OFFENSE C+
DEFENSE A-
SPEC. TEAMS B-
COACHING B+
FRONT OFFICE B-
SCOUTING A-
OVERALL B
STRENGTH DL, LB, RB, RS, TE
WEAKNESS WR, DS, OG
OFF. MVP Matt Forte
DEF. MVP Lance Briggs
TOP ROOKIE Matt Forte
Comments: Through the first half of the season, I’ve really liked what I’ve seen from this Bears club. There certainly not flashy and nobody is ever going to confuse this club with the 1999 greatest show on turf St. Louis Rams, but they are very efficient, execute the offense and have significantly upgraded the overall offense by committing to Kyle Orton at the quarterback position and the play of rookie running back Matt Forte.
During the off season the wide receiver group needs to be upgraded significantly. Devin Hester shows promise, but I don’t know if he has the processing ability to become a front line receiver in this league. The secondary has been totally beaten up over the first half of the season, but with the exception of the 48 to 41 victory over the Vikings the defense has been first rate. Let’s also hope for the overall success of this football club that the Orton ankle injury isn’t as serious as it appeared.
I’ve known management (Jerry Angelo) and the majority of the scouting staff for many year’s and although I have often disagreed with some of their actions and inactions, I strongly believe that they as a group are as good as there is in the National Football League. If I were ever to some day be in a position to put together a staff, you can be sure that the names of Marty Barrett, Jeff Shiver, Mark Sadowski and Ted Monago would be at the very top of my list.
I had the opportunity to work with Lovie Smith for two seasons with the St. Louis Rams and believe he is as good at what he does in preparing his club as anyone in the league.
They’ve got to stay healthy over the second half of the season, but the Bears have a real chances or reclaiming NFC North division title.