Bleacher Report - Articles by Mike Summa

Jay Cutler, Matt Forte Could Give Chicago Bears a New-Look Offense

Mike Summa — Wed, 13 May 2009 21:00:30 -0400

Three years ago, it was Devin Hester. The next, it was Greg Olsen. Last season, it was Matt Forte.

This year, it's Jay Cutler.

Year by year, the offensive landscape is changing for the Chicago Bears. Slowly but surely, they're stocking their roster with dynamic playmakers who can contribute to multiple facets of the game and change the way that defenses choose to combat the Monsters of the Midway.

With the addition of Jay Cutler, the 2009 offense will undoubtedly have many similarities to its predecessor. However, the stage is set for the team's new quarterback to change the way that they move the ball.

The biggest changes to the playbook this offseason won't merely come in the form of Jay Cutler passing the football. It will come in the form of an increased flexibility.

Certainly nothing is set in stone, and nobody is doubting that the Bears will deviate from their bread-and-butter sets; those being double tight end variations, singleback with three receivers, and I-formation for power running.

In fact, right from the get-go, Cutler makes the two tight-end sets more effective. Given Chicago's personnel, those are the sets that they need to take full advantage of because they offer the most ambiguity.

With two tight ends on the field, the Bears have the flexibility execute either smashmouth running plays or or a variety of passing routes, as well as the ability to audible between the two based on what Cutler reads at the line.

And, yes, Cutler's arm will offer the Bears an opportunity to stretch the field in ways that haven't been seen since Rex Grossman hooked up with Bernard Berrian over and over again in 2006.

However, Jay Cutler's style and reputation gives the Bears the ability to alter their offensive playbook in ways that are not necessarily native to their DNA.

While the Bears are not perceived as a passing team, what Cutler's presence boils down to is the potential for the integration of more pass-specific formations and sets, which could benefit the run just as much as the pass.

In fact, some of the changes have already begun.

For instance, use of the shotgun formation was almost non-existent during the Rex Grossman years of 2006 and 2007, but surged in 2008 under Kyle Orton. While Orton used his college experience in the shotgun to benefit the passing game, it was not uncommon to see Matt Forte take a hand-off out of the shotgun, rushing the ball on a dive or draw.

Running draw plays offers the same benefit to to running game as playaction offers to the passing game: it forces the defense to play more conservatively and leaves them vulnerable when they choose to gamble by committing to either the run or to the pass.

Even when Orton wasn't working out of the shotgun last season, the run game saw some life from pass-specific formations. Matt Forte's first NFL touchdown during Week 1 last year at Indianapolis came as the Bears lined with up four wide receivers.

The Colts brought six defensive backs onto the field to play the pass. But when Chicago's offensive line effectively neutralized Indi's defensive line and lone linebacker, Forte broke into the secondary and put six points on the board.

Could more spread-offense formations pop up in 2009? Absolutely. The receiving targets are somewhat of an enigma as this point, but Devin Hester is expected to pose a deep threat, while Desmond Clark and Greg Olsen can be counted on as solid receiving targets.

So can Matt Forte, who was moved in motion before the play on several occasions last season, leaving Orton with an empty backfield and plenty of passing targets to work with.

So, what does this all mean?

It means that Bears have assembled a set of offensive personnel flexible enough to bluff whenever they chose to, regardless of which hand they wish to play. They can be less one-dimensional. They can be less predictable. They can keep defenses guessing.

The offense changed last season, and they changed for the better. Jay Cutler will change it even more.

If the Bears can manage to put a few more points on the board this season, the odds of a playoff birth will swing significantly in their favor.

Bears Looking for Blocking Specialist

Mike Summa — Fri, 08 May 2009 19:55:38 -0400

When tight end John Gilmore signed with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers after spending six seasons in a Bears uniform, few fans in Chicago so much as said a word about it.

Now, one year removed from his departure, the Bears are beginning to realize what they lost.

Gilmore wasn't flashy. He scored only three touchdowns during his time in Chicago, and hauled in a mere 21 passes. His contributions weren't the type that could be measured by statistics. But he was always there, whether it was double tight end sets, heavy red zone formations, or kick returns.

Given the success of the spread offense in the college game, tight ends are rapidly changing from undersized offensive linemen to oversized wide receivers. As a result, John Gilmore is part of a dying breed. Finding a tight end nowadays who is a skilled in-line blocker is almost as difficult as finding a competent lead-blocking fullback.

At first glance, it doesn't seem as if the Bears are in need of a tight end. Desmond Clark and Greg Olsen both play prominent roles in Chicago's offense; enough so that Lovie Smith has said he considers them both starters, which, given the team's new tendency to run double tight end sets, is true.

Clark and Olsen provide such great depth at the position that many fans were initially angry when the Bears selected Michigan State's Kellen Davis in the fifth round of the 2008 Draft.

As the aging Desmond Clark's career winds down, Davis may be a suitable replacement. Davis, however, has not been able provide the same type of blocking speciality that John Gilmore brought to the field.

In fact, as offensive tackle Chris Williams recovered from his back surgery last season, the Bears began to coax him into active play as their third tight end in short-yardage situations as an alternative to Kellen Davis.

Adding an extra offensive lineman to a set provides a big body, but lacks the speed and agility that a tight end could provide, especially in the kick return game.

One potential option to fill the void still left by Gilmore's departure is Lance Louis, a seventh-round rookie from San Diego State. Louis has experience playing both tight end and guard, and is a huge body at 6'3" and 300 pounds.

The Bears are also reportedly looking at Michael Gaines, who was recently released by the Lions. Before the Detroit used a first-round pick on tight end Brandon Pettigrew, they had intended on using Gaines as a blocker, both at the line of scrimmage and out of the backfield.

