Predicting the Starting Offensive & Defensive Lineup for Chicago Bears in 2012

There's still seven regular season games to go this season, not to mention the playoffs.  But that won't stop us from breaking out the old crystal ball and taking a crack at some 2012 predictions.

Looking forward towards the Bears 2012 roster can be a bit tricky.  Currently, five of the 23 offensive and defensive starters (including the nickel position) are scheduled to be free agents.  Those starters are Earl Bennett, Kellen Davis, Tim Jennings, Israel Idonije and, of course, Matt Forte.

Those contracts, or lack there-of, have to be taken into account when considering the starting roster for next year.

Possible draft picks have to be considered, as well.  You expect first and second round draft picks to start, for the most part.  And mid-to-late round picks occasionally make their way onto the starting roster.  

It's a tall task looking into the future of the roster and determining the first string of the depth chart.  But we're bold here, and so we will do just that.  

Follow along as we predict the future and divine the Bears 2012 starting offensive and defensive lineups.

Offensive Line

As soon as the Bears play their last down this season, the talk will immediately begin about changes that the Bears should make to the line in 2012. Arguments will be made everywhere from Halas Hall to the Chicago Tribune to every water cooler and Internet forum where the Bears are discussed.

Here's how I see the line shaking out in 2012.

Left Tackle:  J'Marcus Webb

Left Guard: Chris Williams

Center: Roberto Garza

Right Guard: Lance Louis

Right Tackle: Gabe Carimi

Sorry, Bears fans, but the future of the Bears offensive line looks to be the same as the past.  

Why? Improvement.  The fact is that this line has improved greatly over the course of this season.  Some players have fallen to injury and others have had to play out of position, but the line has shown great improvement both as a unit and as individual players.

The Bears aren't kidding when they say they like the players they have, and this group is starting to prove them right, though there's still a lot of work ahead.

Receiving Group

Here's another group that will be decried at season's end, and rightly so.  This is a team with two No. 2 receivers and four slot receivers.  So how will this lineup shape up next season?

X Receiver: Dwight Jones, UNC (second round selection in the 2012 draft)

Y Receiver: Earl Bennett

Z Slot: Johnny Knox

Tight End: Matt Spaeth

OK, we'll start with the obvious here.  The No. 1 receiver isn't currently on the roster.  But Dwight Jones is a great prospect for the Bears and would provide a legitimate No. 1 target for Cutler.  He's 6'4" and 225 pounds with great hands and decent but not great speed.  He catches in traffic, is strong and physical and fights for the ball.  Jones figures at this point to be available late in the second round and fits exactly what the Bears are missing.  A guy like Jones immediately drops the rest of the Bears receivers into the spots they were intended to play.

Bennett is currently without contract, but the Bears aren't likely to let their best receiver get away, and I expect a contract extension before the season is up.

Knox will continue to contribute and is ideal to be a slot receiver for the Bears, especially with his newfound ability to make tough catches over the middle.  

Matt Spaeth is penciled in as the starting tight end because Kellen Davis has been disappointing most of the season and his contract is up.  It is very possible the Bears let him walk.

Offensive Backfield

Don't expect any changes in the Bears offensive backfield come next September.

Quarterback: Jay Cutler

Running Back: Matt Forte

Fullback: Tyler Clutts

Cutler is the first legitimate franchise quarterback the Bears have had since Jim McMahon.  Don't expect him to go anywhere any time soon.  In fact, it wouldn't surprise me to see the Bears look to tie him up with an extension next season that will keep him in Chicago for the remainder of his career.

Forte will be a Bear in 2012. But he won't have a new contract.  For all of the "Pay the man" talk out there, the Bears are actually doing the smart thing in not giving Forte a contract.  Running backs take the most abuse in the NFL, and frequently don't live up their big paydays.  Look no further than Chris Johnson for an example.  Expect the Bears to franchise Forte as soon as the option is available in 2012, and very likely in 2013.

Clutts has done more than enough to ensure that he remains the Bears fullback for the foreseeable future.  His lead blocking has been great and he has shown the ability to catch and run if needed as a relief valve.

Defensive Line

The bears defensive line needs some retooling.  But how much retooling will the line get?  

