Last Year:
Mike Ditka?s pronouncement to abstain from Senatorial candidacy was an intelligent one, but as evidenced by the Chicago Bears, not all decisions can earn a vote of confidence. It is not required to ?Put your head on straight,? as Ditka put it, to recognize the Bears? signing of Kordell Stewart last season was a sheer calamity. Kordell started the year as the leader of Chicago?s low-octane offense, but after a 1-4 start he was impeached for poor performance and replaced by the President of Pang, Chris Chandler. Though Chandler doubled Stewart?s victory output, and astonishingly maintained his health, he was incapable of narrowing the growing deficit of wins. Stewart entered for a second time, but his term was brief, only to make way for newly elected starter Rex Grossman. With a heartening 2-1 finish to their previous campaign and a new on field governor to start this one, are the Bears ready to return to office?
What we Learned from Last Year:
Chicago?s newspapers love the nitty-gritty. Just ask Roxie Hart, or Velma Kelly who consistently topped tabloids for all the wrong reasons in the musical Chicago. While Roxie and Velma strived for fame at any cost, it was much harder for the Chicago Bears to capture the same ?Razzle Dazzle?, as most NFL contenders perceived this team as a pushover. You don?t have to wonder why, as only one of Da Bears seven wins came against a team that went to the playoffs, and only one other win was versus a club that finished with more than five wins. A cursory observation tells us the Bears were better than the worst and worse than the best but before we tune out ?All That Jazz? from last season, there are a few positives that Chicago will carry over.
It is interesting how far Anthony Thomas has fallen in the eyes of the media, fantasy football rankings, and even fans considering 2003 was a huge rebound year for him. While the Bears? passing attack dropped to a debilitated 30th rank in the NFL, Anthony Thomas still rumbled his way past the 1000 yard-rushing platform. Key injuries to top tier receiver Marty Booker, and starting guard Rex Tucker, as well as volatility at the quarterback position should have limited A-Trane?s numbers, but the third year running back was on a mission to prove that his disappointing second season was the fluke, not his booming rookie season.
When the Chicago Bears had their claim to fame a few years ago, a large part of that was credited to their defense. A huge sigh of relief was exhaled as the Bears defense finally returned to its above average ranking after a one-year vacation at the twenty-five spot. An 11 number climb ensures that the Bears do have enough building blocks for the coming year. Although most house-holds had not welcomed the names Jerry Azumah and Charles Tillman to their dwellings, admirable seasons by both of these cornerbacks, including a game-saving interception by the latter, really benefited their exposure. Pro Bowler Brian Urlacher was his dependable self ensuring that running backs were kept at bay. While no opponents really undressed this respectable defense, the most stressing shortcoming was their third-worst takeaway total which can be directly linked to a league-worst 18 sacks. Ranking 14th overall with a bankrupt pass defense, and spectral contributions from the offense gives the Bears hope for 2004.
Whispers did surface about the Bears not exerting consistent efforts for ex-head coach Dick Jauron, but just like some of the significant injuries that this team endured last year, it is more valuable to look forward and hope that those issues do not resurface under the new regime.
What Has Changed?:
One of the hottest rap artists to emerge onto the hip hop scene this year has been Chicago?s Kanye West. His newest single ?Jesus Walks? continues to rise on the charts with the lyrics stating ?Ya know what the Midwest is? Young and restless.? Though Kanye may not be referencing a popular soap opera, his definition does describe the mood of the Midwest?s youthful Chicago Bears this off-season. As is with any new coach, the introduction of Lovie Smith has brought about a fresh energy to this team.
Lovie is known for his defensive expertise particularly when he made the Rams pitiful defense into an Overnight Celebrity. Expect him to expect more from this median squad. When Smith was hired to stimulate a ruinous Rams defense, he didn?t transform them into all-stars, but they did discover a way to make plays. With an undersized defensive line, he still found a way to drop quarterbacks, and while playing on rapid turf was supposed to be a handicap for defenders, the Rams unit used their swiftness to lead the league with 46 takeaways last season. In essence he?s a perfect fit for this team because they so desperately lack sacks and forced turnovers. Apparently he knows how to tylenol that headache.
Offensively the Bears will have an extreme makeover with a powerfully re-built offensive line, a pure starting quarterback and a new offensive coordinator. Terry Shea, former quarterback coach for the Kansas City Chiefs, is looking to carry over a Chief-like offense in the Windy City to improve productivity. To play the role of offensive line, the Bears have brought in Ruben Brown, John Tait, Aaron Gibson, and with a healthy year from Rex Tucker and Marc Colombo, this line is equal to Kansas City?s. What?s left is Rex Grossman to play the position of Trent Green, Thomas Jones play like the Priest, and Desmond Clark to match Tony Gonzalez. A bit of a stretch, eh? So far in his career Thomas Jones has been a mild upgrade of Rashaan Salaam, but his copout could be that he?s never spent a full season behind an offensive line as strong as this one. His role is the most critical on this offense if they wish to succeed because he can ease Rex Grossman?s learning curve if he proves to be functional. With a greater emphasis on a receiving running back, it appears that A-Trane?s role will diminish. Thomas & Thomas could provide an effective one-two punch with A. Thomas running between the tackles, and Thomas J. catching screens in the open field, but if it is that cut and dry, that act will become too predictable. Thomas J. has always struggled running the ball in crowded areas, but so did Priest Holmes before Kansas City discovered how to reap his benefits. If they can create room for him with their intimidating offensive line, or get the ball in his palms through dump offs and short passes, Jones can be very creative in the open field. Even throwing the ball deep a few times will deter the safeties from suffocating the space Jones calls for.
