Chicago Bears Report Cards: Complete Grades for Every Projected Starter

As the Bears head into the final preseason game, it's time to look at what grade I would give each of the Bears projected starters.

Now, I won't be able to include analysis from this game, since I will publish prior to the end of the game. However, in truth, starters don't normally play much in the last game.

In some cases, I will have to project who the starters will be based on information I currently have. Please note that performances tonight could impact that, though I don't think so.

Overall, this team is coming off an 11-win season and a trip to the NFC Championship game. Plus, they brought back most of the regulars from last year, with the most notable exceptions being Olin Kreutz and Danieal Manning.

So, you can expect the grades to reflect last year's performance, except in cases where injuries or training camp performance has significantly increased or decreased their projection.

Feel free to debate me on the grades, I look forward to it.

Israel Idonije, LDE

I'll start with the defense, since that has been the hallmark of the Bears for as long as I've been alive. Last year was no exception, as, despite a dismal showing by the offense, the Bears won 11 games.

And defensive end Israel Idonije was a part of that defensive improvement last season. While he benefited from the presence of Julius Peppers to be sure, he did step up in his pursuit of the quarterback.

But he wasn't always consistent with the pressure. Idonije, in his eighth season and at age 30, needs to have a big year if the Bears are going to be good and if he wants to come back next season.

While 30 is getting old for an NFL player, Idonije is really starting his second season of full-time play, so he doesn't have the mileage.

He is a former undrafted free agent who was signed to the practice squad by the Bears after being released by Cleveland.

In 2010, Idonije had 49 tackles, eight sacks, three forced fumbles and a blocked kick in 16 games. He had half a sack in the first playoff game against Seattle.

GRADE: B

Henry Melton, DT

Melton is flashing more of an ability to rush the passer from the 3-technique tackle spot than he did playing inside last season.

Despite being listed at a significantly higher weight than last year, his quickness seems to be intact.

Still, he's a work in progress and hasn't proven anything yet, so he will need to produce in game situations this year for his grade to go up.

I like Melton, and based on what he's shown in preseason, I do expect this grade to improve.

GRADE: C+

Anthony Adams, NT

Adams has been hurt and won't play until the regular season starts, so he gets an incomplete. But the Bears are counting heavily on Adams this season.

GRADE: Incomplete

Julius Peppers, RDE

Peppers didn't have the sacks you would have liked for his $20 million salary last season, but he was a disruptive force a lot of the times for the Bears last season.

There were times that he was invisible, but I have to believe it was more a function of the other guys around him not creating an inside rush.

Peppers is one of the best athletes around and should continue to play at a high level again this season. He has given rookie Gabe Carimi and the other O-linemen fits during camp.

GRADE: A-

Nick Roach, SLB

Roach started six games in 2010 with 10 tackles. This year, he is atop the depth chart and could be the starting strong-side linebacker alongside Brian Urlacher and Lance Briggs.

Pisa Tinoisamoa, who started 10 games at strong-side last season, is not with the Bears, as he remains unsigned recovering from surgery.

Since Urlacher took the middle in 2000, the Bears have had 11 starters at strong-side linebacker. Maybe Roach will end that uncertainty, but he still has a lot to prove as a starter.

GRADE: C

Brian Urlacher, MLB

Urlacher returned from injury last season and had an outstanding year. Although he's getting long in the tooth, he does not appear to have lost much on the field.

I think he can continue to play at a high level in 2011 as well. He needs to get a ring to lock up a certain Hall of Fame chance.

GRADE: A-

Lance Briggs, WLB

Despite the ill-timed contract demands from Briggs, this is a player who is just a notch below Urlacher and will be needed to play well again this season if the Bears are going to win.

Briggs has been to six consecutive Pro Bowls. He shouold be even more motivated to back up his words this season.

GRADE: A-

Tim Jennings, LCB

Jennings is a little guy, but he plays big. He is fearless on the field and is not afraid at all. I like Jennings, but he does still have much to prove this season if he is going to keep his starting job.

GRADE: C

Charles Tillman, RCB

The only question with Tillman is if he can stay healthy for a full season again. Other than that, he is as solid as they come. Tillman had a good year in 2010.

GRADE: B

Chris Harris, SS

Harris generally played well last season and is a hard hitter who sometimes slips in coverage, but he generally is a smart player who understands this system and always gives it his best effort.

He is a heck of a tweeter, too.

GRADE: C+

Major Wright, FS

Wright is a solid tackler, despite some very visible misses this preseason, and he hits hard, but his coverage skills have always been in question even back to his college days.

We haven't seen enough coverage from him this preseason so that remains to be determined. But this is his chance, and I think he will play well. But it's difficult to give him anything other than a 'C' at this point.

GRADE: C 

Roy Williams, WR

Roy Williams acts like a diva, but hasn't played like a true No. 1 wideout so far in his career. His lone season over 1,000 yards came with Mike Martz in Detroit, so the Bears took a reasonable chance in signing him.

