The Chicago Bears are the third best horse in a three horse race to win the NFC North. This may be to Chicago’s advantage to sneak up on Green Bay and Minnesota. Not many NFL experts are giving Chicago much of a chance to make the NFL Playoffs in 2010 and for good reason. Chicago coach, Lovie Smith’s job is not riding on Chicago’s performance this year and that is a good thing for Smith.
Jay Cutler has Another New System to Learn but he Will Like This System
Jay Cutler is a better quarterback than he showed in the 2009 NFL season but it may be the fact he wasn’t comfortable in the plodding offense of Rod Turner. The addition of master offensive coordinator Mike Martz could be a hit or a miss in Chicago. Cutler threw for 26 interceptions in a conservative offense. How many picks will he suffer in an aggressive offense?
Jay Cutler has weapons in Chicago, it is just a matter of becoming acclimated to his surroundings. Cutler will have Devin Hester as his number one receiver and Martz has said he envisions Hester as a slot receiver in his offense. A key addition also is Brandon Manumaleuna at tight end. He will be a big addition to assist an offensive line that has been suspect.
Matt Forte is Key to Chicago Bears Offensive Improvement in NFC North
Matt Forte was injured most of the NFL season in 2009 and is determined to erase the memory of his dismal season. Forte fumbled six times in 2009 after only fumbling once in his rookie season. Forte will be used by Martz as a receiving back out o the back field as he was used in his rookie season.
Matt Forte is not the only back that will see a lot of snaps in the 2010 NFL season. Chester Taylor joins the backfield of the Chicago Bears, heading over from division rival Minnesota. Taylor is an excellent compact running back that is a solid blocking back, who is also excellent with catching the ball in the flat coming out of the backfield.
Will Brain Urlacher Regain his Pro Bowl Linebacker Status with Chicago Bears?
Brian Urlacher is coming off a season ending injury in Week One of the NFL season in 2009. Urlacher dislocated his wrist and never returned to the field. The injury was devastating to the defense which was left rudderless for the remainder of the season.
Urlacher is determined to get back to Pro Bowl form for the 2010 NFL season and he will be joined by another key player that must also perform at a high level. The “Freak” Julius Peppers, is expected to give Chicago some much needed pressure from the outside line. Peppers is a smart defensive lineman that has a nose for the ball and good instincts off the snap of the ball.
The Chicago Bears Are One Year Away from Contending in the NFC North
The Chicago Bears will be hard pressed to do well in a tough NFC North. Chicago is a 20-1 shot to win the Super Bowl and their over/under win total is set at eight games by the Las Vegas Hilton Superbook. Chicago and Lovey Smith would be happy with an 8-8 season but it is not likely to happen.
Chicago’s season will be reliant on two huge factors. The first will be if Jay Cutler can mature and become a leader. If Cutler can keep from panicking in critical situations and stay within himself as the quarterback of Mike Martz offense, he does have the opportunity to develop into a top ten quarterback.
The second factor will be the Chicago defense which was once feared. Chicago needs to find their edge before the first few games and they need to make sure other teams fear them when they enter Soldiers Field. Julius Peppers and a healthy Brian Urlacher should be able to tattoo their fair share of opponents.
sources:
www.yahoosports.com Pro Football Weekly.
www.lasvegasinsideinfo.com
www.espn.go.com player profiles.
Las Vegas Hilton Superbook Over/Under totals and Picks.
Odds to win the 2011 Super Bowl..
