2009 Chicago Bears Football Preview

2008 Record: 9-7, Second NFC North

Find your favorite Bears players in 5x7 inch wall graphics and buy Fathead Tradeables online at eBay or find Fathead Tradeables online at Sports-Shop.com.

Head Coach: Lovie Smith; Sixth year

Key Additions: QB Jay Cutler, OT Frank Omiyale, OT Orlando Pace, OT Kevin Shaffer

Key Losses: QB Kyle Orton, QB Rex grossman, OT John Tait, OT John St. Clair

1st Round Draft Picks: -

2nd Round Draft Picks: -

2009 Chicago Bears Schedule

Chicago Bears 2008 NFL Season in Review

The Bears 2008 season was defined by mediocrity. The club finished with a 9-7 record and missed the playoffs. The much maligned offense finished 14 th in the league in points allowed, but the celebrated defense fell off from previous years to finish 16 th in points allowed. The defense ended up ranking 5 th in rush yards given up, while finishing 30 th in pass yards given up, a glaring disparity due in part to injuries to key players such as cornerback Nathan Vasher.

Kyle Orton ended up starting most of the season for the Bears, and was decent at the helm, throwing 18 touchdowns compared to 12 interceptions and completing 58.5% of his passes. Converted kick return specialist Devin Hester was also decent, but was not the explosive deep threat the Bears had hoped for Tight end Greg Olsen improved in his second season but the big revelation on offense was rookie running back Matt Forte, who piled up over 1,200 yards on the ground while facing the brunt of the defensive pressure.

Chicago Bears 2009 NFL Season Preview

Just how much of a difference can a quarterback make to a team that believes it still has a legitimate shot at winning a Super Bowl? Jay Cutler, Lovie Smith and Chicago Bears fans everywhere are betting the bank that the position could make a substantial difference, carrying a mediocre club to a contender. Just as importantly however for the Bears will be the defense to return to form.

2009 Chicago Bears Offense:

Jay Cutler is a huge improvement for the Chicago Bears on the offensive side of the ball. Not only will he make more plays in the passing game and help the production and development of players such as Devin Hester and Greg Olsen, but he'll also free up the middle of the field for Matt Forte. Forte should significantly improve on his 3.9 YPC average while facing defenses less focused on only shutting him down.

There are rumors that the Bears may be going after renegade wide receivers Plaxico Burress or Brandon Marshall, Cutler's former teammate in Denver, to upgrade his weapons for throwing the ball. Each player, while talented, clearly comes with a risk, and as of the time of this writing neither had been brought to the club.

> Find a great selection of Chicago Bears jerseys & merchandise online as well as NFL Fatheads through Pro Football Fans!

2009 Chicago Bears Defense:

It was almost shocking to see the Chicago Bears giving up so many points in games throughout the season, 41 to the Vikings in week 7, 37 to the Packers in Week 11, 31 to the Texans in week 17, to name a few of such occasions. The Bears are hoping to have their defensive backs like Nathan Vasher and Mike Brown stay healthy for an entire season.

On the defensive line, Adewale Ogunleye Tommie Harris and Alex Brown all had five or more sacks in 2008, but no other player on the team had more than 3.5 sacks on the season. Increasing the pressure they get on the quarterback will help the secondary cover their men better and allow star linebackers Brian Urlacher and Lance Briggs to make more plays in the middle of the field.

2009 Chicago Bears Prediction: First NFC North

By Jake Emen
ProFootball-fans.com Staff Writer

View all of the 2009 NFL football previews online here at Pro Football Fans!