1: @ Vikings
Free Agent Acquisitions:
Chris Spencer C
Marion Barber RB
Amobi Okoye DT
Roy Williams WR
Sam Hurd WR
Matt Spaeth TE
Vernon Gholston DL
Free Agent Losses
Olin Kreutz C
Tommie Harris DL
Herman Johnson T
Danieal Manning S
Rashied Davis WR
Re-Signed:
Desmond Clark TE
Brian Iwuh LB
Corey Graham CB
Anthony Adams DT
Nick Roach LB
Will Ta’ufo’ou FB
Caleb Hanie QB
Trades:
Bears traded Greg Olsen to the Carolina Panthers for a third-round draft pick in the 2012 draft.
2011 Draft Review:
Picks in 2011 NFL Draft:
Overall Draft Grade: B-
Rd 1, Pick 29 (29): Gabe Carimi, OT, Wisconsin- It looks like Carimi is going to come right in and start. He is a technically sound young offensive tackle with a major upside. A real good pick. Grade: A
Rd 2, Pick 30 (62): Stephen Paea, DT, Oregon State- This guy has a huge upside, he’s quick 303 pound tackle who could fit right into this defense in the next few years but he is also injury prone, currently coming off an offseason knee injury. Grade: B-
Rd 3, Pick 29 (93): Chris Conte, S, California- Conte played cornerback till his senior year when he moved to safety. He thrived at safety and was named to the all-Pac-10 first-team. He should add some depth to the safety position and will most likely get some playing time as a special teams player. Grade: B-
Rd 5, Pick 29 (160): Nathan Enderle, QB, Idaho- Enderle is a possible number-two option for the years to come. Hanie’s contract expires after this next season and the Bears won’t sign him if they feel Enderle is good enough as a backup. Good pick, you just never know with Chicago quarterbacks. Grade: B
Rd 6, Pick 30 (195): J.T. Thomas, OLB, West Virginia- Thomas started at WVU for three years as a solid linebacker. He is not the quickest or strongest guy but he should bring some depth to the position. The Bears defense is good enough without him, he won’t bring too much to the Bears defense (at least not this season.) Grade: C
2010 Stat Leaders:
Jay Cutler: 261-432 (60.4), 3274 YDS, 7.6 YPA, 23 TD, 16 INT, 86.3 RTG
Matt Forte: 237 ATT, 1069 YDS, 4.5 YPA, 68 LNG, 6 TD
Johnny Knox: 51 REC, 960 YDS, 18.8 YPC, 5 TD
Brian Urlacher: 125 TCK
Julius Peppers and Israel Idonije: 8 SCK
Charles Tillman: 5 INT
Off Season Storylines:
Can Cutler take the Bears to the next level?
Are the Bears Super Bowl Contenders?
What does the new kickoff rule mean for Devin Hester?