| Written by Jeremy Ormins,
on 02-22-2008 19:42
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Views : 532  |
Favoured : 65 |
Published in : , Sports |
Tags : lance briggs, offensive woes, franchise quarterback, sid luckman, franchise tag, bear defense, fantasy player, soldier field, chicago bears, ominous sign, colangelo, neck surgery, wide receiver, offensive line, pro bowl, muhammed, grossman, spells, starters, gm |
This might be another long year for the Bears. Despite having their annual offensive woes last season the defense showed some weakness and now with the likely departure of Lance Briggs, this Bears defense might be rebuilding this upcoming year. One would think the Bears could re-sign him however due to the fact that they slapped him with the franchise tag last year against his will, there's a 99% chance he's out of here as he was smoking mad last year about what they did. The fact that they just cut their veteran wide receiver Muhsin Muhammed is another ominous sign, not to mention 2 starters off the O line not being re-signed and Urlacher coming off a neck surgery. This all spells that this won't be a stellar year at the flying saucer called Soldier Field. To make matter worse the Bears have finally decided Grossman wasn't the franchise quarterback they thought he was leaving them huge holes now at: quarterback, offensive line, linebacker, running back, and perhaps wide receiver.
The experts are somewhat split but the majority are with the Bears taking the quarterback out of Kentucky Andre Woodson. He fits the profile of the type of quarterback the Bears are looking for and will bring, the Bears hope, a legitimate long time starter to a position that never seems to have a solid, longterm player for the Bears since perhaps Sid Luckman. I have a feeling the Bears trade down as they have done in the past. The Bears also have a history of first round flops and with so many off season problems Bears GM Colangelo will trade the pick if he can garner some good value for it. No matter what happens though I think the Bears need a massive retooling, and unless some young defenders really step up, it might be a very long and cold year in Chicago.
Update 2/26: Da Bears have re-signed Grossman for another year for some strange reason. Its still very possible Woodson is their pick but perhaps Bears GM Colangelo is going a different direction, perhaps offensive line?
Update 4/28: Apparently Luvie still has strong feelings for Grossman as the Bears took no quarterback in the draft. They did get a talented LT in Chris Williams and a quick hard runner in Matt Forte. Meanwhile Brohm landed in Green Bay so hopefully the Bears don't regret passing him over.
2008 Schedule
Week 1- Sep 7 @Indianapolis 8:15pm Week 2- Sep 14 @Carolina 1:00pm Week 3- Sep 21 Tampa Bay 1:00pm Week 4- Sep 28 Philadelphia 8:15pm Week 5- Oct 5 @Detroit 1:00pm Week 6- Oct 12 @Atlanta 1:00pm Week 7- Oct 19 Minnesota 1:00pm Week 8- BYE Week 9- Nov 2 Detroit 1:00pm Week 10- Nov 9 Tennessee 1:00pm Week 11- Nov 16 @Green Bay 1:00pm Week 12- Nov 23 @St. Louis 1:00pm Week 13- Nov 30 @Minnesota 8:15pm Week 14- Dec 7 Jacksonville 1:00pm Week 15- Dec 11 New Orleans 8:15pm Week 16- Dec 22 Green Bay 8:30pm Week 17- Dec 28 @Houston 1:00pm
Fantasy Top 5
1. Chicago Bears Defense- Its sad to be forced to start this list with the Bear defense but its still the strongest fantasy "player" on this time even if they lose pro bowl linebacker Briggs. Also many leagues allow special teams play to be included with the defense, and then you also get Devin Hester with this pick. Don't be that guy that drafts defense in the 5th round, but if its late enough, maybe take a risk on this unit.
2. Cedric Benson RB- Another one of the Bears first round flops although he showed a few promising games last season before getting injured again. 600+ yards and 4 touchdowns not very impressive at all.
3. Adrian Peterson RB- Be careful not to draft this back by mistake as he shares the name as the Vikings star back. He showed a few glimpses of great play last year however he's buried on the depth chart behind Benson and will be stuck that can't move the chains. As you can tell the Bears aren't exactly a hotbed of fantasy talent. Quick Trivia Stumper: Name the only Bears player with a passer rating over 76 in 2007? Adrian Peterson -- passer rating 143.8
4. Bernard Berrian WR- He's a free agent the Bears might franchise but with Muhammed gone he should be the man although don't expect a huge jump in stats from last year (951 yards 5 TD's)
5. Greg Olsen/Desmond Clark TE- Combined these two make a great fantasy tight end (936 yards 6 TD's), however unfortunately trying to start the one who's going to have a good game is tougher than nailing a hole in one. Just when I thought the Bears would focus on the youngster last year Desmond Clark would have a great game and vice versa. Both are good tight ends but unless one goes down with injury its had to play or draft either of them.
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