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2009 Team Report: Chicago Bears

Quarterbacks

Starter: Jay Cutler
Backup(s): Caleb Hanie, Brett Basanez

Starting QB: The downward spiral of QB Jay Cutler in Denver has become a major boon for the Chicago Bears. The Bears have been looking for a legitimate starting quarterback for decades and they may have finally found the young leader to carry the offense through the next decade. Cutler has elite passing skills although his consistency and mental focus still needs to see improvement in the years ahead. Cutler is a gunslinger in the Brett Favre mold, and he has the swagger to fit the ball into areas and get completions that most passers simply cannot get done. He threw for 4,526 passing yards a season ago with the Broncos and has a career passing rating of 87.1, an outstanding result for a young player. He also has 54 career touchdown passes against just 37 interceptions. He likely will not throw for as many yards in Chicago but make no mistake about it - Cutler is a huge upgrade at the quarterback position for the Bears.

Backup QB: The Bears do not have an experienced NFL quarterback in behind Jay Cutler. Caleb Hanie, former Colorado State Ram is currently the second string quarterback. While blessed with good size and confidence, nobody really knows at this point whether he is a career backup type in the NFL or capable of more if given the opportunity. We will know how confident the Bears are in Hanie if they go into the season with him slotted in as the No. 2 quarterback.

Running Backs

Starter: Matt Forte
Backup(s): Kevin Jones, Garrett Wolfe, Adrian Peterson
Fullback(s): Jason McKie, Jason Davis

Starting RB: The Bears have to be pleased with how well rookie RB Matt Forte played last season. He finished the season with 316 carries and 1,238 rushing yards on the year. He also caught 63 passes and scored 12 total touchdowns. He did everything the club needed him to do and then some. His first and second half splits were near identical and he has emerged as a 20+ carry per game back for the Bears. He had three 100-yard rushing games, 12 games with 3+ receptions and scored in ten of the sixteen games. He is blessed with great size, surprising quickness and soft hands and is entrenched as the starting tailback in Chicago.

Backup RBs: Last season, some folks envisioned Kevin Jones getting some significant playing time in Chicago, but he simply was not able to capture the form he once had for the Detroit Lions. He had just 34 carries for 109 yards and did not score a single touchdown. He does have talent but it appears that injuries have derailed his career. Garrett Wolfe is undersized and although quick and talented has yet to have an impact as a pro. His best bet is as a change-of-pace back going forward, although as Darren Sproles of the Chargers showcased last season, smaller does not necessary equate to lesser. Finally, Adrian Peterson is a serviceable back without the upside most starting backs have. He has had some nice professional moments and, in a pinch, will be able to fill in adequately.

Fullback: Jason McKie is a dependable blocking fullback who managed to score a few touchdowns last season giving him marginal value in leagues that only score touchdowns. However even those few touchdowns are a crapshoot and he is on the field for his blocking ability.

Wide Receivers

Starters: Devin Hester, Rashied Davis
Backups: Earl Bennett, Joaquin Iglesias [R], Brandon Rideau, Johnny Knox [R]

Starting WRs: Without question, the wide receiver position is the biggest question mark for the Bears offense in 2009. It appears Devin Hester as well as Rashied Davis will get the starting nod, and both are still learning their craft. Hester did manage to become a more consistent receiver last year, finishing with 51 receptions for 665 yards and three scores and has the quickness to give opposing defenses fits. He didn't have a 100-yard receiving game but did manage to grab at least four passes in eight of the 16 games. Rashied Davis had a couple of nice moments last year and did set career marks in receptions and yards. The bad news however is those career marks were just 35 receptions and 445 yards. From Week 10 on, he caught just eight total passes without a touchdown and was benched for poor play.