Given the trouble the Bears had moving the ball in short-yardage situations last season, a blocking specialist is something they are sorely in need of. With the offensive line having received a major facelift in free agency, they should fare better right from the get-go.

But Matt Forte is not a power rusher. Neither is Kevin Jones. The Bears need a solid push up front, whether they're trying to punch the ball into the end zone or pick up a first down.

As the Bears learned last November under the lights of the Metrodome, mere inches can mean the difference between watching the playoffs from a sofa or watching the playoffs from a three-point stance.

Chicago's Rookie Class Could Push Well-Paid Veterans

Mike Summa — Fri, 08 May 2009 15:22:26 -0400

As the Chicago Bears rolled through day two of the NFL Draft a few weeks ago, one thing became abundantly clear: the veterans were going to have a rookie class biting at their heels all year long.

One of the team's biggest recent criticisms is the lack of performance from their well-paid star defense players. Many people feel that Tommie Harris, Adewale Ogunleye, and Nathan Vasher are not playing up to their contracts.

That, however, could soon change.

The Bears added bodies at every defensive position in the draft; Jarron Gilbert and Henry Melton on the defensive line, Marcus Freeman at linebacker, D.J. Moore at cornerback, and Al Afalava at safety.

But what does that mean for the incumbents?

Tommie Harris, for starters, will have to deal with Jarron Gilbert competing for playing time.

Brad Briggs of the Chicago Sun-Times broke down the playing time of the defensive linemen this week, and indicated that Harris played just over 56 perfect of the team's defensive snaps.

That number is low because Harris has been largely injured for the past three seasons. Although he has proven that he can be a Pro Bowl defensive tackle with one good leg, it doesn't guarantee that he will be healthy enough to step onto the field when the Bears need him the most.

Given the injury history of Harris and the heavy rotation that the Bears have a tendency to use on the line, Gilbert could easily see the most playing time of team's entire rookie class.

Henry Melton, on the the other hand, may have to wait for one season at the bottom of the depth chart.

Melton is clearly a future investment, with defensive ends Adewale Ogunleye, Mark Anderson, and Israel Idonije all heading into contract years. It's hard to imagine that the Bears would bring back all three, especially considering Ogunleye's age and Anderson's drop-off in production.

Nonetheless, Melton is a young body who will push his teammates and compete for a starting job down the road.

While Marcus Freeman and Al Afalava will likely start their NFL careers as part of Dave Toub's special teams unit, cornerback D.J. Moore could see considerable action in a number of ways.

Nathan Vasher has been a non-factor on the field for the past two seasons, more so than any of his teammates who saw a big payday. In fact, "The Interceptor," as he became to be known, only managed one interception last season and the same number the previous year.

Jerry Angelo seems to have a knack for picking defensive backs throughout all rounds of the draft, and those defensive backs have a history of contributing early in their careers—especially as rookies.

D.J. Moore's advantage is that he could fill a number of roles depending on how the current uncertainty in the secondary shakes out. Moore could supplant Vasher if Vasher truly has fallen out of favor with the coaching staff.

He could move up the chart if Corey Graham is converted to a free safety, or he could move to nickel corner and return kicks if Danieal Manning shifts back to free safety. Or he could return punts if Devin Hester's production as a receiver increases. And, like all of Chicago's deep-on-the-chart defensive backs, he could wind up on the kick coverage units.

As training camp arrives and passes, we will have a better idea of where the rookies will contribute. If the past few seasons have been any indication, we will see a significant impact from several of them. But unlike years past, the team's current stars could also wind up feeling the effects of the youngsters.

Life After Mike Brown: Bears Still Searching For Solution at Free Safety

Mike Summa — Thu, 07 May 2009 20:52:19 -0400

Having addressed needs on the offensive line through free agency and holes at wide receiver through the draft, the Chicago Bears as still weighing their options at free safety.

Fans often drift into an almost dream-like state when thinking back to Mike Brown's big moments in a Bears uniform. But those days are just a distant memory. In Brown, the Bears had--and lost--a leader, a playmaker, and a big-hitter. As great of a safety as he may have been, it became clear that he probably would never revert to the durable playmaker he once was.

When it comes to replacing Brown, the first person that comes to mind is his former understudy, Danieal Manning. Manning is young, has plenty of experience at free safety, is athletic and has more than enough speed to play the position. But his instincts have come into question numerous times, and the Bears seem content with playing him at nickel corner. Still, he has yet to be ruled out as an option, and is listed as a free safety on the team's official website.

Safety Josh Bullocks, formerly of the New Orleans Saints, is the man currently penciled in as the starter, and has starting experience. He signed with Chicago on March 11th, in a move that sent angry shockwaves through fan circles that were already displeased with the team's lack of activity in the free agent market.

The Bears have continued to stock their secondary during the offseason with free agent Glenn Earl and used a sixth-round draft pick on Oregon State's Al Afalava. Both are prototypical strong safeties, which the Bears already have in starter Kevin Payne and LSU product Craig Steltz.

Besides acquiring Bullocks, this offseason's free agent market offered few solid, viable options. On Draft Weekend, potential targets Sherrod Martin and Rashad Johnson were both off the board by the time the Bears went on the clock.

Moving a cornerback to the safety position has been a hot topic lately, especially with the notoriety that Antrel Rolle received as part of the NFC Championship Arizona Cardinals. The media firestorm that supported moving Charles Tillman to safety, an idea Head Coach Lovie Smith has denounced on several occasions, finally has lost most of its steam.

Still, converting a corner is not entirely out of the equation. Zachary Bowman was used as the second-team free safety during the team's veteran minicamp in March, but little news has yet to come to light regarding whether or not his move was permanent.

