Chicago Bears:              

2013 RECORD: 8-8  

2012 RECORD: 10-6   

2011 RECORD: 8-8   

2010 RECORD: 11-5   

TEAM OVERVIEW: In 2012, 10-6 wasn’t good enough. In 2013, 9-7 would have been good enough, but Chicago fell at home to Green Bay in the season finale despite outplaying the Packers for most of the game.  Marc Trestman used his offensive expertise to transform this team into an above average unit, but the defense regressed due to a combination of injuries, coaching changes and key retirements.  Chicago underachieved on draft day for years, especially in the first round. New GM Phil Emery had a promising debut a year ago. The NFC Central title is attainable if these Bears score big on draft day.

KEY STATS: Chicago became an offensive force even with Cutler’s injuries. They scored 445 points, second in the NFL, although that number was about 10 points per game below Denver’s 606. The run O was solid at 4.5 per carry. The biggest area of improvement was in sacks allowed.  Consistently in the 40’s, the new staff and completely rebuilt OL dropped that figure to a mere 30! As usual, Chicago was much more good than bad on special teams and led the NFL in kick return defense.  Most of the trouble spots were on defense, a unit that due to retirements, age and injuries did not perform well for a now suspect defensive staff. The run D was by far the worst at 5.3/161.4. The Bears generated just 31 sacks, which tied for the bottom. The overall defense by yardage was rated 30th. Even the pass D% regressed, moving over 60% (62.1%). Spread-wise, the Bears dropped to 37-26 as a HU (0-2), and 22-11 as a HU with >3 points (0-1). They improved to 8-14 in MNF road games. 

2013 DRAFT REVIEW: Chicago lost its third round pick in last year’s trade for productive WR Marshall.  Despite an amazing track record of botched first round picks (Google Chicago’s first round pick history and then close your eyes) the Bears took a chance on lightly used OT Kyle Long. It’s all good right now as Long started all 16 games and was part of a completely revamped unit that finally limited sacks. In fact, fifth round pick Mills started every game at RT! Mills still must prove he can pass protect. LB Bostic started nine games and had 56 tackles. LB Greene started four games and had 28 tackles. Considering these were my top two need areas coming into ’13 these Bears finally did some damage on draft day. DE Washington had one tackle, playing just 10 snaps. WR Wilson has some growing up to do but he has talent (two catches). Free agency moves were positive, with stud OL Bushrod, decent TE Bennett and surprisingly productive OLB Anderson (102-4) added to the mix. 

1-2, OT Long: Smart and athletic, with four NCAA starts. Great on the move. Nice rookie year.

2-50, LB Bostic: Run-stuffing ILB who won’t protect edge but will take on blocks. Smart , with 56 rookie tackles.

4-117, LB Greene: Tackling machine, NCAA leader in forced fumbles.  Reacts late.  Solid debut.

5-153, OT Mills: RT anchors well. Heavy feet with lateral limitations but good in run game.  

6-188, DE C Washington: College production was awful! Looks the part but never delivered.

7-236, WR Wilson: Productive and fluid but average speed and no strength. Head case, but can go middle.

2012 DRAFT REVISITED: Chicago hadn’t been very successful in selecting early round talent. LB McClellin had a better ’13 season with 30 tackles and four sacks. Alshon Jeffrey is a star! He had many highlight reel catches among his 89-16.0-7 stat sheet. Safety Hardin missed all of ’11 at OSU (the Oregon State University) and has not played during the regular season due to multiple injuries. He’s now on the NYJ. TE Rodriguez was cut after his arrest. NR CB McCoy was previously cut but NR CB Frey had 47 tackles, seeing significant action. Is he better than our NR rating or just a stopgap player, given Chicago’s poor D.

TOP STRENGTH AND WEAKNESS PRIOR TO THE DRAFT: After a multiple year run, special team play no longer is their best area. In its place comes WR play, led by Marshall and Jeffrey. In another change, the OL and its pass protection is no longer the weak link.  Instead, the run D gets the top billing as the biggest area of concern.

FREE AGENCY ANALYSIS AND STAFF NOTES: The overall list of free agent signings was not all that impressive except for DE Lamarr Houston until the 11th player signed, DE Jared Allen. He is an upgrade over Julius Peppers. Otherwise, signing filler-type TE’s such as Onobun and Zach Miller and rotational at best defensive players such as DE Trevor Scott and LB Jordan Senn won’t move the needle. Safeties M.D. Jennings and Ryan Mundy are the closest they have signed to players who could contribute on a more regular basis. The biggest losses were back-up QB McCown, DT Melton and older situational sacker Julius Peppers.  Additional losses include DL Wootton and return specialist Devin Hester. Releasing Punter Podlesh might be a good thing. Paul Pasqualoni is the new Defensive Line coach. 

2014 DRAFT NEEDS: DT run stuffer and DL depth, DB, back-up TE, short yardage RB to replace Michael Bush, No. 3 WR to challenge Earl Bennett, back-up QB, extra LB, Punter, return specialist.  The DL needs impact, especially in the middle of the line. The pass D regressed badly in ’13 and is in need of early round impact. Chicago signed two TE’s but still needs a real #2 option. With Cutler’s recent injury history a back-up QB is essential. Though a far lower priority, WR talent can easily be added in this draft. Depth at LB wouldn’t hurt.