How optimistic are you?

[Susan]

This is the first year that I'm overly excited to see the Bears play. Between Cutler getting a real receiving core, Forte coming back and the level that the defense performed at last year I can't think of a better Bears team heading into week 1.

Am I wrong to think that this team can be even better than the one that went to the Super Bowl a few years back? Our special teams are just as good as that team's was, Cutler is worlds better than Rex, I'd take Forte/Bush any day of the week over Jones/Benson, Marshall/Jeffery/Bennett/Hester are on a different level than Berrian/Moose/Gage/Bradley and the defense should be pretty darn good.

That 2006 team I just remember watching and expecting them to dominate every single game. I feel like this team is even a level above that group, how do you guys feel about it?

[Chewie]

Well this goes back to the 'predict the # of wins' thread but I'm usually extremely guarded in my predictions and I'm on record for 13. Twelve is probably more realistic but anything less than 11 and I'm disappointed with what we've got.

I'm basing this entirely on the fact that this team was red-hot last year and seemlingly poised to go deep into the playoffs before Cutler got hurt and we easily got stronger in the off-season.

I think draft picks McClellin, Jeffery, and Hardin are going to contribute right off the bat. No more Martz is addition by subtraction. Offensive line is still up in the air but this isn't news to Lovie+Tice and knowing is half the battle (Yo, Joe!). Less 7 step drops and help from the TEs, RBs will be utilized to help the o-line, Carimi is back, and hopefully the competition between C Williams and Webb will have one step up.

This is better than the last Superbowl team. To be honest, I remember going into that Superbowl feeling like we snuck into that one and didn't belong. That doesn't mean necessarily that this year's team belongs in the Superbowl, mind you, but I sure feel confident going into the season.

[WEFFPIM]

Offensive line holds up, this team's in good shape. Possibly more than good shape.

[ChicagoStrong]

I think 12-4 will be the record. 14-2 is the ceiling.

I think the Bears are taking it all this year.

[Susan]

The first 10 weeks that team was out of this world but after Brown went down it was just pretty much disappointing. Partly because Rex was terrible afterall.

The biggest difference is that the 2006 team just had Devin as a player who can take over a game. This team has Marshall in his prime, Forte in his prime, Hester returning and Cutler to go with Bennett's always solid play and Bush's change of pace ability.

Marshall is a guy who can on any game, get you 20 catches. Hester is always capable of taking a return or two back for a touchdown. Forte had some absolutely dominant games last season for us. It's just hard not to be overly excited for this team.

[DJhitek]

Very very optimistic and that's based on my assumption that Marshall won't have the impact we believe he will. I think Jeffrey will take over as the best skill player on this offense near the end of the season.

Either way, as long as this defense stays healthy, we are barely a notch below the Packers IMO.

[emperorjones]

On paper, this is the best Bears offense since I started watching the team in 1976. So I am definitely optimistic

[HBK9]

The thing that worries me is the line. Cutler is an elite talent but can not throw from the prone position. I also have always felt that the defense would sometimes rest on their laurels. If they play with a consistent level of intensity then they can be very good. I hope they will given that Kane is a step awy from AA and Rose......ugh.

[Balance-a-Bull]

On paper, this is the best Bears offense since I started watching the team in 1976. So I am definitely optimistic

I wholeheartedly agree.

I really started to watch the Bears around the same time in 1975 when Payton came aboard and infused life into blah team, and this is the best offense I have seen as well on paper heading into the season.

It is very refreshing, encouraging and very exciting. I have been bored and frustrated with Chicago teams in general that have been overly obsessed with fielding a defensive , while ignoring the other side of the ball.

It is very difficult to win in sports if you are one dimensional ( albeit just offensively dominant or just defensively dominate). A balanced attack offensively and defensively will give you the best chance to win.

[NZB2323]

I'm optimistic, but that 2006 team had a very dominate defense. The D-line was a primish Ogunleye, a healthy Tommie Harris, a legal Tank Johnson, and Alex Brown and Mark Anderson were always single covered by the other team's worst o-linemen. Plus that defense had Mike Brown untill the Cardinals game, and we won every game that year that Mike Brown played in. Also Urlacher was younger that year and much faster.

