2010 NFL Preview: Chicago Bears

2009 Record: 7-9

KEY ADDITIONS:
Chris Harris, SS, Carolina
Brian Iwuh, LB, Jacksonville
Tim Jennings, CB, Indianapolis
Brandon Manumaleuna, TE, San Diego
Julius Peppers, DE, Carolina
Chester Taylor, RB, Minnesota

KEY LOSSES:
Alex Brown, DE, New Orleans
Jason McKie, FB, New Orleans
Adewale Ogunleye, DE, Free agent
Orlando Pace, OT, Free agent
Kevin Payne, S, St. Louis
Nathan Vasher, CB, San Diego
Jamar Williams, LB, Carolina

Offense:
Cutler threw 26 INTs last year (highest in the NFL), the Bears aren't going anywhere if he doesn't play smarter. The Bears brought in the Martz to fix just that, and I think to a certain extent it will work. Cutler will always throw INTs, because well he's a douche, and has that "Brett Favre gunslinger" mentality. Matt Forté fell apart last year, and I'm not buying that he is really any good. The Bears brought in Taylor who is a great complementary back, so the running game should be improved. The problem is I have 0 faith in their receivers, and their offensive line is nothing to write home about. Hester would be a great #3 WR, but the Bears need him to be a #1, and that just isn't going to happen. Earl Bennett, Johnny Knox, and Devin Aromashodu are decent, but not enough to push this offense to be anything great.

Defense:
The Bears added Peppers this offseason, and with him getting pressure on QBs the whole defense should be improved. Plus, Brian Urlacher is back, and even though he is overrated he is their leader on defense and still has the ability to make big plays. Charles Tillman and Zackary Bowman are very solid at the CB position, and although they might be a little susceptible to the long ball it should be too much of a problem with guys like Peppers putting pressure on opposing QBs.

Overall:
The Bears should be improved on both sides of the ball, but they are going to have a hard time winning many more games then they did last year. The Lions are improved, the Packers are looking like a team that can breakout, and the Vikings (even with all their injuries) still are a good team, so it looks like it could be another tough year in the windy city.

2010 Record: 8-8