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Chicago Bears 2010 Season Preview

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08/24/2010 - (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Many coaches, even Super Bowl winning ones, have become victims in this "What-Have-You-Done-For-Me-Lately?" National Football League.

It seems Chicago Bears head coach Lovie Smith is next on the chopping block if he fails to get the storied franchise back to the playoffs, a destination the team hasn't visited since losing to Indianapolis in Super Bowl XLI.

Smith guided the Bears to a 13-3 record and an NFC North title back in 2006, but has won more than seven games just once in the previous three years (23-25). Smith and his staff are on the hot seat for 2010, but nobody should feel more heat this upcoming season than quarterback Jay Cutler.

Cutler has all the physical tools and a football I.Q. worthy of being alluded to as a franchise quarterback. He can make any throw on the field and the Bears just hope he can limit some balls landing in the arms of an opposing defender. Cutler was picked off an NFL-high 26 times last season to go along with 27 touchdown passes in his first season in the Windy City. Cutler, who finished last season on a promising note with eight TD strikes and only one interception in the final two games, will have new offensive coordinator Mike Martz calling the shots.

Martz, known for his offensive prowess in his days as head coach of the pass- happy St. Louis Rams and future Hall of Fame signal caller Kurt Warner, could be next in line to take over the reigns if the powers that be decide it's time to end the Smith regime. Smith served as defensive coordinator under Martz with the Rams before taking the Chicago job, and his philosophy of running the football may clash with his new coordinator. Smith already has a workhorse running back in Matt Forte, while the team gave the head coach another weapon this offseason by signing all-purpose running back Chester Taylor.

Defensive coordinator Rod Marinelli was promoted from line coach to his new position in the offseason, and should have no quarrels with how general manager Jerry Angelo spent some of the organization's money to compete with the rest of the division this season. The Bears landed the prize of the free agent class in defensive end Julius Peppers, who inked a six-year deal that could be worth as much as $91.5 million. That's a lot of dough for a seasoned veteran, and Chicago is very confident it made the right move.

Peppers' consistency on the field has come into question over the past few years, and that could be related to a faltered relationship with the Carolina Panthers. He'll have a myriad of talent around him in players such as Brian Urlacher, Lance Briggs and Tommie Harris to keep him motivated. But playing with Urlacher is what intrigued Peppers the most.

"Of course, I looked at the roster and having those guys didn't hurt," Peppers said after signing the deal. "'Lach has been one of the best players in the league since I've been in the league. I've always admired his game from afar. Having the opportunity to play with him, I jumped at the opportunity."

The Bears hope to make a jump of their own this season even though Green Bay and Minnesota will share most of the headlines, and deservedly so since the Packers and Vikings are favored to go far in the NFC. The Bears aren't quite where they want to be and should expect some downfalls this season with a tough schedule. At least they won't be the worst team in a division that is also represented by the lowly Detroit Lions.

Below we take a capsule look at the 2010 edition of the Chicago Bears, with a personnel evaluation and prognosis included therein:

2009 RECORD: 7-9 (3rd, NFC North)

LAST PLAYOFF APPEARANCE: 2006, lost to Indianapolis, 29-17, in Super Bowl

COACH (RECORD): Lovie Smith (52-44 in six seasons with Bears, 52-44 overall)

OFFENSIVE COORDINATOR: Mike Martz

DEFENSIVE COORDINATOR: Rod Marinelli

OFFENSIVE STAR: Jay Cutler, QB (3666 passing yards, 27 TD, 26 INT)

DEFENSIVE STAR: Julius Peppers, DE (42 tackles, 10.5 sacks, 2 INT with Carolina)

OFFENSIVE TEAM RANKS: 29th rushing, 17th passing, 19th scoring

DEFENSIVE TEAM RANKS: 23rd rushing, 13th passing, t21st scoring

KEY ADDITIONS: QB Dan LeFevour (6th Round, Central Michigan), RB Chester Taylor (from Vikings), TE Brandon Manumaleuna (from Chargers), DE Julius Peppers (from Panthers), DE Corey Wootton (4th Round, Northwestern), LB Brian Iwuh (from Jaguars), CB Tim Jennings (from Colts), S Chris Harris (from Panthers), S Major Wright (3rd Round, Florida)

