Chicago Bears 2012 Team Preview

The Chicago Bears have been one of the fastest rising teams in the NFL recently and going into the 2011 season there were high expectations for the team after securing the number 2 seed in the NFC in 2010, defeating the Seattle Seahawks before eventually losing to the eventual champion Green Bay Packers. Come the 2011 season, the Bears started strongly as Matt Forte looked dominant early on and the trademark hard-nosed defense throttled opposing offenses.

Things came unglued however as first Forte and then quarterback Jay Cutler suffered injuries. Backup quarterback Caleb Hanie just wasn’t ready for the big time and Chicago slumped from 7-3 to 7-8 before Hanie lost the job to Josh McCown who led the team to a week 17 win over the Minnesota Vikings. Unfortunately this wasn’t enough as the Bears crashed out and failed to make the postseason.

2011 Record: 8-8

Key Additions: Brandon Marshall, Jason Campbell, Michael Bush, Geno Hayes, Chilo Rachal, Brian Price

Key Losses: Brandon Meriweather, Roy Williams

Offense: Jay Cutler is an amazing talent who has one of the strongest arms in the NFL and we saw last year exactly how good he was not only by his outstanding play but also by how the Bears collapsed in his absence. The main problem this offense has had in the past is that while there is a talented group of wide receivers none of them has been able to truly breakout despite the promise that players such as Johnny Knox and Earl Bennett have shown at times. The Bears have sought to remedy that this season by acquiring Brandon Marshall from Miami and drafting Alshon Jeffery in the second round of the 2012 NFL Draft and rapid improvement is expected.

There’s a new piece to the running game too with the arrival of Michael Bush. Bush was originally signed as insurance in case Matt Forte held out. Now he provides insurance of a different kind – allowing the Bears to finally have a legitimate second running option. It’s been well documented that Matt Forte is the heart of this offense but Bush provides great protection to allow Forte to get the rest necessary to increase his effectiveness. Then there’s Kahlil Bell who while unfancied by many is a rather talented runner in his own right and could easily push through and make himself heard this year.

On the offensive line, things are certainly looking better than they have in previous years. Offensive Coordinator Mike Tice has molded this group into NFL starters and while there is still work to do the days of this line being the joke of the league are over. 2011 first round pick Gabe Cirimi is coming along nicely and even veteran center Roberto Garza has shown improvement. Former 49ers guard Chilo Rachal has joined this unit and will push for a starting spot and even if he doesn’t make it should at least provide depth that has been missing in the past.

Defense: This unit may be getting old but they are still fiercely competitive and rank as one of the more highly productive defenses in the NFL. 2011 second round pick Jordan Paea has immense strength and has come along in leaps and bounds to claim a starting spot in the middle of this line and is expected to be paired by Henry Melton with former Buccaneer Brian Price rotating in on packages. Flanking them is one of the most talented defensive end pairings in the league with the vastly experienced but still deadly Julius Peppers and Israel Idonje who have been a force to be reckoned with since Peppers signed as a free agent in 2010. Waiting in the wings is first round pick Shea McClellin who may have been a shock draft choice but is highly talented and can have no better role models than the two starting ahead of him.

The wealth of talent continues to the linebacking corps. Brian Urlacher has been with the Bears since being drafted in the first round in 2000 and continues to be a dominant presence in the centre of the defense. On the weakside Lance Briggs and his mouth are back and while he may have been disgruntled in the past Briggs can still get it done while partner Nick Roach quietly holds down the strongside starting spot doing much of the work that enables his colleagues to shine.

The secondary is the only real question mark on this offense. Lead corner Charles Tillman may be supremely talented but he is highly inconsistent with his coverage and suffers from either having amazing or mediocre play – there never seems to be any in-between. On the other side Tim Jennings has emerged as a competent and productive corner but he won’t set the world on fire. Safety is the weakest position on this team and while Major Wright is showing improvement at strong safety, free safety Chris Conte impresses no-one.

Coaching: Head Coach Lovie Smith has had his job in jeopardy several times over the years but he’s one who always seems to come out on top. He’s overseen the worst of this team and helped to make the necessary improvements that have made the Bears the emerging force they are today. The addition of quarterbacks coach Jeremy Bates is a boon to this staff with the departure of Mike Martz as new Offensive Coordinator Mike Tice isn’t really a play-caller and Bates was one of those who made Cutler great in Denver.

Breakout Player: Rookie wide receiver Alshon Jeffery was a fortunate pickup for the Bears in the second round of the NFL Draft this year and while he is a part of the NFL consciousness, he isn’t widely known as a Pro Bowl candidate. Jeffery is gifted with a couple of things that can’t be taught – size and length. While his speed may be above average at best, his 6 foot 4 frame, long reach and amazing technique with jump-ball situations coupled with his crisp route running skills makes Jeffery at the very least a player likely to have a long career. With a much better quarterback than he had in his last year of college and Calvin Johnson-like physique, there’s every chance Jeffery could prove to be a superstar straight away.

2012 Prediction: This team just keeps getting better and just need a little luck to go all the way. I see a record around 13-3 and a real shot at a Super Bowl.

Overview: Fans may have become used to mediocrity from the Bears in the recent past but those days are over. What was a ragtag team that could get it together has become a well oiled machine capable of being a perennial playoff contender. The NFC may be tough and the NFC North is arguably the toughest division in the NFL this team is right around the top of the food chain and ready to pounce. Expect a big year from this team.