Corey Graham has surfaced as a potential free safety candidate. Graham, however, could also come out of camp as a starting corner. The team's faith in Nathan Vasher has been a burning issue throughout the offseason, and the roles of Trumaine McBride and rookie draftee D.J. Moore remain to be seen, all of which could factor into where Graham ultimately lines up.

If the Bears are content and confident with Charles Tillman and Corey Graham as their starting cornerbacks, there's no reason why the Bears shouldn't experiment with plugging in Nathan Vasher at free safety at some point during training camp. From a financial standpoint, he needs to be a key defensive contributor.

Regardless of how the Bears fill the position, the secondary needs a fast, solid free safety to help shut down receivers deep downfield. Teams last season could move the ball on the Bears through the air with frightening ease, and Calvin Johnson, Greg Jennings, and Bernard Berrian will all be looking to torch Chicago for points again this season.

Perhaps the true test will come on November 8th, when Kurt Warner and the Arizona Cardinals will bring their aerial assault to Soldier Field. It could potentially be a game that proves if the Bears can truly defend the deep ball, or if they're just relying on smoke and mirrors.

Bears Need to Get Creative in Offer for Cutler

Mike Summa — Wed, 01 Apr 2009 23:07:39 -0400

Chicago is stirring once again, and yes, the fans have visions of a Cutler trade dancing in their heads.

With Denver's announcement yesterday that Jay Cutler is officially on the trading block, trade speculation in the Windy City has transformed into an obsession.

People are talking about it on the streets, in the papers, and even on Facebook.

Everybody seems to be playing GM, coming up with hypothetical trade offers and compensation for Denver's disgruntled Pro Bowl quarterback.

Some consist purely of draft picks.

An overwhelming number, however, have the Bears packaging draft picks with players such as Kyle Orton, Nathan Vasher, and even Brian Urlacher.

Guys like Orton and Vasher may have fallen out of fan favoritism, but their inclusion in trade speculation seems to be nothing more than an effort to make hypothetical offers seem bigger than they actually are.

It's not sweetening the deal. It's just throwing the Broncos a bone.

One idea that doesn't seem to be getting tossed around in the discussion is the possibility of conditional compensation.

Imagine this: in exchange for Jay Cutler, the Bears offer Denver their 18th and 84th overall picks in this year's draft, as well as a conditional 2010 pick.

That condition could be the number of yards that Cutler passes for this season, or his number of touchdown passes. It could be based on Chicago's 2009 record, Denver's, or both. Perhaps it could be a higher pick if Cutler makes the Pro Bowl than if he doesn't.

The benefit of including a conditional draft pick in the deal is it takes into account how the trade actually impacts both teams, rather than just how it could impact one or both.

A conditional draft pick was used as compensation for Brett Favre when he was sent from the Green Bay Packers to the New York Jets this past summer.

In their deal, the draft pick that the Packers received in return for Favre varied depending on Favre's percentage of offensive snaps in 2008, as well as how the Jets fared in the offseason.

When it comes down to it, the Bears won't be able to acquire Cutler if they don't put the best offer down on the table.

They may not have an overwhelming amount of firepower to package, but offering a conditional pick is the type of scenario that could give both teams an incentive to not only make the deal happen, but to succeed as well.

Movin' on Up: Bears Could Benefit from Draft Day Trade

Mike Summa — Tue, 24 Mar 2009 06:02:34 -0400

On Monday, the NFL handed out its compensatory picks for the 2009 draft. They were awarded to teams that lost more in terms of free agency than they gained in the previous season.

The Chicago Bears were awarded three picks, one of which is the 99th overall pick, which will come late in the third round.

For that reason, the Bears need to consider a draft day trade.

While compensatory picks cannot be traded, if the Bears were to package their second and third-round picks—49 and 84, respectively—they would be able to trade their way to the top of the second round, assuming the presence of a willing trade partner. Their new compensatory pick would still give them a selection in the third round, albeit very late.

While Bears fans may not be able to agree on whether offensive tackle or wide receiver is the more pressing need, they can agree that both need to be addressed early in the draft.

Trading up would give them a tremendous opportunity to come away with a quality pick at both positions—or to pick up a bonus buy at another position.

An early second-round pick would give the Bears a chance to pick up falling stars. Given the uncertainty and fast changes that come with the draft, it would not be outside the realm of possiblity for defensive end Michael Johnson (Georgia Tech), quarterback Josh Freeman (Kansas State), or wide receiver Hakeem Nicks (North Carolina) to slip out of the first round.

Ohio State's Brian Robiskie and Kenny Britt of Rutgers are both high-profile receivers who are projected to head off of the board early in the second round. West Virgina's Pat White would be a poor quarterback choice for the Bears, but he could potentially transition to wide receiver in the NFL.

Massive Oklahoma offensive tackle Phil Loadholt has already been rumored to be a target of the Bears. Oregon's Max Unger would likely not start at center as a rookie for the Chicago, but would be a wonderful addition to the interior line. Both are expected to be second round picks.

The trade-off, of course, is essentially not having a pick for the majority of two entire rounds, a time during which the Bears could potentially bolster their defensive needs in a draft that will find their fanbase so focused on the offense.

Trading up may not be prominent in the recent history of the Chicago Bears, but, if played correctly, it could be a career-saver for Lovie Smith and Jerry Angelo during a period in the NFL in which the tolerance for failure is at an all-time low.

Bears, Packers to Meet in Primetime Season Opener

Mike Summa — Mon, 23 Mar 2009 18:33:43 -0400

The NFL announced their first set of scheduled matchups for the 2009 season today, including the specially-scheduled season openers and Thanksgiving Day lineup.

