Bears headed for a 5-11 record?

[SpinninHouse]

A caller on Waddle and Silvy recently suggested the Bears are a 3-13 team this upcoming season. While I don't think we'll be quite that bad, I do think we will be worse than last year. With zero FA activity, we have not gotten better at any position. Barring some unexpected moves, our already-terrible defense appears significantly worse. DL, DB, and WR have HUGE gaping holes and LB (with the exception of Briggs) is also becoming a problem area. Why hasn't Ogunleye been cut yet? Does the front office think he's going to magically start playing well again? How do they plan on actually having a pass rush this year with the same ineffective DL's from last year? And it's laughable they haven't upgraded the WR position. Devin Hester is a #2 (even though on a legitimate NFL franchise he'd be a #3) but we still need a #1 and a #3. The fact that Rashied Davis is still on the team says it all. But he's starting for us! He is #2 on our depth chart right now! With Earl Bennet as the #3!!!!!! Unbelievable. I don't see anyway we win 9 games against next year when we haven't filled any of the holes.

Thoughts? Have we progressed, degressed, or stayed the same thus far? Do you think the draft will get us into the playoffs? My opinion is not even close but I'm curious as to how everyone else feels.

[BuLLs>LiFe]

Although I wouldn't necessarily be surprised if the Bears went 5-11, I'm not expecting it. They're still a mediocre team. Depending on the development of Hester/Orton/Forte, I still think this team will compete for a playoff spot next year, but probably not make it. This division outside of Minnesota is still pretty soft, and we split with Minny last year so, who knows? I would say 8-8, 7-9 as my prediction.

[Chewie]

If this season started tomorrow, I'd say we've regressed without a doubt. Urlacher and Kreutz are on the down side of their previous pro-bowl form, we lack a free safety, we don't have a starting RT, I'm not sure we have our long term solution at QB in Orton, and, as you mentioned, the wide receiver corps is just awful. Probably the worst in the NFL as it stands today.

I'll reserve final judgment and a prediction on our record until after the draft and final moves in free agency. I had us pegged for 5 to 6 wins last season and was very wrong.

[emperorjones]

Agreed, but...

At a minimum, I feel that our O Line will be improved from last year. Chris Williams is healthy. I know we Bear fans take the gloom & doom mode on this - as we probably should, but when the guy had surgery the Chicago media & fans on average labeled him a bust. The guy finished his rehab early and got back on the field DURING the season. Add to that we are certain (better be) to add a Right Tackle in the draft (which is REALLY deep at OT). This player will be a possible starter unless we sign St. Clair and bring our draftee along slowly. WE also added what all national scouting reports I've read say is a young solid guard (Omiyale) in FA. The result that I see is a totally revamped O-Line over the last 2 seasons. We will be young at both tackle spots, and have Beekman and Omiyale at the guards. So I will say that heading into the season our O-Line will be improved and have agood mix of youth & veteran leadership.

Wide Receiver was a disaster last year as you've stated and we all know. IMO, we need to wait until after the draft to get a good read here. We are at a good spot to pick up a #1 WR in the first round and another wide out in maybe the 3rd or 4th round. If we grab a playmaker at #18 and continue to see development from Hester and IF Bennett can be a capable #3 or #4 - I would actually be happy with the WR position.

I am happy with Orton at QB and think he will have a solid season next year. Before the injury, I had few complaints. I like that JA has stated he will not bring a QB in as a FA until after the draft because he does NOT want a QB controversy and doesn't want to split the reps in camp like they did last season.

Running back & TE are solid for me. Our running game will improve if we can grab a stud RT in the draft as well.


Defense is the wild card. Everything is basically coming down to a coaching shift. If our new coaching structure works - the defense will be fine. If not? Oy Ve.

I don't look for us to improve our defensive personal much in the draft. We may be able to grab a safety that could compete for the starting job but that's about it. That said, the last couple years we drafted heavy on the defensive side. Marcus Harrison, Dusty Dvoracek, Corey Graham, Kevin Payne, were all 1st/2nd year players last year. I expect each of them to make SIGNIFICANT improvement and to eventually form a core part of our future defense. However, without some magic from Rod Marinelli on our D Line it will be for nothing.

Right now I think the Bears are in the 7-9 to 9-7 range. Mediocre. But I think a solid draft and better coaching and continued improvement from Orton could mover them to the 9-7 to 10-6 range...or maybe even...11-5 (shut your trap Chewie! )

[Chewie]

[WAYSA]

If Angelo drafts like has the past two seasons, yes this team is going to be very bad.

I think this team is awful on paper right now. Question marks at every position.

I'm hoping Jerry trades for a disgruntled player that can be a difference maker. Shaun Rodgers would be great next to Tommie Harris & really help out the ends. This team needs a trade like that to get into the playoffs along with a good draft, IMO.

