Chicago Bears Season Preview

(Courtesy of My Sportsbook) - The Chicago Bears' permanently fluid situation at the quarterback position is no closer to crystallization after would-be starter Rex Grossman broke his left ankle during the team's second preseason game. Grossman, who lost most of 2004 to a torn ACL, was one of four QBs to start for Chicago last year, a group that included Chad Hutchinson and now-departed non-stalwarts Jonathan Quinn and Craig Krenzel. At least for the foreseeable future, the spotlight shines on Hutchinson. The former St. Louis Cardinals right-hander amazed Bears fans by winning his first Chicago start a year ago, downing the division rival Vikings, 24-14. Things went downhill from there, as Hutchinson lost his final four decisions and the Bears took up residency in the basement of the NFC North. Including his nine outings with the Cowboys in 2002, Hutchinson is now 3-11 as an NFL starter. That record is enough to make Bears supporters pine for the days of Erik Kramer and Shane Matthews, if not Cade McNown or Steve Stenstrom.

For their part, Chicago head coach Lovie Smith and general manager Jerry Angelo are emitting optimism that the team will be fine under center. Unlike in 2004, the team now has a No. 1 receiver in Muhsin Muhammad, and has upgraded an offensive line that gave up a bloated 66 sacks a year ago. If first-round draft pick and running back Cedric Benson ever ends his contract dispute and reports to the team, the expectations of Hutchinson's success will only increase among the denizens of the Windy City. Should Hutchinson, fourth-round draft pick Kyle Orton, or someone else finally step in front of the revolving door that has been the franchise's M.O. for the better part of the last decade, the long, waking, bad dream might finally come to an end in the Second City. Below we take a capsule look at the 2005 edition of the Chicago Bears, with a personnel evaluation and prognosis included therein:

RB: The Bears took a bold step toward improving their running game in April, when they selected Cedric Benson (Texas) with the fourth overall selection of the draft. But as of Aug. 23, Benson had yet to report to training camp due to a contract dispute, meaning his prospects of unseating incumbent Thomas Jones (948 rushing yards, 56 receptions, 7 TD) have dimmed. Adrian Peterson (19 rushing yards, 2 receptions) has special teams value, and should stick around as the third running back. If Benson takes the unprecedented step of sitting out the 2005 season and re-entering the draft in 2006, former Illinois running back Antoineo Harris could make the squad. At fullback, both Bryan Johnson (foot surgery) and Jason McKie (torn pectoral) missed the first half of training camp due to injury, thus shining the spotlight on journeyman Marc Edwards (7 receptions with the Jaguars). If Johnson (14 receptions, 2 TD) and McKie (13 receptions, 2 TD) can return to health prior to the start of the season, it could render Edwards disposable.

WR/TE: The Bears sported the worst passing game in the NFL during 2004, a fault that was shared in equal measure by the quarterbacks, offensive line, and receivers. Chicago upgraded significantly at wideout, bringing in free agent Pro Bowler Muhsin Muhammad (93 receptions, 16 TD with Carolina) and spending a second-round pick on Oklahoma's Mark Bradley. Muhammad will immediately take over the mantle of No. 1 receiver from the departed David Terrell (42 receptions, 1 TD), while Bradley will battle incumbents Bobby Wade (42 receptions), Justin Gage (12 receptions) and Bernard Berrian (15 receptions, 2 TD) for playing time. J.J. Moses was attempting to make the team as a return man, and fifth-round draft choice Airese Curry (Clemson) is likely headed for the practice squad. The Bears are deep at tight end, where Desmond Clark (24 receptions, 1 TD), Dustin Lyman (11 receptions, 1 TD) and John Gilmore (1 reception) were all contributors a year ago. Gabe Reid, who missed all of last year with a torn MCL, will have to unseat Lyman or Gilmore to make the team.

OL: The Chicago line gave up a league-worst 66 sacks a season ago, and strides have been made to improve that unit in 2005. Fred Miller, who didn't miss a single start with Tennessee during the past six seasons, will take over at right tackle. Roberto Garza, who started 15 games with the Falcons last season, was brought in to challenge Terrence Metcalf (5 starts last season) at right guard. John Tait, a 13-game starter last season, has been moved from right to left tackle ahead of Qasim Mitchell (14 stars), who struggled mightily in his first year as a regular. The other two spots on the line are stable, as center Olin Kreutz is a three-time Pro Bowler and left guard Ruben Brown is back from a neck injury that sidelined him for the final seven games of 2004. Brown's streak of eight consecutive Pro Bowl selections was snapped last season. Mitchell and the loser of the Metcalf/Garza battle figure to stick as backups, as should Marc Colombo, who has struggled with knee injuries during his first three seasons in the league.

