Report Card Grades for All 22 Starters for Chicago Bears, Midseason Edition

Alright Bears fans, it's that time of year again: The time to go in-depth on who is playing up to expectations, and perhaps even exceeding them (hello Matt Forte), and who is disappointing.

Technically, it's not quite mid-season yet. Only seven games have been played in a 16-game season. But it's the bye week, so now is as good a time as any to do this.

As I'm sure many of you have, I have watched each game with a critical eye, and have read what all of the so-called experts have said to do the research necessary for such an undertaking.

Still, there is some subjectivity here, so I encourage you to debate me in the comments section (I also encourage each of you to send me $20, but that's a subject for another day I guess).

The Bears currently sit at 4-3 and right in the thick of the wild card race in the NFC. But they will likely need to go at least 6-3 in the remaining nine games to make the playoffs. 

Recognizing that, the players with average or below average grades will need to step it up, and the players doing well will need to continue their pace.

So, without further ado, I give you my grades for all the starters. Now, there have been plenty of changes, so I will go by who is listed first on the official Bears depth chart. 

QB Jay Cutler

Cutler started out the season on his back a lot. And no, I don't mean with Kristin Cavallari. Hey, where's the snare?

Without a strong offensive line to protect him, and without a true No. 1 wide receiver, it's really not fair to judge him too harshly.

Meanwhile, despite all that, Cutler's played pretty well. He has completed 59.1 percent of his passes, down slightly from his career average.

He also has nine TDs vs. six INTs, and has thrown for 1,702 yards.

If we can keep those seven-step drops out of the equation, and the line continues its recent trend of playing better, Cutler has a chance to have a big second half.

But he needs to quit throwing off his back foot.

GRADE: B

RB Matt Forte

Is there any question? Forte is everything to this Bears offense, and then some.

He is their best receiver, best running back and only Mike Martz seems able to stop him.

Forte is quietly having an MVP season, contract extension or no contract extension.

Going into the bye week, Forte was second to Adrian Peterson in yardage (672), is averaging 5.4 yards per carry and has more all-purpose yards (1,091) than anyone.

GRADE: A+

TE Kellen Davis

Davis has caught eight passes for 107 yards and two TDs. The two TDs are nice, but in the Martz system, tight ends aren't a big part of the offense.

As a blocker, Davis started out very poorly, but has improved. He has been banged up, however.

I think he can be used effectively as a check-down guy for Cutler when he is rushed, something he will likely face a lot of against the Eagles on Monday night.

GRADE: C

FB Tyler Clutts

Like tight end, fullback is another position that doesn't usually flourish in a Martz offense, but I like what I've seen from Clutts so far.

He is on an NFL roster for the first time, and he is making the most of it. He is a contributor on special teams.

The Bears signed Clutts off the Cleveland Browns practice squad in September, a few days before the regular season opener.

He has been a solid lead blocker for Forte, who is having a great season. He delivered a few really great blocks in the Tampa game.

GRADE: B+

WR Devin Hester

Devin Hester is somewhat of an enigma. As a return man, he is the greatest ever. As a receiver, despite all that talent and speed, he just doesn't quite get it.

Still, in his 21 receptions this year, he is averaging 14.7 yards per catch and has one TD. His best game came against the Vikings, when he had 91 yards and that TD.

But he is not a true No. 1 wideout, and likely never will be. As great as he is as a return man, he is just as frustrating to me as a receiver.

GRADE: C

WR Roy Williams

Roy Williams has looked terrible at times this season, but he did show some flashes in the Tampa game, especially the way he came off the jam on that TD.

Still, he was expected to put up big numbers in the Martz system, but in hindsight, perhaps that was overly optimistic since his only good season was 2006, five years ago.

Williams has caught only 13 balls for 190 yards and one TD.

GRADE: D

By the way, did you know that there are 37 players in the NFL with the last name of "Williams", including three that even have the same first name?

LT J'Marcus Webb

Webb has needed a lot of help in defending Cutler's blind side this year. And even with that help (chipping from an extra tight end, etc.), he has been barely average.

He has the athleticism you like in a left tackle, but he just doesn't seem to be developing.

GRADE: C-

RT Gabe Carimi

I know the Bears' depth chart still shows Gabe Carimi as the starter, but it is Louis who will once again line up at right tackle on Monday night against the Eagles.