KEY DEPARTURES: RB Adrian Peterson (not tendered), RB Kevin Jones (released), FB Jason McKie (to Saints), T Orlando Pace (released), DE Alex Brown (to Saints), DE Adewale Ogunleye (not tendered), DT Dusty Dvoracek (not tendered), LB Jamar Williams (to Panthers), OLB Darrell McClover (not tendered), CB Nathan Vasher (to Chargers), S Kevin Payne (to Rams)

QB: Cutler (3,666 yards, 27 TD, 26 INT) threw for a career-best 27 touchdown passes last season, but as previously stated the 26 interceptions were also a statistic he's never seen before. The durable Cutler, who was sacked a career- high 35 times in 2009, has started every game in each of the previous three years. The 35 sacks were the most Cutler has sustained since going down 27 times in his second campaign with Denver. The Bears still have high expectations for Cutler after giving up two first-round picks in the deal that landed the former Vanderbilt star. Now under a new system with Martz at the controls, Chicago is counting on their expensive investment to make even bigger strides in 2010. Cutler, though, will have to do that with an unpolished group of wide receivers. Backup QB Caleb Hanie (11 yards, INT) suffered a shoulder injury during preseason action, but hasn't been ruled out for the season opener on September 12 versus the Lions at home. The Bears signed veteran quarterback Todd Collins to a one-year deal and also have rookie Dan LeFevour under contract.

RB: Smith is big on running the football, but with Martz in town it appears the play-calling will be split. Smith, however, is in charge now and hopes to improve on the 29th-ranked rushing attack from a season ago. The Bears averaged 93.2 yards per game on the ground last season, as star running back Matt Forte had a down year from a breakout rookie campaign in 2008. After rushing for more than 1,200 yards and eight touchdowns in his first season, Forte was limited to 929 rushing yards and four scores in 2009. His 258 carries were down from 316, but that's only because Cutler's under center now and the Bears weren't forced to run as often. Forte (929 yards, 4 TD) is also a threat out of the backfield and hauled in 57 passes for 471 yards. In 2008, Forte recorded 63 receptions for 477 yards and four touchdowns. Taylor (338 yards, TD) was brought in to compete with Forte and is just as dynamic with his speed and pass-catching ability. Taylor still has plenty of football left in him after serving as Adrian Peterson's backup in Minnesota.

WR/TE: Chicago was 17th in passing last season, averaging just 217.1 yards per contest. They don't have the type of receivers that play in Green Bay or Minnesota, but the Bears are hoping for more production out of young wideout Johnny Knox. Knox (527 yards, 5 TD) showed flashed of breakout potential in his rookie campaign last season and also performed well on kickoff returns. Playmaker and versatile wideout/return man Devin Hester (757 yards, 3 TD) led the Bears in receiving yards last season, while tight end Greg Olsen (612 yards, 8 TD) finished on top in catches with 60 and touchdown receptions. Olsen will have to block a lot more in Martz's offense that really doesn't showcase the tight end position. Perhaps Olsen will line up on the outside since the Bears signed blocking tight end Brandon Manumaleuna in the offseason. Earl Bennett (717 yards, 2 TD) is expected to flourish under the new system and came on in 2009 after a sluggish rookie campaign in which he posted no catches in 10 games played. Emerging receiver Devin Aromashodu (298 yards, 4 TD) had a strong finish to the season and hopes that carries over into 2010.

OL: The offensive line could have played better last season as evidenced by the 35 sacks on Cutler. Chicago drafted tackle J'Marcus Webb out of West Texas A&M, but he's not expected to turn into Jonathan Ogden overnight. Tackle Chris Williams, who was selected in the first round back in 2008, will protect Cutler's blind side, a task he performed at the end of last season. Frank Omiyale is expected to start on the right side, and the two bookends have a tough task in the NFC North trying to block the likes of Jared Allen of Minnesota. Veteran center Olin Kreutz should be fully recovered after undergoing surgery on an injured Achilles, while Roberto Garza and Josh Beekman are expected to start at the guard spots. Beekman can play all the spots on the line, and both Lance Louis and Johan Asiata are in the running for playing time at guard. The offensive line, which will be run by former head coach Mike Tice, has its work cut out with Martz expected to throw more.