?There?s quite a few plays that weren?t in (John) Shoop?s playbook? said 2nd year quarterback Rex Grossman, ?but not getting into specifics, there's a lot of reverses and screen passes and some of the stuff we didn't do last year. But my favorite thing is to throw it deep, and there's a lot of deep passes so I look forward to that.?
If Grossman is able to connect with receivers down the field, Thomas Jones will have a lot more space to work with than he has been accustomed to.
The Chiefs? potent offense has never required a dominant receiver, but where the Chiefs have a void, the Bears have Marty Booker, and a newly committed David Terrell. Toss in a bubbling young athlete in Justin Gage, and a competent Desmond Clark, and dare I say this offense may be efficient? Making claims like that could result in a broken jaw, and mumbling through a wire like Kanye West, but it?s nice to see a team address its troubles in the off-season opposed to just disregarding them (like the Miami Dolphins) and try, trying again.
O/U 6.5:
With the highlighted off-season additions the Detroit Lions have made, the Chicago Bears gain the label as the weaklings in the NFC North. Though that may not be the case, having Minnesota, and Green Bay in the division does not make the challenging task any easier. The Bears outer division schedule also toughens up significantly this year as they face: PHI, WAS, @TB, SF, @NYG, @TEN, IND, @DAL, @JAX, and HOU. Unless this offense surprises like it is supposed to paper, then a playoff appearance is like asking the Cubs to win a World Series.
Fantasy Sleeper:
I hate to say it, but Thomas Jones may be the most valuable sleeper on this team. Many fantasy players know that Thomas Jones fantasy value has been nothing but a fantasy, but if the Bears plan to use him like Priest Holmes, then he?s worth a shot right? He has unquestionable receiving skills for a running back, and rushing behind a perked up offensive line may finally cause use some of his potential.
Mike Ditka?s pronouncement to abstain from Senatorial candidacy was an intelligent one, but as evidenced by the Chicago Bears, not all decisions can earn a vote of confidence. It is not required to ?Put your head on straight,? as Ditka put it, to recognize the Bears? signing of Kordell Stewart last season was a sheer calamity. Kordell started the year as the leader of Chicago?s low-octane offense, but after a 1-4 start he was impeached for poor performance and replaced by the President of Pang, Chris Chandler. Though Chandler doubled Stewart?s victory output, and astonishingly maintained his health, he was incapable of narrowing the growing deficit of wins. Stewart entered for a second time, but his term was brief, only to make way for newly elected starter Rex Grossman. With a heartening 2-1 finish to their previous campaign and a new on field governor to start this one, are the Bears ready to return to office?
What we Learned from Last Year:
Chicago?s newspapers love the nitty-gritty. Just ask Roxie Hart, or Velma Kelly who consistently topped tabloids for all the wrong reasons in the musical Chicago. While Roxie and Velma strived for fame at any cost, it was much harder for the Chicago Bears to capture the same ?Razzle Dazzle?, as most NFL contenders perceived this team as a pushover. You don?t have to wonder why, as only one of Da Bears seven wins came against a team that went to the playoffs, and only one other win was versus a club that finished with more than five wins. A cursory observation tells us the Bears were better than the worst and worse than the best but before we tune out ?All That Jazz? from last season, there are a few positives that Chicago will carry over.
It is interesting how far Anthony Thomas has fallen in the eyes of the media, fantasy football rankings, and even fans considering 2003 was a huge rebound year for him. While the Bears? passing attack dropped to a debilitated 30th rank in the NFL, Anthony Thomas still rumbled his way past the 1000 yard-rushing platform. Key injuries to top tier receiver Marty Booker, and starting guard Rex Tucker, as well as volatility at the quarterback position should have limited A-Trane?s numbers, but the third year running back was on a mission to prove that his disappointing second season was the fluke, not his booming rookie season.
When the Chicago Bears had their claim to fame a few years ago, a large part of that was credited to their defense. A huge sigh of relief was exhaled as the Bears defense finally returned to its above average ranking after a one-year vacation at the twenty-five spot. An 11 number climb ensures that the Bears do have enough building blocks for the coming year. Although most house-holds had not welcomed the names Jerry Azumah and Charles Tillman to their dwellings, admirable seasons by both of these cornerbacks, including a game-saving interception by the latter, really benefited their exposure. Pro Bowler Brian Urlacher was his dependable self ensuring that running backs were kept at bay. While no opponents really undressed this respectable defense, the most stressing shortcoming was their third-worst takeaway total which can be directly linked to a league-worst 18 sacks. Ranking 14th overall with a bankrupt pass defense, and spectral contributions from the offense gives the Bears hope for 2004.
