NFL Preview: Chicago Bears

by Richie Rich, Home Run Derby

Quick - who's the most popular man in Chicago? Not Mayor Daley. Not Lou Piniella. Not even Michael Jordan.

It's the same man it's always been - the Bears' Backup Quarterback.

Heading into the 2007 season, that statement has never been more true. Even though the Bears made their first Super Bowl in 21 years with Rex Grossman at the helm, most Bears fans would tell you that he was merely along for the ride. And that he finally derailed it in the Super Bowl.

Grossman is back at the helm for the Bears this season, and although the team doesn't revolve around Grossman, its success will be measured in terms of his performance. Because nothing less than the Vince Lombardi Trophy will be acceptable this season.

• A drop by Muhsin Muhammad will be Grossman's fault.
  
• If new starting RB Cedric Benson can't average 4 yards a carry, it's because defenses are stacking the line to make Grossman beat them.
  
• If kicker Robbie Gould suddenly can't make a field goal in a swirling wind at Soldier Field, it will be because Grossman didn't get him close enough.
• If the Defense gives up a quick Touchdown to the opposing team - Grossman probably gave them great field position.
  

About that new starting running back. Fan favorite Thomas Jones is gone and the Bears have replaced him with the fifth pick in the 2005 Draft, Cedric Benson. That sounds good right? But Benson is hardly popular in Chicago after a prolonged holdout in 2005, a perceived lack of effort and a me-first attitude, and an average of less than three yards a carry this Preseason. Plus he could never knock Jones out of the top spot in the past two seasons. HE's got his opportunity - as much as "Rex is [the Bears'] Quarterback," Benson is their Running Back.

The offensive line is intact and the Bears added tight end Greg Olsen from The U in the draft to complement Desmond Clark. In preseason, Olsen was playing like a 5-year veteran instead of a rookie and the Bears were showing some 2-TE sets. However, Olsen sprained his knee in the last preseason game and will miss two - four weeks.

However, the Defense (the league's stingiest squad last season) looks to be even more dominating.

• LB's Brian Urlacher, Lance Briggs (contract year), and Hunter Hillenmeyer are all back
• Tommie Harris will be healthy
• The Distraction of Tank Johnson is gone
• The starting CB's (Nathan Vasher and Peanut Tillman) are locked up for years to come
• Mark Anderson (12 sacks last year in limited duty) is now starting on the line
  
• The Bears upgraded at Safety, adding Adam Archuleta and get a healthy Mike Brown back

Most opposing offenses will feel like they were a passenger in Lance Briggs' Lamborghini after playing the Bears.

Special Teams will be interesting this season - just in watching how many teams kick away from the legend that is Devin Hester. The Colts kicked to him once in the Super Bowl and Hester made them pay with a TD return of the opening kickoff. They kept the ball far from him the rest of the game, and the Bears had poor field position and seemed to be missing something.


The Bears seem to have realized that teams might try to kick away from Hester, so they're looking for way he can get the ball more often. Like playing him on offense. Hester will line up as the fourth receiver this season, which could cause havoc to a defense even if he never touches the ball. He's looked good in practice, with some Bears defenders comparing his moves to Steve Smith of the Panthers. Special treat - there's word that the Bears have been practicing a double reverse with Hester involved. That could be a treat.

The Bears play one of the League's easiest schedules and should have little trouble dominating the Packers, Lions and Vikings in the NFC North and should be considered the favorites to have home-field advantage throughout the NFC Playoffs come January 2008.

And if they don't - it'll be Grossman's fault.

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