Chicago, IL. With just three weeks until the 2012 NFL regular season kicks off, the Chicago Bears have become a very popular and trendy pick to be a playoff team this coming January. With the additions of Brandon Marshall and Michael Bush, they have bolstered the offense and given the team some nice, new weapons. This is a team which was really hitting their stride in 2011, and looked to be a dangerous foe for any opponent down the stretch. Then came the injury to Jay Cutler, which completely derailed any serious plans that the Bears had and ultimately ended their hopes of a deep post-season run. Heading into this year, there is a renewed sense of optimism. Cutler is healthy, Matt Forte is under contract, and the defense still appears to be very good. Although the Chicago Bears look to have everything necessary to be an NFC power, there are several reasons why they will come up short once again.
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A few years ago, the Jay Cutler to Brandon Marshall connection in Denver was developing into one of the NFL’s best. They were both young, and seemed to have great chemistry together. Enter Josh McDaniels. Soon after his hire, he blew everything up, getting rid of Cutler and Marshall in the process. So now these two are back together in the Windy City, and look to pick up where they left off. Although both players are very gifted, they have both had their sour moments as well. Cutler has shown many instances of being immature, both on the field and in press conferences. He has also shown at times that he can be surly and arrogant. His moody temperament and body language that gives off an overall indifference towards the game he plays occurs all too often. To me, he is this generations Jeff George. A guy with a rocket arm and tons of ability, but doesn’t live, eat, and breathe football. He has, and always will, show glimpses of amazing ability, but something will always get in the way of him and his team reaching their goals. It’s a frustrating situation to be in if you are a fan of the Bears. On paper, he has all of the attributes you want in a guy leading your team. However, Jay Cutler is a guy who will lead countless fans to believe he is legit, when in fact he always seems to prove that he is nothing more than fools gold.
The Chicago Bears could not be in a tougher situation when it comes to their division. Green Bay is the class, and as long as Mr. Rodgers is there, will be an enormous obstacle to have to deal with. He is probably the best QB and leader in the game today, and he has many years left to torment the rest of the NFC North. Detroit is coming off a nice year, one in which they made the playoffs and showed they should be formidable for years to come. The Lions are extremely young, and if they can avoid any more off-field issues, they will be a factor as well in the forseeable future. Minnesota is a mess, as it would be pretty stunning if they didn’t finish last in the division in 2012.
The Bears offensive line has been one of the NFL’s worst for several years now. Many times, Jay Cutler has had to run for his life shortly after receiving the snap from center. If Chicago wants to contend and be a true force in the NFC, this front line has to improve immensely. The unit as a whole doesn’t appear to have any top-notch talent, so it should be a huge question mark as we head into September. It won’t matter how good the skill position players are. If the guys protecting Cutler and opening holes for Forte and Bush aren’t any better, the Chicago Bears will be on the outside looking in once again.
The defense has always been a staple of Chicago Bears football. Julius Peppers, Brian Urlacher, and Lance Briggs are the heart and soul of course. At times the past few years, they have dominated and been one of the leagues best units. The rush defense was one of the best in 2011, but the pass defense was one of the worst. The defensive backfield has been disappointing, and ultimately put too much pressure on the front seven to do too much. Facing Aaron Rodgers and Matthew Stafford four times a year won’t help matters at all in this regard. Getting in shootouts with Green Bay and Detroit will not be an ideal situation for Chicago to be in.
The Chicago Bears will have games this season that will make fans take notice and wonder if they are an elite NFC team. They have nice talent on both sides of the ball, and guys who can make plays. This team, however, has too many question marks to really give Green Bay a run for their money for the division title. The Bears will look brilliant at times throughout this upcoming season, and look to be a 9-7 or 10-6 squad. But the fact that Jay Cutler is the guy leading the way means anything more than a wildcard berth and early playoff exit is foolish to expect.
Denver Sports by J Simp
8 comments
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Paul M.
