2008 NFL Preview > Chicago Bears Preview

2008 Chicago Bears Football Preview

Head Coach: Lovie Smith

2007 Record: 7-9

Key Additions: WR Marty Booker, RB Matt Forte (R), RB Kevin Jones, WR Brandon Lloyd, OT Chris Williams (R),

Key Losses: LB Brendan Ayanbadejo, RB Cedric Benson, WR Bernard Berrian, QB Brian Griese, WR Mushin Muhammad

After coming off of an improvable Super Bowl run in 2006, many thought that the Chicago Bears would be one of the teams to beat in the NFC in 2007. Things were looking that way until a Week 3 lose to the Dallas Cowboys, which started a domino effect of injuries to key players. Due to this rash of injuries, inconsistent play was shown on both sides of the ball, resulting in a disappointing 7-9 record. In attempt to rebound, the Bears were active in the free agent market this off-season, as well as in the 2008 NFL Draft, filling the voids at wide receiver, running back, and offensive tackle.

2008 Chicago Bears Offense:

The offense for the Bears started to deteriorate in the off-season starting with the losses of WRs Bernard Berrian and Mushin Muhammad, signing with the Minnesota Vikings and the Carolina Panthers respectively. Following the departure of Berrian and Muhammad, General Manager Jerry Angelo and Head Coach Lovie Smith signed former Bears receiver Marty Booker. Smith is hoping that Booker can be that possession receiver that in needed to complement TEs Desmond Clark and Greg Olsen, and the Bears’ only playmaker last season in WR Devin Hester. In addition to Booker, WR Brandon Lloyd was also signed. Lloyd is being reunited with his former coach from the University of Illinois, and now offensive coordinator of the Bears Ron Turner. Looking for more depth at the receiver position, the Bears drafted WR Earl Bennett in the third round out of Vanderbilt. Bennett could possibly take the third wide receiver from veteran Mark Bradley, who has had an injury-plagued career thus far.

As for the offensive line, the Bears invested the fourteenth overall pick in the 2008 Draft in offensive tackle Chris Williams from Vanderbilt. Smith has made it clear that he intends to have Williams start at the left tackle position, which will move John Tait to his natural position of right tackle. But recently having surgery to repair a herniated disc in his back, Williams is expected to miss a large portion of the season. Therefore, John St. Clair has been inserted at the left tackle position alongside left guard Terrence Metcalf, leaving the left side of the offensive line somewhat suspect.

The big story in the backfield is the sudden departure of RB Cedric Benson, due to multiple run-ins with the law. As a result, Bears rookie running back Matt Forte, out of Tulane, has been given the starting position by default. Forte has shown flashes of being able to carry the bulk of the load as an NFL starting running back, but is said to have room for improvement as a receiver out of the backfield, according to Smith. Joining Forte in the crowded backfield is veteran Adrian Peterson, second year back Garrett Wolfe, and new acquisition from the Detroit Lions Kevin Jones, who had reconstructive knee surgery back in December. Although Forte is the projected starter, don’t be surprised to see him split time with Peterson, who is more accustomed to the offensive scheme, as well as Wolfe, who will more likely be on the field for third and long situations.

The most attention has been directed to the quarterback position. Signing Rex Grossman to a one year deal shows that Smith still has some faith in Grossman. But it seems that Smith doesn’t have enough faith to just hand Grossman the starting job. An open competition was set for training camp between Grossman and fourth-year QB Kyle Orton. After being neck and neck throughout camp and the first two pre-season games, it was decided that Orton will be the starter for the 2008 regular season. Although Grossman has the stronger arm, Orton seemed to have what Grossman didn’t, the ability to manage the game without turning the ball over. Orton’s slightly better winning percentage more than likely played a role in Smith’s decision also (Orton: 12-6, .667; Grossman: 19-11, .633).

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2008 Chicago Bears Defense:

No major off-season acquisitions were made on the defensive side of the ball. The return of pro bowlers FS Mike Brown and CB Nathan Vasher, both of whom were injured last season, to the secondary will be a much needed addition to complement potential pro bowler CB Charles Tillman. The front seven is still in tact, following the resigning of Pro Bowl LB Lance Briggs to continue help anchor the Bears linebacking corps along with team captain Brian Urlacher. The defensive line is expected to return to its form of two years ago since extending the contract of DT Tommie Harris, and resigning DE Alex Brown. Also, there is the anticipation of having third-year DT Dusty Dvoracek to stay healthy and give the Bears more depth at the defensive tackle position.

2008 Chicago Bears Special Teams:

The only major lose to the special teams was not resigning pro bowler Brendan Ayanbadejo, who signed with the Baltimore Ravens. The Bears will have to have some one to step up and take the role Ayanbadejo left vacant. It is assumed that Peterson will fill that void. As far as the kicking game, the Bears just hope that pro bowler Robbie Gould continues to do what made him the Bears’ all-time leader in field goal percentage. Last, but not least, is the face of the special teams, Devin Hester. It will be a major surprise if any team gives Hester a chance to return anything this year. Only in his third year, Hester is arguably the best return man in NFL history, having a total of 11 touchdowns in his career from kick returns and punt returns.

2008 Chicago Bears Expectations:

Assuming that the defense stays healthy, and the left side of the offensive line can protect Orton’s blind side, the Bears should defiantly be playoff contenders, and possibly return to Super Bowl form. The 2006 season proved that the Bears defense can carry the load all the way to the championship. And having the defense back in tact, along a game-managing quarterback, this team should bring more dominance back to the NFC.

By Clyde A. Speller
ProFootball-fans.com Chicago Bears Correspondent

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