Grades for Every Chicago Bears Starter at NFL's Three-Quarters Mark

We all know that head coach Lovie Smith loves to discuss the season in terms of quarters, and so do we.

The three-quarters mark is upon us, and the Chicago Bears are in a far different position than they were a month ago.  

See those two gentlemen in the picture above?  They represent the Bears offense.  And neither will be available over the next few games of the Bears' playoff push.  Worse yet, both may be done for the season.

In their place we have an inexperienced young quarterback whose skill set better fits Mike Shanahan than Mike Martz.

And the Bears will count on an outstanding complementary back to replace their MVP candidate as the feature back for at least the next few weeks.

Oh, how a few weeks—and a few injuries—can change a teams fortunes.

Today we look at the current starting roster and assign grades for their performance over the first three-quarters of the season. 

Offensive Line and Tight Ends

The offensive line, despite Sunday's stumble against the Chiefs, has looked much better since the Bears' Week 5 disaster against the Lions. But let's be realistic, this has had far more to do with max-protection schemes and better play calling than it's had to do with improvement of the players on the line.

Reality says the Bears need to concentrate seriously on obtaining at least a left tackle and a center to groom next season.  

The interior line has been far better than the tackles in terms of pass protection, but disappointing in run blocking assignments, with the exception of Chris Spencer.

The tight ends have been a mixed bag, but it's important to remember that they aren't expected to be primary receivers by Mike Martz.

As for the current groups grades....

J'Marcus Webb - D: Webb has been acceptable in his role because Martz has provided a ton of help in the way of extra blockers and chips from exiting receivers, but it has been painfully clear that when left to his own devices he has been woefully inadequate. The only thing saving him from an "F" is his solid run blocking.

Edwin Williams - C: Williams has been nearly as good as Chris Williams was before him in pass protection.  Unfortunately, his Run blocking as been nearly as bad as Garza's.

Roberto Garza - C: The interior line has allowed surprisingly little pressure, and for the most part, Garza has led the way.  But he's also the linchpin that fails most consistently in his run blocking assignments.

Chris Spencer - B+: I never would have believed it at the beginning of the season, But Spencer actually turned out to be a good investment.  He's been the teams best run blocker and  the best pass protector not named Williams.

Lance Louis - F: Louis has been every bit as bad against the pass rush as Webb has, and without the acceptable run-blocking.  How we miss Carimi.

Kellen Davis - C: Davis has been slightly less than good as a receiver.  With his size, Cutler and Hanie shouldn't have any problems finding him, yet he often disappears.  As a pass blocker, Davis is actually a big part of the line's perceived improvement.  But his run blocking leaves a ton to be desired.

Wide Receivers

The receiving corps has been a consistent disappointment this year mixed with a few instances of decency.

The Bears don't really seem to have designated starters.  They just throw out whoever they think gives them a mismatch somewhere.  

Johnny Knox - B: Knox still has a long way to go and needs to work on his ball-fighting skills, but he's still been the Bears receiver most likely to get open.  He's improved this season by a lot in terms of his concentration on the ball and his drops.  And he's actually becoming a decent route-runner.

Devin Hester - C-: Devin is probably the most misused player on the offensive side of the ball.  His route running is decent, but he lacks the physicality to create separation with any sort of consistency. 

Roy Williams - D: Williams has the ability to get open and runs the best routes on the team.  Unfortunately, he drops balls.  Not as often as advertised, mind you.  But they come at the worst possible times.  Like near the end zone and on third downs during important drives.  He just can't be counted on.

Earl Bennett - B-: He of the orange shoes has been one of the Bears better targets, running solid routes and holding on to the ball fairly well.  Interestingly enough, Bennett's actual catch percentage is better than Williams by less than two percent.  Bennett's biggest problem is that he frequently disappears on important drives.

Offensive Backfield

The Bears offensive backfield was loaded with high level players...until the injury bug hit.  Now the Bears are starting a inexperienced quarterback and a complementary back in place of Jay Cutler and Matt Forte.

Caleb Hanie - D+: Hanie's had a rough start, but he's had little help from his receivers and less help from his line and his coaching staff.

Matt Forte - A: Forte has been the driving force behind this offense.  Yes, his numbers had dwindled down a bit, but that was due to teams making stopping him the priority each week, opening up opportunities for the rest of the team.  Look how things turned out against the Chiefs with Forte out of the game.

Marion Barber - A: In his complementary back role, Barber was exactly what the Bears needed so far this season.  Let's see if he can keep this grade now that he's the primary back for at least the next two weeks.

Tyler Clutts - B: Clutts might be the biggest surprise of the season.  He's been an exceptional lead blocker and a large part of helping the line look better in pass protection.

Defensive Line

The D-line has been spotty through the year, posting very good games at times.  Run defense hasn't been as bad as advertised, but that doesn't mean that the line has been good in that respect, either.

The line needs more than just pressure from their monster defensive end and their 3-tech. 

Julius Peppers - A+:  Peppers has been fantastic even while he has battled nagging injuries, including being the NFC defensive player of the month for November.

Israel Idonije - D:  Idonije has been spotty against the run and has failed to capitalize on the defensive tackles penetration or the havoc that Peppers causes from the other side of the line way too often.  He;s had some decent games, but the Bears need more.

Henry Melton - B+:  Melton is second among defensive tackles in sacks and has been solid all season.  He has an outside chance of Breaking the Bears record for sacks by a defensive tackle.

Amobi Okoye - C+:  Okoye has been very good on passing down, getting good push up the middle and forcing quarterbacks out of the pocket.  His run defense needs some serious work.

Linebackers

The Bears linebackers have had a solid year and Urlacher and Briggs both should return to the Pro Bowl after their performances.

Brian Urlacher - A:  The face of the franchise continues his monstrous ways this season and has shown that he still has plenty of athleticism to go with his ever growing experience.  He's put up some of the most exciting interceptions of his career this season.

Lance Briggs - A:  Briggs has been fantastic this season.  His run defense has been inspired and he has taken another step forward with his already impressive pass coverage.  Briggs is arguably the best 4-3 outside linebacker in the game.

Nick Roach - B: Quietly, Nick Roach has been having his best season.  He's been solid in pass coverage and very good in run support.  And he's been the Bears most effective linebacker in rushing the passer, leading that group in quarterback hits even though he has less than half of the pass-rushing attempts.

Secondary

The secondary has given up a lot of yardage this season, but not a lot of points.  They've played "bend-don't-break" defense as well as anyone can.  The corners have allowed all of one touchdown this season between them.

Charles Tillman - A:  Coming into the season, many thought Tillman was done.  Think again.  He's leading the team in solo tackles, forced fumbles and passes defended.

Tim Jennings - A-:  Jennings is often under-rated by bears fans, but the corner has played very well this season and hasn't allowed a single touchdown and is forth on the team in solo tackles.

DJ Moore - A-:  Moore was having an exceptional season before being injured.  Hopefully he'll return this week.  His three interceptions and team leading quarterback rating allowed is important to the Bears , who use the nickel as frequently as they field a Sam linebacker.

Chris Conte - B+: No, I'm not grading him on a curve, Conte has been surprisingly good against both the run and the pass.  He leads the Bears safeties in quarterback rating allowed and has allowed only one touchdown while taking the most snaps of any Bears safety this season.  If he sticks close to is tackling fundamentals, he could end the season with an A.

Major Wright - C:  After starting out very shaky in the free safety position, Wright settled down and proved his worth in the strong safety spot.  It looks like the Bears will have a strong safety tandem for a long time.