This guy makes some solid points. TE should be a Pro Bowler with JC throwing to him. Lovie running the defense is the only upgrade this year on a group declining.

http://msn.foxsports.com/nfl/story/9722208/Schein's-Nine:-Cutler-should-grin-and-bear-it-

Tight end Greg Olsen caught 54 balls last year. The way Cutler uses the tight end, especially on third downs and in the red zone, put him closer to 75 (as a low estimate) with at least nine touchdowns.

Devin Hester caught 51 passes from Rex Grossman and Kyle Orton. He's an exceptional talent who is only getting better. The explosive Hester hits the 70 mark and takes a major step forward.

I don't expect Jay Cutler to dump down to Matt Forte like the former Bears quarterbacks. But while the number of catches will dip from 63, Forte has excellent hands and will be counted on.

Rashied Davis is a solid player. Mark him down for 40 receptions.
Is this guy a former timesfour poster?

Rookie Juaquin Iglesias was a third-round steal. He's a polished neophyte. Offensive coordinator Ron Turner was gushing about him when we talked after the draft. I don't think 40 catches is a remote stretch.

And the Bears love the big-play ability (and they should) of fellow rook Johnny Knox.
Plus, the offensive line is stronger and deeper with Orlando Pace and Kevin Shaffer coming to town. And a healthy Chris Williams would be a huge bonus.

Big picture, it's more than enough when you have a budding star in Forte at running back and a defense that will be improved in all facets with the most disruptive defensive lineman in football, Mr. Tommie Harris, healthy.

Chicago could be in the mix for a Super Bowl fueled by its passing attack. Imagine that.



TOG in Queensland will make it difficult for anyone in the NFC-N to get to the SB unless they win out as Wild Card entry.

I personally think the jury is still out on the Bears offense. IMHO Hester is a great returner but I think if he is your #1 WR you have some work to do.

Don't be so shocked guys, its just a view of the Bears offensive situation without the in place.

Ask DeepChitcago about objectivity.

sure they are SB contenders.

right now, the Lions are contenders

Right now, the Bears are a contender...as are about 10 other teams in the NFC depending upon injuries, luck and timely hot streaks. They've got questions like every other team, but they've got quite a few reasons for optimism, too.

Should be a fun season and an entertaining division .

B-N-D

No.

Defense is old and declining, offense is still anemic, even with the addition of Cutler.

Now, if they sign Burress, and he doesn't go to jail , they might make some noise.

quote:

Originally posted by MNPackman:
No.

Defense is old and declining, offense is still anemic, even with the addition of Cutler.

Defense isn't old. One starter over 30 (Urlacher) and one part-timer over 30 (Ogunleye). Underachieving maybe, but not old .

As for the offense, it wasn't that anemic last year with Orton at the helm, why would it be anemic with Cutler?

B-N-D

Anytime they take the ball out of Matt Forte's hands I think they are making a huge mistake.

Surely, Cutler should help their passing game but I don't think that team wants to wing it all over the place and get into shooting matches with teams that are better suited to that style of offense.

PS- I don't think that Chicago defense will be anything to write home about- see Tampa Bucs part duh

quote:

Originally posted by BearNDesert:

quote:

Originally posted by MNPackman:
Defense is old and declining,

Defense isn't old. One starter over 30 (Urlacher) and one part-timer over 30 (Ogunleye). Underachieving maybe, but not old .

The Bears made a nice upgrade picking up Pisa Tinoisamoa at SSLB. Their biggest upgarde though is coaching. Make all the Detroit jokes you want but Rod Marinelli is know as a top flight dline coach. He should remove the underachiever factor from that part of the D. Combine that with the fact that Lovie is making the defensive calls now and the defensive profile should improve by a bunch.

I'll put the Bears in the discussion. Along with the Packers, Vikings, Eagles, Giants, Cardinals, Panthers. I'll even throw in the Saints, Falcons & Cowboys although I think they are dark horses. The rest of the NFC?

There's your 10 teams B-N-D

Niners & Redskins, I think they'll be competitive but I don't think so.
Tampa, Nope
Rams, Seahawks? No way
Lions, Not a chance

I'll buy that list, Boris. However, I have a feeling the 49ers could be this year's Cardinals, while this year's Cardinals could be last year's 49ers .

B-N-D

I still think the Bears biggest problem(s) are Ron Turner, WR, and OLine.

quote:

Anytime they take the ball out of Matt Forte's hands I think they are making a huge mistake.

Surely, Cutler should help their passing game but I don't think that team wants to wing it all over the place and get into shooting matches with teams that are better suited to that style of offense.

- I also think this is huge ... there is definitely going to be discussions about the risks they are willing to submit to in the offense. If the defense has any problems whatsoever, there will be a clash in philosophies between Smith, Turner and Cutler.

quote:

clash in philosophies between Smith, Turner and Cutler

Who's the HC?

The ever-risk-averse Dungy protege'.

quote:

Originally posted by trump:

quote:

Anytime they take the ball out of Matt Forte's hands I think they are making a huge mistake.

Surely, Cutler should help their passing game but I don't think that team wants to wing it all over the place and get into shooting matches with teams that are better suited to that style of offense.

- I also think this is huge ... there is definitely going to be discussions about the risks they are willing to submit to in the offense. If the defense has any problems whatsoever, there will be a clash in philosophies between Smith, Turner and Cutler.

Nice conspiracy theory but there is not much to support it. Lovie is the architect of the defense, Turner the offense. Turner has always been a guy who adapts his offense to the personnel her has on hand. He will bias his game plan to fit. With the upgrades on the oline, Forterunning and Cutler playing QB he will probably run a pretty balanced attack. The new wrinkle will be added deep threat with Cutler throwing and Hester/Knox as deep threats. Lovie will have little problem with that approach.

Gonna be interesting ...

The Bears did not acquire Cutler to hand off to Forte. I think they know the defense is going down hill and they can't win 13-10 any longer. They are going to have to out score some teams 34-31. And when they start to lose 31-17 then the proverbial poop will hit the fan.

My point is that if they are going to outscore teams via the passing game they are not going to be very successful.

They have a mediocre and aging defense, so a ball control, play field position type approach can help hide some of those issues. They also have a very good RB and punter and kicker to make it happen.

Cutler strikes me as a guy that needs to be able to throw the ball around a bunch or he's not going to be happy. With those receivers and an OL that was shaky last year good luck with that.

My contention also ... it has the potential for a Cubs-like clusterf*ck.

We'll see, gonna be interesting ...

quote:

Originally posted by Mr.Yuck:
Ask DeepChitcago about objectivity.

Sounds like you don't know how to read, but I cannot honestly say I'm suprised.

I'm referring to Bearbite's post right above mine, so I guess your status as an idiot is still intact.

When Deep talks, he removes all doubt.

He's doin' Bum Phillips proud!