| Jeff Risdon. 19th June, 2006 - 3:47 am
 Last season: 11-5
Coming: QB Brian Griese, CB Ricky Manning
Going: CB/KR Jerry Azumah, S Mike Green
Notable rookies: SS/CB Danieal Manning, KR/PR Devin Hester, DT Dusty Dvoracek
What I like: All starters return from division champion season. Griese provides a major upgrade at backup QB, and with starter Rex Grossman’s injury history (he’s played 7 games in 3 seasons), that’s a necessity. Strong depth at RB, OL, and DL. Very favorable early schedule, and the easiest overall schedule. The defense is tailor-made for Head Coach Lovie Smith’s scheme, and the players believe in the system and one another. Pass rush from front four is great, and the LBs are strong in coverage. Lots of Pro Bowl-caliber playmakers (LB Urlacher, CB Vasher, DT Harris, DE Ogunleye, SS Brown) all over the defense.
What I dislike: The WR corps is largely unproven. By far the best WR is Mushin Muhammad, and he’s 33 and coming off a lousy season. Upper management has dictated that last year’s first rounder, RB Cedric Benson, get at least half the carries. That type of forced action has ruined many a team. Griese is an improvement over backup QB Kyle Orton, but Griese himself is coming off a brutal knee injury and won’t get 1st team reps before the preseason starts. Their draft completely ignored major holes at WR and TE, and the top two picks were project DBs that more than likely won’t contribute for at least a year. Team lacks strong-legged kicker or proven return game.
Best case: Grossman starts the entire season and proves he’s as good as many think he can be. RBs Thomas Jones, Cedric Benson, and Adrian Peterson are all happy and effective with their roles. Receiving corps elevates and Muhammad rebounds to an 80+ catch season. Defense stays healthy and keeps its dominating play intact from last season, forcing TOs and holding opponents under 14 points nearly every game.
Worst case: Grossman gets hurt again and Griese and the WRs don’t connect. The crowded RB gets contentious and hurts production. Special teams don’t improve. The D-line slips even a little and the weaker corners get exploited as they were in the last two regular season games and playoff loss. Any LB injury is a big problem, but Brian Urlacher must remain 100% or the entire defense greatly suffers. First three games are division opponents; not being at least 2-1 would be a disaster with their oft-harsh media and fan base.
Prediction: 11-5. Bears roll with a good schedule and in a division with 3 new coaches. Defense carries the Bears again, though the team might have peaked around week 10 last season. Not likely to win more than their 1st playoff game, and that’s only if it’s at home.
Jeff Risdon's other 2006 Team Previews
Atlanta Falcons
Baltimore Ravens
Buffalo Bills
Chicago Bears
Green Bay Packers
Jacksonville Jaguars
Kansas City Chiefs
Miami Dolphins
New York Giants
Oakland Raiders
Pittsburgh Steelers
San Francisco 49ers
St. Louis Rams |
