Mike Martz in with Bears for Better or Worse | NFL Fantasy Football Rankings

With the acquisition of quarterback Jay Cutler via trade last offseason, one would have thought the Chicago Bears would at least compete for a playoff spot.

Instead of finding the postseason, the Bears had to rally at the end of the season just to finish with a record of 7-9. While this record was an underachievement, it doesn't look that bad when you consider the lack of production from the offense.

Despite having stars like Cutler and Matt Forte, the offense finished 17th in passing, 19th in scoring, and a horrible 29th (only 93.2 yards per game) in rushing.

With this lack of execution, it became inevitable that heads would roll when the season came to an end. Because of the offensive woes, offensive coordinator Ron Turner paid the price with his job.

Head coach Lovie Smith is still with Chicago, but one could easily build a case to say that the only reason for this is money.

An owner or general manager can fire the coach(es), but that definitely doesn't guarantee that the issues on the field will be resolved.

If this team is to have any hopes of making the playoffs in 2010, it is essential that they find a way to fix these key problem areas before the season begins.

Some of these issues can be resolved through free agency and the draft. Other problems will fall on new offensive coordinator Mike Martz, who must prepare his players to execute.

Here are the main problems I have with the Bears' offense.

Offensive Line

Management needs to find a better option at left tackle (hopefully they keep Chris Williams at right tackle) and at left guard.

No True No. 1 Receiver

The Bears need to find a way to get a true No. 1 receiver signed to the team through free agency. This will be hard to do, as there aren't many receivers in this free agent class.

There are a few options via trade. The Broncos are open to parting ways with Brandon Marshall, and the Cardinals will be shopping around Anquan Boldin.

If the team can't find a suitable receiver in free agency this year, I would expect Devin Aromashodu to make an impact fantasy-wise. He has the best skill set in this team's receiving core.

Jay Cutler's Turnovers (26 Interceptions)

I have no doubt that Cutler will throw for around 4,000 yards and 28 touchdowns with Martz as his coordinator. Just this season, Cutler had over 3,600 yards passing and 28 touchdowns.

While the Bears should be able to move the football in the passing game, I'm not sure having Martz will help Cutler in the turnover area.

Martz's offensive system demands that receivers be in an exact area of the field or problems will occur. Cutler will be asked to throw to a spot on the field and, if his young receivers fail to get to that spot, the ball with be turned over via interception.

Cutler threw 26 interceptions this year and, with an aggressive offense and a young receiving core, it seems reasonable that he will throw over 20 again next year.

The Running Game

If Cutler is to find balance, then Martz has to find a way to get the Bears' running game going again. One can only hope that Matt Forte will be healthier next season.

Last week, it was announced that Forte had surgery on his troubled MCL in his left knee.

While health will be a key for success, I'm not so sure that Forte can help this team if Martz uses him like he's used his previous running backs. Forte is more successful as a runner when he carries the football 18-plus times a game and catches the football four or five times.

I have no doubts that Forte will go over 50 receptions again in 2010, but receiving 18-plus carries a game is going to be a problem.

In no way is Forte an explosive slash-and-dash type running back (3.9, 3.3 yard per carry averages in first two years). His style is better suited to pounding the defense throughout the game and then making big runs in the fourth quarter.

In a Martz-type offense, Forte won't be in that type of situation very often, as this system is designed heavily around the passing game.

Fantasy Football Outlook for 2010

Cheap and cheaper are the words to use when thinking of this team and where a fantasy owner should draft players from this squad.

While this offensive system may not complement Forte's full abilities, he is simply too accomplished (when healthy) to go lower than a solid third running back or flex play option.

Unless this team makes solid strides in free agency and the draft, I wouldn't recommend you draft Forte higher than that for your team.

Look for Aromashodu, who needs to win a starting job, and Cutler as very strong picks from about Round 12 on in your draft.

Both will be in a pass-friendly offense and could receive help via offseason moves.

If you happen to play in a fantasy league that doesn't penalize a quarterback for his interceptions, then Cutler makes for a worthy draft pick in the first 10 rounds of your draft.

2010 NFL Fantasy Football Player Rankings writer Sean E. Douglas: fantasy-info.com