Chicago Bears: Things to Watch For

This season, the Bears look to be the best team on paper in a long time.

But there are question marks, of course. Things could go one way, or the other. If things go in the right way, the sky is the limit for this team. If they begin to falter, things could get ugly.

I believe in so many different phases of this team, that I am more excited for this up-coming season than I have ever been before. The moves made to create the team we have today were astounding.

The Bears are no longer the typical Bears. They actually went out, and went out hard. They signed two pro bowl players to the roster. They added depth in the offensive line and linebacking corps. The WRs that could potentially be extremely good players are finally coming out of hibernation.

I am primed for this season, and so should you. But not having answers creates questions.

Here are somethings to look at before the season starts.

Wide Recievers: Emerge

The Chicago Bears signed, in my honest opinion, the best young quarterback in the league today. Yet, people question this move, as if it was a poor decision. I guess it's something that only the die hard Bears' fans understand.

What we gave up for him, to others, was a lot. To me, it was necessary. They say, "Jay? Yeah he is good, but he has no one to throw."

Well, I would have to disagree.

The exciting thing about sports today is that anyone can suddenly be a top player in the league. This has been proven time and time again. If anyone is going to get these Bears WRs to flourish, who better than Jay Cutler?

Names like Devin Aromashodu and Brandon Rideau may not jump right out at you, but they will. During training camp, you cannot read anything that isn't boasting these guys to death. They look as if they have been starting in the NFL for years. They look great, and the best part is, they are wearing a Chicago Bears uniform.

They have a great mixture of size, speed, and hands. Also, they all seem to have a good understanding of how to play the WR position in the NFL, which is vital for success.

I am not worried at this point. With the likes of Greg Olsen, Matt Forte, and Devin Hester, it's only going to take a few players to emerge to make this a well balanced group.

Running Backs: Casting the Spell

The Chicago Bears' second-round pick in the 2008 NFL Draft was a godsend. I could not be more happy with how well Matt Forte has played thus far.

He is the total package. He is a great runner, with elusiveness and vision. Not many NFL backs catch out of the backfield as well as he does. He is an above average blocker for a running back. And best of all, he understands the game in and out.

The one problem with the whole situation was, he was on the field the entire game. He had over 300 carries in his rookie season, and led our team in receptions in his rookie year.

Well, he is still the same Matt Forte. He is vital to our success on offense. But in order to keep our gem fresh and healthy, he's going to need a spell. Well, here we have it.

Kevin Jones returning a year further from the torn ACL he sustained in 2007. Last year, he rushed his process and returned a little too early. Having another year in the system also cannot hurt.

Reading and watching highlights during training camp, it is evident that he has returned to form. He is bursting and cutting like the great running back he really is. He had 1,000+ yards his rookie season for the Detroit Lions. With the protection this line can give him and with Cutlers' QB abilities, we could have a phenomenal 1-2 punch. It should be exciting to watch.

Offensive Line: Oil of the Machine

Last year, our offensive line performed better than expected. This year, they have added to that. They have added excellent depth at several key positions.

They have their 2008 first-round draft pick primed and ready to go. They have a couple key position battles, which should be interesting to see.

The offensive line is the key for the Bears' offensive success. It is extremely important to give Matt Forte holes to run through. It's very important to give Cutler ample time to make his throws.

Also, most importantly, is keeping our players healthy.

This line seems like they have what it takes to make this team roll. And I hope they do.

Secondary: Make Things Happen

Last year, the secondary was dismal. So many things seemed to go wrong. It was another season riddled with injuries, lack of ability in the secondary, and no pressure inflicted upon opposing quarterbacks. They all added up and always got the same result: getting burned.

Key losses came from teams that dissected us through the air. Teams with top-tier QB/WR combinations were our nightmares.

This season, we added depth and youth. It seems to be a neck race to identify a solidified starter. But I do believe we corrected our defensive line concern, which should result in allowing our secondary to make some plays.

Defensive Line: Returning to Form

This is the heart and soul of this team. If they do not come to play, usually the rest of our defense follows. Everything starts here, always has. But last year, they played far below average.

Same old story, Tommie Harris battles through injuries. They couldn't get consistent play from the other nose tackle, and the ends couldn't get in the backfield. All they seemed to do well was stopping the run. But like I've said in the past: When you can't get into the backfield, stopping the run becomes a lot easier.

In recent years, when the Bears were the Monsters of the Midway, they had a clear attribute: getting to the quarterback time and time again. By doing so, they created so many turnovers, injuries, and chaos for opposing quarterbacks.

At this point in time, the Bears still have the ingredients they had when they were creating havoc each and every week. Add in the players they have nurtured (Izzy and Adams) over the last couple of seasons, the rookies they have acquired via the draft(Gilbert and Hamilton), and I do believe this team will reform back into the Monsters of the Midway. And if they do return to form, it'll have a ripple effect on the entire team.