September 2, 2012 at 3:15 AM (UTC -6) Link to this comment
The Bears were really strong the last two seasons. The injuries of 3 of their top offensive players was what stunted their W-L record last year, not just Cutler. Forte and Knox did count as part of our offensive capability. The thing about the Bears is that they are a strong team in every aspect of the game. They can pass, rush, QB draw, scramble, return punts and kickoffs, and have a respectable defense. All these areas they have scored in the last two years. Although it isn’t as consistant as I’d like it, they are capable to turn a game around any time while the clock is running. The acquisition of Marshal and the rookie WR gives them more of a deep pass option, which was missing, and compounds into taking pressure off the 3 guys previously mentioned as key offensive players. The offensive line issue was due to injuries and was only the first 2-3 games of the season last year. The previous year a similar issue, but again it was fixed and the Bears got into the playoffs with even less of a line then. Cutler does have issues, but the guy is a diabetic so I am sure he is drained and his ability to please people with a happy face is probably not his priority. He is the strongest QB in the league as he’s proven with taking the most hits and sticking it out. Keep in mind his injury was him attempting to tackle someone when he didn’t have to. The Martz issue is gone and I think he’ll perform much better this year as long as the team stays healthy. I have the impression that the Bears team since Cutler joined has been a dust bowl scrambling to work #6 into a successful scheme. Last year they were much more polished when they got going, but things happened. This year I think they are even better off as the dust seems to have settled. With that said, they need to be a team, some pre-season plays give me concern regarding that, but they should be able to work that out. The defense is getting older, so I feel a pending need for them to get to the superbowl for ol’#54 Urlacher. Oh…and win it. Regarding GB I don’t think they are that much of a problem as you paint them. The Bears vs GB games the last two years have been close and neither team dominated. The Bears always slowed down Rodgers. They even almost gave him a consussion 2 years ago if I recall correctly. I felt the GB superbowl win was a fluke and that last season was some weird run-off of that fluke. I believe they proved me right in the post season. Yes they are a concern, but they aren’t equal to their hype. The Lions are actually exciting to watch and I wish them well. That city deserves some winning seasons. With that said I am excited and hopeful, I have concerns, but to conclude that everything will remain the same is short sighted and a little presumptuous in my view. I wish you Brocos a good season too. I have always been an Elway fan.
Ralph T.
September 1, 2012 at 4:30 PM (UTC -6) Link to this comment
Sour grapes in Denver…
Sparky
August 19, 2012 at 11:31 AM (UTC -6) Link to this comment
When Mark Martz was operating Cutler much like one who is playing with a remote control car, Jay was struggling.
He did what he was told to do or else he was blamed for any short comings. Turns out he got blamed anyways. So just like a worker who does what he’s told Jay did-even if it was a clear failure and led to Mark Martz demise in order to blame shift. Now Jay is allowed to call his own shots and do what he needs to when the time arises. His line isn’t very strong as far as protecting that’s still true, however having options to throw and run at will helps get some pressure off him. After a few on-season games are played I think players on the bears offense will slip into a power groove that’s loaded with confidence.
Once that’s been started, morale,faith,and team spirit will really help raise everyone’s level of skill. The Packers are a very strong team but rely almost 90% on passing, which is scarey. Cedric can bust a move to help sometimes, and the special teams are non-existant. Defense is sub-par. They are a team that tries to outpass/score its oppenents to make up for all its shortfalls. The Bears are set to be much more “Rounded” It will take a while to pick them apart. As for the Pack, stop Rodgers (one person) and the team quickly dies (Kansas proved that last year and other teams copied it) Thats a pathetic weakness…
Angel Sanchez
August 18, 2012 at 10:14 AM (UTC -6) Link to this comment
Silly Bronco fans you should worry about what your team does and not what a couple of players that balled with you before are up to. Focus on what Manning is doing and if he can take your team to the playoffs, I for one am looking forward to what the Bears get done now that their scheme is different on offense and feel the line should be able to hold their own because of it. Good luck to your team they’ll need it.
J Simp
August 18, 2012 at 9:37 AM (UTC -6) Link to this comment
To Jonathan Hicks…..am I assuming correctly that you believe they will win the NFC North? Since I am an idiot and all, I am just asking you to clarify your stance. Not a cheesehead whatsoever, and don’t have a rooting interest at all in that division. I think they have upgraded overall, however Green Bay is better, and Cutler has never proven to be someone that can lead a team anywhere. Feel free to respond if you have something worthwhile to add.
J Simp
August 18, 2012 at 9:32 AM (UTC -6) Link to this comment
To Jon Amsbaugh…..Being a Bronco fan has zero to do with my opinion of Cutler and Marshall. I actually like the Bears talent overall, but relying on two guys who have proven to be unreliable is foolish. They are both too immature and have proven so. I think the Bears are a pretty good team, but the Packers are quite a bit better.
Jon Amsbaugh
August 17, 2012 at 4:28 PM (UTC -6) Link to this comment
I would expect nothing less of a bronco fan than to be a Jay Cutler and Brandon Marshall hater. Please keep in mind that your very temporary adolescent coach ran them off and the Bears were more than happy to let them showcase their talents in Chicago. Congrats on the Peyton Manning aquisition. I believe both teams will have good seasons.
Jonathan Hicks
August 17, 2012 at 1:38 PM (UTC -6) Link to this comment
you must be an idiot. They upgrade at several positions but in your mind have downgraded overall? Are you a cheesehead?