Chicago Bears: Why Does Everyone Think They're So Bad?

Are the Chicago Bears really going to be as bad as people think they are next season?

I don't really understand what the normal NFL fan and so-called expert or analyst sees. The Bears were in Super Bowl XLI two seasons ago. They have many of the same players from that season.

I know they went 7-9 last year, but no team has gone back to the playoffs after a Super Bowl loss except the 2005-2006 Seattle Seahawks.

The Bears had a very solid draft this year. Some of the players they chose are as follows.

1st round: OT, Chris Williams. 2nd Round: RB, Matt Forte. 3rd Round: WR, Earl Bennett. 3rd Round: DT, Marcus Harrison. 4th Round: S, Craig Steltz. They also got a steal in 6'4" WR Marcus Monk in the 7th Round.

I could understand some people saying they have a couple of question marks, but they have so much talent and I see them going really far this season.

Projected Lineup:

QB: Rex Grossman, who could be very effective with a decent O-line and running game. He was real effective after Brian Griese went out with an injury (thank goodness for that). I don't really see this position as the biggest question mark.

RB: I really see this position as their biggest question mark. They released Cedric Benson, who really doesn't care about anything but money. He might be innocent on both charges, but Matt Forte will be a little bit better.

The problem I have is that most teams have two decent RBs. The Bears have one decent "Rookie" RB in Forte and then have "Special Team Freak," the other Adrian Peterson, plus Garrett Wolfe—no one knows what he'll do. They might want to sign RB Kevin Jones, who has averaged 4.0 yards per carry in his career.

FB: Jason McKie is solid. There is nothing else to say.

WR: They released aging Muhsin Muhammad, which makes a lot of sense, and did not resign "B-Twice." Bernard wanted way too much money for what kind of production he had last year—he dropped way too many balls, but he was a great deep threat. They should have hit him with the franchise tag.

They bring back Marty Booker, who is basically a "younger" Muhsin Muhammad, and sign Brandon Lloyd, who has done nothing in his career. Brandon Lloyd could be a factor because Offensive Coordinator Ron Turner coached him at Illinois.

Also, resigning Rashied Davis was big—he will be solid—and Mark Bradley could be great if he stays healthy. Earl Bennett and Marcus Monk could contribute as well.

Who knows what Devin Hester will do? You don't want to use him too much because that will take away time from returning kicks. Personally I think their receivers will be better than last year.

TE: Very solid with veteran Dez Clark and speedy Greg Olsen.

OL: Rookie Chris Williams will start at LT, Terrence Metcalf at LG, Olin Kreutz at C, Roberto Garza at RG, and John Tait moving back to RT. This has to be their biggest question mark, but I think they'll be better than last year's line with aging Fred Miller and Ruben Brown.

DE: Adewale Ogunleye and Alex Brown will start, but they will have solid backups who will be in the rotation—Mark Anderson and Israel Idonije. Idonije will be used not only as a DE, but also as a DT.

DT: Look for Tommie Harris, who has one year left on his contract, to pair up with Dusty Dvoracek to start and have Anthony Adams as the Nose Tackle. Also, rookie Marcus Harrison should be used like Tank Johnson was a couple years ago. DT Matt Toenia, who signed on late in the year, should add some depth.

LB: They are the best in the league if Brian Urlacher is healthy. He'll pair up with Lance Briggs, and don't forget about Hunter Hillenmeyer.

CB: Nathan Vasher and Charles Tillman will start and have solid backups in Ricky Manning Jr. and Trumaine McBride, plus Corey Graham on Special Teams. Look for Vasher to have a Pro Bowl season if he stays healthy and for the Bears to use Daniel Manning in Nickel situations.

FS: Mike Brown will be great if he stays healthy, and Craig Steltz will be a solid backup and contributor on special teams.

SS: Brandon McGowan, who re-signed this offseason, should be solid if he stays healthy, and has some solid backups in Kevin Payne and Daniel Manning.

Special Teams: Kicker Robbie Gould is good as gold, punter Brad Maynard is solid, and what can you say about Devin Hester? He is ridiculous.

Predicted Record: 11-5—I see them having a Super Bowl defense if Urlacher and Mike Brown stay healthy, plus a solid offense if Matt Forte leads the way with that O-line staying up.