Today we will look at the offensive roster of the Chicago Bears and get a glimpse into the approach General Manager Duke Raoul took while shaping his offense this offseason.
Starting O-Line Davis, Miller, Kreutz, Brown & Tait
The biggest addition to the Bears O-Line was LT Leonard Davis. Davis, the league's strongest lineman, was aquired from the Arizona Cardinals. The 6'6" 381 lb monster is also the league's heaviest lineman. He will anchor the left side with veteran Fred Miller who is a converted RT. Olin Kreutz is a Pro Bowl Center who will help the team's younger linemen progress. The right side is guarded by veteran Ruben Brown and John Tait.
Back-ups
The Bears have an aging O-Line, so Duke Raoul added some youth to the mix during the Free Agent period of this offseason. The starting O-Liners are 27, 33, 29, 34 & 31 respectively. New additions to the line include 24 year old G William Whitticker (6'5" & 338 lbs), 24 year old C Greg Walker (6'5" & 341 lbs) & 23 year old T Richard Collier (6'7" & 358 lbs). The recent pick-ups will see limited action along with other back-ups such as Terrence Metcalf, who could step into the starting RG role when Ruben Brown retires.
QBs
Twenty five year old Rex Grossman is expected to get the nod over veteran Brian Griese.
Grossman
Bears' management has faith that Griese can get the job done when called upon, but the plan is to let Grossman start and see how well he does. The opinion out of camp is that Grossman is better suited to throw the deep ball and that he will progress well with playing time. Third string QB, Kyle Orton, is a decent option, but he could be traded to obtain help at another position.
HBs & FBs
Chicago has two decent running backs in veteran Thomas Jones and youngster Cedric Benson. Rookie FB JD Runnels will get the nod as the teams starting FB.
Jones, Benson & Runnels
Jones should see the majority of the team's carries this season. The plan is to substitute Cedric Benson into certain formations so he will contribute and progress. Both backs are capable of starting, but the plan is to start Jones for a season or two and let Benson take over when Jones is traded or claimed in free agency. Runnels is a speedy back who should develop nicely and contribute to the run and pass game as well as provide solid pass protection.
Receivers
The Bears' starting tandom of Muhsin "Moose" Muhammad & Bernard Berrian have lots of skill between them.
Moose & Berrian
Moose is a playmaking posession type receiver while Berrian is more of a speedy, deep threat. The 33 year old veteran and 25 year old speed burner are backed up by 24 year old Mark Bradley and 23 year old Fred Gibson who is an impressive 6'4".
Bradley & Gibson
Tight End
Veteran Desmond Clark is currently penciled in as the team's starting TE, but Bears management has made it no secret that the team would like to upgrade this position.
Clark & Wakefiled
Clark could lose some playing time to newly aquired TE Fred Wakefield. Wakefiled stands an impressive 6'6" and 312 lbs. His frame and skill should provide the Bears' O-Line with decent pass protection in Twin TE & Goal Line formations; he should also be able to create some holes for the run game when called upon.
Stay tuned for more Bears' information as we will be reviewing the Bears defense in the near future.
First off, great setup of your team, I really like it
Now, my questions: With so many important FAs next year you goal can only be the win in the Superbowl, right? Do you think that QB Rex Grossman is good enough already to lead your team deep into the post-season?
__________________ What it means to be a Bill...said by Fred Smerlas...
I have nothing but good memories of playing for the Bills. It's something I cherish. When I was playing for the Pats, I'd wear a Bills T-shirt under my uniform. Someone came up to me one day and said, 'Fred, no matter what you wear on the outside, you,ll always be a Buffalo Bill on the inside.'
Um Billster... I think this is a news article not a press conference.
__________________
"Anyone who is not shocked by quantum theory has not understood it." - Niels Bohr
"many-worlds interpretation" (MWI) which postulates that at the quantum level, everything that can happen does happen, and that each possible outcome branches the universe into another
I'm just posting news about my team, but feel free to ask questions.
I feel that Rex can lead my team deep into the playoffs and maybe even take home the Lombardi thophy. He's young, so he will make mistakes, but I think his skill and physical attributes are promising enough to be my team's starting QB. At this point, it's his job to lose.
I do have quality players that will hit the FA market in the upcoming offseason, but I don't think there is a real sense of urgency that this season will be our last chence to get to the dance. Our upcoming FAs include:
WR Bernard Berrian (85 OVR & 25 years old)
LT Leonard Davis (85 OVR & 27 years old)
LG Ruben Brown (87 OVR & 34 years old)
OLB Lance Briggs (93 OVR & 25 years old)
CB Charles Tillman (87 OVR & 25 years old)
CB Phillip Buchanon (80 OVR & 25 years old)
I'm not totally sold on who will get my team's franchise tag. There is a very good possibility that two or more of the players (mentioned above) will be dealt before the offseason. A quick look at my roster would lead most to believe that I can afford to lose a CB and one of my young O-Linemen could fill into a void left by Ruben Brown. I'd love to keep BIG Leonard Davis in a Bears' uniform, but it will likely come down to slapping the tag on him or Briggs. I might take my chances on resigning Berrian through FA and worse case scenerio is that I lose both him and Moose (to retirement) and end up starting a couple of rookies next season...which I've never done, but could be fun.
My cap room should allow me to retain a few guys and I'm not the type of GM who will build up large cap penalties through trading. I think that the future looks great for this Bears franchise.
Hey Duke, Sick Nasty here from the Philadelphia Inquirer..
Was just wondering what's going on with your fullback JD Runnels face? Is the complexion in skin color that strong there in Chicago? Or has he gotten into some type of accident we should be aware of? Please fill us in....
<Laughs>
On a real note..
With Thomas Jones only having 2 years left, do you see yourself giving Cedric Benson the oppertunity to carry the ball more now? Possibly preparing him to take over once Jones is gone, and progressing him so that he is ready to take over the duties?
lol....I was wondering that myself. Kidding aside, I actually Googled "JD Runnels face" earlier today to see if I could find out what was going on with it. I didn't find anything.
I'll be starting the best running back on my roster, and right now, that player (IMO) is Thomas Jones. Regardless of age or the years remaining on his contract, I feel that Thomas Jones is the better back and I expect him to see more carries than Cedric Benson this season. I'll let TJ start and try to get Cedric involved in the offense by using him as a HB in certain formations and possibly as a FB in other formations. If I find that Cedric is outplaying Thomas, then the younster will see more carries and he could earn himself the starting job.
He's young, so he will make mistakes, but I think his skill and physical attributes are promising enough to be my team's starting QB. At this point, it's his job to lose.
Linear Mode
