Delhomme and the running backs hopefully will get to operate behind a vastly improved, now-gigantic offensive line geared to stopping the run highlighted by rookie right tackle Jeff Otah and franchise player left tackle Jordan Gross.
The Bears defensive line is good—but it may not be enough to counter the Panthers offensive line.
Left end Adewale Ogunleye made 58 tackles and compiled nine sacks last year. But he will be up against the aformentioned Gross, Carolina's best offensive lineman.
Left tackle Tommie Harris had 36 tackles and eight sacks in 2007. Harris could potentially cause the most unrest in the Panthers backfield, as he will be lined up opposite right guard Keydrick Vincent and center Ryan Kalil, two guys who are inexperienced playing with one another—2008 will be their first season playing beside each other.
While Ogunleye and Harris are talented, how effective will they really be, considering they're better pass rushers than run stoppers, against a Panthers offense that loves to run the ball? Conceivably, all Carolina would have to do is run to the other side of the line.
However, the linebacker position didn't get its name for nothing. Brick wall linebackers Brian Urlacher, who accumulated 123 tackles, 12 deflections, and five interceptions in 2007, and Lance Briggs, who racked up 102 tackles, two sacks, and three deflections last year, play on the opposite side of the field from Ogunleye and Harris. If a Carolina running back gets past the weak right side of the defensive line, Briggs and Urlacher will be there to shut him down.
The Chicago secondary, unlike the defensive line or linebackers, is notably weak. The only standout player is cornerback Charles Tillman, who notched 75 tackles, 13 deflections, and three interceptions last year.
Other than him, the secondary is both inept and inexperienced. No one had more than 68 tackles, three deflections, or two picks last season.
The Panthers should aim to attack the secondary. Granted, star receiver Steve Smith will be serving the second week of a two-game suspension this week, but Carolina acquired receivers Mushin Muhammad and DJ Hackett during the offseason to take pressure off of Smith. That's exactly what they'll have to do the first two weeks—have huge games so the temporary loss of Smith is less apparent.
Hackett, in particular, will need to do well in Smith's absence because Muhammad will be covered by Tillman. However, Muhammad (6'2", 215 lbs) is slightly bigger than Tillman (6'1", 198), so he may be able to use his extra size to his advantage on short routes (especially curls) to get better body position and make catches. That would actually work perfectly, considering Muhammad is a possession receiver. If Muhammad makes enough short catches early, that could open up the rest of the field.
This game will be a hard-fought defensive battle from which I think the Panthers will ultimately emerge as winners, if only because they have the offensive advantage. An old adage says defense wins games. But in the Bears' case, it doesn't matter how good your defense is if your offense is just as inept as your defense is skilled.
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