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07-23-2007, 10:49 AM
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#1 (permalink)
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Both of them
Join Date: Sep 2006
Posts: 10,225
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10 things begin wth No. 8
10 things begin wth No. 8 :: CHICAGO SUN-TIMES :: Bears
Quote:
1. Rex. Rex. Rex.
Lost in the shuffle created by Tank Johnson's sordid affair, Lance Briggs' frustration with the franchise tag, Thomas Jones' trade and even Smith's contract was Rex Grossman. No question, that was a good thing for the quarterback who performs under a microscope. Grossman was the most important piece for the Bears the day after the Super Bowl loss to Indianapolis and remains the central figure today. All of the stuff that was going on around him provided Grossman with a vacation from scrutiny. It's a make-or-break season for him as a pro, not just in this town. From top to bottom, the organization has backed him, just not enough to offer him a lucrative long-term extension. Grossman enters the final year of his contract, and if he performs well, the Bears will have no choice but to pony up. Some of the game's best have made significant strides in their second full season as a starter. He has been trying to improve his footwork. The future is set if Grossman improves on a season in which he passed for 3,193 yards, 23 touchdowns and 20 interceptions. If not, Jerry Angelo is back in a position he knows well: searching for a franchise quarterback.
2. Run, Cedric, run
Two years later than he expected, Cedric Benson enters as the starting tailback. If the last seven games of 2006 are an indication, he's ready. Benson averaged 4.9 yards per carry and proved to be more than just a bruiser between the tackles. Replacing Jones isn't going to be that easy, though. He was the only consistent performer on the offense the last two seasons and was immensely popular with teammates. If Benson comes through, he'll have no problem winning them over. But the workhorse who never missed time at Texas has had injuries and needs to prove he's the durable back Angelo thought he was. Watch for one thing: Benson looked better as a receiver out of the backfield in the spring than some expected.
3. Wanted: Steady defensive tackle
As much as the Bears bent over backward for Tank Johnson, his actual value may have been overstated. A disruptive player when he was playing well, Johnson never was confused for a Pro Bowl performer, and he had little interest in playing the run. The issue isn't replacing Johnson, it's finding a capable rotation of players who can man the spot. The quicker the club can find a steady partner for defensive player of the year candidate Tommie Harris, the sooner the embarrassing support the club provided Johnson will go away. Harris' college teammate Dusty Dvoracek gets the first crack. Look for Israel Idonije, primarily a defensive end in the past, to get more time inside.
4. To play or not to play
The irony in Briggs' ordeal is that if he and agent Drew Rosenhaus wouldn't have made their media blitz in March, he likely would've been traded months ago. He'd have his hefty long-term salary, and Jamar Williams would be the man on the weak side. But the public remarks not only rankled Angelo, they handcuffed him. Now Briggs needs the Bears for the $7.206 million he's set to make with the franchise tag. When he'll come around to this realization, no one knows. Many a player would love to pass on training camp. Briggs has threatened to sit out the first 10 games, but you'd have to expect he shows some time in August. If not, get accustomed to Williams.
5. Ring leader
There's not a lot six-time Pro Bowl middle linebacker Brian Urlacher can do to elevate his game, but there is something new defensive coordinator Bob Babich can do to help him. Urlacher is not a fan of the cover-2 because it often takes him far away from the ball. Camp will be an interesting time to see if he's allowed to get more involved near the line of scrimmage, something that could affect the turnover ratio. Urlacher has gone 27 regular-season games without a sack, but he could put up some solid numbers quickly with a few tweaks of the scheme.
6. The cover-2's two
Mike Brown's return from a potentially career-threatening Lisfranc ligament injury bolsters a secondary that also should be improved with Adam Archuleta, whom Smith wanted to sign a year earlier. Archuleta was a big-time bust in Washington, where it was said he looked for anyone to blame but himself, but he has thrived in this system and under Smith before. Archuleta can be a disruptive player near the line of scrimmage, and paired with Brown, the run defense will only be stronger. Brown's health is paramount, though. Stricken by injuries the last three seasons, he has one more chance to prove he can stay on the field. When he does, the Bears are a much better team. A wild card is Danieal Manning, who eventually should be moved to corner.
7. Variety of weapons
The most noise is being made about Devin Hester's move to offense, where he will have a package of plays designed to exploit his game-breaking talents. The Bears can't be accused of complacency on offense. They're not just relying on Grossman to make them better but have added options for him. Rookie tight end Greg Olsen provides a missing dimension as a vertical threat for the middle third of the field, and Garrett Wolfe could carve out a niche for himself out of the backfield. But Bernard Berrian can't be overlooked. With 775 yards and six touchdowns last season, Berrian could reach the 1,000-yard plateau and double his touchdowns if this unit improves as expected.
8. O-line
The Bears have one of the higher-paid lines and one of the oldest. Anchored by six-time Pro Bowl center Olin Kreutz, the group lost only two starts last season as left tackle John Tait missed two games with an ankle injury that required offseason surgery. Right guard Roberto Garza (28) is the only starter under 30 for a group that averages 31.8 years. For a developing quarterback and young running back to make the advances necessary, this group must stay intact.
9. Sack man
The more the coaching staff fed Mark Anderson, the more he pleased. Coming from nowhere as a fifth-round pick who missed all of training camp, Anderson had 12 sacks. The concern was he might not hold up against the run, so he was used on passing downs. But Anderson got his chance, and he came through, pushing Alex Brown to the bench. Anderson isn't going to sneak up on opponents this season. They'll account for him and commit help to his side. If he continues to grow, it might not matter. He's a force who should continue to improve.
10. Looking for a few good men
Hester and kicker Robbie Gould received many of the accolades for the special-teams outfit that was tops in the league, but the complicated formula that ranks teams involves a lot more. Special-teams coordinator Dave Toub lost key contributors in Todd Johnson and Cameron Worrell in free agency. The Bears always draft with an eye on how a player might fit into this third phase, and new safety Kevin Payne could make an impact immediately along with returner Brandon McGowan.
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07-25-2007, 07:30 AM
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#2 (permalink)
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Moderator
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: N. Illinois
Posts: 10,352
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Quote:
1. Rex. Rex. Rex.
Lost in the shuffle created by Tank Johnson's sordid affair, Lance Briggs' frustration with the franchise tag, Thomas Jones' trade and even Smith's contract was Rex Grossman. No question, that was a good thing for the quarterback who performs under a microscope. Grossman was the most important piece for the Bears the day after the Super Bowl loss to Indianapolis and remains the central figure today. All of the stuff that was going on around him provided Grossman with a vacation from scrutiny. It's a make-or-break season for him as a pro, not just in this town. From top to bottom, the organization has backed him, just not enough to offer him a lucrative long-term extension. Grossman enters the final year of his contract, and if he performs well, the Bears will have no choice but to pony up. Some of the game's best have made significant strides in their second full season as a starter. He has been trying to improve his footwork. The future is set if Grossman improves on a season in which he passed for 3,193 yards, 23 touchdowns and 20 interceptions. If not, Jerry Angelo is back in a position he knows well: searching for a franchise quarterback.
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Why do I get the feeling this one should be put in the smack talk forum? 
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Bears always have and always will need a quarterback!! But not a MLB.
10-7-07 Bears 27,Packers 20
12-23-07 Bears 35, Packers 7
Then Brett Favre became a Jet...
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10 things begin wth No. 8
