Couple of things:
You're going to talk about cracks in a defense in defense of a team with an all-new scheme anchored by a rookie that was one of the worst run defenses in the league last year? I'll admit that defense has been one of the weaker parts of the Bears since the Superbowl, but they still managed to beat teams like the Saints, Colts, Eagles, Vikings, Packers, and came within three points of tying or winning games agains the Bucs, Panthers, and Falcons, and coming within 7 of the Titans and Texans. Also, while their pass defense struggled, their run defense was among the best in the league, barring that horrendous game at Lambeau. Also, while most of the Packers' moves on defense this offseason have been getting rookies through the draft, Chicago has signed Pino Tinoisamoa, Josh Bullocksand Glen Earl. Not to say that they're Pro Bowlers or anything, but Chicago has been active in trying to create competition at key spots, not to mention that if some of the D-Line players bounce back and return to form it makes us a much better team, most notably Mark Anderson and Alex Brown. People also forget that Tommie Harris had a very productive season, some argue a Pro Bowl season last year and that we have a rookie lineman who is yet to prove what he can do in Marcus Harrison.
As for the Bears offense, I'd call mediocre instead of poor. We have ALWAYS had a solid running game even in the down years with people like Anthony Thomas, Cedric Benson, and Thomas Jones all having at least one big year. The real weak spot has been the passing game, and even that is blown out of proportion a lot of times simply because it's not the best in the league. I was in the Madden forums on a topic that asked which was the worst Bears QB and Jim Miller was getting a lot of grief. When I started posting some numbers people started to remember real flukes at QB like Cade McNown. At any rate, our quarterbacking has been good enough to win us two division championships and a Superbowl appearance the past four years, and almost a third division championship last year. I won't say play at the position has been great, but you can't get that far under poor play. I see Cutler improving that a LOT. He's not going to be putting up the same numbers, but we managed to hold together a playoff ready team for the past few years, now our one weak spot has become our strong point, I don't see how that doesn't count for something. Plus, between forcing the opposing D to respect the pass and opening up more room for the run and in providing better accuracy for Hester on the long bombs I think ouroffense will be much more respectable.
As for having no receivers, in Denver last season one of Cutler's top targets was a rookie, Eddie Royal. He had 91 receptions for 980 yards and five touchdowns. They also played a different game in Denver. Chicago's passing game has always centered on spreading the ball around and utilizing backs and tight ends. Olsen and Dez Clark are a standout Tight End duo, and having a running back who is utilized in the passing game isn't a bad thing, either. Granted, there should be a reciever or TE who has more receptions, but that should be better this year. As I said, one of the big problems with Hester was that on the long route, in which he is most effective, he was overthrown. In terms of speed, most D-backs, if any can touch him and keep him contained on a route, plus when he did get the ball and didn't miss his route he was able to shake defenders like he had been doing it all his life. Remember, he's only had two seasons at the position ever, including college and high school. It's just going to take some time for him to get adjusted, adn this could be a breakout year. If anything, the presence of Cutler is sure to make him more of a factorwith the deep ball. Also, don't count out the Bears' other receivers. Coaches and scouts are very high on Johnny Knox and Juaqin Iglesias, and Earl Bennett is an old teamate of Cutler's who could see a breakout season. People say he didn't catch a pass last season, but he barely saw any playing time at all. This season is his chance to prove himself. And remember, a quarterback makes a receiver, not the other way around.
Am I saying the Bears should be penciled in ahead fo the Vikings? No, but I think the disparity in the rankings is too much for two teams that were so close last season. Ahead of the Pack, though, why not? What moves has the Pack made to not only stay where they are, but jump ahead of the Bears? They didn't even make 500 last season, is anything they did so drastic as to warrant jumping ahead of the Bears in the standings? I don't see how.
Chargers/Eagles, Chargers have a superbe offense, questions at defense. Eagles, exactly the opposite. McNabb, good as he is, is always a bit of a question mark, especially in the clutch. In SD on the defensive side, Merriman is probably the equivalent of McNabb. Both players are going to have to step up to meet the high expectations people have for their teams. I'll just say, though, that I think the Eagles D is far superior to the Chargers D. I think the Chargers have the potential to go deeer into the playoffs, but head to head I'll take the Eagles IF McNabb can perform at the top of his game. If the whole offense rests on B West then the Chargers will stack the box and shut down the Eagles.
With the Pats/Colts, the Colts play in a VERY competitive division. The Titans are pretty much a surefire playoff team, the Texans are just on the verge of being there, and the Jags have made some very big offseason moves. The AFC South is going to be the AFC's answer to the NFC East. THe PAts, on the other hand, pretty much just have to worry about the fins. The Bills will be better, but playoff better? I'm not convinced. The Jets are still at least a season away from a solid playoff run. I think the East almost unquestionably belongs to the Pats.
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