Backup WRs: A third-round pick in 2008, Earl Bennett failed to catch a single pass as a rookie last season. However, he appears to be the third receiver by default heading into 2009. He has nice size and some talent, but his lack of production last season is difficult to ignore. Brandon Rideau has great size (6'4) to go along with some natural talent. The bad news however is he has yet to catch a single ball in the NFL. The Bears also drafted talented WR Joaquin Iglesias in the third round this year. He is quicker than fast and could compete for playing time out of the gate this season. Knox is a speedster, but he'll need to improve his route running to become anything other than a deep threat.

Tight Ends

Starters: Greg Olsen
Backups: Desmond Clark, Kellen Davis, Michael Gaines

What the Bears lack at the receiver position, they make up for it at the tight end spot. Greg Olsen finished as the ninth-best fantasy tight end in 2008, catching 54 passes and scoring five times. He became to top target for the Bears. He has great size and quickness and he may become even a bigger part of the offense in 2009. Desmond Clark is the perfect No. 2 tight end for the Bears. A 10-year veteran, Clark had a lesser role with the club last season but still managed to grab 41 passes. He has had three straight 40-reception seasons. Kellen Davis is an interesting prospect, blessed with great size, who could emerge as a compliment to Greg Olsen once Clark is out of the picture. Michael Gaines is the team's blocking TE.

Place Kicker

Robbie Gould : As a rookie in 2005, Robbie Gould was a serviceable replacement for Doug Brien. In 2006 he easily held off Josh Huston for the job, and subsequently emerged as one of the top kickers in the league. He was 32 of 36 on FGs (88.9 percent), including 12 of 14 from 40+ yards, and totaled 143 points (1st). In 2007 he did nearly as well on field goals hitting 31 of 36 (86.1 percent), again including 12 of 14 from 40+ yards, and totaled 126 points (7th). In 2008, he hit 89.7 percent (26 of 29) on field goals. They slipped to 15th in kicker scoring however, as the number of field goals dropped and the number of PATs increased to a more typical distribution. The coaches remain the same for 2009, but there are several big changes in the offense, which should increase offensive productivity.

Kick and Punt Returners

Kick Returners: Danieal Manning, D.J. Moore, Juaquin Iglesias, Johnny Knox, Garrett Wolfe, Devin Hester, Jason McKie, Rashied Davis, Adrian Peterson, Corey Graham, Earl Bennett

In his rookie season, WR Devin Hester ran away with the top fantasy returner ranking, despite not becoming the Bears' primary kickoff returner until the last third of the season. He set the NFL record for most return TDs in a season with six (three PRs, two KRs, and one missed field goal return). After his phenomenal 2006 season, a drop-off in his numbers wouldn't have been surprising in 2007. Despite the fact that some teams kicked away from him, Hester again finished as the top scoring fantasy returner. He again tied his NFL record of six return TDs in one year. In just two years, he was already near the top of the NFL career return TDs list: Brian Mitchell 13, Eric Metcalf 12, Dante Hall 12, Devin Hester 11 (or 12 if you count the missed FG return in 2006). Then in 2008, he became a starting WR and poof the return magic was gone. His numbers declined, he failed to score, and he was eventually demoted on kickoff returns. DB Danieal Manning returned both kickoffs and punts during college at Abilene Christian, and scored six TDs during his career. During his first two years in the NFL, he served as a backup behind Hester. Last year he took over on kickoff returns part way through the year and provided a spark, averaging 29.7 yards on 36 returns and scoring once. Three rookies could compete for time this year. Fourth round pick CB D.J. Moore averaged 22.8 yards on kickoff returns during his career at Vanderbilt. Third round pick WR Juaquin Iglesias averaged 26.4 yards on kickoff returns during his career at Oklahoma and scored once. Fifth round pick WR Johnny Knox averaged 22.9 yards on seven kickoff returns during his career at Abilene Christian. WR Rashied Davis was the lead kickoff returner during parts of 2005 and 2006, and has been a backup since. Other backups include RB Adrian Peterson (one return for 11 yards), RB Garrett Wolfe (5 returns, 19.6 avg.), and FB Jason McKie (2 returns, 19.0 avg.). CB Corey Graham scored twice on kickoff returns during his college career at New Hampshire. WR Earl Bennett handled kickoffs during his freshman year at Vanderbilt.

