Hibernation is Over and the Chicago Bears are Hungry

The Chicago Bears continue to get the label of being last place team even before they hit the preseason. But ask any player on the team and they will tell you differently.

Most Bears fans have read numerous articles, have seen the headlines of how bad the Chicago Bears will be this season, despite the offseason acquisitions and NFL Draft picks. To be honest, most of the assessments of the team’s ability to win is based on paper projections, or who they think will be an integral part of the team and who won’t be.  But when you have been a part of a team that has been asleep, it’s time to wake up and EAT!

Related Story: Chicago Bears Five UDFAs Likely to Make Roster

It has been said before, by me, that not all of the demise of the Chicago Bears should be placed on quarterback Jay Cutler but that some of the coaches should shoulder some of that blame. But for the most part, winning teams are built with players who have a heart of a lion and in this case a Bear. In an interview with linebacker Danny Trevathan on Chicagobears.com , Trevathan said this about the defense,

"“I feel like that, you know. A lot of people you know, doubt them, and some guys were hurt last year, all this and that but their playing like their hungry. Like you said, like a chip on their shoulder, you know, like their playing like their hungry, like that’s what I’m used to. That’s what you need to start with, to use that on the field, to motivate you to play faster, to wanna be great out here. I think we are going the right direction you know. We have a great group of guys with some attitudes, but you know their smart at the same time. You rarely see that a lot, so I think we got a great group of guys out here.”"

Fellow linebacker Willie Young had a productive 2015 season with 12 tackles-for-loss and 6.5 sacks, including his first career interception. He expressed how it’s been a huge difference, just being able to be out there with the guys and build a chemistry that was lacking early in the season last year. He was speaking primarily about himself.

This may have well been the case for most of the players last year. Trying to gel with new coaches yet again and wondering if they really had their best interest at heart with the same goals. The addition of new players from free agency and the NFL Draft shows that the team is headed in the right direction. The goal this season is to build on that chemistry, become one cohesive unit that displays the same passion, drive and motivation will win games.

However, this doesn’t stop Sam Monson for writing a piece for ESPN Insider ranking the Bears current roster at 30. His reasons were based on the offensive line, stating that the Bears should upgrade OG Ted Larsen, OT Bobby Massie, TE Rob Housler and OT Charles Leno.

"“The Bears might be expected to be higher on this list, but the negatives on this roster are fatal flaws. The offensive line was a disaster a year ago and might not be much better this year. Long being back at guard should at least help. Kevin White could make a major impact at receiver, but at the moment he is a complete unknown.”, said Monson."

Getting rid of veteran guard Matt Slauson was probably not the wisest decision the Bears made so far, but neither was getting rid of running back Matt Forte’.  However since no one has been allowed to see too much of OTAs, it’s hard to say if Charles Leno has improved. Last season the Bears offense was ranked 23rd in the league compared to the 30th ranking Monson is giving them. Bringing Bobby Massie in at right tackle was an

Bringing Bobby Massie in at right tackle was an upgrade since it was not Kyle Long’s natural position. But the two of them together will make each other better and set the tone for the left side of the line as well, which includes rookie Cody Whitehair.  But to shore up the left side, the Bears signed free agent Nate Chandler from the Carolina Panthers as insurance.

At the end of the day, OTAs and training camp will give everyone a peek at what the Bears can do. But until all phases are on the field at the start of the regular season, will we then know for sure who is hungry.

The players currently on this team are pretty tired of having to defend themselves to media analysts who have never played a down of football but seem to know what they are talking about. So many sports analysts quote Pro Football Focus grades, which cannot possibly assess a player correctly.

CBSSports.com conducted a roundtable that included Kyle Long and Bobby Massie and two other NFL offensive lineman. The question was asked if PFF can possibly know what a player’s assignment is to grade them. Long proceeded to say;

"“If you turn on the film, you can see it’s a zone concept. But there may be a Bob concept in there. There may be a wham concept in there. There may be we’re booking this guy. We’re not going to block him. But on film, it might look like Bobby Massie didn’t even touch the guy. When in reality, Bobby went and got the linebacker and put him on the safety. And Chris Collinsworth doesn’t know that."

must read: Chicago Bears 30 Greatest Players of All-Time

There is an old saying, “you can poke a bear once and maybe get away with it, but if you keep poking him, he’s going to get really angry.” Well, the Chicago Bears have been poked and annoyed and will make sure they take it out on all the teams they allowed to walk all over them. If you’re going to be Monsters you might as well act like one.