In this second part of my Chicago Bears season preview, I turn the spotlight on the defense and how they'll look this season. I'll also look at the schedule and give you my prediction as to the Bears' win/loss record for the 2010 season.
The Defense
Looking at the defensive line, it's easy to see that the Bears felt they needed an impact player, hence the signing of Julius Peppers the day free agency started. Happy Julius Peppers Day! Peppers instantly brings a pass-rusher the likes of which Chicago hasn't seen since Richard Dent. They'll move him wherever they feel they'll have the advantage in order to put pressure on the opposing quarterback. He should get to double digit sacks, but if he doesn't it shouldn't seem a waste to Bears fans. He's the real deal. Anybody that talks about his motor and drive for the game hasn't seen enough of him on tape. His presence is hopefully going to ease the pressure of tackle Tommie Harris, who is far removed from the dominant force he was in his early seasons. Always with knee troubles, Harris doesn't have long to redeem himself before he's a lost cause. With Peppers, Harris will see far less double teams and must make the most of his opportunities to wreak havoc. Anthony Adams, Marcus Harrison and Matt Toeaina will fill the other tackle spot and give Harris rest on occasion. None are game-breakers, but they play the run well and serve as a quality three-man rotation. At the left end position, Mark Anderson and Israel Idonije must fill the void left by Alex Brown, whom the team let go in the offseason. Brown was always stout against the run, but his pass rush was never more than decent. If the two of them can tally between 8 and 10 sacks, I'd say they did their job.
Welcome Julius. Now go eat a quarterback.
Beset by injuries last season, the Bears linebacking unit is healthy (for the most part) and ready to party like it's 2009. Lance Briggs is now the star of the trio, racking up tackles on the runner and showing great awareness in pass coverage. Pisa Tinoisamoa will start the season at the strong-side after missing most of last year with injuries. Pisa was the leading tackler in St. Louis for years and he should be an addition to the Bears in 2010 that he should have been in 2009. The wildcard of the linebackers is Brian Urlacher. At his age, Urlacher doesn't have many years left in his career. He's become injury-prone and just doesn't make the same impact he once did. If he can stay healthy an entire season, he could be a difference-maker on a defense that sorely missed him. While he's no longer a great player, he's certainly a good one.
Oh, it's on.
A stalwart on the defense ever since he was drafted, Charles Tillman was demoted after the 2009 season. Lovie Smith has taken Zack Bowman and given him the top corner spot, putting Tillman on the left side. Bowman is slightly under-sized, but has better coverage skills and is more physical at this point in his career. (Tillman could be a safety, just saying.) Unfortunately, neither player is a lock-down corner that will shut off one side of the offense. Bowman will be tested early on the opponent's top targets unless Tillman's size is more useful. (Like with Detroit's Calvin Johnson.) D.J. Moore will get looks early on at the nickel spot, but his 5'9" size is a problem. This group will see its fair share of problems over the course of the season, but how many remains to be seen.
With numerous combinations at safety in 2009, Lovie Smith never seemed to make up his mind. To start 2010, Daniel Manning will be features at strong safety and the newly re-acquired Chris Harris will start at free safety. Without question, this combo will not last very long. Manning is a mental liability at safety and Harris simply doesn't have the range to play free. He's an in-the-box safety. Major Wright, the Bears' top pick in this latest draft should find his way into a starting role before the fourth game of the season. He has the range and speed necessary and needs to get playing time and experience. Harris at the strong spot and Wright at free is Chicago's best safety duo.
Please be good.
As far as the coaching staff goes, Lovie Smith needs to show me he knows how to make adjustments on the fly. Too often have I seen him remain his stubborn self even as the defense is being torched repeatedly by the pass or Daniel Manning continues to falter. His cover-two is old and undeniably beatable in the current NFL scene, so he needs to find some creativity whether he actually has an idea of his own or finds it in new defensive coordinator Rod Marinelli. (Not likely.)
The Prediction
This is what you've all been waiting for. Looking at their schedule, it's hard to find surefire victories on the Bears' schedule. Even the Lions aren't automatic wins anymore. They could legitimately head into their week 8 bye at 4-3, with possible victories coming against the Lions, Giants, Panthers, Seahawks or Redskins. None of those teams are convincingly head-and-shoulders above the Bears at this point. After that, things get rough. Two games against Minnesota, hosting the Eages and playing games against each of the AFC East squads put take the Bears out of competition. They could legitimately go 2-7 in their last nine and I wouldn't be surprised at all.
2009 Record: 7-9
2010 prediction: 7-9
Yep. They'll be an improved team but it's likely they'll have a losing record or barely reach .500. I haven't seen enough from this offense to ensure me that it'll put up the kind of points we've seen from Martz at other locales. We just don't have enough pieces. I like the upgrades on defense but the secondary will have their share of bad days against better teams. If they don't catch fire early, the Bears will see major changes at the end of the season.
Bear down. Happy Jay Cutler Day.