Right Defensive End: Julius Peppers

3-tech Defensive Tackle: Henry Melton

Nose Tackle: Stephen Paea

Left Defensive End: Israel Idonije

While some new blood would be nice, don't expect the Bears to be active in free agency in 2012. There are just far too many players on the team that the Bears will want to re-sign.  And while I expect the token additions to the line that the Bears add annually through the draft, I don't expect high picks to go the way of the defensive line unless one of the top prospects fall later in the first round.

Peppers is unquestionable.  That is all.

Melton has work to do, but has made strides and can wreak havoc in the backfield when given the opportunity.  I think the Bears stay with him due to his potential and the progress he's made.

Paea was drafted to start.  His progress was harmed by the shortened offseason, but he's been fun to watch when he's been on the field.  He's as strong as an ox and surprisingly agile.  Expect him to get the nod in 2012.

Idonije has been disappointing this season, to say the least.  So why do I have him penciled in as the starter again in 2012?  Because, as previously stated, I don't expect the Bears to be active in free agency.  The Bears will re-sign the devil they know over the mediocre field of free agent defensive ends that will be realistically available after team re-sign their own players.  And with Izzy re-signed, he's still the best option the Bears have for the spot, unless Corey Wootton suddenly emerges.  And that doesn't appear likely.

Secondary

Coming into the season, the secondary was considered a serious concern, but they've really come together, with even the safety position coming along.

Corners: Charles Tillman and Tim Jennings

Free Safety: Chris Conte

Strong Safety: Major Wright

Nickel Corner: DJ Moore

That's right, Bears fans.  No changes in sight.  And that might be the biggest surprise of this article. When you consider that the Bears have changed safety tandem 53 times in Lovie Smith's tenure, the fact that the Bears could actually be starting the same tandem come 2012 is surprising to say the least. But expect that to be the case.

Tillman was thought to be falling off when the year began, but instead is having a career year.  Don't expect him to go anywhere.

Jenning gets a ton of heat on the forums, but really was on of the best low-key signings the Bears have made in years.  He has far outplayed expectations and is a lock to be re-signed.

Conte has went from being a controversial draft pick to being a solid starter at a position the Bears needed serious help in.  Expect him to be a fixture at the position for a long time.

Wright had a tough start, but seems to have taken a few steps in the right direction since being moved to strong safety.  The Bears have high hopes for their young safety tandem, and I wouldn't expect them to go searching for Wright's replacement just yet.

I included the nickel position simply because the nickel has spent over 100 plays more on the field than the strong side linebacker in 2011.  And DJ Moore has been very good at his job, logging seven interceptions, 14 passes defended, 79 tackles and two defensive touchdowns in the 25 games since he took over as the Bears nickel in 2010.

Linebackers

The Bears have two star linebackers, so how much changing can there be?

Middle Linebacker: Brian Urlacher

Weakside Linebacker: Lance Briggs

Strongside Linebacker: Vontaze Burfict, Arizona State (first round selection in 2012 draft)

Starting with Urlacher, this is a no-brainer.  Brian Urlacher will start for as long as he wants to play.  He's still the face of the Bears franchise and his age doesn't seem to be affecting his level of play.  

Lance Briggs made tons of contract noise at the beginning of this season, and you can expect him to make some more next year.  But in the end, it isn't in his advantage to do more than bluff about wanting a trade.  Reality is that while he is a great player, his contract is fair and other teams aren't going to give him the raise he wants to get a deal done.  Briggs will likely be a Bears well past the end of this contract, regardless of his antics.

The only change would be on the strongside, when Nick Roch is replaced by my projected first round pick, Vontaze Burfict.  Roach has done a decent job this year and is a good role-player.  His demotion is less about his performance and more about the Bears need to start grooming Brian Urlacher's replacement.  The 6'3" 250-pound Burfict could very well be that player.  He's among the fastest inside linebackers in next years draft.  His coverage skills and tackling ability make him an ideal pick to groom to take over when No. 54 eventually decides to call it quits.

And there you have your projected starting lineup for the 2012 Bears.  Now it's your turn, ladies and gentlemen.  Step up to the soapbox below and let your voice be heard.