NFL Team-By-Team Previews - Chicago Bears

Record: 9-7 (2nd NFC North)

Best Game: Week 1 @ Indianapolis - 29-13
The Bears started off the season with what seemed to be a tough opening opponent, as they walked into the brand new Lucas Oil Stadium to face the Colts in week 1. Things didn't go according to plan, however, when rookie RB Matt Forte burst onto the scene with a 50-yard TD run in the 1st quarter, and the Bears never looked back. A safety by DE Ogunleye and a recovered fumble for a TD by LB Briggs gave Bears fans reason to hope for a great season in 2008.

Worst Game: Week 17 @ Houston - 24-31
So much for saving the best for last. All the Bears had to do to get into the playoffs was win the last game against a beatable (albeit improving) Houston team. The Bears got off to a quick start leading 10-0 after the 1st quarter, but Andre Johnson had two TD receptions in the 2nd quarter as a part of a 21-0 run by Houston, and the Texans spoiled the Bears chances at a playoff birth. Orton had a good game in this one, but Schaub could not be stopped. He went 27-36 for 328 yards and 2 TDs.

MVP: Matt Forte
Forte is the first rookie to win a team MVP in our series, and rightfully so. Forte led all rookie RBs in total yards and receptions, and finished 3rd in the NFL in total yards from scrimmage with 1,715. He showed breakaway speed from his very first game, and led the team not only in rushing yards, but also in receptions and TDs. The Bears will try to use Kevin Jones more this season, so as to keep Forte fresher late in the 2009 season.


The Offseason

Significant Losses:

Mike Brown - S - Released February 14
Brown was a staple of this defense for years, as well as the vocal leader. Injuries have derailed his career.

Marty Booker - WR - Released February 13
The impact of losing Booker has much less to do with Booker and much more to do with the WR depth chart now. Earl Bennett and Brandon Rideau have a total of zero combined receptions.

Kyle Orton - QB - Traded to Denver (with picks) April 2
Orton may not have been the greatest quarterback to ever put on a Bears helmet, but he was adequate last season, keeping the Bears in several games.

Significant Additions:

Jay Cutler - QB - Traded for Kyle Orton (plus picks) April 2
A savior in Chicago? Time will tell, but Bears fans have reason to be excited about this brassy move the Bears front office made. Cutler should be in Chicago for years to come.

Orlando Pace - OT - Signed April 2
The first of two ex-Rams signed by the Bears in the off-season, Pace has had a solid career (albeit with a few injuries). He is a projected starter on the Offensive Line.

Pisa Tinoisamoa - LB - Signed May 29
The other ex-Ram to sign, Tinoisamoa led the Rams in tackles last season with 135. He is currently slated as a starter alongside Lance Briggs and Brian Urlacher.

Kevin Shaffer - OT - Signed March 25
Shaffer was picked up primarily for depth, but finds himself behind 2nd year Tackle Chris Williams. He committed just one penalty in 15 games last season for the Browns.

Draft Picks:
Round 3, Pick 4: Jarron Gilbert - DT - San Diego State
Round 3, Pick 35: Juaquin Iglesias - WR - Oklahoma
Round 4, Pick 5: Henry Melton - DE - Texas
Round 4, Pick 19: DJ Moore - CB - Vanderbilt
Round 5, Pick 4: Johnny Knox - WR - Abilene Christian
Round 5, Pick 18: Marcus Freeman - OLB - Ohio State
Round 6, Pick 17: Al Afalava - S - Oregon State
Round 7, Pick 37: Lance Louis - TE - San Diego State
Round 7, Pick 42: Derek Kinder - WR - Pittsburgh

Grade: B
Not having a pick in the first day hurt, even though Jay Cutler was part of that reason. There were WR's to be had that rated out far better than Iglesias, but his pick was good value. Gilbert was a good pick in the 3rd round, as was Moore and Knox in the 4th and 5th rounds. Melton in the 4th was a reach. Afalava was a great value pick in the 6th round, in my opinion. He may be starting week 1 with the injuries the Bears have had in the preseason.

Training Camp Report

- QB Cutler and TE Olsen look like they've been playing together for years.

- RB Kevin Jones has looked solid with his cuts. He should take more of a load this season.

- The Bears WRs have had the dropsies early in camp, largely due to how quickly the ball is on them when they turn around.

- CB Zack Bowman has been the best standout on the defensive side of the ball. Bears fans need to hope he can stay healthy.

- CB Nate Vasher looks horrible. Another reason Bowman needs to stay healthy.

- WR Brandon Rideau has impressed with his hands. He has an outside shot at being the #2 WR in week 1.

- DE Alex Brown flattened OT Orlando Pace early in camp. He's paid for it ever since.

- DE Mark Anderson has looked solid rushing the QB. He still needs to improve on playing the run.

- LB Tinoisamoa will start alongside Briggs and Urlacher this season. That's a very solid LB Corps.

- WR Earl Bennett is still struggling.

- Cutler and WR Hester have tried to connect on several deep balls in camp. The ones they have connected on look pretty. The ones they haven't still spread out the defense.

- Rashied Davis has not looked great. However he may stay on the team due to experience.

2009 Outlook

Best Case Scenario:
Cutler impresses, Forte continues to improve, The D-Line is dominant and the Defensive Backfield solidifies itself. Someone in the WR Corps emerges and the Bears win the division and make noise in the playoffs.

Worst Case Scenario:
Cutler struggles, the defensive backfield is in shambles, and the Bears end another season with no WRs to speak of. They struggle to finish 8-8.

Prediction: 10-6, 2nd NFC North