NBC's Sunday Night Primetime extravaganza will feature the Chicago Bears traveling up to Green Bay to face the Packers at Lambeau Field. Both teams will be looking to make a fresh start after disappointing 2008 campaigns.

Green Bay will also travel to Detroit for one of three Thanksgiving Day games.

A complete NFL schedule for the upcoming season will be released in April.

Eben Britton: A Better Choice for the Bears at Pick 18 Than Heyward-Bey

Mike Summa — Sat, 21 Mar 2009 00:51:43 -0400

Draft Fever Hits Chicago

His name was already buzzing in fan circles across Chicago.

And then he ran a 4.3 40-yard dash at the NFL combine. The buzz grew.

Without question, Maryland's Darrius Heyward-Bey has been at the top of NFL Draft wishlists for a vast majority of Bears fans across Chicagoland.

After a year of Brandon Lloyd, Marty Booker, and Rashied Davis, the casual Bears fan does not even want to consider any position other than wide receiver in round one. They just don't. And many feel that simply drafting Chris Williams at pick 14 last year is reason enough to completely ignore the team's other glaring need: an offensive tackle.

Granted, a receiver is a much more flashy pick than a lineman. What do you think the jersey sales for Eugene Monroe will look like when compared to that of Michael Crabtree? But forget the glitz and glamour. The Chicago Bears are in a much worse situation on their exterior offensive line than they are wide receiver.

Weighing the Needs

Consider depth. If the season were to start today, Earl Bennett would line up opposite Devin Hester at receiver, with Rashied Davis working the slot. That's not very encouraging, but it is already provides a better foundation right out of the gates than last season.

A second or third-round pick and a free-agent signing would adequately round out the unit and provide competition for the starting jobs.

Remember, the Bears don't utilize a lot of spread offense. Even when they do use three and four-wide sets, the tight ends usually brought in as receivers to create mismatches. Combine two solid wideouts and a capable slot receiver with the likes of Greg Olsen and Desmond Clark, and you pretty much have the recipe for Chicago's passing game.

That may not make for a superstar receiving corps, but the Bears are not that kind of team.

Matt Forte is the unquestionable top offensive weapon on a team that loves to run the ball, but that struggled to dominate opposing defenses on the line of scrimmage. After showcasing his talent throughout the 2008 campaign, why wouldn't the team want to do everything in their power to give Forte the blocking he needs to take his game to the next level?

At tackle, on the other hand, the Bears are tremendously thin. Chris Williams did not start during his rookie season, nor did undrafted free agent Cody Balogh. Frank Omiyale has one career start under his belt—but the Bears would like to use him at left guard.

If the team can't get their running game and run blocking down path, they will be extremely inhibited in their ability to move the ball. They did plenty to prove that true in 2007.

Making the Choice

So, what choice should the Bears make in the first round come April 25th?

Eben Britton.

In Britton, the Bears would be using their first-round pick on a player that easily could be an NFL starter very early as rookie. The 6-foot-6, 309-pound tackle played at right tackle during his first two seasons at Arizona before switching to left, but projects as a right in the NFL.

Britton brings a lot of the football intangibles to the table: positive character qualities, a strong work ethic, and good football intelligence. On top of that, he has a minuscule injury history.

There is no question that Darrius Heyward-Bey is a great athlete with tremendous speed and run-after-the-catch potential. But most scouting reports make no secret of his need to improve his route-running, and he's not a guy who is going to dig out a safety to help the running game. More importantly, he lacks the same intangibles that Britton possesses.

The Bears already have a player who is a great athlete but needs to improve his wide receiver fundamentals. His name is Devin Hester.

Backlash of Epic Proportions

Jerry Angelo has already come under fire from hordes of fans who have impatiently demanded for the GM to fill the team's needs through signing aged veterans. Choosing an offensive lineman over a wide receiver would make him even less popular in Chicago than he already is.

Following a NFL season that showcased Larry Fitzgerald as one if its biggest stars, somebody like Darrius Heyward-Bey may seem a little more enticing than usual. But the Bears desperately need that push in the trenches. In the end, Britton is not only a safer pick, but one that can take the running game up a notch as well.

Earl Bennett Looks To Grow from a Cub to a Bear in 2009

Mike Summa — Thu, 19 Mar 2009 15:37:47 -0400

To many, it was like he was not even on the roster.

Throughout 2008 and into the offseason, many Chicago Bears fans have speculated about the absence of third-round rookie pick Earl Bennett.

The Vanderbilt superstar set numerous SEC receiving records, but during his rookie season in the NFL, Bennett did not catch a single pass and saw little offensive playing time.

Not knowing what to make of the it, fans have been speculating about the situation ever since the lack of talent at wide receiver grew from a hot topic to a raging inferno late last season.

Some fans feel the Bears are such poor evaluators of offensive talent that they overlooked Bennett and were more awe-struck by guys like Marty Booker and Rashied Davis.

Others say Bennett did something to anger the coaching staff.

But it was Bennett himself who cleared the air this week in a Chicago Tribune article.

"I struggled [learning] the plays last year," Bennett said Wednesday. "I was lethargic because of it. It probably took me until Week 6, Week 7 to pick them up.

"Toward the end, I started grasping the concepts. Once you put things aside and just play, you can play a lot faster."

The Bears are very thin at wide receiver at this point.

With veterans Brandon Lloyd and Marty Booker out of the picture, the up-to-speed Bennett has been working with counterpart Devin Hester in this week's veteran minicamp, the team's first set of organized activities this offseason.

