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Another year of 32 in 31. Sports News on Tap takes the month of August to preview the National Football League. We spend every day of the month looking at a new team and how they will fare in 2013.
People say all the time, change is a good thing. Sometimes it is to convince yourself that the horrible breakup you just suffered is actually okay and life will get better when truly you are mess playing Mumford & Sons' first album with the shades down for the whole afternoon curled in the fetal position. Other times, change really is a positive and can put a person or a team in our case in the right direction.
The Chicago Bears no longer have Lovie Smith in the saddle as head coach meaning the days of Aaron Rodgers tearing through a Cover 2 zone are probably gone as well as Lovie's explanations as to why the offensive line is not performing poorly. Marc Trestmann is the new chief coming over from Montreal's CFL team and formerly an offensive coordinator in the NFL for a couple successful teams. The Bears' change is a good one and they might be dangerous this season.
The Chicago Bears no longer have Lovie Smith in the saddle as head coach meaning the days of Aaron Rodgers tearing through a Cover 2 zone are probably gone as well as Lovie's explanations as to why the offensive line is not performing poorly. Marc Trestmann is the new chief coming over from Montreal's CFL team and formerly an offensive coordinator in the NFL for a couple successful teams. The Bears' change is a good one and they might be dangerous this season.
OFFENSEJay Cutler is in a contract year. Like we said with Hakeem Nicks last week, this sometimes goes unnoticed when it comes to football players. Cutler is finally playing for a coach whose an offensive mind and not dealing a revolving door of offensive coordinators. This might be the year where we see Cutler's numbers go leaps and bounds above what we are used to seeing from him. The interceptions have always been an issue for Cutler, but I feel like most people should be at the point with him where it is expected versus trying to believe he will cut down on him. Like Brett Favre, he is a gunslinger and sometimes takes unneseccary risks.
The offensive line looks as good as it has been in some time. They spent some money to get Jermon Bushrod from New Orleans giving them an actual left tackle, not just someone trying to look the part. They picked up Matt Slauson from the New York Jets, an offensive guard whom probably does not get the credit he deserves because he plays for the Jets. They added Kyle Long in the draft and it appears like their only gloomy spot might be right tackle. That's better than having three or four of the line position look like a mess.
The receiving core will be improved this year as well with the addition of Martellus Bennett. He had a breakout year for the New York Giants last season and there is no reason to believe it will not continue in Chicago. Easily, the one guy I was actually upset he went to a rival team. I love me some Marty Bennett. Bennett, Brandon Marshall and Alshon Jeffery are complete nightmares to teams with small secondaries as all three of the men are at least 6'3 in height. I assume we will see many vertical routes and jump balls for these receivers.
DEFENSE
Brian Urlacher is missing from this defense as he retired in the offseason. This is not an earth-shattering move for the team as the Bears looked better on defense without the future Hall of Famer. His leadership will be missed, sure, but his actual play declined in the final years of his career. Their linebackers are not much to write home about though. D.J. Williams, a signee from Denver, has struggled injury and legal troubles throughout his NFL career. James Anderson is a fine player, but nothing special. Lance Briggs is an esteemed linebacker, but his fastball seems in decline as well.
The rest of the defense though is stellar. Henry Melton and Julius Peppers on the defensive line are two of the best in the business. Melton like Cutler is in a contract year and you would figure a big season is probably the goal. Corey Wootoon was a serviceable defensive end playing opposite of Peppers as he had seven sacks last season. Their secondary is great led by Charles Tillman and Tim Jennings. Both of those players can change a game with their ability to force turnovers.
SPECIAL TEAMS
Robbie Gould is still the kicker and probably will be until I am 50 years old. Adam Podlesh still punting the ball for the Bears. Devin Hester lost a step last season in the return game, and usually when that happens, it does not come back, ask Dante Hall.
KEY ADDITIONS
TE Martellus Bennett, OT Jermon Bushrod, OG Matt Slauson, LB D.J. Williams, S Tom Zbikowski - Touched on almost all except for Zbikowski, a Chicago native and former Notre Dame player. I will bet money there will be more Zbikowski jerseys popping up at Soldier Field than anyone probably believes there to be.
KEY SUBTRACTIONS
LB Brian Urlacher, TE Kellen Davis, DE Israel Idonije, OG Lance Louis, CB D.J. Moore, TE Matt Spaeth, LB Geno Hayes
BEARS DRAFT PICKS
OG Kyle Long, LB Jon Bostic, OLB Khaseem Greene, OT Jordan Mills, DE Cornelius Washington, WR Marquess Wilson - Bostic and Greene could be impact players right out the gate and Wilson could be a dangerous forth wide receiver.
GAME TO WATCH
Monday December 9th - vs. Dallas 7:40 pm - Here's my thinking with this game. They play in December and both, I figure to be playoff contending teams. They will need this win for the division and NFC standings plus it could be a tiebreaker by the end of the year.
WIN TOTAL
10-12 - Yup, I think the Bears will be a playoff team and they have an outside shot at winning the division. Cutler will be scary good this year and maybe be a fringe MVP candidate plus their defense will force enough turnovers creating a 'bend not break' D.
Charlie.
