The Chicago Bears are going to be mediocre, everybody knows it. They have quarterback issues, wide receiver issues, running back issues, offensive line issues, defensive issues.
Basically, they have issues.
However, could everything they need to be strong be sitting on the bench?
At the quarterback position, I know some of you are thinking that I really think that Caleb Hanie is the answer, and he may be a great option a few years down the road when Kyle Orton is tired of being knocked on his ass because of the horrible offensive line.
However, I think that they may have figured out what Rex Grossman really needs to do to become a solid starter.
Throughout his years as a starter, he has been trying to be flashy by throwing the ball hard and deep play after play.
However, in the final preseason game, he was extremely efficient and used his arm strength to his advantage, without throwing the ball deep that often.
What he needs to do is to use his arm strength to get the ball to the receiver on time, and that is exactly what he did.
He floated passes in when they needed to be floated, and whipped them in when they needed a little extra mustard. When he went deep, he failed, when he stayed within 20 yards, he was spectacular.
He even led the Bears on a long scoring drive with their only touchdown against the Browns.
Unfortunately, he can never play for the Bears as a starter again because, well, it would just be way to awkward. I would rather have to sit through dinner with the family of a person I had brutally murdered than have to go through that situation.
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Kyle Orton can be serviceable, but he isn't going to be a spectacular quarterback and he is only filling in until the eventual calls for Hanie.
The offensive line is horrible, we all know that, and it is going to be difficult for any sort of ground game to get going.
However, I refuse to say that they don't have the possibility of a good running game. When healthy, Kevin Jones is a decent weapon who can work well with rookie Matt Forte in a running back by committee approach.
At the wide receiver position, we have nothing spectacular, great, or even that good.
What we do have, however, is a bunch of receivers who play at the same level, which makes it hard to pinpoint any one person to worry about.
Mark Bradley looked solid against the Browns in the final preseason game and we all know that he has some talent, he has just been unable to show it off yet.
This could be the year that he finally breaks out. Marty Booker can be a solid possession receiver and Devin Hester is a good deep threat.
Defensively, I was shocked when I looked at ESPN.com and saw the defensive line as a liability for the Bears.
Can a line that boasts three possible starters at defensive end and one of the best defensive tackles in the NFL really be a liability?
Then I look in my Sports Illustrated and see that they have given the Bears a C with their secondary. However, Nathan Vasher and Charles Tillman compliment each other perfectly with Tillman being lockdown and Vasher having the speed to keep up with the opposing team's speedster receivers.
They also have Mike Brown who is a great safety when healthy, and he adds a lot to this team as a defensive unit. They also have Daniel Manning as well as others who can play at the other safety position.
When it comes to linebackers, I am not sure that anybody in the NFL is better. They have Brian Urlacher who may be aging, but is still one of the best in the NFL. Lining up next to him is Lance Briggs who may even be ready to surpass Urlacher as the best linebacker on the Bears and is also a perennial Pro Bowler.
Hunter Hillenmeyer may not be flashy, but he is definitely a serviceable strong-side linebacker to compliment Briggs and Urlacher.
One thing that really surprised me is that the Bears don't have the consensus best special teams in the NFL.
They have the best return man in the NFL with Devin Hester, a great kicker in Robbie Gould, and a boot with Brad Maynard.
Year in and year out they have some of the best coverage units in the NFL, and although they lost Brendon Ayanbadejo, Adrian Peterson and others are still special teams beasts that can handle the load for the Bears.
I can easily see the Bears at 8-8 and challenging for a Wild Card in the playoffs. If they can find some way to get an offensive line going, they can score some points. Their defense is better than expected, and so is their offense.
I'm Joe W.
Joe also writes for Hoops4Life.com, a basketball fan's site.
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2 months ago
They need their oline to step up before anything else.
from 2 months ago
I agree, their entire season hinges on how well their O-line does this season, and it doesn't look too good.
2 months ago
Nice article Joe, I enjoy reading your work.
I wouldn't be surprised at all if Hanie is starting by week 6 at the earliest.
from 2 months ago
Thanks for the compliment.
I wouldn't be surprised to see Hanie get some playing time as well. It's a shame that we just learned how to work Grossman when it is to late. I'm curious to see what happens with that situation.
2 months ago
I like them at 8-8... they need to find a GM who knows offensive talent....
from 2 months ago
agree sean
2 months ago
i just dont know what to think, after salam,enos, and benson busts, where does it go, and offensive line that isnt comparable to the wac in college. It is a hard year to imagine.
2 months ago
hanie wont be in unless injuries take place to one of the two QB's
from 2 months ago
I can't see Grossman behind center for the Bears anymore.
2 months ago
I can he played pretty well in the last preseason game
from 2 months ago
I would love to see him under center, the only problem is all that he has gone through as a Bear, I'm not sure if it would work between the Bears and Grossman.
2 months ago
What the bears need to do first is kick rex ass off the team an then work from there, i also see them with a 8-8 record this year. Its preseason wait till its the regular season an see how "good" he is.
2 months ago
Just cause you hate Rex, doesn't mean he is off the team. They need a backup.
2 months ago
Great article, Joe. I'd give them a B- as a grade, the offense plays better with Orton, with no legitimate speedy No. 1 receiver to throw deep too. It makes sense to use a guy that will manage the game without killing you. Now defensively we're good, if they play like they have in the pasted and get the turnovers. It will be a positive, plus teams are still going to kick to Hester and using Manning will be a huge plus also.
Can see them being 9-7. If it's ugly after week one of CFB, already seen three really good QB's that we could pick as a 1st. Round choice and two of them could currently start in the NFL. One of them playing in FSU, who's really talented, has a great arm and has speed to run when need be.
2 months ago
Watch Rashied Davis, he could be a surprise impact player on offense. He seems to have a good chemistry with Orton. There is nothing wrong with having Grossman looming on the bench. Last year after being benched he came back and looked very good until an injury ended his season. Make no mistake about it, if the offense looks terrible after four or five games under Orton, Lovie will not hesitate to put in Grossman. The old adage goes that the backup quarterback is the most popular guy in Chicago. Maybe this year will put that theory to the test.
from 2 months ago
I've always liked Davis. Maybe it has something to do with his celebration after each touchdown, but he seems like a guy that could become a main target. He has the intangibles. As for what I've said about Grossman, it just doesn't seem like he can come in and perform in Chicago. I can easily see him thriving in another situation, but he just can't QB in Chicago after all he's done. If Orton struggles, the calls will be coming for Hanie guaranteed, but Grossman will never hear a positive chant from a Chicago crowd again.
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