This camp, he has had more drops than catches. He needs to show up big early in the regular season or Johnny Knox and/or Earl Bennett will take playing time from Williams.

Williams may be the big free agent name, but I feel Bennett is the top receiver on the team.

GRADE: D

Devin Hester, WR

Hester came into camp looking like he added muscle. But he still looks to me like a return man trying to play wideout and may never become a great wideout.

As a punt returner, Hester gets an "A". But as a wide receiver, he is just average.

GRADE: C

Jay Cutler, QB

Cutler is such a difficult player to give a grade to. On the one hand, he has enormous talent yet hasn't quite lived up to the hype just yet.

He has a tendency to throw off his back foot, hold the ball too long and throw the more-than-occasional interception.

Yet he had a very shaky offensive line blocking for him last year and a small receiver corps that is largely inexperienced.

I feel this could be a big year for Cutler as he came into camp in great shape with plenty of zip on the ball. I'm basing this grade more on how he's played this preseason and knowing the talent the man has.

Plus, he's shown more leadership in camp and has been more vocal, both good signs.

GRADE: B

Roberto Garza, C

Garza was the surprise choice to start at center in place of vetaran Olin Kreutz, and he has looked good thus far.

Chris Spencer was signed, but he has struggled in preseason, so Garza should start the season under center.

To grade Garza as a center is tough because he has never played there in a real game to my knowledge. As a guard, he is decent, not great.

GRADE: Incomplete

J'Marcus Webb, LT

Webb did not impress last season though the Bears are enamored with his athleticism and potential. He was good at times but far too inconsistent and has a lot to prove as he will be protecting Jay Cutler's blind side this season.

Webb has played better as the preseason has gone on, but started out poorly and didn't have much intensity in the first game against the Bills.

Webb has a lot to prove before this grade comes up, though he does have the footwork and size to play LT.

GRADE: C-

Gabe Carimi, RT

Carimi has never played a down in a regular season NFL game of course, but he has looked good in camp so far. He has made some rookie mistakes but has generally held his own.

I like Carimi, who has a mean streak and plays through he whistle. He was a left tackle in college, but the Bears don't think he has the athleticism to play there in the pros, so he will start on the right side.

Based on his preseason play, and his pedigree coming out of Wisconsin, I'd give him a "B." But because he has a lot to prove, he gets the incomplete.

GRADE: Incomplete

Chris Williams, LG

Now this may be the toughest player to grade on the entire roster. Based on how he played in 2010, I'd be tempted to give him a failing grade. But so far in preseason he has played very well.

I can't believe I'm writing this, but he has been the Bears best offensive lineman in camp.

I still have my doubts, but based on what I've seen, he deserves a passing grade.

GRADE: C+

Lance Louis, RG

Lance Louis is another player who, like Williams, has greatly improved his stock in camp. Coming into camp, I doubted he would make the team.

But he will not only make the final roster, he will be a starter. After a rough start, Louis has looked good, but I will continue to be cautious with my expectations.

GRADE: C

Kellen Davis, TE

The trade of has left an opening for Davis as the pass catching tight end on the team. Matt Spaeth is here for his blocking, but Davis is expected to also catch the ball.

Davis has impressed in camp, though injuries have made him miss the Titans and Browns games. 

He is nursing a sore back. I haven't seen enough of him to know what to expect.

GRADE: Incomplete

Matt Forte, RB

We weren't sure if Forte was going to play in the preseason due to his stalled contract extension. But he has played well,

Meanwhile, he is coming off of a very fine year following a disappointing season in 2010.

Forte may not be among the two or three best backs in the league, but he is such n important part of the Bears offense, both as a runner as well as catching ball out of the backfield.

GRADE: B+

Eddie Williams, FB

Martz doesn't have a lot of use for a fullback other than to block, but I expect the Bears to keep Williams, unless Will Ta’ufo’ou or Kyle Adams takes the job from him.

Ta’ufo’ou got more playing time against the Titans; still, it may come down to who the team thinks can contribute on special teams better.

GRADE: C-

Robbie Gould, K

Gould has been shaky in the preseason. But he is dealing with a new holder and he is coming off of a fine season, so I am not too concerned.

Though he missed several field goals early, two of them were from 55 and 56 yards.

Gould is one of the best kickers in the NFL.

GRADE: B

Adam Podlesh, P

Podlesh was signed from the Jags after being a Pro Bowl alternate in 2010. He has a stronger leg than the man he is replacing, the long-time Bears punter Brad Maynard, and was equally good at placing balls inside the 20-yard line.

He got off to a shaky start in preseason, but has performed better in the last two games.

Still, I have never watched him kick in a regular season game, so I will withhold judgement for now.

GRADE: Incomplete

Patrick Mannelly, LS

Mannelly is regarded as the best long snapper in the NFL. He has his own website, for crying out loud.

GRADE: A