Early Bears Thoughts
It looks like the Bears are in great shape at the skill positions and their D should be solid if they can get out of preseason without any major injuries.
In particular, I think the signing of Jason Campbell will be huge. If Cutler goes down, I feel like the Bears won't tank like they did with Caleb Hanie last year.
The one issue remains the offensive line. I think the new Tice scheme will help with its 2 tight end sets and the quick short passes/short QB drops that get mixed in. Those should help keep the defenses back a little. However, the LT and LG positions are still up in the air. Physically, I think Webb/Williams, and Spencer are strong and big enough, but there are too many mental mistakes - false starts and missed blocking assignments - that are drive killers. If Tice can get those worked out, the Bears can be a really, really good team. If not, they risk losing Forte and Cutler to injuries.
posted by Rob @ 8/14/2012 07:20:00 AM
2 comments
2 Comments:
O line will be an issue for the Pears all year.
Defense is aging. Julia Peepers is 32. Idonije will be 32 in a couple of months. Briggs will be 32 in a couple of months. Urlacher is 34 and already can't play. It is doubtful he will start the season and no way he is able to play the entire season. Peanut is 31. Not sure how confident I would be with Chris Cunty and Major Payne in the safety positions.
You have to hope that Forte has another great year and Jay George can separate his pseudo celebrity fiancee and new born from his time on the field with players and get along well with head case Brandon Marshall.
I do like JC coming in as he is an upgrade at the backup QB spot.
There is talent on the team and the potential to be very good. However, the same can be said for many football teams. We'll see how it all comes together soon.
Last year they would have been in the playoffs if Cutler or Forte had not been hurt. This year they have backups for both those spots.
As for the D - you really don't know their depth. Their starting safeties are young. They have upgraded their secondary depth and have youth mixed in - most notably DJ Moore looks like he is a rising talent at corner. Their first round defensive end that they selected got a sack last week (although he needs to bulk up against the run). I expect him to be a pass rushing specialist who will be helped by Peppers. They have good youth mixed into their D-line.
Linebacker depth took a hit with some injuries last week, but all of them are nagging type injuries not IR injuries.
O-line is the key. I have confidence they will be better than last year for the reasons I said in my post.
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