Hester, Bennett, and Davis are currently the team's top three receivers, along with longtime practice squad enigma Brandon Rideau, former Indianapolis Colt Devin Aromashodu, and reserve/futures contract signee John Broussard.

Further depth will likely be filled through next month's draft and the post-draft free agent market, but the coaching staff has promised a more prominent role for Bennett in 2009.

Then again, the same was also said about the injury-prone Mark Bradley during every offseason he spent in a Bears uniform.

Like It or Not, Changes at Defensive End May Be Looming for the Bears

Mike Summa — Thu, 19 Mar 2009 03:37:03 -0400

The fan base knows it. They don't want to admit it, but deep down, they know it. Perhaps it is because the Bears have gone only one draft this century without picking one. Or it could be that everybody is too busy trying to throw Brian Urlacher under the bus and seek out Mike Brown's replacement. Maybe they're still disgrunted about Dan Bazuin. Whatever the excuse, it doesn't change reality. Come 2010, the Bears could be in desperate need of a top-flight defensive end. Brian Griese, Matt Ryan, Matt Schaub, and Aaron Rodgers all manged to evade sacks in their games against the Bears in 2008. In fact, the Bears blitzed more than any other team in the NFL and only managed to rack up 28 sacks, their lowest total since 2003. New Defensive Line coach Rod Marinelli has been given his clay to mold with this week's veteran minicamp. He well have the next five months prepare his edge rushers to strike terror into the hearts of NFL quarterbacks. But four of his defensive ends are heading into contract seasons. If the unit fails or nobody manages to have a breakout year, it would not be inconceivable for the team to be looking for top-talent at the position this time next year. In 2009, the Chicago defense will be targeting the likes of Carson Palmer and Donovan McNabb, sophomore sensations Joe Flacco and Matt Ryan, and Super Bowl quarterbacks Kurt Warner and Ben Roethlisberger, among others. So, what does Marinelli have to work with this season? What are their roles, and what are their futures? Lets take a look.

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Safety Josh Bullocks Signs with Chicago Bears

Mike Summa — Wed, 11 Mar 2009 17:42:32 -0400

The Chicago Bears signed former New Orleans Saints' defensive back Josh Bullocks to a one-year deal, with $525,000 guaranteed, on Wednesday.

Bullocks, a second-round pick from Nebraska in 2005, has started 49 games in his career. While he lacks the ability to play solid man coverage, his speed is well-suited for Chicago's two-deep zone scheme.

The Bears chose not to pursue re-signing safety Mike Brown last month, and little has been reported regarding free agent Brandon McGowan.

Bullocks adds depth at his position for the Bears. Few game-changing safeties will be coming out of college in this year's NFL draft. Craig Steltz and Kevin Payne currently round out the Chicago's depth at safety, with Danieal Manning expected to remain at nickel back.

Chicago Bears Release Terrence Metcalf, Raise Questions About the O-Line

Mike Summa — Wed, 11 Mar 2009 15:52:23 -0400

The fanbase has been screaming "wide receiver" for months. Now, with a little over a month to go before the 2009 NFL Draft, the Chicago Bears have raised more questions over the seemingly-forgotten state of the offensive line with this afternoon's release of left guard Terrence Metcalf.

Metcalf failed to impress during his most recent series of starts during the 2007 campaign, when he stepped in for the injured Ruben Brown. The former third-round pick was replaced late in the season by John St. Clair, who is still floating in the free-agent pool.

Certainly Olin Kreutz will anchor the center of the line in 2009, with last year's first round pick Chris Williams starting at left tackle and the serviceable Roberto Garza likely remaining at right guard.

Josh Beekman's performance at left guard last season was met with mixed reviews, and tackle John Tait has seen his last days with the team.

If signed to a new deal, John St. Clair has starting experience at both left guard and right tackle, two positions that the newly-acquired Frank Omiyale is also considered to be a candidate for.

What role the draft will have in rebuilding the line remains to be seen.

Certainly, the direction that the Bears choose to go in regards their receiving corps will shape up to be very interesting in the coming months, but don't count out the changes on the line in impacting the future of the offense.

Sorry, Cedric Benson: Chicago Does Not Miss You

Mike Summa — Wed, 04 Mar 2009 20:49:06 -0500

I marveled at them for a moment, on a hot day last June. There were dozens of them, identical, and all lined up. They were new and untouched, and they took up an entire rack.

"Man," I thought to myself, "they're better off just giving these away to the needy."

Even today, you can be the not-so-proud owner of a Cedric Benson Chicago Bears jersey for only $30. Don't jump the gun, though. If you want a good car shammy, you can get one at your local auto store for less money than that.

Even though Ced has been gone from Chicago for nine months now, he is still doing what he did best as a Bear: running his mouth.

One day after re-signing with the Cincinnati Bengals, Chicago's former feature back appeared today on the WMVP-AM "Waddle & Silvy" show and proceeded to repeatedly blast his former teammates. He claimed that he was treated unfairly by players and coaches, both before and after his two inebriation incidents.

These comments come three months after Benson proclaimed in a public interview that he would have rushed for 1,800 yards in place of Matt Forte if he had remained with the Bears in 2008, and, even more laughable, couldn't figure out why he wasn't used as a receiver in the same manner as Forte.

To Bear fans, it is hard to not dislike Cedric Benson.

Sure, he took over the starting job during a year in which the offensive line was in a harsh rut, and he had to battle several injuries early in his career.

Those facts aside, what was there to like about him? He was a shaky rusher, and failed as a receiver and a pass blocker. He never once gave any indication that he aspired to be a team leader. And, worst of all, his attitude was beyond deplorable. Cedric Benson was a lethargic football player as a Chicago Bear.

