Chicago Bears Report Card: Whose Stock Is Up or Down from 2010?

The Bears head into their bye week in control of their own playoff destiny.  Given that they were 2-3 and looking to be in serious trouble just two weeks ago, that says a lot of Lovie Smith, as well as for the character of this team.

As of this week, the Bears would be the sixth seed in the NFC playoff bracket were the season to end today, which means that it all falls on the Bears to finish strong and make it to the playoffs.  The season is in their hands, and at this point, they need help from no one but themselves to make it into the postseason.

The way has been led by a few players who have stepped up in big ways.  Some, like Matt Forte, are well documented.  Others, not so much.

Which begs the question of who has step up and improved from last season and who has seen their stock fall in 2011?

Today, we'll take a look at 10 players who have seen their value increase or decrease significantly.  It's important to remember that the season is just seven games old, and these players could end up in very different places by the end of the season.

But seven games is enough to start talking about who has shown improvement or decline over last season.  So without further ado, let us take a look at whose stock is up or down from 2010.

Nick Roach: Down

Because the Bears have run the nickel defense so frequently this season, Roach only sees the field about half of the defensive snaps.  

One has to wonder if the declining play of Nick Roach is one of the reasons the Bears are running so much nickel in the first place.  

Roach played very well in 2009, and, though not to his '09 standards, he still played well in 2010.  But 2011 has been a different story.

His runs support has been lackluster, and he has already recorded as many missed tackles this season as he did in the entirety of 2010.  He's recorded all of 16 tackles through seven starts, even though teams tend to try and run away from perennial Pro Bowlers Lance Briggs and Brian Urlacher.

In pass protection, he has already been targeted 18 times in seven games—and remember that the Bears are playing more nickel to get DJ Moore out on the field in passing situations—when he was targeted just 19 times in 31 previous games over the past two season.  And it's not a matter of snaps, either.  In those 31 previous games, he was on the field for 538 snaps, and he's seen the field 216 snaps this year.

One area Roach has done well in is his pass rush.  While he has yet to record a sack, he has recorded four quarterback hits and quarterback pressure—both of which are under-appreciated statistics.  Considering how infrequently the Bears have been blitzing, the fact that Roach has gotten to the quarterback that much is impressive.  Only Idonije, Peppers and Melton have laid hands on the quarterback more than Roach.

But overall, Roach has seen a decline in play this season that has had the Bears considering bringing back Pisa Tinoisamoa for another chance to get injured.

Chris Williams: Up

Where the Bears may have lost the battle for a franchise left tackle in Chris Williams, they won the war with a left guard who looks poised to hold the position down for the Bears for the next decade or so.

Williams has improved nearly every aspect of his game over last season and has really been the Bears' best lineman this season.

His pass protection has been good, and he's allowed only one sack and one quarterback hit on the season.  To put that in perspective, Carl Nicks—fan-favorite free agent in the offseason that Bears fans begged for—has allowed one sack and two quarterback hits.

His run-blocking still needs improvement, but is showing improvement.  And as a pulling guard, Williams is athletic enough to done the job with the league's best.

This is why tackles are taken more frequently than guards in the first round.  If they don't work out at tackle, the shift to successful guard seems to be a common alternative.  And Williams has done just that. 

Anthony Adams: Down

Never much of a pass rusher, Spice Adams has always had a place because of his ability to clog the middle.  But this year has been a bit different.  

Adams hasn't been horrible in the running game, but he hasn't been himself, either. 

Maybe he's still hampered by lingering issues from his preseason leg injury.   Maybe he's just getting a bit long in the tooth.

Whatever the reason, the Bears run defense has been an Achilles Heel this year, and while the safety troubles are part of the problem, so is the defensive line.  And those problems rest in part on Adams' shoulders, fair or not. 

Jay Cutler: Up

While his quarterback rating may not indicate it, Cutler is doing more with less this year.

His stat line is not going to show the maturity that he's gained over the past year.  The fact is that Jay is making better decisions and running more efficiently this season than previously.

Look at his efforts in Detroit and Atlanta.  He played well and made things happen even as his team fell apart around him.

That isn't to say he isn't prone to the occasional throw from his back foot or that he isn't affected by the poor line play, the maddening play calling and the lack of true receiving threats.

But Jay is playing the game about as well as you could hope for, considering the circumstances he's surrounded by.

Israel Idonije: Down

Izzy has been a fan favorite for a long time, and many thought that last year's career best season would be the beginning of good, and maybe even great things.

Instead Idonije seems to have fallen off in 2011.  He has recorded three sacks, but doesn't seem to be getting the consistent pressure that he provided last season.  

Simply put, he isn't taking advantage of the opportunities that Peppers being on the field is providing him, and it's hurting the Bears pass rush as a whole.

At this point, one has to wonder if the Bears made a mistake in relying on Izzy as more than a rotational player.

Lance Louis: Up

Louis saved the Bears and Jay Cutler from Frank "Gate 68" Omiyale.  That has to count for something.

Louis has played fairly well in the role as well.  And while he's sure to lose the spot to Gabe Carimi when the first-rounder returns from injury after the bye, it will be interesting to see whether he then unseats Chris Spencer—who has also played well over the past few weeks— for the right guard position.

Brandon Meriweather: Down

Oh, how the mighty have fallen....or how the paper tiger has been burned.

After two consecutive Pro Bowl seasons, Brandon Meriweather can't beat out a bad rookie for a starting job.

I won't call it a mistake that the Bears took a chance on Meriweather.  Even if Bill Belichick already knew Meriweather was a liability, passing on the young and highly decorated safety would have been lunacy, especially after losing Danieal Manning in free agency.

But Meriweather proved Belichick right at every turn, and at this point, the biggest question has to be whether or not Meriweather will be in the league in 2012.

Devin Hester: Up

Hester couldn't possibly move up any higher as a return man.  He's getting legitimate Hall of Fame discussion for a reason.

But this season, Hester is moving up as a receiver.  

No, he's not the legitimate No. 1 receiver that the Bears touted him as, and he never will be.

However, he is showing better separation and improved route running that could make him a legitimate No. 2 if the Bears ever get smart enough to bring in a top flight receiver for Cutler.

Chris Harris: Down

How a few weeks changes things.

Three weeks ago, the word was that Chris Harris would fix the secondary when he returned.

The he returned, and all hell broke loose. 

Prior to that return, his starting position was never in question.  But his performance had him on the sidelines the very next week.

This week, he played better in run defense, but was beaten for a touchdown in coverage.

Where does he go from here?  I'm not among those who believe Harris is done.  In fact, I think he reclaims his starting position before the season is out and recuperates his image with solid play.  But the damage is done, and he won't be viewed the same way he was last season when he made the second-team All-Pro list.

Matt Forte: Up

Forte has, until this year, been a second tier running back.  Solid in all aspects of his game and a very good running back, but just not to the point of being in the same conversation with Adrian Peterson.

But this season, he took another step forward.  Now, Matt Forte is an elite running back.  Period.

Currently leading the league in yards from scrimmage, Forte is on pace to break Walter Payton's 1978 record for yard from scrimmage for the Bears.  And it is not out of the realm of possibility that Forte makes a run at Chris Jonson's 2009 NFL record for the same statistic.

Additionally, only Adrian Peterson himself has rushed for more yards on the ground this year.

Forte should legitimately be getting consideration for league MVP at this point.  

What was Jerry Angelo thinking not tying Forte up before the season started?  Every week that goes by is just raising Forte's price tag.

And now it's your turn, ladies and gentlemen.  Step up to the soapbox below and let your voice be heard.