The Bears are definitely showing signs of life this year and I believe with some fine tuning in their player personnel, they can win their division and make it the playoffs.
Defensively, the strength of the unit is the secondary and the unit appears to be set for next season. However, the experiment of R.W. McQuarters as a safety should be put to rest with Mike Brown coming back to team with Mike Green. And, Jerry Azumah, Nathan Vashar, Charles Tillman, and McQuarters should make for some interesting competition come next training camp. The only question about the secondary is the contribution of Bobby Gray and Todd Johnson.
On the line, the rotation of Tommie Harris, Ian Scott, Alfonso Boone, and Tank Johnson will get better after a full year under their belts together and they appear to be a good foundation for the next 3-5 years. At defensive end, Adewale Ogunleye, Alex Brown, and Michael Haynes appear to be set with another spot open for competition.
The Bears must improve at linebacker and moving Brian Urlacher to OLB and Lance Briggs to MLB with Hunter Hillenmeyer at the other OLB spot seems to be a “no-brainer”. And, the depth behind the starters needs to be improved through the draft or educating and “bulking-up” the reserves. Also, the whole linebacking crew should look to “bulk-up” in the off-season to help them stop the run.
On offense, without a question, the line needs to be taken apart; only three Bears Olin Kreutz, Terrence Metcalfe, and John Taitt should be guarenteed roster spots with Marc Columbo and Qasim Mitchell both given a chance to play guard as well as tackle. And, if the Bears don’t give Kreutz some help blocking bigger, faster, and stronger lineman on run blocks, they should move him over to guard and utilize his mobility and quick feet or change their blocking scheme. Also, I believe bringing in an experienced NFL line coach should be the first move after the season.
A new OL coach would stress stepping in the right direction, stepping and utilizing their hands together, combo run blocking with one player working to pick up a LB, better lateral movement and pass protection. The Bears should look to become more athletic, mobile, and stronger up front through free agency and the draft and rid themselves of slow-footed and out-of-shape lineman.
Thomas Jones was an excellent acquisition with Jason McKey and Brian Johnson are a good compliment to the offense. Unfortunately, there is no room for Anthony Thomas. And, I blame the Bears for not finding a way to utilize both Thomas and Jones; as the Pittsburgh Steelers did with Jerome Bettis and Duce Staley.
In addition, the Bears should determine if : (a) they’re going to run the West Coast Offense if they have the right skilled players, (b) Adrian Petersen is the backup they need for Thomas Jones, (c) Desmond Clark is the answer at tight end and will he be made to try to block DE, (d) David Terrell and Justin Gage fit their offense, and (e) the Dustin Lyman-era has come to an end, (f) the quarterback situation is resolved with Rex Grossman, Chad Hutchinson, and Jeff George or Craig Krenzel.
On special teams the Bears should look to rid themselves of Paul Edinger’s inconsistencies on kickoffs and field goals. And, determine if a roster spot is needed for long snapper, Patrick Mannelly. Also, if Todd McMillion and John Gilmore are liabilities on the return teams.
So, there is hope for next year and I believe improving the Bears personnel should start with a new OL coach, then, a veteran offensive tackle or center. The next acquistion should be a “difference-making” wide receiver. And, the Bears should look for players in the draft to give them better depth at OG, RB, TE and MLB in this order.
3 replies on “Bears Will Strive in 2005”
intro box your whole story is in your intro box. no big deal though. just go to edit and choose an intro and put that there, then put the rest in the box below. its a pretty common mistake i did it the first time i posted on here. also the capitals in your title are a little tacky, but thats just me. it makes me want to yell the title. if thats what you are trying to achieve then it works perfect.
i’ll fix it moving to voting queue too.
Now hold on a sec… …at first glance at this article, i said, how in the hell can this guy think the bears will “strive” next season. This quote sums up the article:
So, there is hope for next year and I believe improving the Bears personnel should start with a new OL coach, then, a veteran offensive tackle or center. The next acquistion should be a “difference-making” wide receiver. And, the Bears should look for players in the draft to give them better depth at OG, RB, TE and MLB in this order.
How can u say that with all these problems, the BEARS will be at least a pretty good team. O yea, its promising, except for the OL coach, the good reciever, the center and tackle, the OG, running back, the tight end and the MLB. Thats almost the whole team. No way man.