At times, he would show flashes of the run-you-over power rushing game that he brought to the table during his college days. But most of the time, watching his college highlight reel online after disappointing 2007 performances drew contrast harsh enough to make you want to go to the cabinet and pick up a bottle of Jameson.

And where was Cedric last June? Was he at the team's fan convention, signing autographs to make amends with the fans and putting on a good public image to handle damage control after his first DUI?

No.

He was being pulled to the side of the road by police officer in Texas. And, in typical Cedric Benson fashion, he pointed the blame at everybody but himself rather than taking responsibility for his own actions.

Yes, Benson was treated very unfairly here in Chicago. He was named the starting running back and received large sums of money without having earned either.

Jay Cutler Rumors Put Chicago Bears' Future Under the Microscope

Mike Summa — Wed, 04 Mar 2009 01:16:53 -0500

Not since the days of Kevin Butler has the No. 6 been capable of meaning so much to the Windy City.

The mere idea that Denver Broncos quarterback Jay Cutler may be on the trading block has caused more of a stir in Chicago than the fluffy mini-blizzard that assaulted the city this past weekend.

Despite the fact that Broncos head coach Josh McDaniels has disputed publicly the idea of trading their Pro Bowl star, mere claims will not remove Cutler from the wish list of fans in every city that a quarterback-rattled franchise calls home.

And with Jerry Angelo recently proclaiming the need for solid signal-caller to line up under center for the Bears, you rest assured that the Chicago faithful will hold him to his word.

Angelo is obligated to consider all options pertaining to filling major teams needs. If quarterback is, in his words, their "Achilles' heel" under his watch, then the possibility of acquiring Jay Cutler must be evaluated regardless of the odds.

But how would acquiring or passing over Jay Cutler impact the near future for the Bears?

Compensation for Cutler?

Lets take this hypothetical scenario: In exchange for Jay Cutler, the Bears give their 2009 first- and third-round picks to Denver, as well as a 2010 pick to be determined by Cutler's performance.

This type of compensation would not be out of the ordinary for a player of Cutler's caliber, and would give Josh McDaniels and GM Brian Xanders a great foundation to build on. With at least eleven picks to work with, Denver's new regime would have the opportunity to mold the team however they see fit.

Jay Cutler's arrival in Chicago would give an immediate boost to the fanbase and provide the team with a quarterback who already has a respectable track record. But with no first or third-round picks in the draft, the Bears would be forced to neglect either the wide receivers or offensive line, both of which are in major need of repair. Additionally, defensive needs would potentially be put off until day two.

Compensating Denver with the first-round pick in 2009 and the second and fourth-round picks in 2010 may make more sense for Chicago's immediate draft needs, but less sense for Denver's gain. But regardless of compensation, quarterback is the most difficult position to solidify in the NFL. By moving Cutler, McDaniels and Xanders would potentially be digging themselves into a very deep hole.

Backed into a Corner

So, what if nothing changes? What if Cutler remains the starter in Denver, and Kyle Orton remains the starter in Chicago?

While critics of Jerry Angelo and Lovie Smith are busy blogging about the lack of a "splash" in free agency on the part of the Bears, a perfect storm is rolling across the midwest and could hit Chicago in 2010.

Consider the 2009 elements. Kyle Orton is entering a contract year with a lot left to prove. Lovie Smith is taking control of the defensive playcalling. And Jerry Angelo is in need of churning out a top-flight draft class. Should any one of them fail, the other two could easily fail as well.

Contrast the recent firings of Eric Mangini and Mike Shanahan with the quick success of Tony Sparano and Mike Smith. Coaches in the NFL today are on a shorter leash than ever. It wouldn't take much for the Bears to go into the 2010 offseason with a new coaching staff at the helm. A third-straight season without a playoff appearance could be the straw that breaks the camel's back for Lovie Smith's job—and possibly for Angelo's as well.

A new staff could also be the ideal incubator for a new quarterback, especially given the expectations of those who will be entering the draft following their senior year.

Two Roads Diverged in a Yellow Wood...

Perhaps there is a slim chance that Jay Cutler will be wearing orange and blue in a different city next season, but he likely will never walk out of the northwest tunnel at Soldier Field and take up position the home team's sideline.

But regardless of what does or does not take place, rest assured that 2009 will decide which path the Bears will take in the decade to come.

Chicago Bears Need Production from 2008 Draft Picks

Mike Summa — Fri, 27 Feb 2009 02:18:16 -0500

There he was.

As I stood in the third level of Soldier Field's north end zone on a freezing December evening, I surveyed the personnel on the field. Marty Booker was lined up wide left.

Lined up to the right, I saw No. 85. With the game on the line against their biggest rival and the Bears driving down field, Earl Bennett, the SEC'S all-time career receptions leader from Vanderbilt, was lined up wide to the right.

While struggling to feel my toes, I quickly envisioned Soldier Field erupting into an icy frenzy with Earl Bennett pulling down a floating pass from Kyle Orton along the sideline of the end zone. I waited for the snap.

But Kyle Orton called for a timeout. Bennett would not return.

Chris Williams and Craig Steltz made it onto the field in that game too—but Williams was the third tackle, and Steltz was bulldozed by Ryan Grant on the goal line for a Packers touchdown.

Matt Forte has a tremendous rookie season in 2008 and quickly developed into a fan favorite. But outside of his success, there was little to none from the team's rookies outside of contributions on special teams.

Many of the current team needs are at positions that the Bears drafted last year. So, before we get carried away and moving with the upcoming 2009 draft, let's take a step back and analyze some of last year's picks who could potentially make big impact in their second season with the team.