Punt Returners: Devin Hester, D.J. Moore, Johnny Knox, Nathan Vasher, Earl Bennett, Juaquin Iglesias, Rashied Davis, Danieal Manning

Devin Hester averaged 12.8 yards in 2006, improved to 15.5 yards in 2007, but dropped to 6.2 last year. After two years at the top, he dropped to 25th among fantasy returners. Despite Hester's increased workload on offense, the Bears indicated they still plan to use him as the primary punt returner. Rookie D.J. Moore averaged 14.4 yards on punt returns in college last year, while fellow rookie Johnny Knox averaged only 7.4 yards and Juaquin Iglesias lost yardage. CB Nathan Vasher returned six punts last year and averaged 7.7 yards. Earl Bennett averaged 7.2 yards on punt returns during his three years in college, and had one return for 17 yards last year. Rashied Davis handled five punts in 2005 (6.2 avg.). Danieal Manning averaged 22.0 yards (1st in Division II) on punt returns during his senior year at Abilene Christian in 2005. After two years as the number one fantasy return team (thanks to you know who), the Bears dropped to 7th last year.

Offensive Line

Projected Starters: LT Orlando Pace, LG Josh Beekman, C Olin Kreutz, RG Roberto Garza, RT Chris Williams
Key Backups: T Frank Omiyale, T Kevin Shaffer, G Dan Buenning

The Bears brought in veteran Orlando Pace to improve the left tackle position, but after 12 years in the league, how much more does Pace have in the gas tank. That is the million-dollar question when breaking down the Bears chances along the offensive line his season. If he can even approach his 2005 season performance (the last time he played like an elite left tackle), the Bears offensive line will have potential to be very good. The other question mark is at right tackle. Second-year Chris Williams will be given every opportunity to win the starting job this season, but he'll be pushed by veterans Frank Omiyale and Kevin Shaffer.

Team Defense

The Bears had a solid pass rush, a Top 5 finish in interceptions, six combined special teams/defensive touchdwns, and a Top 10 fantasy finish in 2008. Head Coach Lovie Smith changed up his defensive front last season and successfully improved against the run, but a Bottom 5 pass defense was often the team's undoing. Smith has hinted that he may move back toward his Cover-2/Tampa-2 roots in 2009, which could improve the team's points against and yardage against figures. Veteran DE Adewale Ogunleye will continue to be the team's primary pass rusher, while the back seven will again be anchored by MLB Brian Urlacher and CB Charles Tillman. The Bears will still have question marks in the secondary where the corner and free safety play will need to improve if this defense is to return to its once stingy ways. Kick returners Devin Hester and Danieal Manning will continue to provide added value and should keep the Bears a solid fantasy option even if the defense struggles to remain consistent. Expect the Bears to again be one of the first defenses to come off the draft board.

Defensive Line

Starters: DE Adewale Ogunleye, DE Alex Brown, DT Tommie Harris, DT Marcus Harrison
Backups: DE Mark Anderson, DE Israel Idonije, DE Henry Melton [R], DT Jarron Gilbert [R], DT Anthony Adams, DT Dusty Dvoracek

Starting DL: Adewale Ogunleye's sack total dropped off last year but his tackle numbers have kept him among the best at his position. Although he will be 32 years old when the season begins, he is still the best pass rusher the Bears have and should get some additional opportunities thanks to an improved offense. Alex Brown has been an underrated player and fantasy option for years. While he's never topped 7 sacks in a season, he is very durable and continues to put up consistent tackle and sack numbers. Tommie Harris has been a dominant player at times but he has also been very inconsistent due to some injury issues and all the double teams he faces as a focal point of the Bears defense. Marcus Harrison was a 3rd round pick a year ago who played well at times and should take another step in his development this year.

