Here's nine things to look for within the Chicago Bears organizations:
1. THE QUARTERBACKS
Can Grossman stay healthy? Will Griese pick up the offense as quickly as he's rumored to have? Who will outplay the other in the preseason games? You know Jerry and the staff will continue to rest their loyalty squarely on the shoulders of Rex the Wonder Bear but you also have to believe that a consistently tremendous performance will do for Brian Griese exactly what it's done for him in his last two homes: win him the starting job.
1a. HOW MUCH TIME DOES GROSSMAN PLAY?
Nothing to add here. Just wondering how cautious they'll be with him.
2. THE SECOND RECEIVER
I'm not as interested in this as others. Bernard Berrian showed a terrific rapport with Grossman late and Mark Bradley will be solid once he's healthy. Who starts opposite Moose? I don't much care.
3. THE LANCE BRIGGS CONTRACT
I know it's an off-field issue but with Jerry signing every draft pick before camp and uninterested in extending Lovie Smith (having taken this job with an illogically extended Coach of the Year), Briggs' contract moves to the forefront of his mind. Lance is going to have a terrific year and the better the year, the more difficult he'll be to sign. With Hunter and Brian locked up for five more years, it'd be nice to see this corps learn and develop together as they continue to be the best unit in the game.
4. WHO THE FUCK IS RETURNING KICKS?
The drafting of 361 kick returners seems to say that Bernie B is not going to be back there this season and I believe Bobby Wade just signed in the returns department...at Macy's. I think you'll be looking at a rookie in the back, whether that be Hester or Manning - should be fun to watch in the preseason.
5. HOW MANY CORNERBACKS IS TOO MANY CORNERBACKS?
Assuming that D. Manning won't play much at corner as a rookie, how will the Bears use Vasher, Tillman, R. Manning and Wesley at corner? Remember, Dante Wesley signed here because he was tired of not playing in Carolina. Either way, the Bears find themselves pretty deep at one of the most important positions on the field.
6. HEALTH
It's a worry for every franchise but it'd be nice to see the Bears exit camp without any major injuries. Last year it was Rex. The year before it was Brian's hamstring, which didn't improve the entire season. These guys need to stay on the field.
7. RUNNING BACK BATTLE
You'd probably thought this would be higher but I'm starting to think this is going to be a non-issue in camp. Play them both. Run them both. Let them battle. And then when the season starts... Play them both. Run them both. Let them battle. Run two-back sets. Put TJ in the flat. Utilize the notion that we have two starting NFL running backs on this roster and a hell of a backup in Adrian Peterson.
8. THE THIRD DEFENSIVE END
Word out of minicamps is that Mark Anderson has been impressive and Mel Kiper thought he was one of the finest second day picks in the entire draft. I hope so as the Bears are desperate to have a third player really contribute at end. Might it also be Idonije? If Alex and Adewale can continue to improve on last season, this could become the most dominant defensive line in the game.
9. BEAR DOWN
#2 paytonfan said . . .Qasim Mitchell is finally gone . . . I don't know about the rest of you, but I have watched this man suck for far to long. He bombed as a starter, he was a subpar back up at best and he wasn't getting any better. I never wish ill on any current or former Bear player (except Todd Sauerbrun), but I can't say I am not sorry to see him go.
July 22, 2006
#3 Max said . . .now that backup TightEnd john gilmore got arrested for maryjane possesion, amongst other charges, our tight end position, (already considered a weakness despite desmond clark's probowl alternate-status,) seems more in jeopardy. it would be nice to see the Bears trade for an impact tight end as we have few, if any, impact/franchise players on offense.
July 23, 2006
#4 Superbowl Bound said . . .Come on now, one of the other charges was resisting arrest. Police described it as a "tussle". He is just getting into practice for the season ya know, bust through those DE's and practicing his blocking, etc. thats sorta like beating up a cop. And in all fairness, this is the most work, not to mention press coverage, any of our tight ends have got in about 2 and a half years. . . so at least its a sign of life.
also, i maintain that TJ is an IMPACT player, so we have at least 2 on the offense. (Olin Kruetz would be the other one)
July 23, 2006
I find the comment about Griese picking up the offense funny. To my recollection they only used about 6 plays last year. Let's hope with virtually an entire offseason he can at least get that much. I think he will be fine and it's good to see 2-3 QB's this year vs. barely one last year.
July 27, 2006
Here at DaBearsBlog, you are free to kill us or the Bears as you so wish. You are not free, however, to be an asshole. So if you spew racism or ill-meaning foul language (cursing about football is just fine) or anything of that ilk, your comments ain't gonna last long, jerk.