It is no secret that the NFC North is a weak division.
That makes it mean even more when I say that the Chicago Bears will most likely come in last in their division. They have one of the worst offenses in the league, and injuries tore apart their defense last year.
Devin Hester is one of the most electrifying players in the NFL, but heed these words, Hester will not do as well this year. With that warning, Let's look at the rest of the team.
QB
Rex Grossman/Kyle Orton
Neither is a very good option as a starting quarterback and neither will be getting very good protection from their offensive line this season. I'll tell you up front that you shouldn't be looking for anything fantasy-wise from the passing game in Chicago.
Grossman looks like the favorite to win the starting job right now over Orton. He has a stronger arm than Orton and usually passes the ball better. If Hester gets more involved in the passing game, look for Grossman to throw a few long-balls his way.
Orton is considered the better decision maker of the two, but doesn't have a very good completion rate. He is confident, but confidence only gets you so far. In his case it will get him as far as holding a clipboard.
RB
Matt Forte/Kevin Jones
The focus of their offense will be the running backs. They will be looking to run a lot and when they have to pass, they like to throw to their backs coming out of the backfield. Their running backs may not be up to they challenge however.
Forte is a rookie with plenty of upside, but no NFL experience and a bit of an injury history. He is a power back and fits their power running scheme, but don't look for him to break off many long runs. He does get added value for having great hands out of the backfield. He could be a number three back on most fantasy teams.
Jones, on the other hand, has more experience and more of an injury history. He can be an elite running back when healthy, but that is something he has struggled to do since he came into the league.
He needs time to heal and get to 100 percent before taking on too much of a role in the offense. If he isn't rushed back, he could be a decent pick-up late in the season.
WR/TE
Devin Hester/Marty Booker/Desmond Clark/Greg Olsen
Clark and Olsen are probably the best two receivers on the team, which leads me to believe they will be using plenty of two tight end sets this year. Having both tight ends on the field helps the running game and pass protection as well.
Olsen looks to be the better receiving and red-zone threat, as he is more athletic and has a ton of upside. Clark is currently the starter, but might get pushed into more of a blocking role despite his down field ability.
Hester shows the most fantasy promise out of their receiving corps. So why do I think he will have a down year?
Let's look at what has happened so far. He held out for a brief period, came to camp, got hurt, then got a four-year deal. Smells like a let down in the making to me. Coach Lovie Smith has said he wants to get Hester more involved in the offense though, which could mean more individual fantasy value for him than in past year.
9 comments Last one added 11 months ago — Leave a Comment
Jake Perper 11 months ago
Rashied Davis will emerge as the best WR for the Bears this year
Edit Comment Cancel
Dakota Rubin 11 months ago
That is a very bold prediction, because he is undersized and has not been able to make a steady impact in the offense but Jake may be on to something because Davis does know the offense better than any of the other receivers and has a lot of experience with Turner.
Edit Comment Cancel
Chris Hester 11 months ago
Calling All Bleacher Report "Fantasy Experts"
Are you interested in joining a Bleacher Report football league on RotoHog? If so, please email me at wrongarm300@yahoo.com. I am trying to get as many Bleacher Report writers as possible so if you know anyone else that may be interested, have them contact me as well!! Let's make this huge and represent the Bleacher!!
Edit Comment Cancel
Russell Ivanac 11 months ago
I've never done a league on RotoHog, what kind of league is it? I've heard some different things about it so some clarification would be nice.
Edit Comment Cancel
Chris Hester 11 months ago
What type of info would you like? Please email me any questions you have.
Edit Comment Cancel
Michael Wagner 11 months ago
Booker has about as much fantasy value as Mushin did when he was here...none unless you are in an NFC only league or a heavy receivers league
Edit Comment Cancel
chicago 4ever 11 months ago
Devin Hester didn't get hurt in camp, he was immediately put on the NFI list precisely to prevent an injury during contract negotiations. Once the contract was signed, he started practicing immediately and has looked great in his first couple of days.
You call yourself a "football analyst"? How can you claim any credibility when you can't even get your basic facts straight? What a joke...
Edit Comment Cancel
Russell Ivanac 11 months ago
http://www.profootballtalk.com/2008/07/25/hester-has-hurt-hammy/
http://myespn.go.com/blogs/nfcnorth/0-2-128/A-well-timed-injury-for-Devin-Hester.html
http://www.rotoworld.com/Content/playerpages/player_main.aspx?sport=NFl&id=3675
http://www.suntimes.com/sports/football/bears/1075621,CST-SPT-bear26.article
There is four links, each saying that he did have a hamstring injury, along with ESPN reporting it during "SportsCenter".
I never called myself a "football analyst". I'm a fan just like anyone else that writes because they enjoy it. I can only go by what is reported by the real sports reporters.
What you said is only speculation at this point, so get off of your high horse and come with some support before you call me a joke.
Edit Comment Cancel
chicago 4ever 11 months ago
http://www.suntimes.com/sports/football/bears/1077416,CST-SPT-bear28.article
This article (and others like it) make it pretty clear that Hester's hamstring "injury" was just a way to get him into camp, otherwise contract negotiations would have stalled.
So yes, technically, Hester was on the injured list. But rather than investigate the situation more thoroughly, you referenced a bogus injury as proof that Hester is on the decline. I think that's funny as hell, and I don't think it's unreasonable to point out that it undermines the credibility of your whole report.
Sorry to come off so harsh, but as a lifelong Bears fan I am naturally sensitive to all the inaccuracies that are inevitably published by people who are less fanatical about the team than I am. Whatever, I'll get off my high horse now, but just remember: Hester WAS NOT HURT, it was just a contract negotiation tactic.
Edit Comment Cancel
Leave a Comment
You must register to post a comment.