Chris Williams, OT - First Round Pick (14th, 14th overall) from Vanderbilt

Coming from the strongest offensive tackle class in recent history, the pressure is on Chris Williams to anchor the left side of the line and improve both run and pass blocking up front.

Missing an entire season could have stunted his development; or, he may be a better player from having time to learn the system and hit the weight room. Barring any major setbacks, Williams is a lock to start at left tackle in 2009, and his effort will determine his success.

Earl Bennett, WR - Third Round Pick (Seventh, 70th overall) from Vanderbilt

Not believing how Brandon Lloyd and Marty Booker could possibly be better options, many fans have been busy hypothesizing numerous Earl Bennett conspiracy theories, ranging from Bennett angering the coaches to the staff being blind to Bennett's superior ability.

The most likely explanation for Bennett's lack of action during his rookie campaign is his inability to adapt to the NFL level, which was recently confirmed by ChicagoBears.com.

Bennett has great hands, but a lot of scouting reports listed him as a sloppy route runner, a trait that can surely keep a rookie off of the field. Early speculation is that he will have a more prominent role in 2009, but remember, we heard the same thing about Mark Bradley during every offseason he spent with the Bears.

Craig Steltz, S - Fourth Round Pick (21st, 120th overall) from LSU

Steltz primarily played on special teams in 2008, but saw extended action with the defense at the end of the season in lieu of the injured Mike Brown.

Steltz isn't as fast as Danieal Manning, but has better instincts and is a big hitter, which, despite classifying him as a strong safety, may not matter very much in a the Bears' two-deep zone system.

A good offseason could push Steltz into the starting free safety role; otherwise, expect him to remain a kick coverage standout.

Zackary Bowman, CB - Fifth Round Pick (Seventh, 142 overall) from Nebraska

Bowman's performance against Minnesota was the talk of the town. So was the fact that he was being placed on the IR after the game. Given his injury history, Bowman's potential success with the Bears with questionable at best.

But with Nathan Vasher's future in question and injuries having plagued the secondary for the past three seasons, the odds of Bowman getting onto the field to prove himself weigh in his favor.

Chicago Bears Could Take a Page from Baltimore's Playbook

Mike Summa — Tue, 24 Feb 2009 02:15:59 -0500

Criticism of the Bears' offense has been harsh in recent days. Kyle Orton has been pegged as a merely average quarterback who may not be able to lead the Bears back to Super Bowl glory.

Ron Turner has been referred to as an inferior play caller with "no imagination." And many fans are one step away from threatening mutiny if the Bears don't draft a wide receiver in the first round of this year's draft.

Wait. Full-stop.

Aren't the Bears a team that "comes off the bus running?" Isn't their proud rushing tradition a big part of what makes the Bears the "Pride and Joy of Illinois?"

For everybody wanting to see the Bears' offense use big-play receivers and a super-athletic quarter back to essentially metamorphosize into that of the New England Patriots, I offer you a much better comparison: the Baltimore Ravens.

The present-day Baltimore Ravens are everything the Bears should be. On the defensive side of the ball, Baltimore finished the 2008 regular season ranked second in total defense, a position the Bears held in 2005.

But the offensive side of the ball holds a model for something that the Bears could easily mold themselves to become.

Joe Flacco's short NFL history needs no retelling. Neither does Kyle Orton's. Flacco, however, was showered with praise and admiration throughout his rookie season, while Orton has been subjected to harsh criticism for the past several months.

Why?

Flacco is much better than Orton at delivering the deep ball; there's no need for discussion about it. But lets look at the 2008 statistics. Orton passed for 2,972; Flacco passed for 2,971 a difference of one yard.

Orton's 18 touchdowns were four more than Flacco's 14. Both quarterbacks were intercepted 12 times, and their difference in QB rating was less than one point.

I'm confused.

Baltimore should be perfectly happy going forward with Flacco, but a significant number of fans in Chicago are ready to cast Orton aside?

Sure, Flacco was likely working from a limited playbook, and his skills are going to improve over time. The point is, if fans want to pigeonhole Kyle Orton as average, the 2008 incarnation of Joe Flacco is not far off.

And the 2008 Joe Flacco led his team to the AFC Championship.

The comparisons don't stop there. Mark Clayton and Devin Hester had statistically similar seasons. Derrick Mason's numbers were similar to Bernard Berrian's in 2007.

Obviously, the Bears need another solid 1,000-yard-per-season receiver. But is a big-play receiver more important to the Chicago offense than the offensive line?

An offensive lineman may not be as flashy as a wide receiver, but Baltimore's offense often times marched to the line in obvious rushing formations this past season—and won.

Both Baltimore and Chicago finished the year in the bottom half NFL's passing echelon. But while the Bears were the 24th-best rushing team, Baltimore finished fourth.

Looking at the running game of the Ravens, it is obvious that the Bears need to get back to good old-fashion smash-mouth football. Baltimore boasts a fast, agile feature back, a physical change of pace back, the best blocking fullback in the NFL, and lots of big, ugly offensive linemen.

This year's draft may offer the perfect opportunity for the Bears to expand their rushing and blocking potential.

The Bears need to improve their offense to win ballgames. But flashiness and complexity doesn't guarantee more victories than simplicity and brute force.

Give Him a Break: Chicago Bears Need Backup Rusher to Spell Matt Forte

Mike Summa — Mon, 05 Jan 2009 17:18:07 -0500

2008 was a great year for good old-fashion rushing in the NFL. There was a burner in Atlanta and wildcats in Miami, smashing and dashing in Tennessee and double trouble in Carolina. There was a fullback in Baltimore who rushed for nearly a thousand yards.

And here in Chicago, a city with a franchise stocked full of proud rushing tradition, there were no heavy power sets or change-of-pace backs. Rookie Matt Forte was carrying the load by himself.