DL: Peppers, the No. 2 overall pick in 2002, posted 10.5 sacks last season and owns 81 for his career. Peppers (42 tackles, 10.5 sacks, 2 INT) has 25 sacks over the past two seasons and his presence alone should make Chicago's front line even better. Peppers turned 30 in January and has shown no signs of slowing down despite rumors he takes plays off. The North Carolina product was a major addition to a defensive line that lost Alex Brown and Adewale Ogunleye in the offseason. Ogunleye led the Bears with 6.5 sacks in 2009. Mark Anderson (28 tackles, 3.5 sacks) and Israel Idonije (18 tackles, 2.5 sacks) will team up with Peppers at the end spots, but are still a work in progress. Defensive tackle Harris (24 tackles, 2.5 sacks, INT) is expected to thrive on the line with Peppers perhaps taking on double and triple-teams. Anthony Adams (44 tackles, 2 sacks) and Marcus Harrison (24 tackles, sack) will plug the gaps from the nose tackle position. Both players appeared in all 16 games in 2009 for a Bears squad that ended 23rd against the rush and 17th in yards allowed.

LB: Chicago's biggest strength on defense is at linebacker, where a healthy Urlacher and Lance Briggs make weekly headlines. Urlacher (3 tackles) was lost for the season with a wrist injury suffered in the opening week against the rival Packers. The six-time Pro Bowl selection should be ready for the regular season, but suffered a calf injury in the preseason. Opposite of Urlacher is another Pro Bowl-caliber player in Briggs. Briggs (118 tackles, 2.5 sacks, INT) led the Bears in stops last season and is just as versatile as Urlacher when it comes to stopping the run and covering the pass. Briggs, usually a weakside linebacker, stepped up to the challenge when Urlacher was lost last year, something fellow linebacker Hunter Hillenmeyer had to do. Hillenmeyer (90 tackles, 2.5 sacks, INT) has been the ultimate replacement player for the Bears and can play either the middle or outside. Hillenmeyer will play behind Urlacher, while Nick Roach (74 tackles, sack) and Pisa Tinoisamoa (4 tackles) will battle for the starting spot at strongside.

DB: The Bears were 13th against the pass in 2009 and return starting cornerbacks Charles Tillman (78 tackles, 2 INT) and Zackary Bowman (66 tackles, 6 INT). Bowman led the team in picks with six and Tillman brings a treasure chest of leadership and experience to the team. Corey Graham (35 tackles) will play behind Bowman on the left side, while Tim Jennings and D.J. Moore will back up Tillman on the right side. Chicago is loaded with safeties, but Daniel Manning (92 tackles, sack, INT) is slated to start at strong safety and newcomer Chris Harris (60 tackles, 3 INT) will start in the free spot. Manning signed a one-year tender in the offseason and Harris was acquired from Carolina in exchange for linebacker Jamar Williams in late April. Josh Bullocks (23 tackles), Craig Steltz (11 tackles) and rookie Major Wright add competition and depth at safety. Wright was taken 75th overall in the draft.

SPECIAL TEAMS: Hester is arguably one of the top punt returners in the league and returned 24 of them a year ago for an average of 22.3 yards. The speedy Hester holds the franchise record for career punt return yards and shared punt return duties with fellow wideout Bennett, who posted 10.2 yards on 14 chances. Knox is Chicago's primary returner on kickoffs and recorded 927 yards on 32 returns a season ago, averaging 29 yards. Manning returned 28 kicks in 2009 and averaged 26.6 yards. Robbie Gould is one of the most accurate kickers in league history and made 24-of-28 chances last year. He was perfect on all 33 PAT attempts. Veteran Brad Maynard boomed 77 punts in 2009 for an average of 41.4 yards.

PROGNOSIS: In order to avoid the guillotine at season's end or perhaps midway through, Smith has to get the Bears off to a promising start. Even though they're not expected to compete for a division title, the Bears should be better than advertised in recent years. Competing with Green Bay and Minnesota is no easy task nowadays, but anything can happen in the NFL. Another seven to eight-win season is in store for Chicago, which hopes Martz can resurrect an extinct passing attack with Cutler in his first season as coordinator. Success through the air and improved play on defense will be vital in keeping Smith on the sidelines.

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