Cutler’s first season in Chicago did not go as planned. While he passed for a career-high 27 touchdown passes, he also led the league with 26 interceptions. With Cutler not playing up to his Pro Bowl status, the Chicago Bears managed only seven wins.
Following last year, it was evident that the Bears needed more upgrades. So they brought in defensive end Julius Peppers and running back Chester Taylor. They also added Mike Martz and Mike Tice to the coaching staff.
With these additions, Chicago is optimistic that they can contend for an NFC North title. That is, as long as Cutler has a bounce back year.
Offense: While Jay Cutler took a lot of heat for Chicago’s offensive woes, he wasn’t solely to blame. His job was not easy playing behind an underachieving offensive line, and he received no help from the rushing game.
If Tice can get more out of the boys up front, Chicago should be able to do better than the 93.2 yards per game it gained rushing last season, especially now that Taylor has been inserted into the lineup to aid Matt Forte.
Matt was not able to keep building on the 1,238 yards he gained in his rookie season. Forte likely won’t rush for that many yards this season either, but the Bears’ running game is in better shape after adding another versatile back.
Cutler didn’t start to jell with the receivers until late last year. Once he did, Chicago started to play much better football. While Chicago doesn’t have a true No. 1 wideout, Devin Hester, Earl Bennett, Johnny Knox and Devin Aromashodu are all very capable of big games. Martz should also be able to look more ways to get TE Greg Olsen involved.
If the ground game is better, Jay Cutler will be better. He forced way too many throws last season because the offense was not able to move the football.
Defense: Chicago’s pass rush has been inconsistent the last few seasons, but Peppers should instantly shake things up. We’re speaking about a freakish athlete who has had 10.5 or more sacks in five of the last six years. His presence up front should also revitalize past Pro Bowler Tommy Harris.
Lance Briggs may now be the Bears’ best LB, but Brian Urlacher is still the heart and soul of this defense. Chicago missed his leadership and big play ability a lot when he missed nearly all of 2009 with a wrist injury. If Pisa Tinoisamoa could avoid the injury bug, the Bears’ have as good a linebacker unit as any team in the League.
Charles Tillman and Zack Bowman are reliable cornerbacks, but Chicago needs better play from their safeties. They are hoping that third round draft pick Major Wright will be able to help the safety unit from day one.
Prediction: 3rd NFC North – After bringing on guys like Peppers and Taylor, Chicago will be a better football team then they were a season ago. The question now is if they can put it all together. Jay Cutler didn’t seem to settle in until late last season, and the Bears can’t afford their new guys to take that long. Chicago should be better in 2010, but it may be asking to much for it to overtake Minnesota and the Packers. NFL odds makers currently have listed the Chicago Bears at +350 to win the NFC North.
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