And deservedly so, as Louis has not only played well, but he is more healthy than Carimi.

Even if the rookie is ready to play, he likely will not start, as the Bears and Mike Tice look for continuity, as the line has played well the past two games.

There is no doubt that Carimi's the long-term starter, and he played well before his knee injury. However, in his first season, and coming off of a serious injury, I can only give him an incomplete. 

GRADE: INC

LG Chris Williams

Chris Williams is barely adequate anywhere on the field. The Bears have tried him everywhere it seems, except center, and left guard seems to be his best position.

He is OK there, but is certainly not doing anything worth bragging about. He may not be the total bust-out I thought he might be before the season started, but he is not a very good football player.

GRADE: C-

RG Lance Louis

Louis is a versatile, valuable player because he has done well at guard and tackle. Replacing Carimi, he has gotten the job done very well.

GRADE: B-

C Roberto Garza

For a 32-year-old player to make a switch to center is pretty amazing, but Garza has done quite well playing center and providing leadership for this line that is missing the void left by the departure of Olin Kreutz.

GRADE: B

MLB Brian Urlacher

Urlacher has had a couple of really great games this year, and a couple where he has been not so great. Like Julius Peppers, he is hit or miss at his age.

But considering those great games, as well as the leadership he brings, and the fact that he has played with a heavy heart, overall I'd have to say he's done pretty well.

The future Hall of Famer is tied with D.J. Moore to lead the team in interceptions (three) and is third in tackles (41). 

GRADE: B

WLB Lance Briggs

Briggs got off to a rather slow start this season, but is really playing well lately.

He leads the team in tackles (55) as well as tackles for a loss (five). He also has an interception and a forced fumble.

GRADE: B

SLB Nick Roach

Roach's play this season can be summed up by one word: Meh.

GRADE: C 

LCB Tim Jennings

I like the aggressive style of Jennings, especially for his size, and I really thought this would be the year he'd turn the "corner" and become an impact corner.

I was wrong.

GRADE: C-

RCB Charles Tillman

Peanut is the best Bears cornerback, and does a nice job in coverage, but will never be a shut-down cover corner.

He is strong, and has the ability to get physical with bigger receivers. But his greatest strength is that nobody in the game is better at stripping the ball out.

He will get beat one-on-one on the corner occasionally because his speed is just adequate, and he does take chances being physical. He's also been caught with a couple of poor decisions in Cover 2 this year, either because he screwed up or he may be thinking too much trying to compensate for the terrible safety play. 

GRADE: B

LE Isreal Idonije

Idonije has been a disappointment generating a pass rush, especially after his impressive showing in 2010.

GRADE: C-

RE Julius Peppers

When he plays well, Peppers can be such a dominating force, but he tends to disappear for one or two games at a time.

Ironically, since his injury, he has been more effective.

Still, there is no one on the defense that opposing teams take notice of more than Peppers, and teams have to legitimately game-plan for him.  

GRADE: B-

DT Henry Melton

Melton started off hot, with three sacks in his first three games.  He had two sacks, three tackles and six quarterback hits in his first career start against Atlanta in the opener.

Since then, he has been disappointing.

GRADE: C

NT Matt Toeaina

Toeaina is still listed atop the depth chart, but Stephen Paea is knocking at his door.

Mainly due to injuries, Toeaina has done nothing this season. 

GRADE: INC

SS Major Wright

The 'SS Major Wright' sounds more like a Navy ship than a football player, but the Bears are showing a lot of faith in their safeties by letting Chris Harris go.

Wright has skills, but coverage has never been his strong suit, even going back to college ball.

He has also been injury prone, and is currently recovering from a hip injury. So it's difficult to grade him, but I will give him an average grade so far.

GRADE: C 

FS Chris Conte

Conte is a rookie who has played well, though the jury is still out regarding the long-term future of this guy.

Brandon Meriweather could still step up and reclaim the job if Conte doesn't continue to play well, but so far it appears that Meriweather is a better hitter than a coverage guy.

Conte played deep in his debut against a Vikings team that couldn't challenge him deep. And even with his interception, if Mike Williams had caught that ball, Conte would be criticized for playing too far back in the end zone.

He did some nice things against Tampa, and given what he's done so early in his career, I'll bump up Conte's grade, but long-term, as I wrote, I'm still not sold on him just yet.  

GRADE: B-