Whispers did surface about the Bears not exerting consistent efforts for ex-head coach Dick Jauron, but just like some of the significant injuries that this team endured last year, it is more valuable to look forward and hope that those issues do not resurface under the new regime.
What Has Changed?:
One of the hottest rap artists to emerge onto the hip hop scene this year has been Chicago?s Kanye West. His newest single ?Jesus Walks? continues to rise on the charts with the lyrics stating ?Ya know what the Midwest is? Young and restless.? Though Kanye may not be referencing a popular soap opera, his definition does describe the mood of the Midwest?s youthful Chicago Bears this off-season. As is with any new coach, the introduction of Lovie Smith has brought about a fresh energy to this team.
Lovie is known for his defensive expertise particularly when he made the Rams pitiful defense into an Overnight Celebrity. Expect him to expect more from this median squad. When Smith was hired to stimulate a ruinous Rams defense, he didn?t transform them into all-stars, but they did discover a way to make plays. With an undersized defensive line, he still found a way to drop quarterbacks, and while playing on rapid turf was supposed to be a handicap for defenders, the Rams unit used their swiftness to lead the league with 46 takeaways last season. In essence he?s a perfect fit for this team because they so desperately lack sacks and forced turnovers. Apparently he knows how to tylenol that headache.
Offensively the Bears will have an extreme makeover with a powerfully re-built offensive line, a pure starting quarterback and a new offensive coordinator. Terry Shea, former quarterback coach for the Kansas City Chiefs, is looking to carry over a Chief-like offense in the Windy City to improve productivity. To play the role of offensive line, the Bears have brought in Ruben Brown, John Tait, Aaron Gibson, and with a healthy year from Rex Tucker and Marc Colombo, this line is equal to Kansas City?s. What?s left is Rex Grossman to play the position of Trent Green, Thomas Jones play like the Priest, and Desmond Clark to match Tony Gonzalez. A bit of a stretch, eh? So far in his career Thomas Jones has been a mild upgrade of Rashaan Salaam, but his copout could be that he?s never spent a full season behind an offensive line as strong as this one. His role is the most critical on this offense if they wish to succeed because he can ease Rex Grossman?s learning curve if he proves to be functional. With a greater emphasis on a receiving running back, it appears that A-Trane?s role will diminish. Thomas & Thomas could provide an effective one-two punch with A. Thomas running between the tackles, and Thomas J. catching screens in the open field, but if it is that cut and dry, that act will become too predictable. Thomas J. has always struggled running the ball in crowded areas, but so did Priest Holmes before Kansas City discovered how to reap his benefits. If they can create room for him with their intimidating offensive line, or get the ball in his palms through dump offs and short passes, Jones can be very creative in the open field. Even throwing the ball deep a few times will deter the safeties from suffocating the space Jones calls for.
?There?s quite a few plays that weren?t in (John) Shoop?s playbook? said 2nd year quarterback Rex Grossman, ?but not getting into specifics, there's a lot of reverses and screen passes and some of the stuff we didn't do last year. But my favorite thing is to throw it deep, and there's a lot of deep passes so I look forward to that.?
If Grossman is able to connect with receivers down the field, Thomas Jones will have a lot more space to work with than he has been accustomed to.
The Chiefs? potent offense has never required a dominant receiver, but where the Chiefs have a void, the Bears have Marty Booker, and a newly committed David Terrell. Toss in a bubbling young athlete in Justin Gage, and a competent Desmond Clark, and dare I say this offense may be efficient? Making claims like that could result in a broken jaw, and mumbling through a wire like Kanye West, but it?s nice to see a team address its troubles in the off-season opposed to just disregarding them (like the Miami Dolphins) and try, trying again.
O/U 6.5:
With the highlighted off-season additions the Detroit Lions have made, the Chicago Bears gain the label as the weaklings in the NFC North. Though that may not be the case, having Minnesota, and Green Bay in the division does not make the challenging task any easier. The Bears outer division schedule also toughens up significantly this year as they face: PHI, WAS, @TB, SF, @NYG, @TEN, IND, @DAL, @JAX, and HOU. Unless this offense surprises like it is supposed to paper, then a playoff appearance is like asking the Cubs to win a World Series.
Fantasy Sleeper:
I hate to say it, but Thomas Jones may be the most valuable sleeper on this team. Many fantasy players know that Thomas Jones fantasy value has been nothing but a fantasy, but if the Bears plan to use him like Priest Holmes, then he?s worth a shot right? He has unquestionable receiving skills for a running back, and rushing behind a perked up offensive line may finally cause use some of his potential.