Backup DL: Mark Anderson is a pass-rush specialist who looks like he may have been a one-year wonder. After recording an incredible 12.5 sacks during his rookie year, he has collected just 5.5 in the 30 games since then. Israel Idonije is a versatile player who can line up at either DE or DT although his fantasy potential is pretty limited. The Bears used a couple of draft picks to improve their overall depth on the defensive line. They spent a 4th round pick on Henry Melton, a pass rusher who figures to develop behind the veterans on the team. They also spent a 3rd round pick on Jarron Gilbert out of San Jose State, a very athletic tackle who can backup Harris inside. Anthony Adams is a run stuffer who will likely see time at NT during early downs. Dusty Dvoracek has been injury prone during his 3-year career, but he is a high energy player who should remain an active part of the DL rotation.

Linebackers

Starters: WLB Lance Briggs, MLB Brian Urlacher, SLB Nick Roach
Backups: OLB Jamar Williams, OLB Marcus Freeman [R], OLB Hunter Hillenmeyer, OLB Joey Larocque

Starting LBs: Although he doesn't normally get as much recognition as he deserves, Lance Briggs is clearly one of the best outside linebackers in the league and an excellent fantasy option in any scoring system. He has been very durable with only 2 missed games over the past 5 years and his production has also remained consistent. Brian Urlacher is widely regarded as one of the best MLBs in the league and he was named the defensive player of the year in 2007. His numbers fell off dramatically last season, however, and there is some concern that chronic back problems might be hurting his performance. The SLB job will likely be up for grabs during the preseason but the early favorite appears to be Nick Roach. Roach is a former undrafted free agent who was signed from the Chargers practice squad and got a chance to start at the end of the 2008 season.

Backup LBs: Jamar Williams is a solid backup linebacker who also figures to be in the mix for the starting SLB job this year. Marcus Freeman was a value pick for the Bears in the 5th round of the draft. A 3-year starter at Ohio State, he's expected to backup Briggs at WLB. Hunter Hillenmeyer has been a steady but unspectacular presence at SLB for much of his career, but he lost his starting job late last year and will likely wind up as the backup to Urlacher inside. Joey Larocque was a 7th round pick last year who saw time on special teams.

Defensive Backs

Starters: CB Charles Tillman, CB Nathan Vasher, SS Kevin Payne, FS Josh Bullocks
Backups: CB Corey Graham, CB Danieal Manning, CB Trumaine McBride, CB DJ Moore [R], S Craig Steltz, S Glenn Earl, S Zackary Bowman, S Al Afalava [R]

Starting DBs: Charles Tillman has an ideal combination of size, toughness, and playmaking ability. He is a perfect fit for the Bears defense and should continue to produce like one of the elite fantasy CBs in the league. Nathan Vasher is an undersized corner whose career has been derailed by injuries the past couple years. He is likely the Bears best cover corner when healthy. Kevin Payne was a surprise starter at SS last year who put up some very impressive numbers. While he lacks experience, Payne is a big hitter and a promising young safety in a good situation. Josh Bullocks is the current favorite to start at free safety after the Bears signed him in free agency. Although he lost his starting job in New Orleans last year, he has more starting experience than the players he'll be competing against.

Backup DBs: Corey Graham filled in well for Nathan Vasher at corner last year, although he's a better run defender than pass defender at this point. He's expected to compete with Vasher for a starting CB job but could also be moved to free safety. Danieal Manning is a versatile player who has started at free safety in the past but saw most of his playing time as a nickel back last year. Trumaine McBride was a late round draft pick who showed a lot of promise during his rookie season in 2007 but was passed on the depth chart by Graham last year. DJ Moore is a small corner at just 5'9" who has the skills and instincts to make an impact right away. Craig Steltz is a potential sleeper who could compete for a starting safety spot in his 2nd year, although he's better against the run than the pass. Glenn Earl is a big hitter and former starter with the Texans who missed the past two years while recovering from a foot injury. Zackary Bowman is a physical corner with injury concerns who the Bears will likely move to free safety. Al Afalava is another hard-hitting safety who the Bears think has the range to play either safety spot.

Last modified: 2009-06-01 09:36:52