Positive Press - Bears Superbowl contender

[emperorjones]

Saw this on Foxsports. A nice change up from the normal NFC East orgasms that the national press normally prints.

The Bears receivers are better than you think.

I think it's OK if a quarterback not in the top five is the highest-paid player in the NFL.

Is Larry Johnson actually thinking clearly?

Does Chad Johnson ever think?

And my head hurts thinking about the Seahawks.

Think about that, and more, with the latest SCHEIN 9.

1. Bear it

I am not remotely concerned that Chicago doesn't have enough weapons in the passing attack. It's more than enough for the Bears to win the competitive NFC North and be a legit Super Bowl contender.

End the Plaxico Burress talk. And while Brandon Marshall is a great talent, he comes with baggage in every way — off the field issues, wanting a new contract, not 100 percent healthy.

And the Bears receivers will be vastly improved this year, aided by the presence of finally having a big time QB in Chicago.

# Tight end Greg Olsen caught 54 balls last year. The way Cutler uses the tight end, especially on third downs and in the red zone, put him closer to 75 (as a low estimate) with at least nine touchdowns.

# Devin Hester caught 51 passes from Rex Grossman and Kyle Orton. He's an exceptional talent who is only getting better. The explosive Hester hits the 70 mark and takes a major step forward.

# I don't expect Jay Cutler to dump down to Matt Forte like the former Bears quarterbacks. But while the number of catches will dip from 63, Forte has excellent hands and will be counted on.

# Rashied Davis is a solid player. Mark him down for 40 receptions.

# Rookie Juaquin Iglesias was a third-round steal. He's a polished neophyte. Offensive coordinator Ron Turner was gushing about him when we talked after the draft. I don't think 40 catches is a remote stretch.

# And the Bears love the big-play ability (and they should) of fellow rook Johnny Knox.

Plus, the offensive line is stronger and deeper with Orlando Pace and Kevin Shaffer coming to town. And a healthy Chris Williams would be a huge bonus.

Big picture, it's more than enough when you have a budding star in Forte at running back and a defense that will be improved in all facets with the most disruptive defensive lineman in football, Mr. Tommie Harris, healthy.

Chicago could be in the mix for a Super Bowl fueled by its passing attack. Imagine that.

More non-Bears stuff at the link:
http://msn.foxsports.com/nfl/story/9722 ... d-bear-it-

[Chewie]

Again - Olsen's going to look good on my fantasy team. The "no Bears" rule is officially squashed.

I see zero reason why we shouldn't be in the mix for a successful playoffs run this year. I'm more concerned with defense than the WR "issue".

[Cliff Levingston]

No mention of Earl Bennett who's supposedly looked really good so far. We may not have a guy who catches 100 balls (or even 80) but if we've got a lot of guys who can catch between 30 and 70, that'll do.

[NZB2323]

# Rashied Davis is a solid player. Mark him down for 40 receptions.

[emperorjones]

I wouldn't be stunned if Davis didn't start (as in first on the depth chart in the slot) and Knox takes his old spot in the slot. I could see them going with Hester, Bennett, Iglasias, Knox as the top 4 WR

[NZB2323]

I wouldn't be stunned if Davis didn't start (as in first on the depth chart in the slot) and Knox takes his old spot in the slot. I could see them going with Hester, Bennett, Iglasias, Knox as the top 4 WR

I hope that you're right. Davis has to hold the record for highest ratio of dropped balls to receiving yards.

[Ricky ROY Rubio]

knox with that 4.3 speed. Maybe Forte gets 1900 yards from scrimmage?

[WEFFPIM]

Personally I'm more concerned at the defense than the offense

[NZB2323]

Personally I'm more concerned at the defense than the offense

+1

[TNBT]

You know it's a good time to be a Bears fan when it's the DEFENSE that you're worried about. I have really high hopes for this season, but I mainly just want to see how good Cutler can make these guys look in the passing game.

[NZB2323]

You know it's a good time to be a Bears fan when it's the DEFENSE that you're worried about. I have really high hopes for this season, but I mainly just want to see how good Cutler can make these guys look in the passing game.

I don't know...our defense isn't nearly as good as it was in 2005, 2004, or 2000.

If this team played the 2005 team in a game, I'd take the 2005 team.

[TNBT]

You know it's a good time to be a Bears fan when it's the DEFENSE that you're worried about. I have really high hopes for this season, but I mainly just want to see how good Cutler can make these guys look in the passing game.

I don't know...our defense isn't nearly as good as it was in 2005, 2004, or 2000.

If this team played the 2005 team in a game, I'd take the 2005 team.

Our defense isn't as good as it has been. We are missing some former players and the ones we still have are older, but I still rate this as a pretty damn good defense.

[Luke NOT Luc]

Our defense is going to have their best year in a long time. It's hard being an elite defense when your offense can't hang onto the ball for more than 3 plays! When you have to play that much, you get so tired and when you get tired, you get hurt. I have no doubt this offense is going to help the defense tremendously. I haven't even mentioned Marinelli on the line and Lovie actually calling the plays this year. I really haven't felt this good about a Bears team in my whole life! (I'm 23)

[NZB2323]

Our defense is going to have their best year in a long time. It's hard being an elite defense when your offense can't hang onto the ball for more than 3 plays! When you have to play that much, you get so tired and when you get tired, you get hurt. I have no doubt this offense is going to help the defense tremendously. I haven't even mentioned Marinelli on the line and Lovie actually calling the plays this year. I really haven't felt this good about a Bears team in my whole life! (I'm 23)

If you think that our defense is going to be anywhere close to where it was in 2006, you're sorely mistaken.

Urlacher is 3 years older, and 2006 was the really the last year of him prime.

Our pass rush is so much worse. We no longer have Tank Johnson, Ogunleye is 3 years older and also past his prime, and Tommie Harris will be injured this year.

Our secondary isn't nearly as good. The Bears were 6-0 when Mike Brown was playing, and Vasher and Tillman were less injured/just better than.

I think that you could argue that last year our offense was better than our defense. Our offense put up 47 points against the Vikings, and 21 against the Eagles in the first half. We had a good running game and a decent passing game. If I had to blame anything on our losses last year, I'd blame our pass rush.

[WEFFPIM]

Our defense is going to have their best year in a long time. It's hard being an elite defense when your offense can't hang onto the ball for more than 3 plays! When you have to play that much, you get so tired and when you get tired, you get hurt. I have no doubt this offense is going to help the defense tremendously. I haven't even mentioned Marinelli on the line and Lovie actually calling the plays this year. I really haven't felt this good about a Bears team in my whole life! (I'm 23)

Yeah...