NFL Sports Writer's Power Ranking: 2009 NFC Team Analysis

(Photo by Jonathan Ferrey/Getty Images)

Ranked 1st: Chicago Bears

The Chicago Bears are the real deal, and the fans know it, and most importantly the players know it. The talent level on the team is outstanding, with potential to dominate teams if they come together as a unit. What's happened in Chicago is simply this. The players and coaching staff are focused and determined to not just win games, but to win all of their games. It’s not unthinkable, especially when factoring they have the lightest schedule in the NFL, that this team could win all 16 games. They have heart, confidence, and vision to win. They see it, think it, hear it and most of all, they believe it. “They are who we thought they were.” They are a Super Bowl caliber team.

Bears pro bowl QB, Jay Cutler will lead this highly improved and explosive offense, to new possibilities. Cutler has tremendous accuracy and traits that will make Chicago’s unproven receivers better than they are.  His mobility makes him effective on rollouts and bootlegs with different launch points that will increase more options for Ron Turner and the play calling. His arm strength allows wider splits on an inside route creating open seams in the coverage, thus allowing the receivers to run away from man coverage. His quick feet allow 7 step drop backs, giving him and the receivers more time to read coverage schemes. The offensive line versatility and depth has greatly improved from 2008. The acquired seven time Pro Bowl left tackle, Orlando Pace will improve the pass protection and open doors for highly talented running back Matt Forte. Forte is a work horse back with excellent field vision. He has good burst speed and gets to the second level quickly. Forte is the complete package. He can run inside and out, catch and block. He celebrated 1238 rushing yards and 63 receptions for 477 yards. Cutler's passing abilities will spread out opposing defenses, and will open the play action pass for better results. Receivers Devin Hester and Earl Bennett will lead the receiving corps in improving production from last year. Hester has drastically improved his route responsibilities and reads. His explosive play making talents and blazing speed make him and Cutler an unstoppable tandem. Tight ends Greg Olson and Desmond Clark will be very productive, and could be the best tightened combo in the league. Olson is 6'5 255 pound end has great hands and agility. His great speed allows Chicago to run him deep to stretch the field, and could run him in the slot. Olson has played 16 games with 54 catches, 574 yards and 5 TD's, and most importantly he seems to improve every week.

The Chicago Bears are still defined by its defense, primarily at linebacker and with stopping the run. Brian Urlacher, Lance Briggs, and Pisa Tinoisamoa are the best 4-3 line backing corps in the NFL. Former starter Hunter Hillenmayer, Nick Roach and speedy Jamar Williams may also help on the outside to give the Bears great depth. The Bears focused defensively to infuse the defense with some young talent, General manager Jerry Angelo did that with draft picks, defensive lineman Jarron Gilbert in Round 3. The Bears will use Gilbert at defensive tackle behind starter Tommie Harris, who has battled an assortment of injuries the past three seasons. The Bears also drafted good players late with, defensive end Henry Melton, cornerback D.J. Moore, linebacker Marcus Freeman, and safety Al Afalava. The Bears new D-line coach Rod Marinelli will bring the best out of a group that includes Pro Bowl caliber players Adewale Ogunleye, Alex Brown, and Mark Anderson. The Bears secondary is the glaring weakness to opposing teams. It’s an average secondary at best. It’s a play it safe scheme and will not give up the big play. If the defensive line produces to projected levels, this defense will dominate again.

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