Brian Urlacher and 6 Chicago Bears Who Will Make the 2011 Pro Bowl
When I first saw this headline, I figured that this would be the shortest slideshow in history. But after thinking about this and sprinkling in a bit of optimism, this could be a good year for Bears players.
For one, the offense should be better, assuming they continue the line upgrade by supplementing the Gabe Carimi drafting with a free agent lineman.
Adding a big, physical wide receiver would certainly help. And speaking of help for the offense, if the line and receiver options improve, so, too, should QB Jay Cutler.
In his second season in the Mike Martz offense and with less time on his back, Cutler could be primed for a big year.
Meanwhile, the defense should be as stout as ever, with stalwarts Brian Urlacher and Julius Peppers being joined by new bloods like Stephen Paea.
So which Bears will make the Pro Bowl as starters or alternates? Turn the page to find out.
Brian Urlacher
1 of 6
Middle linebacker and future Hall of Famer Brian Urlacher may have just turned 33, but I expect at least two more solid seasons from him. Maybe not Pro Bowl caliber after 2011, but one more trip wouldn't surprise me at all.
Urlacher returned from injury to have a terrific season in 2010. He made the Pro Bowl, though he didn't play. He recorded 125 tackles, 96 of them of the solo variety. He had four sacks.
Remember, he came off of a season in which he did not play, so I expect Urlacher to be even more comfortable in 2011. If Stephen Paea can generate some inside pressure, it will help free up Urlacher even more.
Devin Hester
2 of 6
Sure, the rule change will affect the kick returning of Hester and all other return men, but Devin did most of his damage on punt returns anyway.
Last year, Hester returned to his old form and returned three kicks for touchdowns after going two consecutive seasons with taking one to the house.
Hester averaged 17 yards per punt return and 35.6 on kicks.
Hester may never be an elite wide receiver, but he will make the Pro Bowl as the best return man in the game.
Jay Cutler
3 of 6
Laugh if you must, but I predict that Cutler will make the Pro Bowl in 2011. Look, it's his second year in the Martz system, and he and his receivers should have a better handle on reads.
More importantly, the offensive line should be improved. The drafting of Gabe Carimi helps, and they will hopefully sign a free agent like Tyson Clabo to really turn their fortunes around.
Perhaps just as important as adding another lineman is adding a big, physical wideout. If that happens, Cutler will finally have the weapons and the protection he needs to succeed.
Plus, Martz figured out how to best utilize Cutler's talents at the bye week last year, when they started using shorter drops, rolling out more, and balancing the run and pass. This year, he will have the advantage of that knowledge from the start of the season.
Cutler should be coming into his own at 28, an age when many great QBs start producing their best numbers. Maybe his impending marriage will mature him, and he will have something to prove following the undeserved criticism after the NFC Championship game.
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Julius Peppers
4 of 6
Peppers didn't have the gaudy sack totals everyone expected last season, but Bears fans know that he was a force, disrupting the opponents.
However, he did disappear at times, and a more consistent season, now that he's settled and more comfortable in the Bears defensive scheme, could produce even better results in 2011.
But even if he doesn't return to double digit sacks, his reputation alone will likely earn him a trip to the Pro Bowl.
Lance Briggs
5 of 6
Urlacher's running mate, Lance Briggs, is perhaps overshadowed but people around the league know how good he is.
Meanwhile, Briggs is a six-time Pro Bowl selection and 2011 should be his seventh. He turns 31 in November, so he should have enough left in the tank to be really good again this season.
Briggs value comes in that he hardly ever misses a tackle. The Bears defense allows the short pass, so it's critical that Briggs meets his responsibility to come up and make the tackle.
Briggs also mans the weak side against the run. When the strong side players are doing their job in the Bears defense, the running back goes right to Briggs.
"Mystery Man": WR
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I know what you're thinking: What the...? Yep, I have a spot on the team reserved for a wide receiver this year, I just don't know which one it will be.
Look, if I'm predicting a Pro Bowl season for Cutler, that means at least one of the wideouts should have a pretty good season with 1,000 yards plus.
That receiver could be Johnny Knox, who fell just short in 2010. Or it could be this mystery free agent acquisition I'm longing for.
I truly believe that if the Bears go out and sign Sidney Rice, for example, that he will light it up with Cutler throwing him the ball. Cutler-to-Rice would be a sure Pro Bowl combination.
But even if the Bears sign a slightly lesser name, say Malcom Floyd from the Chargers, I think he will do very well.
The Martz system likes to throw the ball, and with an improved line, hopefully that will happen a lot in 2011. Plus, a guy like Floyd, who is 6'5", would be that big target for Cutler to throw to.
Floyd has great hands but has struggled to stay on the field due to injuries. I'd like to see him in a Bears uniform this season. I see a Pro Bowl in his future.
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