DL: The Bears' young defensive line is considered one of the up-and-coming front fours in the league, but now must deliver on its significant promise. End Adewale Ogunleye (37 tackles, 5.5 sacks) struggled with injuries following his trade from the Dolphins last August, and will seek to recover his Pro Bowl form of 2003. Fellow end Alex Brown (50 tackles, 6 sacks) led Chicago in sacks a season ago, and will reclaim his starting spot on the right side. The interior line is stable, as Tommie Harris (43 tackles, 3.5 sacks) was solid as a rookie and Ian Scott (44 tackles, 2 sacks) did a nice job in his first year as a starter. Tank Johnson (12 tackles, 0.5 sacks) and Alfonso Boone (11 tackles, 3 sacks) are above-average backups at tackle. Former first-round pick Michael Haynes (31 tackles, 2 sacks, 1 INT) should see the field a great deal as a backup end, and fellow holdover Israel Idonije (14 tackles, 1 sack) should stay also stay on as a reserve.

LB: Chicago was unsettled in 2004 by the seven-game absence of Pro Bowl middle linebacker Brian Urlacher (69 tackles, 5 sacks, 1 INT), who struggled with hamstring injuries throughout the season. The Bears expect Urlacher to be fully healthy in '05. Hunter Hillenmeyer (74 tackles, 2 sacks) played well in Urlacher's absence a year ago, and is being tabbed as the starter on the strong side this season. Lance Briggs (126 tackles, 1 INT) led the team in tackles from his weak side post a year ago, and will reclaim that position. A season-ending shoulder injury to former starter Marcus Reese (9 tackles) in training camp means that Joe Odom (24 tackles), former Cardinal LeVar Woods (18 tackles with Arizona) and Jeremy Cain (2 tackles) will be the primary reserves at linebacker.

DB: The Bears suffered a major blow in Week 2 of last season, when free safety and noted playmaker Mike Brown (10 tackles) was lost for the season with a torn right Achilles. Brown is back and healthy this season, and will switch places with former strong safety Mike Green (106 tackles, 2 INT) in this year's lineup. With would-be safety backups Cameron Worrell (16 tackles, 1 sack) and Bobby Gray (25 tackles, 1 INT) out for the season with knee and shoulder injuries, respectively, holdover Todd Johnson (75 tackles) and sixth- round draft choice Chris Harris (Louisiana-Monroe) will have to be ready there. At cornerback, the Bears will be set if Jerry Azumah (50 tackles, 4 INT) can recover from arthroscopic surgery on his right hip in time for the season. If Azumah is not ready, playmaker Nathan Vasher (29 tackles, 5 INT), who led the team picks as a rookie, will start opposite Charles Tillman (39 tackles). Todd McMillon (16 tackles) should also stay around as a reserve.

SPECIAL TEAMS: Chicago had seen enough of inconsistent kicker Paul Edinger (15-24 FG, 22-22 XP), and replaced him with former Jet and 2004 playoff goat Doug Brien (24-29 FG, 33-34 XP with New York). Punter Brad Maynard (42.9 avg.), who led the league with 108 punts last season, will begin his fifth season as the Bears' punter. Jerry Azumah (22.0 kickoff return avg.) made the Pro Bowl as a kickoff returner in 2003, and Bernard Berrian (22.6 avg.) has experience there as well. The Bears parted ways with primary punt returner R.W. McQuarters (9.9 avg., 1 TD), meaning Berrian and Nathan Vasher, who combined for five punt returns for TDs in college, will each get a chance to win those duties. J.J. Moses (22.1 kickoff return avg., 8.6 punt return avg. with Houston) was unspectacular in two seasons with the Texans, and is probably a long shot to make the club.

PROGNOSIS: You can sugarcoat it, spin it, and accentuate the positive all you want, but the fact of the matter is that the Bears' quarterback situation puts its 2005 prospects in serious peril. But even had Grossman returned, few would have been picking Chicago to challenge Minnesota, or even Detroit in the NFC North. The offensive line should be better but won't be close to dominant, Benson's holdout means the running game is a question mark, there is no other proven receiver to take the pressure off of Muhammad, and the defense is built around players like Urlacher, Ogunleye, Tillman, Azumah, and Mike Brown, each of whom has struggled with injuries over the past year. The Bears have talent, and will again surprise a few people and beat some teams they shouldn't. But there is nothing to suggest that this year's Chicago team will be consistent enough over the course of 16 games to challenge for the division title or make a trip back to the playoffs.