Saying this team will be better than the team that went to the superbowl is very optimistic. You never know what's going to happen with injuries, the defense aging and the o-line holding up. We can read fluff pieces in the offseason about how good our new offensive coordinater will be, but it's all fluff untill the actual game starts.

I expect this team to make the playoffs, but I'm going to have to see them play some games untill I declare them to be a superbowl contender.

[chibearsfan]

Assuming the defense plays to their capabilities, we could see something special. Offense is obviously vastly improved. I think Tice will make sure he puts Cutler is position to play well. That jackass Martz wanted to fit our players into something that they didn't belong. Tice has been around a couple years and knows what our strengths and weaknesses are. He'll keep a balanced attack with short quick drop passes from Cutler, mixed in with some bootleg to our new studs in Marshall and hidden gem in Alshon. Putting Cutler in the right position to succeed will make him look real good and cover the weaknesses of our oline.

I can't wait for the season to start and see all those espn jackasses be surprised when we destroy the fake tough guys known as the lions and put up some well contested games against the pack.

Overall I think we're a 12 win team with 11 being more realistic. Packers I feel show that they are mortal by screeching out 13 wins with the Lions coming down to earth at 9 wins.

[BIGGIEsmalls 23]

Where are you Heir?

[ChicagoStrong]

Where are you Heir?

He got waived.

[emperorjones]

Yes, Heir & Patryk are no more.

[BIGGIEsmalls 23]

Where are you Heir?

He got waived.

Yes, Heir & Patryk are no more.

Wow, I thought that Emp simply meant they were eliminated from our Superbowl game when he posted the following in that thread:

If you guys haven't noticed, we are down two GMs in the Superbowl game (heir_jordan22 & patryk7754 have been removed). And then there were 4.....

I actually thought the "GMs" were being voted on behind closed doors in "Mod Land". Seriously, I enjoyed talking Bears with those two.

[emperorjones]

I actually thought the "GMs" were being voted on behind closed doors in "Mod Land". Seriously, I enjoyed talking Bears with those two.

Turns out you really were enjoying talking to one guy with multiple personalities. I was really sad to find out Heir was waived. Was actually going to lobby for him as one of our core guys. Then I found out why and didn't even try. He will be missed here, but not so much on other boards.

But not to hijack this thread....

My optimism will show in my detailed prediction thread once camp gets going and I see a preseason game, but its definitely beyond 11-5. And believe it or not, I'm most happy that we have Jeremy Bates in place now as our next OC after Tice takes a head coaching job next year.

[ChicagoStrong]

Wow, I thought that Emp simply meant they were eliminated from our Superbowl game when he posted the following in that thread:

They were the same person.

[BIGGIEsmalls 23]

I actually thought the "GMs" were being voted on behind closed doors in "Mod Land". Seriously, I enjoyed talking Bears with those two.

Turns out you really were enjoying talking to one guy with multiple personalities.

Wow, I thought that Emp simply meant they were eliminated from our Superbowl game when he posted the following in that thread:

They were the same person.

Heir/patryk/????/????, you guy(s) still rock .

[bearadonisdna]

Pretty optimistic.

[Cliff Levingston]

Being better than the '06 team is almost completely dependent on Henry Melton, and to a lesser extent, Paea and McClellan. We know who Toeaina is, Idonije and Peppers too. The pass rush needs to improve so you hope it comes from even further improved Melton and Paea as well as McClellin. If those guys can step up and play outstanding/well, that improves the defense drastically.

Cliff Levingston is actually less worried about the offensive line, probably because the expectations aren't sky high. Before Cutler went down, even with Martz calling plays, we had given up 1 sack in two straight games. The O line, even without Carimi, was coming together and Cutler was able to make things happen behind them. Williams and Carimi are first rounders on the ends, Garza was a pro-bowl alternate at center. Louis and Spencer just need to be pretty good and the line will be decent, ICLO. No world beaters but the GB line wasn't outstanding either.