Chicago Bears Mid-Season Report Card: Grading The Offense

Alright, so it's not exactly mid-season yet. But with the bye week, I thought it would be a good time to grade out the Chicago Bears offense to date.

After seven games, the team is 4-3, having lost consecutive games at home. Except for one exception (the Carolina game), the Bears have basically abandoned the run in favor of the pass, something that is not surprising considering that Mike Martz is the offensive coordinator.

Nevertheless, one cannot help but factor in how players fit into this offensive scheme when handing out the grades. And we all know that the pass protection has been sorely lacking most of the season and that the rushing attack could be marked 'incomplete' due to Martz's infatuation with the pass.

But instead of taking the easy way out, no offensive unit will be given an incomplete grade, they will all receive grades commensurate with their performance and their fit in the Martz system.

The grading system is as follows:

A: Pro Bowl caliber play. Needless to say it will be an upset if any unit deserves this grade.

B: Solid, if not spectacular play that is commensurate with a contending team in the NFL

C: Average and would not necessarily be adequate for a contending team

D: Below average performance, if play doesn't improve, changes will come

F: Awful performance

Here we go!

Quarterback: C-

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CHICAGO - OCTOBER 24: Jay Cutler #6 of the Chicago Bears reacts after throwing an interception against the Washington Redskins at Soldier Field on October 24, 2010 in Chicago, Illinois. The Redskins defeated the Bears 17-14. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Gett

Of course, Todd Collins started one game and did nothing but bring this grade down. He was a definite "F" but then again, he is a 38-year-old journeyman backup QB who was in an emergency start situation when Jay Cutler couldn't go because of a concussion.

But even the starter, Jay Cutler, can get no more than a "C" for his performance to date. Sure, he started out well, with a QB rating above 100 for the first three games, but he continues to hold the ball too long, and he makes questionable decisions.

As for leadership, which is paramount for a QB, his body language says it all. Yes, he is tough and gets no help from his offensive line, but this is a guy that needs to step it up or the Bears are sunk.

Receivers: C

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CHICAGO - OCTOBER 24: Johnny Knox #13 of the Chicago Bears tries to keep his balance after a catch against the Washington Redskins at Soldier Field on October 24, 2010 in Chicago, Illinois. The Redskins defeated the Bears 17-14. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/

While is on pace for a 1,000-yard season, Johnny Knox still doesn't truly know how to play the receiver position.

He gives up on routes too soon, which has caused at least one interception, and he does not yet fully grasp the Martz system. He has caught 24 passes but has been targeted 47 times.

Meanwhile, where has Devin Aromashodu been for most of the season after looking so promising late last year?

He has only seven receptions, though this may or may not be his fault. Obviously, the coaching staff hasn't had confidence in him.

Matt Forte leads the team in receptions, but he doesn't count here since he is not a receiver.

Devin Hester is on pace for about 500 yards, which isn't good enough for a speed threat who is supposed to be the long-ball guy in the offense.

Offensive Line: D-

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CHICAGO - OCTOBER 24: Olin Kreutz #57 and Chris Williams #74 of the Chicago Bears move to block against the Washington Redskins at Soldier Field on October 24, 2010 in Chicago, Illinois. The Redskins defeated the Bears 17-14. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Get

While Martz has done little to help his line, as his teams historically give up a ton of sacks, guys like first-rounder Chris Williams have failed to step up.

Center Olin Kruetz is no longer playing at a high level. His quickness, which compensated for his lack of girth, is gone and he is now just an average player. Still, he is the best on this line.

This is a line that is better suited for running the football, but in a Martz offense, pass protection is the key, and this unit has allowed 31 sacks so far this season.

Tight Ends: C-

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CHICAGO - AUGUST 28: Brandon Manumaleuna #86 of the Chicago Bears participates in warm-ups before a preseason game against the Arizona Cardinals at Soldier Field on August 28, 2010 in Chicago, Illinois. The Cardinals defeated the Bears 14-9. (Photo by Jon

Let's face it, Martz hates tight ends who can't block. And blocking has never been a strength of Greg Olsen, who is really another wideout on this team.

But if he is to be treated as a wideout, you can't help but point out that he has caught about half of the passes coming his way. And he has fumbled twice.

Meanwhile, free agent acquisition Brandon Manumaleuna has been a bust. Known for his ability to block, he seems to have lost the ability to move laterally and he has earned a grade of "F."

Why the Bears don't play Dez Clark is a mystery. He can not only catch the ball, but he can block, too.

Running Backs: C+

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CHICAGO - OCTOBER 24: Matt Forte #22 of the Chicago Bears avoids a tackle attempt by London Fletcher #59 of the Washington Redskins at Soldier Field on October 24, 2010 in Chicago, Illinois. The Redskins defeated the Bears 17-14. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel

When given the opportunity, the Bears running backs have been pretty decent actually. Against Carolina, a winless team at the time, they were great.

Of course, running the ball isn't Martz' forte. Speaking of Forte, he has averaged 3.9 yards per carry, which is the same average he had in his rookie season.

Chester Taylor has not been utilized as often as expected, though he has averaged only 3.6 yards per carry. Yet it's hard to know how well this unit could do if given the opportunity.

Mike Martz, Offensive Coordinator: C-

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CHICAGO - OCTOBER 24: Offensive coordinator Mike Martz of the Chicago Bears watches a play against the Washington Redskins at Soldier Field on October 24, 2010 in Chicago, Illinois. The Redskins defeated the Bears 17-14. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Im

It's hard to give Martz a lower grade because in truth, this was not an offense that was set up for his strengths. Yet he took the job knowing that the Bears had a bad offensive line and a QB who tends to make mistakes. In fact, he was openly critical of Cutler in his work as analyst for the NFL Network.

So he came into this with eyes wide open and while he did change his pass-happy philosophy in the Carolina game, he has abandoned the run too early, too often, and he has been as stubborn as advertised.

Going forward, his offensive playbook needs to be pared down and he needs to run the ball more. In fact, his offense hasn't truly been successful since the Rams days when he had a Hall of Fame QB.

But he has tried to adjust with shorter drops and higher percentage pass plays, so I give him a higher mark for that.

Still, you know what you're getting with Martz, and he designs his offense to hit the home-run ball. But the line doesn't give the time for the routes to develop, so something has to give.

Mike Tice, Offensive Line Coach: C-

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CHICAGO - AUGUST 21: Offensive line coach Mike Tice of the Chicago Bears talks to players on the sidelines during a preseason game against the Oakland Raiders at Soldier Field on August 21, 2010 in Chicago, Illinois. The Raiders defeated the Bears 32-17.

Another ex-NFL head coach on Lovie's staff, Tice, by all accounts. knows what he is doing.

But his switching of the O-line and the performance thus far cannot bring this grade up any higher. Sure, he has had to deal with injuries and poor play, but Chris Williams does not have the body of a guard.

How much is Tice and how much is the players? Who knows? But you can't rate the line as terrible while claiming the coach is doing a great job.