Adrian Peterson, Kevin Jones, and Garrett Wolfe combined for 278 yards on 69 carries this past season. Not one of them found the end zone on an offensive down.

Surprisingly, fullback Jason McKie received the goal line carries early in the season. His newfound position was short-lived; after scoring a touchdown in both Week One and Week Two, he relinquished his red zone duties to Forte.

The Bears used to pride themselves as a team that “comes off the bus running.” But Matt Forte seems to be the only guy running off of that bus.

While Forte was a terrific asset to the offense during his rookie campaign, his workload was a bit much. When he was finally spelled for a significant period of time during several games late in the season, the offense could not run the ball. They could barely move the ball. They looked lost.

The Bears have come to rely on Forte to spark their offense. Now they need to learn how to keep him fresh without imploding during his absence.

When Forte missed a quarter of play against New Orleans with a minor injury, the offense struggled immensely. Imagine what would have happened if he had to sit out a game or two.

Cedric Benson would not have walked into Lucas Oil Stadium in September as a starter, simply because Matt Forte can run, catch, and block circles around him. And while Benson’s recent claims of being able to rush for 1,500 to 1,800 yards in Forte’s place are laughable, he was one cocktail away from being the Bears’ change of pace back this past season, a role he flourished in for the second half of their 2006 Super Bowl run.

Benson was a nice compliment to Thomas Jones because of their contrast in style. He could have been a nice compliment to Forte as well. But just as with Jones, the two likely would not have been able to coexist.

So, where can the Bears look to spell their new feature back? Adrian Peterson has the experience, but lacks consistency. Garrett Wolfe is an untapped resource, but won’t be able to run between the tackles very well. Both contribute heavily on special teams and may not be able to carry an additional workload. Jason McKie is best served as a lead blocker rather than a ball carrier, which leaves Kevin Jones, whose contract is about to expire.

Perhaps the solution lies in the free agency. Rushers such as J.J. Arrington and LaMont Jordan may be hitting the market, and could come at a reasonable cost. Or, perhaps the Bears could look for a serviceable running back late in Day Two of the draft. Or maybe they buckle down and re-commit to Kevin Jones.

Adding a running back to the roster isn’t a glaring offseason need, but it is one that needs plenty of consideration. Running backs in the NFL suffer a lot of wear and tear, and the Bears need somebody to consistently take 5-10 carries a game and fill in on some third down pass blocking. Matt Forte can be the feature back in Chicago for years to come, but his success is going to be short-lived if he is expected to carry the backfield by himself.

Bearing Down in the Trenches: Chicago Bears' O-Line Still a Top Priority

Mike Summa — Thu, 01 Jan 2009 19:19:49 -0500

After falling under harsh criticism for entering and exiting their 2007 NFL campaign with what was perhaps the most stale offensive line in pro football, the Chicago Bears have truly reached a crossroad going into the offseason.

In a game won and lost in the trenches, the need to rebuild the front five of the offense cannot take a backseat on the road to Opening Day, 2009.

General Manager Jerry Angelo came under fire this past season for drafting Williams, with some degree of knowledge regarding the herniated disc that lead Vanderbilt rookie to miss nearly all of training camp and roughly half of the regular season after undergoing surgery

Certainly that is a topic that can be debated at length, but it does not change the fact that bolstering the offensive line has to start with Chris Williams. Williams was brought to Chicago to secure the left side of the pocket on passing downs and control the line of scrimmage on running downs, two basic tasks that were difficult to come by in 2007.

His success or failure over the next several years may very well decide where the Bears stand in their quest to return to the Super Bowl.

On the right side of the line, veteran John Tait will be entering the final year of his contract, and this is where the Bears really have a beneficial situation on their hands. Sure, the lower the draft pick, the less common it is to find a rookie tackle that can hold his own and start in the NFL right out of the gates.

But with Tait’s one remaining year and a lineman-heavy draft approaching, the Bears can explore the option of taking a tackle outside of first or possibly even second round, if they feel that he can develop into a starter after serving time as an understudy.

This scenario would provide the opportunity to draft for other needs early on without neglecting the offensive line, while at the same time allowing for a young tackle to mentor under a seasoned veteran.

This begs the question: With Williams inserted as the starting left tackle and right tackle position receiving an overhaul, what is to become of John St. Clair? With his contract about to expire, he may be able to find more playing time elsewhere, especially after holding his own this past season against vicious NFL defensive ends like Julius Peppers and Dwight Freeney.

However, the Bears have to factor in his versatility when they are faced with the possibly of offering him a new contract. St. Clair is a lineman who, in the past two years, has started at left tackle, right tackle, and left guard. And he knows the system. While he is certainly not a long-term solution, he may be a very good insurance policy to have around while the team transitions to a younger core group.

Six-time Pro Bowl center Olin Kreutz has been a model of durability over the past several seasons, but after missing one game in the past eight seasons and with his 32nd birthday approaching, one has to wonder how much longer that durability will last.

Kreutz has two years to go on his contract and perhaps will play out his career in Chicago. Though any future changes at center remain to be seen, left guard Josh Beekman took a lot of reps at center during 2008’s training camp, experience that may prove helpful in the years to come.

Despite finishing 9-7 and missing the playoffs for the second consecutive season, the Chicago Bears seem to have a better sense of what they do and do not have. They have versatility on their offensive line, but a lack of youth as well.

They have found a potential star in Matt Forte, and possible (questionable?) stability in Kyle Orton. And while many say a big-play receiver holds the key to the success of their offense, a top-flight offensive line is an absolutely essential ingredient to a powerhouse NFL offense.