With Jay Cuter, Chicago Bears Can Dream Big In 2009

(Photo by Jim Prisching/Getty Images)

The Chicago Bears have a quarterback. The question is, how will the rest of the team do?

Will Jay Culter become the next John Elway or Rick Mirer?

The Chicago Bears' defense will hold its own near year. With Brian Urlacher, Lance Briggs, Adewale Ogunleye, Alex Brown, Tommie Harris, Charles Tillman, and Nathan Vasher, the Monsters of the Midway have potential to play like it's 2006. 

With the addition of Jarron Gilbert and Henry Melton and additions to the safety, the defense will lead the Bears.

However, this year the offense is there too. Jay Cutler already makes the offense a threat, even with suspect wide receivers. The offensive line is rebuilt, a littler younger, and former No. 1 overall pick Orlando Pace still has a few years left in the tank. 

Anything short of a playoff berth or NFC North Division championship will be a disappointment for the Bears.

In 2009, in order to win games, Chicago must:

1. Protect Jay Cutler. The offensive line can't let the franchise quarterback get injured. Strong play by the defense will help if Chicago stays ahead in games.

2. Depth at running back. If Matt Forte expects to play more than three seasons in the NFL, he can't carry the ball 400 or 500 times a season. Kevin Jones and Garrett Wolfe need to become viable change of pace backs. 

3. Devin Hester needs to stick to special teams. This is not going to happen, because the Bears aren't going to pay Hester all that money just to return kicks. A couple of plays on offense per game is fine, but the Windy City Flyer needs to stick to special teams. Right now, he either could be a Hall of Fame return specialist or a ham-and-egger mediocre wide receiver. And it looks like it will be the former. 

4. Defense talented, not deep. Chicago has a strong defense, but they need to stay healthy. In the last few years Nathan Vasher, Tommie Harris, and former safety Mike Brown could not stay on the field. 

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