[emperorjones]

^^
2007 had a couple big busts (Michael Okwo & Dan Bazuin), but I think that Greg Olsen, Kevin Payne, Corey Graham and Josh Beekman are solid picks & players that will be key players for this team for a long time. While most draft experts claim you can't judge a draft for 3 seasons, with Okwo & Bazuin gone and Wolfe's roll not defined, it cannot be considered a good draft I agree.

I think its waaaay to early to judge 2008. Bennett and Chris Williams can't be truly judged this year IMO & Matt Forte goes unspoken as a great pick. IMO Marcus Harrison has talent and could prove to be a steal for a third round pick.

The really bad draft was 2005 - Only KO remains from a draft class of Cedric Benson, Mark Bradley, Kyle Orton, Airese Currie, Chris Harris, Rodriques Wilson.

[WAYSA]

If Bennett couldn't see the field with last years loser WR core then there is no hope for him. Rookie or not. That is pathetic. He's a bust.

If Williams is a LT then yes, the first two picks of Williams/Forte looks nice. But, lets not forget Branden Albert was on the board and looks like a stud. Williams has to be a pretty good LT for the pick to look good, IMO.

Also, I love Harrison & like Bowman if he can stay healthy..

[SportsWorld]

I'm thinking 6-10 at this point. Last year I remember all the talk shows around Chicago saying the Bears were a 4-5 win team and they turned out pretty good. We'll see.

[emperorjones]

If Bennett couldn't see the field with last years loser WR core then there is no hope for him. Rookie or not. That is pathetic. He's a bust.

As weird as it may be/seem, I really think JA & Lovie are redshirting rookies. Like Beekman not playing at all his rookie season then moving in as the regular starter at the START of training camp. And now they are stating that Bennett is their guy at WR after not playing him at all last year? Strange.

[DJhitek]

If Bennett couldn't see the field with last years loser WR core then there is no hope for him. Rookie or not. That is pathetic. He's a bust.

If Williams is a LT then yes, the first two picks of Williams/Forte looks nice. But, lets not forget Branden Albert was on the board and looks like a stud. Williams has to be a pretty good LT for the pick to look good, IMO.

Also, I love Harrison & like Bowman if he can stay healthy..

It's better you don't a receiver after just one season because year two is where you expect to see significant improvement. I don't think Bennett will be as bad but I'm not as optimistic as some.

[WEFFPIM]

Nothing would surprise me about this team next season, but with the roster they have as it stands right now, I don't think it's gonna be pretty.

[chitownsports4ever]

Home: Detroit, Green Bay, Minnesota, Arizona, St. Louis, Philadelphia, Cleveland, Pittsburgh

Away: Detroit, Green Bay, Minnesota, San Francisco, Seattle, Atlanta, Baltimore, Cincinnati

I think at worst we go 10-6 .I just think that we will be a better prepared more disciplined team. We made a bunch of silly penalties and mistakes that cost us games .

Pitt
Philly
Ravens
Falcons

It looks as though we will open on the road again as well .I cant even remember the last time we opened at home .

lol

[Pax for Prez]

The Good News is no one in our division has done a whole lot in Free Agency.

Minnesota is probably better with Sage at QB

Green Bay - new defensive system, might take time to learn and get the proper personal in place

Detroit is Detroit ......nuff said

And hopefully our draft picks are upgrades over the players not resigned/lost.

We are still probably a bubble playoff team, thanks to our division !!

[SportsWorld]

I wouldn't be surprised if the Packers win 10 games this year. They lost so many close games last year.
Right now, although we have an easy schedule it's looking ugly for us.

[WEFFPIM]

I think at worst we go 10-6 .I just think that we will be a better prepared more disciplined team. We made a bunch of silly penalties and mistakes that cost us games .

AT WORST?!?!?! You've gone lost your damn mind.

[emperorjones]

I wouldn't be surprised if the Packers win 10 games this year. They lost so many close games last year.
Right now, although we have an easy schedule it's looking ugly for us.

It wouldn't surprise me with the offense they have. But the switch from a 4-3 to a 3-4 defense without changing personnel will be interesting to see. It was that defense that cost them.

[chitownsports4ever]

I think at worst we go 10-6 .I just think that we will be a better prepared more disciplined team. We made a bunch of silly penalties and mistakes that cost us games .

AT WORST?!?!?! You've gone lost your damn mind.

I gotta believe that we will be better . Of course we will be hard pressed to beat the final 4 teams but I gotta believe we can beat the rest .

[SportsWorld]

10-6 isn't a bad prediction but that can't be the worst case scenario You have to remember, we do have a pretty easy schedule.

[Cliff Levingston]

Cliff Levingston has got us right around .500 again provided we moderately fill the holes we have at WR, tackle and safety. If not, that prediction could go lower even considering the easy schedule.