Realistic Predictions and Hopes For The Chicago Bears' 2009 Offseason

The 2009 NFL draft and the upcoming free agent market hold many possibilities for the Chicago Bears franchise. There are so many directions that they could go in, and so many players that could help them improve as a team.

(Disclaimer for Kyle Orton Haters: Let me save you the trouble of reading any further if you think I'm about to suggest that the Bears draft a quarterback in the first round. Not to say that I love what Orton has done but please stop talking about Grossman like he was a god.)

Bears General Manager Jerry Angelo recently led many in the media to believe that bolstering the quarterback position will be a top priority in the offseason. Many Bears fans welcomed Angelo's comments, responding with cries for New England's Matt Cassel or Philadelphia's Donovan McNabb. Others are hoping the Bears will draft a quarterback with the No. 18 overall pick.

But I don't see the Bears aggressively pursuing a veteran quarterback of McNabb's caliber, or even a young promising one like Cassel, and I don't see them taking a quarterback in the first round of the draft either, because when I think back to this past season, what stands out in my mind as the team's biggest problem wasn't the quarterback, but the defense, particularly against the pass. 

Surely, the powers that be in Chicago will see this too as the 2009 Draft approaches. Don't believe me? Look back at last year. Our biggest problems going into the draft were the lack of a consistent running game and the fact that our quarterbacks were being sacked, pressured and hit more than just about anyone. They responded by drafting a left offensive tackle and a running back in the first two rounds.

A season later, the Bears' running game has vastly improved and the quarterback was not constantly on the ground and looking out his ear hole. But, sadly we find the Bears once again on the outside looking in for the playoffs, and when they ask themselves why they failed to win their division, it won't be Kyle Orton that they blame, but a pass defense that made mediocre opposing quarterbacks look like Joe Montana all season long. 

Although Orton had a few bad outings after his ankle injury, but I believe the Bears will give him another season at the helm, whether he deserves it or not. We would all love the Bears to draft their very own Matt Ryan this year, or grab a Chad Pennington in free agency so that all would be right in the world, but the Bears are not the Falcons or the Dolphins of a year ago, and they will still have Orton under center next season, mark my words.

With all that being said, there are some very promising players coming into the draft and others entering free agency who could help on the defensive side of the ball next season. Here's a look at three of the more enticing defensive players they might decide to target this offseason.

1. Nnamdi Asomugha

This Raiders' cornerback is probably the best pass defender in the league. His exploits are becoming so well-known throughout the league that opposing quarterbacks are opting not to throw anywhere near him, resulting in deceptively few interceptions. But this is a cornerback who can be assigned to cover any receiver in the league and shut them down completely for the game.

For the Bears, his experience at the position would be invaluable, since it would save them from having to draft and train a rookie cornerback, allowing them to go after someone else in the first few rounds. He could be plugged into Lovie Smith's scheme and master it in no time.

2. Taylor Mays

This USC safety is a sure-fire Top-20 draft pick. There is a good chance he will be off the board well before the eighteenth pick, but I think that if he is still available, the Bears will want to consider pulling the trigger on this absolute beast who hails from the same school that produced stalwart safeties like Troy Polamalu and Ronnie Lott.

Mays is of similar stock, in that he is a fearless, devastating hitter with a knack for creating big plays and causing turnovers. In the Bears' defensive scheme, Mays could use his unique blend of athletic ability and size to cover the middle of the Tampa-2 defense on one play and blitz off the edge the next.

3. Vontae Davis

This Illinois cornerback will most likely still be on the board by No. 18, and I think he might be the type of cornerback the Bears need. He's a tremendous athlete, like his older brother Vernon, but he does have some character issues like his brother as well.

Either way, he could be an excellent option in the first round if Malcolm Jenkins is already gone. He is a good tackler with excellent speed and vision, but some are predicting that he will drop down into the second round because of his age and potential attitude problems.

If this proves to be true, and if by some miracle he's still on the board by pick No. 48, the Bears would be fools not to grab him.

Not surprisingly, all three players I've listed would primarily serve to help Chicago's porous pass defense. Some Bears fans have said that the problem this season was the defensive line.

Players like Julius Peppers and Terrelll Suggs will certainly be tempting as they step into the free agent market, but I can't imagine any of the major game-changing free agent defensive ends not renewing their contracts.

In recent years, the Bears have been fairly predictable in their drafting and in finding free agents to meet their greatest needs, and I wouldn't expect this year to be much different.

The worst thing the Bears can do this year is look at the talent on the roster and be satisfied with the players they currently have on defense. They can't be afraid to sever ties with some of the veteran players that were once dominant but who have not performed up to expectations.

They've already parted with their defensive backs coach, but more help is still needed. Many have predicted that Rod Marinelli will take over for Bob Babich as the defensive coordinator.

The biggest disappointment for the Bears this past season was the defense, and with all the talent and money invested on that side of the ball, Bears fans should hope that they will do their best to shore that up in the coming months.